Rodeo Drive: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome to Rodeo Drive!

  Welcome to Rodeo Drive, a mix of cobblestone charm and high-end brands, popular with visitors, locals, and celebrities alike.

• Richard Carroll

  Richard Carroll, frustrated by the lack of nearby fashion stores, opened Carroll & Company in 1952, starting Rodeo Drive’s transformation.

• “Big Mistake. HUGE!”

  The iconic scene from Pretty Woman, where Julia Roberts’ character confronts rude sales clerks, was inspired by a real-life event on Rodeo Drive.

• Giorgio

  Fred and Gale Hayman opened Giorgio Beverly Hills in 1961, creating a luxurious shopping experience that attracted celebrities and transformed Rodeo Drive.

• Walk Of Style

  The Walk of Style honors fashion icons like Giorgio Armani and Fred Hayman, with plaques celebrating their influence on the fashion industry.

• Spotting Celebrities on Rodeo Drive

  Rodeo Drive is a celebrity hotspot, where stars like the Kardashians, Simon Cowell, and Jennifer Lopez shop and sometimes create memorable moments.

• Buckingham Palace of Hollywood

  Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks’ legendary mansion, dubbed the “Buckingham Palace of Hollywood,” hosted the era’s elite and helped build Beverly Hills’ glamorous reputation.

• Big Names and Big Bucks

  In 2016, Tiffany’s reopened with a star-studded event featuring Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, and Ariana Grande, showcasing the brand’s luxurious appeal.

• Anderton Court Shops

  Frank Lloyd Wright designed the distinctive Anderton Court Shops in 1951, commissioned by socialite Nina Anderton to showcase a fashion designer’s work.

• Van Cleef & Arpels

  In 1986, Van Cleef & Arpels was the site of a dramatic standoff when a man, claiming to be sold fake jewelry, took hostages before being captured by police.

• Two Rodeo

  Two Rodeo is a $200 million outdoor shopping mall with 24 boutiques like Tiffany’s, Jimmy Choo, and Versace. It’s dubbed a “theme park for rich adults” by The New York Times.

• Hot Real Estate

  The original owner sold Two Rodeo before the 1990s recession for $1,500 per square foot, the highest price ever recorded for US commercial real estate at the time.

• Clueless on the Drive

  The famous shopping spree scene from the 1995 film Clueless was filmed on these very steps, with Cher showcasing her iconic fashion sense.

• Beverly Wilshire

  Built in 1928, the Beverly Wilshire hotel became a five-star destination for the rich and famous, but was initially segregated, barring Black guests until activists like Paul Robeson challenged the status quo.

• The Brown Derby Restaurant

  Once a beloved Hollywood restaurant shaped like a derby hat, it opened in 1926 and became famous despite its noisy interior due to poor acoustics.

• "Life is Beautiful"

  This bright red sculpture by Mr. Brainwash, a protégé of Banksy, has become an Instagram favorite since it was installed in 2019.

• Uncle Bernie’s Toy Menagerie

  Before Dior, this whimsical toy store enchanted visitors with candy cane columns and paper-mache trees, closing in 1965 as sophistication took over Rodeo Drive.

• Scandalous Fashion

  Gucci’s Milan Fashion Week runway show featured models in straitjacket-inspired white jumpsuits, highlighting society’s forced conformity.

• Rodeo Drive on the Screen

  Rodeo Drive has been a backdrop for films like Pretty Woman, Clueless, Beverly Hills Cop, and TV shows like Entourage, with its iconic palm-lined streets.

• The Luau Restaurant

  This island-themed restaurant had a bamboo pirate ship, indoor lagoon, and was linked to drama, being owned by Lana Turner’s husband during her affair with mafia figure Johnny Stompanato.

• House of Bijan

  The House of Bijan is the world’s most expensive men’s store, frequented by celebrities, kings, and presidents. The store features a custom yellow Rolls Royce and was founded by Iranian designer Bijan.

• Bijan’s Bugatti

  Bijan’s custom Bugatti Veyron, once a Beverly Hills landmark, could reach 253 MPH in less than a minute. The car was sold to a Dubai client in 2017 after a vandal smashed its window in 2011.

• By Appointment Only

  Bijan’s store operates on an appointment-only basis, ensuring a private shopping experience.

• Writers and Artists Building / Conclusion

  The Writers and Artists Building, once the tallest in Beverly Hills, housed legends like Charlie Chaplin and Ray Bradbury. Saved from decline in the 1950s, it remains a creative hub and is rumored to be haunted.

• Conclusion

  This marks the end of the tour. You can visit the Beverly Hills sign or explore other tours like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Celebrity Homes, or Joshua Tree too. Thanks for joining!