Melrose Avenue is one of the touchstones of Los Angeles culture. Famed for its mix of vintage stores, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, Melrose offers Southern California authenticity at its strongest. In addition to providing some of the coolest best-kept secrets in Los Angeles, Melrose is also a gateway to Hollywood's biggest attractions. See it all with this list of the best things to do in Melrose Avenue.
Paramount Studios is famously located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The iconic filming location features 65 acres and 30 stages. Visitors are welcome to see where movie magic is made during an unforgettable Studio, Premier, or VIP Tour. Even the most basic tour provides access to iconic sound stages and backlots that have served as filming locations for television shows and movies for decades. There's also an opportunity to tour a prop warehouse. During tours, guests will see actors and producers working in real life. You never know which major star will pass by!
Located in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District on Melrose Avenue, Urth Caffe attracts the Hollywood crowd with its unassuming, warm atmosphere. It's an incredible place for coffee and tea. Over the years, stars like Paul McCartney, Jessica Alba, Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner, and Jake Gyllenhaal have all been photographed stopping in for a bite. Television fans might recognize that several episodes of HBO's "Entourage" were filmed at Urth Caffe. Of course, you don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy the fabulous French toast, banana-walnut waffles, rustic poached eggs, and pecan sticky buns that have kept this spot popular for three decades.
Make sure you never forget your time on Melrose with a stop at what many people consider the "most Instagrammable spot in LA." Located at 8221 Melrose Avenue, the iconic pink Paul Smith store sells upscale fashions and accessories for men and women that will make you want to step inside for a little bit of classic Melrose Avenue shopping after you get your photo. Use #pinkwall to boost visibility on your Instagram account!
Grabbing a sweet treat at this iconic dessert shop is always one of the best things to do in Melrose Avenue. At 8360 Melrose Avenue, Sweet Lady Jane is home to the triple-berry cake made with fluffy layers of cake, fresh whipped cream, and berries. This dessert shop also has a full breakfast/brunch menu, including an egg scramble with chives, triple-berry French toast, buttermilk triple-berry pancakes, spinach quiche, salads, and sandwiches.
Melrose is the cat's meow when you head to Hollywood's first cat cafe. Patrons can sip coffee while cuddling dozens of adoptable rescue cats from local shelters. All of the cats at Crumbs & Whiskers have been rescued from overcrowded, high-risk shelters. By visiting the cafe, visitors help pay for housing, medical expenses, and adoption fees that help cats enjoy their nine lives to the fullest. To prioritize the wellness of the cats, Crumbs & Whiskers limits the number of guests allowed at a single time. Grab tickets on the cafe's website for your preferred date.
From fantastic shopping to iconic photo opportunities, Melrose embodies California's cool side like no other Los Angeles neighborhood. Plan to shop, dine, and sightsee in one easy-to-navigate neighborhood. With so much filming taking place around Melrose on any given day, it's one of the best areas to sneak a peek at true behind-the-scenes Hollywood life!