Hidden Gems & Attractions In Beverly Hills

Virginia Robinson Gardens

Virginia Robinson of the Robinson’s Department stores, whose family built this estate in 1911, was known as the "First Lady of Beverly Hills." She was famous for her legendary card games and extravagant parties, which were frequented by celebrities like Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin and Lillian Disney. Inspired by her travels, Virginia transformed her six-acre estate into a botanical garden oasis complete with exotic and rare plants, pools and fountains.

Spanning 6.2 acres, the estate and its grounds include: The Italian Terrace Garden, The Great Lawn, The Display Rose Garden with heirloom roses, The Kitchen Garden where groundskeepers grow seasonal vegetables and herbs and The Palm Tree Forest featuring over 200 King Palms – the largest collection outside of Australia. Virginia Robinson Gardens is open to the public for approximately 90-minute docent-guided tours. Reservations are required. Schedule a tour by emailing visit@robinsongardens.org, calling (310) 550-2065 or by making reservations online.  

Virginia Robinson Gardens was featured in our Beverly Hills Duets video episode, Motorcars & Manors. Watch now.

Learn more from Women's Wear Daily.

Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, California 90210

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

Cheese aficionados may think they've died and gone to heaven upon entering this shop that stocks over 500 varieties of the best cheeses from all over the world. While the store is known for its extensive cheese offerings, it also features wine and fine foods, including truffles, caviar, olive oils and charcuterie.

Say hello to cheesemonger and turophile Norbert Wabnig on your next visit and be sure to ask about their monthly cheese and wine pairing classes.

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills was featured in our Duets video episode, Cuisine & Culture. Watch now.

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, 9705 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90210

Fairytale Residences

The O'Neill House makes you feel like you've stepped into Alice's Wonderland. The home's facade was inspired by the surreal designs of famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. This house is just steps from the Golden Triangle. Be sure to walk or drive down the alley that runs along the house's left side as the swirling exterior can be seen even better from the back.

The Witch's House, also known as the Spadena House, appears to be plucked straight out of a fairytale. The house was built in 1921 for a silent film movie studio, Willat Studios in Culver City, to serve as its offices and dressing rooms. When the studio closed, the Spadena family moved the home to its current location in Beverly Hills, where it has been since 1934. Thanks to the pointy, lopsided roof, tiny windows and stucco with a distressed paint technique, the home has been described as the quintessential Hansel and Gretel house.

The Witch’s House was featured in our Beverly Hills Duets video episode, Motorcars & Manors. Watch now.

O'Neill House, 507 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210
The Witch's House, 516 North Walden Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210

Both homes are private residences. Tours are not offered. Do not trespass and please be respectful of the residents by viewing from the public right-of-way only.

The Double Barrel

Located on Wilshire Boulevard, The Double Barrel is an exclusive whiskey lounge. Make reservations in advance to join them, experience a tasting, enjoy dinner, and learn about their whiskey membership. 

To become a Double Barrel member, all you have to do is purchase a bottle (1 every 3 months). Enjoy membership perks like whiskey tastings, exclusive events & more.

Call (310) 657-5040 to learn more and make your reservation today!

The Double Barrel, 8689 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90211

Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate

Built in 1928 for the son of a prominent oil baron, the majestic Greystone Mansion today is surrounded by 18.5 pastoral acres of lush, city-owned parkland.

Greystone has had feature roles in dozens of famous movies including The Big Lebowski, There Will Be Blood, Ghostbusters, Austin Powers: Goldmember and Spiderman.

Visit Greystone Mansion and stroll through two public areas on the grounds-the beautifully maintained formal gardens with their centerpiece fountain, and the pool and inner courtyard area. Park grounds are open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 days a week.

If you are seeking to go inside the mansion, attend one of the special events held throughout the year.

Greystone Mansion & Gardens was featured in our Beverly Hills Duets video episode, Motorcars & Manors. Watch now.

Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate, 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210

The Hideaway

"The Hideaway" is discreetly located on the Garden Level (lower level) of the Rodeo Collection. The restaurant is a Mexican steakhouse with vintage décor, romantic vibes, and exquisite cuisine. The Hideaway offers some very exciting features such as “Push for tequila” buttons at booth seating and several dishes made 'tableside.'

For reservations, please contact the restaurant directly or call: (310) 974-8020.

The Rodeo Collection is located on the 400 block of North Rodeo Drive, in the heart of the Beverly Hills Golden Triangle, the city's central business district. It holds a breathtaking assortment of world famous retailers, including Bijan, high end beauty salons and an eclectic assortment of dining options. 

Gourmet Sweet Shops

It's hard to imagine another location so concentrated with specialty sweets shops than Beverly Hills. Customers love the many flavors at Sprinkles Cupcakes and its popular cupcake ATM, and a variety of vegan macarons beckon from the counter at Ladurée. Open for tours, Edelweiss Chocolates was Lucille Ball's favorite and inspired her iconic "Job Switching" assembly line I Love Lucy episode.

Edelweiss Chocolates, 444 North Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210

Ladurée, 311 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212

Sprinkles, 9635 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90210
 

Beverly Hills Parks

Beverly Hills is home to almost as many trees (33,000 species) as residents and has an impressive 14 parks! This commitment to urban forestry has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation who has named Beverly Hills a "Tree City USA" community for over 25 years.

Head over to Beverly Gardens Park, the home of the famous Beverly Hills sign for a commemorative photo of your time in Beverly Hills, but don't miss some of the smaller pocket parks dotted around town. Beverly Cañon Gardens is nestled beside The Maybourne Beverly Hills and offers plentiful seating for a mid-day break. Will Rogers Memorial Park's central fountain filled with Koi fish, sweeping lawns, and countless palm trees that span the property, make it perfect for a romantic picnic.

These Beverly Hills parks were featured in our Duets video episode, Parks & Pooches. Watch now.

Beverly Gardens Park, Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210
Will Rogers Memorial Park, 9650 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90210
Beverly Cañon Gardens, 241 North Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210