Glenn and I land in L.A. bright and early and even though our circadian clock says otherwise, we’re ready to paint the town red. We’re staying at Palihouse West Hollywood and its location is perfect to explore some of the finest culinary, shopping and nightlife in WeHo.

After some freshening up and breakfast at Mardi, the restaurant at the hotel, we kick off our morning with the first agenda of the day – shopping!

Where to shop till you drop

Our first stop of the day is H. Lorenzo on Sunset Blvd. The boutique has been the go-to fashion hub in L.A. for over 30 years and we can see why. Established brands like Comme Des Garçons and Rick Owens line the racks alongside independent designers like Craig Green and Julian Zigerli.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious selection, Maxfield on Melrose Avenue is the boutique to swipe your credit card crazy. Gucci, Thom Browne, Fear of God, Dior, these guys will make sure you’re travelling in style. The Helmut Lang store is just across the street so make sure you check that out as well.

We also swing by Please Do Not Enter, an independent boutique off Melrose Ave that stocks some fine accessories from local designers as well as art and photography books. Glenn makes his first purchase of the trip here – a Henrik Vibskov sweater!

For those on the hunt for some irreverent homewares – including not-so-subtle pieces like a neon sign that says “Bow Down Bitches” – Duroque is a lifestyle shop where you’re bound to find some great gifts and decorative objects.

Where to get your caffeine fix

We pop into The Assembly, a coffee shop just a few doors down from Duroque. The interior oozes Scandinavian chic with its wooden accents and warm colours and premium coffee and cold-pressed juices are served here.

Another great café that I recommend is Verve. With a mix of industrial elements, this place has great blends as well as sweet treats. Glenn and I love people watching so naturally, we find a seat on the outdoor patio and enjoy the locals saunter by.

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Where to eat the finest cuisine

If you’re a fashionista who loves food, then West Hollywood is the place to be. Hedley’s is a great contemporary eatery for informal lunches with a modern farm-to-table menu. This is where I try Brussels sprouts for the very first time and they ain’t too bad!

Zinque is the stylish and casual bistro that you’ll hear and read about a lot. Locals soak up the sun in the outdoor terrace as they enjoy their gourmet sandwiches or healthy salads. We love this place so much that we dine here a couple of times.

We don’t get many South American cuisine in Australia so we try Rosaline for dinner. It’s a modern Peruvian restaurant where we finally get to satiate our paella and ceviche craving.

I also highly recommend E.P. & L.P. – a chic restaurant that brings together modern Asian flavours like Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Fijian. Order the Green Papaya Asian Slaw, Grilled Kingfish Salad and Baby Green Lip Abalone with Sweet Wasabi and thank me later.

Bars and gay nightlife

Before you kick off your dinner date at E.P. eating house, sip a cocktail or two at L.P. rooftop bar. This is the perfect place to get a great view of Hollywood Hills and Sunset Strip.

It’s time for another episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race so we head to Micky’s for the viewing. Situated on Santa Monica Boulevard, the bar is packed with patrons rooting for their favourite queens. Shangela is hosting the event and it all combines to make it a night to remember.

We also pop into Flaming Saddles, just a few doors down, and the vibe of the venue lives up to its Western-themed name with cowboy decor, country-western music and line dancing bartenders.

West Hollywood packs a punch when it comes to shopping, dining and nightlife. It’s also convenient to get around to other parts of L.A. like Beverly Hills and Venice Beach. Sure, experience the touristy parts of WeHo but make sure to hit up some of the recommendations here like a true local would.

Main image courtesy of E.P. & L.P.