Its “90210” zip code is world-famous, with celebrities flocking to the designer boutiques, chic cafes and luxurious mansions found in Beverly Hills. Neighbouring suburbs like Bel Air, West Hollywood and Holmby Hills only add to its celebrity status and create the prestigious area known as the Platinum Triangle.
A stroll down Rodeo Drive is a Beverly Hills rite of passage, with the gleaming storefronts attracting well-heeled shoppers and sightseers alike. The hills themselves are peppered with exclusive mansions, which shield their celebrity residents from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.
The best way to tour Beverly Hills is by car, though public transport options are also available for visitors heading exclusively to Rodeo Drive. For visitors determined to get a glimpse at the luxury mansions that dot Beverly Hills, jumping aboard a celebrity homes sightseeing bus is an excellent way to get the scoop.
While today Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury, it wasn’t always so glamorous. Originally the area was little more than a Spanish ranch, where lima beans replaced Louis Vuitton. In 1914 a group of investors discovered underground water instead of oil and decided to develop the area into a town. Its popularity quickly soared, and today it’s an eternal favourite with A-listers and studio executives alike.