Melrose Avenue facts for kids
Melrose Avenue is a famous street in Los Angeles, California. It's a popular spot for shopping, eating, and having fun! The street starts near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood and stretches all the way to Silver Lake.
Melrose Avenue was paved in 1909. It got its name from a town called Melrose in Massachusetts. South of Melrose Avenue is Beverly Boulevard, and to its north is Santa Monica Boulevard.
The most well-known part of the street is called the Melrose District. This area goes through West Hollywood and the Fairfax District. You can find Fairfax High School at the corner of Fairfax and Melrose. This school is famous for its Melrose Trading Post, a fun outdoor market.
One of the biggest landmarks on Melrose Avenue is Paramount Pictures, a famous movie studio. You can also get around Melrose Avenue using Metro Local bus line 10. A designer named Cosmo Lombino, sometimes called the "Queen of Melrose," has several fashion shops here. In the 1970s, actress Julie Newmar helped develop the area, making it what it is today.
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A Look Back at Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue has an interesting past. In February 1922, people living in the Melrose area asked to become part of the city of Los Angeles. This request was approved, and 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
The eastern part of the Melrose District is a lively place. It runs from Fairfax to Highland Avenue. In the early 1980s, this area became very popular for unique shops and new music styles. It was a central spot for new wave and punk rock fans.
Melrose Avenue has also appeared in many TV shows and movies. You might have seen it in shows like Entourage, LA Ink, and Melrose Place. It was also featured in the "Jaywalking" segments on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Many cool stores and businesses are located here. One popular spot is the Melrose Trading Post, a large outdoor flea market. At the corner of Highland and Melrose, you'll find Osteria Mozza. The Los Angeles Times has called this restaurant a top spot for Italian food in Los Angeles. Many businesses in this area are part of the Melrose Avenue Business Improvement District, which helps manage and improve the street.
Discovering Melrose Heights
The western part of Melrose Avenue is known as Melrose Heights. This section stretches from La Cienega Blvd. to Fairfax Avenue. It's famous for its fancy shops and services. You can find many hair salons and wellness spas here, like Elixir. There's also The Bodhi Tree, a bookstore focused on metaphysical and New Age topics.
Melrose Heights is also home to well-known comedy clubs like The Improv and The Groundlings. But it's most famous for its high-end designer stores and boutiques. You can find shops from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, BCBG Max Azria, Carolina Herrera, Diane von Fürstenberg, Diesel, John Varvatos, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Smith, Sergio Rossi, Temperley London, Vera Wang, and Vivienne Westwood.
The Famous Melrose Place
Close to where Melrose Avenue meets La Cienega Boulevard is Melrose Place. This smaller street became famous because of the TV show with the same name. In real life, Melrose Place doesn't have homes like in the show. Instead, it has always been known for its antique shops, smaller boutiques, and salons for hair and nails. Melrose Place is entirely within the city limits of Los Angeles.
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 is a hub for design and home decor. Its businesses specialize in antique shops, furniture stores, rug sellers, and unique accessories. You can also find many talented artisans here.
See also
In Spanish: Melrose Avenue para niños
