West Hollywood has never been known for following trends. It's known for setting them and nowhere else is it more apparent than on Santa Monica boulevard. Originally an industrial road, dotted with film studio's and the Los Angeles Pacific Railway, it connected east LA with the Pacific Ocean. Some people might remember this as the part of Route 66 that runs from Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, West LA, and ends at Santa Monica.

The great thing is that the 1.9mi stretch that runs through West Hollywood (known as "The Boulevard"; runs from La Brea Ave to Doheny Dr.) is super pedestrian and pet friendly with a wide variety of outdoor cafes. On the Boulevard you will find lots of eclectic shops, coffee locations, gyms, and celebrity visited restaurants.. If celebrity hunting is what you are wanting then stop by The courtyard Brasserie at Palihouse Holloway (Santa Monica Blvd / Holloway Dr). There is also a very lively Gay and Lesbian scene here so make sure to check out Flaming Saddles, Micky's, The Abbey, GYM Sports Bar, Revolves, and Fiesta Cantina for an active night out. If you want more reasons to get out and walk, Walk Score has named West Hollywood the "Most Walkable city in California".

In town for some fun? The annual Halloween Street Carnival is said to be the largest in the world. The Pride Parade is the second largest parade in LA County (first is the Rose Parade).

Interested in history? In 1930, United Artists opened on Formosa Ave / Santa Monica Blvd which is said to be the start of Hollywood. Today it is called "The Lot" and while Oprah runs OWN from. Also make sure to check out the Troubadour where Elton John played his first US concert and continues to be a place for a wide variety of acts.

The Pickup Line is a fun and free trolley service that operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm to 3am. Look for the brightly coloured trolley, which stop at designated stops along Santa Monica Boulevard between La Peer Avenue and Fairfax Boulevard.

Parking structures on or near Santa Monica Boulevard include the Municipal Parking Structure at the West Hollywood Library, on the corner of San Vicente and Melrose. More information can be found by visiting www.weho.org and click on "Parking Services".

Parking on streets adjacent to the Boulevard is mostly permit-only due to the residential community so be sure to read the street signs. You can obtain day permit passes from the West Hollywood Sheriff's station.

Santa Monica Boulevard is named in the classic Sheryl Crow song "All I Wanna Do (Is Have Some Fun)"

Bar Lubitsch (7702 Santa Monica Boulevard) can be seen in the 2011 blockbuster Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Formosa Cafe (7156 Santa Monica Boulevard) seen in the 1997 movie LA Confidential as well as The Majestic and Still Breathing

The Lot (7200 Santa Monica Boulevard) - Formerly the Pickford-Fairbanks Studio, United Artists Studios, and the Samuel Goldwyn Studios this was home to the TV series True Blood during its entire run from 2008 - 2014. The studio has a history that dates back to the early 1900s and was a filming location for classic movies such as Guys and dolls, Some Like it Hot, West Side Story, and The Big Lebowski. TV shows such as The Love Boat, The Fugitive, and Dynasty

The Original Barney's Beanery (8447 Santa Monica Boulevard) featured several times in the movie The Doors, including a scene in which Jim Morrison is kicked out for urinating on the bar (an incident which reportedly happened in real life)

The Palihouse Hollywood Hotel (8465 Holloway Dr) the location of Whitney's going away party when she left the reality show the Hills

Pump Lounge (8948 Santa Monica boulevard) restaurateur and reality show star Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant is a common setting for the housewives antics on both The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills and her spin-off Vanderpump Rules

The West Hollywood IHOP (8461 Santa Monica Boulevard) the same IHOP seen in the movie The Hangover Part II

Voda Spa (7700 Santa Monica Boulevard) an updated version of a classic Russian sauna, it is a common destination for the contestant and trainers on The Biggest Loser