Page 653 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

L OS ANGELES  651

6 The Golden and radio shows and offers a
Triangle comprehensive history of
broadcasting. Visitors can
Map C4.
watch and listen to news and
The area bordered by Santa a collection of entertainment
Monica Boulevard, Wilshire and sports programs from
Boulevard, and North Crescent the earliest days of radio and
Drive is the business district of television to the present. Pop
Beverly Hills, known as the music fans can see footage of
“Golden Triangle.” The shops, the early Beatles or of a young
restaurants, and art galleries Elvis Presley making his
lining the streets are some television debut, while sports
of the most luxurious in the enthusiasts can relive classic
world. Cutting through the Olympic competitions. The
middle is Rodeo Drive, one of Façade of the Beverly Hills Civic Center in museum also hosts exhibitions,
the most celebrated shopping Los Angeles seminars, and screenings on
streets. It derives its name from specialized topics and selected
El Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas its landmark Spanish Colonial actors or directors.
(“the Ranch of the Gathering City Hall. Designed in 1932 by North of Golden Triangle,
of Waters”), the name of an local firm Koerner and Gage, above Sunset Boulevard (see
early Spanish land grant that the hall’s majestic tower, pp652–3), lie the palatial estates,
included Beverly Hills. Today, capped by a tiled cupola, has the famed Hollywood Actors’
Rodeo Drive’s wide, tree-lined now become a symbol of the Homes that have made Beverly
sidewalks house Italian designer European-inspired city of Hills the symbol of success for
boutiques and the best names Beverly Hills. In 1990, architect those in the entertainment
in fashion, such as Gucci and Charles Moore linked industry. When,
Christian Dior, world-class the building to a new in 1920, Mary
jewelers, and many leading L.A. Civic Center by a series Pickford and
retailers. The place is also a prime of pedestrianized Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
area for celebrity-spotting. courtyards. On the built their mansion,
Next to it, on Wilshire upper levels, balconies Pickfair, at the
Boulevard, the cream of and arcaded corridors top of Summit
American department stores continue the Spanish Cushion on Drive, everyone
offer a heady mix of style and Colonial theme. The display in the else followed –
opulence. Around the corner, modern section houses Gucci boutique and stayed. Sunset
2 Rodeo, developed in 1990 as a a beautiful public library Boulevard divides the
mock-European shopping street, as well as the local fire and haves from the have-nots:
is one of the most expensive police stations. Billboards are people who live south of it
retail centers ever built. banned in the area, and a may be rich, but those who live
At the eastern end of the height restriction of three to the north of the road are
Golden Triangle lies the MGM stories is imposed on any considered to be the super-rich.
Building. Built in 1920, it was new buildings, leaving City Houses come in almost every
the headquarters of the newly Hall to dominate the skyline. architectural style: some are
formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The latest addition to the ostentatious, others surprisingly
film studios. To the north are the Golden Triangle, the Paley modest. They can be toured
beautifully manicured Beverly Center for Media on North along a 5-mile (8-km) drive,
Gardens and the elegant Beverly Drive, holds a collection maps for which are available
Beverly Hills Civic Center, with of more than 140,000 television from street vendors. Visitors
must remember that film stars’
homes are private residences.
P 2 Rodeo
268 N Rodeo Dr. Tel (310) 247-7040.
∑ 2rodeo.com
P Beverly Hills Civic Center
455 N Rexford Dr. Tel (310) 285-1000.
Open 7:30am–5:30pm Mon–Thu,
8am–5pm Fri. Closed public hols. 7
∑ beverlyhills.org
E Paley Center for Media
465 N Beverly Dr. Tel (310) 786-1000.
Open noon–5pm Wed–Sun. Closed
Mansion on exclusive Palm Drive, Beverly Hills public hols. ∑ paleycenter.org

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