The Sunset Strip

When you take a Hollywood Experience , All of L.A. in A Day or Build Your Own Tour with LA Insider Tours , we can take you to a 1.7 mile stretch of road famously known as the Sunset Strip, where legends have been born. When you look at the storied history of this place, you would almost think it was created in a writer’s imagination. From mobsters to comedians, rockers to movie stars – this area in Hollywood has seen it all in the last century. A place where The Doors performed as a house band (a house band!). Where Bugsy Siegel, Micky Cohen, Willie Bioff, Johnny Roselli and Tony Comero made their territory in the 1920’s. Where Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Bing Crosby and Lana Turner partied and Judy Garland performed at Amateur Night along with Jackie Gleason. Where tragedy has struck and stars have been made. This could only be The Sunset Strip.

The Sunset Strip really became the place to be in the 1920’s when it was discovered that its location in West Hollywood was actually outside the jurisdiction of the very strict LA Police Department and instead was under the jurisdiction of the much more lax Sherriff’s Department. This made it possible for the mob to move in and run the nightclubs and casinos that started cropping up all over. Alcohol was served in back rooms during prohibition, and there was a much more relaxed vibe which made it THE place to go.

By the time the 1960’s and 70’s rolled around, The Strip was no longer a place where movie people hung out, but a it had become a popular place for musicians. Led Zeppelin, The Byrds & Frank Zappa all performed in clubs such as The Whiskey a Go Go and The Roxy. In the 80’s, The Strip was popular with the  glam metal and heavy metal with groups such as Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Poison, L.A. Guns, Guns N’ Roses and Whitesnake playing there.

And, of course, we can’t discount the huge comedy scene on The Strip. The Laugh Factory launched the careers of Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel, Michael Keaton, Ed Begley Jr. and David Letterman. Additionally, Dave Chapelle, Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr and Rodney Dangerfield have all performed there, and it is still a hugely popular comedy spot in Los Angeles.

The Sunset Strip has also seen its share of tragedies, most notably the death of River Phoenix at the Viper Room and John Belushi at Chateau Marmont. But their stories, like those of hundreds of others are all woven into this strip of road that Hollywood made its own personal playground so long ago.

Come visit these spots and much, much more on a tour with LA Insider Tours .