Melrose Avenue facts for kids

A view of a part of the eastern end of the Melrose Avenue District in April 2004.

Melrose Avenue is a famous street in Los Angeles, California. It's a popular place for shopping, eating, and having fun! Melrose Avenue starts near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. It stretches all the way to Silver Lake. This street runs between Beverly Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Melrose Avenue was built in 1909. It's named after a town in Massachusetts called Melrose. The most well-known part is called the Melrose District. It goes through West Hollywood and the Fairfax District.

You'll find Fairfax High School at the corner of Fairfax and Melrose. This school hosts a popular outdoor market called the Melrose Trading Post. One of the most famous places on Melrose Avenue is Paramount Pictures, a big movie studio. You can also ride the Metro Local bus line 10 along Melrose Avenue.

History of Melrose Avenue

In February 1922, people living in the Melrose area asked to become part of the city of Los Angeles. This request was approved. The Melrose area officially joined Los Angeles on June 16, 1922. This new part of the city covered about 0.67 square miles. It stretched along Melrose Avenue from Sweetzer Avenue to June Street.

Exploring the Melrose District

Another view of Melrose Avenue.

The eastern part of the Melrose District is very popular. It runs from Fairfax to Highland Avenue. In the early 1980s, this area became famous for its unique shops. It was a central spot for underground and new wave music fans. It also became important for the punk music scene.

Melrose Avenue has been shown in many movies and TV shows. Some examples include Entourage, LA Ink, and Melrose Place. It was also featured in the "Jaywalking" parts of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. At the corner of Highland and Melrose, you'll find a famous Italian restaurant called Osteria Mozza. This restaurant is known as one of the best Italian dining spots in Los Angeles. Many businesses in this area are part of the Melrose Avenue Business Improvement District. This group helps manage and improve the area.

Discovering Melrose Heights

The western part of Melrose Avenue is often called Melrose Heights. This section stretches from La Cienega Blvd. to Fairfax Avenue. Melrose Heights is home to many fancy restaurants and salons. You can find places like Elixir, a teahouse, and The Bodhi Tree Bookstore. The bookstore sells metaphysical and New Age books.

Other well-known stores here include Fred Segal and Plush Home. The famous comedy club The Improv is also located in Melrose Heights. This area is also known for its many high-end designer stores. You can find brands like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Carolina Herrera. Other luxury stores include Mulberry, Sergio Rossi, and Alexander McQueen. You can also shop at Oscar de la Renta, BCBG Max Azria, and Paul Smith. Fashion houses like Temperley London, John Varvatos, and Balenciaga are also here. Finally, you'll find Diesel, Vivienne Westwood, Homa Bridal, and Vera Wang.

The Story of Melrose Place

Close to where Melrose Avenue meets La Cienega Boulevard is a smaller street called Melrose Place. This street became very famous because of the TV show of the same name. However, in real life, Melrose Place does not have any homes. Historically, it has been home to antique shops, small boutiques, and beauty salons. Melrose Place is entirely within the city limits of Los Angeles. It is just outside the city limits of West Hollywood.

The La Cienega Design Quarter

The part of Melrose Avenue that crosses La Cienega Boulevard is part of the La Cienega Design Quarter. This area includes Melrose Avenue and its nearby streets. The shops and art galleries here offer many beautiful items. You can find antiques, furniture, rugs, home accessories, and various types of art.

See also

In Spanish: Melrose Avenue para niños