A neighbourhood guide to Beverly Hills

With its lopsided chimney, loose roof tiles and cobweb motif embedded in a hobbit-style door, it’s little wonder this private home is dubbed the ‘Witch’s House’. Originally built in 1921 by film director Harry Oliver as dressing rooms and a set for Willat Studios in Culver City, the entire building moved to Beverly Hills in 1934. While you can’t venture inside, you can see it from a respectable distance from the street – if you dare to ignore the sign ‘Beware the Witch.’

516 North Walden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Built in 1911, the Beaux-Arts mansion and its 6.5-acre garden is the former home of Virginia and Harry Robinson, the couple behind Robinson’s department stores. It was renowned for hosting legendary parties in the 1950s, whose guests included Hollywood greats such as Sophia Loren and Charlie Chaplin. After Virginia’s death, the estate was bequeathed to Los Angeles County and today the house is a museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open by appointment only. Amble around lush gardens and lose yourself in the forest enveloped by the scent of roses in summer.

1008 Elden Way Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Divided in two by Coldwater Canyon Drive, this 5.5-acre park on the southern tip of Franklin Canyon was originally built over a reservoir. Today, jogging tracks, paths and a stream create a relaxed ambiance. Pack a picnic and find a bench near the fountain, stroll beneath the shady trellis and admire artworks such as Woods Davy’s pebble and wood sculpture, ‘Stillwater’. The park’s proximity to Sunset Boulevard means if you linger for long enough you may spot a Hollywood star or two dog-walking or out for a walk.  

12601 North Mulholland Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210

You may have heard of vending machines selling gold in Abu Dhabi and noodles in Tokyo, but… cake? When Candace Nelson – founder of Sprinkles’ bakery and judge on the reality television show Cupcake Wars – had cravings at night during pregnancy, she came up with the idea of an ATM that dispenses cupcakes, cupcake mix and even ‘pupcakes’ for dogs. The concept was a world first, and today there are 14 across the city, including in Westfield Century City near The Beverly Hills Hotel. The ATM is restocked from 2am till 11pm – so you can have your cake and eat it.

10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Pack a picnic or hop on one of our complimentary banana leaf bikes to explore this five-acre park, opposite The Beverly Hills Hotel. Known as Sunset Park when it opened in 1915, it was renamed after a regular visitor, Will Rogers, Beverly Hills’ first honorary mayor. The Californian sunshine peeks through palm trees, casting shadows on the lawn bordered by flowerbeds and rose bushes. Perfect for a picnic, relax by the pond, which is home to turtles, alongside a fountain named after Margaret J Anderson, the first owner of The Beverly Hills Hotel.

9650 Sunset Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90210