West Hollywood is home to one of the world’s largest Halloween parties. Close to half a million people take over a 1.5 mile strip of Santa Monica Blvd. dressed in outrageous, outlandish and outstanding costumes.
The party includes live music on six stages and a fleet of LA’s best food trucks accompanied by plenty of Halloween debauchery. The parade kicks off at 7pm, but the big draws of the evening have to be the Halloween Costume Contest and the crowning of an Honorary “Queen of the Carnaval.” Admission is free and the festivities continue all night on the strip and surrounding venues.
Where to Stay
With Halloween landing on a Friday this year, grabbing a room nearby could be the safest and least stressful option for partying in West Hollywood. Several hotels are located nearby:
Le Parc Suite Hotel
These apartment-style suites, each with a private balcony, kitchenette and fireplace, make for a cozy morning-in after a long night-out.
Le Montrose Suite Hotel
A popular destination for those booking extended stays. Rooftop tennis courts, a saltwater pool, and a fine dining room are but a few of the posh amenities available to guests.
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
A contemporary hotel renowned for its rose lounge, the Sofitel is also the spot for modern French cuisine. It is located just down San Vicente Blvd., a few blocks from the action.
Find more hotels with the LosAngeles.com Guide to West Hollywood Hotels.
Find a Costume
Halloween can sneak up on some people, but don’t worry – there’s always time to throw together a last-minute costume. Here are a few stores that can help:
Hollywood Toys & Costumes
A fantastic selection of wigs, masks, and Halloween DIY makeup kits, for those who’d rather make their costume than by it.
Bizzy B
Bizzy B’s has all of this year’s hottest and most popular costumes at prices that won’t terrify.
Spirit Halloween
The friendly staff wanders the isles asking customers if they need help, which most do since there’s so many costumes and knick-knacks to choose from.
Driving
Santa Monica Blvd. will be closed from Doheny Dr. to La Cienega Blvd. Finding street parking is highly unlikely and not recommended, but there are several parking lots with parking for $20. However, traffic will likely be a mess so drivers should allow for plenty of time getting in and out of West Hollywood.
Public Transportation
The Cityline: The Cityline, West Hollywood’s main public transportation system, is best for getting to the festivities. The bus route from Beverly Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. to Fountain Ave. and La Brea Ave.,
follows Santa Monica Blvd, with shuttles running approximately every 30 minutes, from 9am to 6pm.
The PickUp Line: The PickUp Line runs from Almont Dr. to Fairfax Ave. along Santa Monica Blvd. from 8pm to 3am. The shuttle stops every 2-3 blocks, and even comes with a number of exclusive perks, including VIP entry to The Abbey, a $1 drink at Fubar and half-off one drink at the Here Lounge.
WHERE TO DRINK
Most people end up brown-bagging their booze as they cruise the closed section of Santa Monica Blvd. between Doheny Dr. to La Cienega Blvd (be warned: you can get ticketed for this), but there are also big parties at nearby bars that often reach capacity early. The Lounge is great for a pre-party drink, while bars like Factory and Rage will keep the party going until the early morning.
Find more bars with the LosAngeles.com Guide to West Hollywood Bars.
WHERE TO EAT
St. Felix
St. Felix is bar and restaurant with a delicious tapas-style menu. Most importantly, it’s costume-friendly.
Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant
This little taste of Brazil has become a popular after-hours spot due in no small part to its generous portions and BYOB policy.
Kitchen 24
A modern spin on the classic diner, Kitchen 24 draws a youthful crowd and serves cocktails morning and night.
Fresh Corn Grill
The Fresh Corn grill is a cozy eatery with a sidewalk patio, serving everything from sandwiches and pastas to their signature Fresh Corn Grilled Salad and Smoked Salmon Pizza.
Fiesta Cantina
This is a popular Mexican restaurant with an unbeatable view of the Boulevard from their rooftop deck, lauded for its peach sweet tea vodka.
Find more restaurants with the LosAngeles.com Guide to West Hollywood Restaurants.
