Rodeo Drive is the most famous shopping street in the world, three short blocks of designer boutiques in the heart of Beverly Hills. You do not have to buy a thing to enjoy it: window-shopping, people-watching and spotting the Pretty Woman hotel are all free, and the surrounding Golden Triangle is full of cafes, gardens and classic Hollywood history.
This guide covers what to see on Rodeo Drive, the best free things to do in Beverly Hills, where to park for free, holiday events and tips.
In this guide
For more neighborhoods, see our Los Angeles neighborhood guide.
Rodeo Drive at a glance
- Where: North Rodeo Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills
- Best known for: luxury fashion boutiques, Via Rodeo, the Beverly Wilshire hotel
- Cost: free to stroll
- Parking: several city garages in the Golden Triangle offer up to two hours free
- Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
What to see on Rodeo Drive
- The boutiques: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès, Prada, Dior and many more line the street in flagship stores designed by famous architects.
- Two Rodeo Drive and Via Rodeo: a cobblestone lane with a European-style staircase, lampposts and fountains at the Wilshire Boulevard end. It is the most photographed spot on the street.
- The Beverly Wilshire hotel: at Wilshire and Rodeo, the hotel from Pretty Woman. Stop in for a drink or just admire the 1928 building.
- The Rodeo Drive Walk of Style: plaques in the sidewalk honoring fashion icons.
- The Rodeo Drive sign and the “Torso” sculpture for photos.
Free things to do in Beverly Hills
- The Beverly Hills sign at Beverly Gardens Park: the classic photo spot on Santa Monica Boulevard, with a lily pond and rose garden nearby.
- The Beverly Hills Hotel: the pink hotel on Sunset Boulevard, famous for its Polo Lounge and banana-leaf wallpaper.
- Greystone Mansion and Gardens: the grounds of a 1920s Tudor mansion, used in many films, are free to explore on most days.
- The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts: a theater in the old Beverly Hills post office.
- Celebrity homes: bus tours drive past homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Air; you can also drive Sunset Boulevard and the residential flats yourself, quietly and respectfully.
Where to eat
Beverly Hills has a mix of famous restaurants and casual cafes. In the Golden Triangle you will find upscale Italian and steakhouses, celebrity-spotting brunch spots, and classic diners and sandwich shops on Beverly Drive and Canon Drive, a block or two east of Rodeo, which are often better value. Afternoon tea at a grand hotel is a Beverly Hills treat.
Holidays on Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle are decorated for the holidays from mid-November, with a holiday lighting celebration that kicks off the season with music and fireworks. Store windows go all out, and the street is a festive evening walk through December. See our guide to Christmas lights in Los Angeles.
Getting there and parking
- Parking: the City of Beverly Hills runs several garages in the Golden Triangle, and many offer the first one or two hours free. Garages at 9510 Brighton Way and 241 N. Canon Drive are close to Rodeo. Two Rodeo Drive offers two hours of free self-parking during the day.
- Metro: the D Line extension is being built through Beverly Hills toward Westwood; until its Wilshire/Rodeo station opens, use Metro buses along Wilshire Boulevard or the D Line to Wilshire/La Cienega and a short ride. See our LA Metro guide.
- Driving time: about 20 to 30 minutes from Hollywood or Santa Monica without traffic.
Tips for visiting
- Go on a weekday morning for quieter sidewalks and easier photos.
- Dress how you like; the boutiques welcome window-shoppers, though some may limit how many people enter at once.
- Combine with nearby sights: Century City’s mall and the Museum of Tolerance are close by, and West Hollywood is a short drive east.
- Respect privacy around residential streets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rodeo Drive free to visit?
Yes. Walking Rodeo Drive and Via Rodeo is free.
Where can I park for free near Rodeo Drive?
Several Beverly Hills city garages in the Golden Triangle offer up to two hours free, and Two Rodeo Drive has two hours of free daytime parking.
What hotel was in Pretty Woman?
The Beverly Wilshire, at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.
How long is Rodeo Drive?
The famous shopping stretch is about three blocks between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards.
Where is the Beverly Hills sign?
At Beverly Gardens Park on Santa Monica Boulevard, near Rodeo Drive.
Photo credits
Featured image: Kjetil Ree / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5.
