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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Los Angeles, the City of Angels, was a sleepy little town that grew slowly until the discovery of oil in the late 1800s. But it was the silver-screen era that turned Los Angeles into a boom town. Its idyllic climate allowed filming to take place outdoors, all year round.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles County, midway between downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, Beverly Hills has a unique charm, glamorous ambience and hospitable populace known throughout the world.

Beverly Hills is simultaneously a small town and a highly sophisticated city. It is the capital of the entertainment industry and a trendsetter in the world of fashion and beauty. As they dine and shop around town, visitors to Beverly Hills have a chance to rub elbows with celebrities.

Featuring world-renowned shopping and restaurants, and endowed by nature with exquisite beauty and a perfect climate, Beverly Hills is truly a "world within a city."

Time zone

GMT -8 hours
Pacific Standard Time

Language(s) spoken

English

Electrical system

Local voltage is 110 to 120 volts AC. Adapters are available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Most stores open by 10:00 am and close at 6:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Stores in shopping complexes may stay open until 9:00 pm on weekdays and weekends, and many malls and department stores are open on Sundays.

Working hours

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Time and distance to city centre

30 minutes/12 miles/19 kilometres

Time and distance to shopping

• Rodeo Drive: 0.1 miles/0.16 kilometres
• Century City: 1 mile/2 kilometres
• Beverly Center: 2 miles/3 kilometres
• Melrose Avenue: 2 miles/3 kilometres
• Pacific Design Center: 2 miles/3 kilometres
• Robertson: 2 miles/3 kilometres
• Third Street Promenade: 8 miles/14 kilometres
• Staples Center: 11 miles/19 kilometres

Time and distance to financial district

30 minutes/12 miles/19 kilometres

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

January

• The renowned Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade takes place in Pasadena, a tradition since 1890.
• Two championship college football teams kick off at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
• Awards season opens with The Golden Globes in Hollywood, often the first hint of upcoming winners at the Academy Awards.

February

• Los Angeles welcomes famed musicians to the Grammy Awards in honour of the recording industry.
• Chinese New Year festivities and the must-see Golden Dragon Parade flood the streets of Chinatown.
• The Ragga Muffin Reggae Festival draws rastas to Long Beach in celebration of Bob Marley.

March

• The Independent Spirit Awards honour the best in independent film on the beach in Santa Monica.
• Hollywood’s biggest stars walk the red carpet for the Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre.
• The Los Angeles Marathon takes to the streets of the city with runners from around the world.
• Designers showcase their creations on the runways at Los Angeles Fashion Week.

April

• The Toyota Grand Prix has been giving fans a rush for over 30 years.
• A Roman Catholic priest blesses animals on the Saturday before Easter, in keeping with a tradition that's over 70 years old.
• The Exposition Park Rose Garden is the place to be for the blooming of the roses.
• Knights and damsels entertain at the Renaissance Pleasure Fair in Southern California, taking guests back to medieval times.
• With thousands of literary works on hand, the Festival of Books plays host to lectures and workshops; it is one of the country's leading literary events.
• For the best in indie and alternative rock, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival sets the standard.

May

• To commemorate Mexico’s victory over the French in 1862, LA hosts Cinco de Mayo – an annual fiesta.
• Video game aficionados unite at the E3 convention, where Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft launch the latest in video game technology.
• Strawberries abound at the California Strawberry Festival: juiced, baked, preserved or fresh from the field.
• Thousands display their pride at the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and Festival.
• Art enthusiasts enjoy visiting local studios during the Venice Art Walk and Auction.
• 200 exhibitors showcase their photography, paintings, sculptures and other original work during the Affaire in the Gardens Art Show.

June

• "Boystown" never sleeps during the LA Pride Festival’s month-long celebrations.
• For over 25 years, the Playboy Jazz Festival has got its groove on at the Hollywood Bowl.
• The star-studded LA Film Festival is the perfect place to see and be seen.
• The Father's Day Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance displays the world's most significant classic and vintage cars, attracting enthusiasts from around the globe.

July

• Gay and lesbian cinema is honoured at Outfest, the oldest ongoing film festival in LA.
• Pageant of the Masters, a re-creation of classical and contemporary works of art with modern-day people, takes place in Laguna Beach through September.

August

• The Nisei Week Japanese Festival showcases Japanese-American culture in LA’s Little Tokyo.
• The streets of trendy Silver Lake fill with music, food and vendors for the Sunset Junction Street Fair.
• The Emmy Awards brings TV stars to the stage as the television industry is recognised.
• Performances by internationally acclaimed musicians and their young musical protégés offer world-famous chamber music during the annual Beverly Hills International Music Festival.

September

• The LA County Fair entertains with concerts, horse racing, agricultural exhibits and carnival rides.

October

• LA Fashion Week is a haven for buyers, media and fashion-lovers looking to be in the know on spring fashion.
• The Hollywood Film Festival celebrates with screenings, an awards gala and a chance to mix and mingle with the stars.
• Hollywood's Halloween Costume Carnival attracts ghosts and goblins to Santa Monica Boulevard.
• Over 200 exhibitors showcase their photography, paintings, sculptures and other original work during the Affaire in the Gardens Art Show.

November

• Los Angeles cheers on its Lakers as a new season opens.
• The Doo Dah Parade puts a twist on the traditional Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.
• Hollywood's Christmas Parade kicks off the festive season with marching bands, floats and celebrities making their way along Hollywood Boulevard.
• The Garden and Design Showcase, at historic Greystone Mansion, features landscape designers, interior designers and the country's best home-and-garden merchandise.

December

• A holiday tradition, the LADWP Light Festival illuminates a mile of Crystal Springs Drive with over one million lights.
• The LA Auto Show previews next year’s hot wheels.
• Marina del Rey is in the festive spirit as host of the annual Holiday Boat Parade, complete with fireworks.
• The SoBev Block Party is filled with holiday festivities for everyone, including Santa.