Pacific Design Center (PDC)
8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA, 90069
Even in "anything-goes" La-La Land, the three buildings of the Pacific Design Center (PDC) stand out for their audacity—with the Cesar Pelli-designed building nicknamed "The Blue Whale" for its size and brilliant blue glass surface. Although the center houses a design gallery and limited exhibition space, it's celebrated primarily for showcasing the cutting edge in global residential and business interior furnishings.
The basics
Outside of special events, the PDC is, with rare exceptions, open only to design professionals—it's best to contact the center directly to arrange a visit. The PDC Design Gallery, which hosts works from internationally known artists and designers, is open to the public, as is the Blue Lobby exhibit space. If you're less interested in interior furnishing design, the best way to experience the outlandish buildings is to see them from the outside—on your own or tours of West Hollywood.
Things to know before you go
Most of the PDC is not open to the public and is better suited for design professionals interested in the cutting edge of their field.
Professionals such as designers and architects can accompany clients on visits during business hours.
The public can contact the center directly to participate in limited shopping opportunities.
The PDC Gallery is free to visit and open to the public.
How to get there
The PDC is located on Melrose Avenue and North San Vicente Boulevard in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District. The location is not directly served by the Los Angeles Metro Rail—the nearest stop is Hollywood/Highland Station, about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) away—so your best bet is to drive and park on Melrose Avenue.
When to get there
The PDC is open for business from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. However, unless you're a design professional or have made special arrangements to view the showrooms, you can visit only the exhibition lobby space or the Design Gallery, which is open from 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday or by appointment.
The West Hollywood Design District
West Hollywood is a renowned cultural destination for world-class design, where you'll find gallery/shop hybrids selling everything from inspired home goods to clothing to jewelry and high-end art. The Pacific Design Center is the anchor of the West Hollywood Design District, but if you want to see what it's all about, head to the intersections of Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, and Beverly Boulevard for some of the best shopping and people-watching in Los Angeles.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!