Before moving to Los Angeles, I was dreaming about California while watching The Hills on a New York City winter day. This MTV reality show offers warm visuals of the West Coast, with an extra helping of drama with a capital D. Now that I live in the city of Los Angeles, I thought I'd commemorate the show's tenth anniversary by checking out where The Hills was filmed then and now in Los Angeles. Can you believe it's been ten years since Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag first charmed their way into our lives? Of course I can't.
Conrad first starred in the MTV documentary series "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" from 2004 to 2006. The spin-off series The Hills premiered in 2006 and followed Conrad's new adventures after moving to Los Angeles, where he attended fashion design school and merchandising, interned at Teen Vogue, and made new friends. That was until Heidi started dating a man named Spencer Pratt and sparks flew. The drama multiplied in ways you wouldn't believe and became the focus of the rest of the series, garnering a lot of media attention for the feud until Conrad's exit from the show.
Luckily, my life in Los Angeles wasn't that dramatic, but here's a look back at my memories of the hills . Check out the filming locations then and now.
Past: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
Lauren and Heidi arrived in Los Angeles where they initially studied fashion and public relations. The school is located in downtown Los Angeles.
Now: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
FIDM doesn’t look like much has changed.
Then: Hillside Villa
I'm going to be nitpicky here: this is not the name of the apartment complex where Lauren and Heidi live, and it's definitely not in West Hollywood. According to the Daily Mail , they actually live in a villa in La Brea Park, which I understand is in the central Will County area. I don't know why the show wanted to designate it as West Hollywood - maybe that sounds cooler?
Now: Villa La Brea Park
The actual villa looks like it has been somewhat painted and remodeled in the last ten years.
Past: Geisha House
You know, that super trendy sushi joint on Hollywood Boulevard that everyone goes to.
Now: Escape Hotel
This is not another nightclub, but a stylish escape room paradise for you puzzle solver to conquer.
Then: Pinkberry on Melrose Avenue
It's where Lowe once told Lauren to "eat her pink berries and enjoy life!" and where Audrina and Spencer were dating.
Now: Lucifer's Pizza
Sadly, no one eats Pinkberry anymore on this stretch of Melrose and La Brea avenues. Pinkberry Pizza has been replaced by Lucifer's Pizza. At least M Cafe is still there.
Then: Les Deux nightclub
A hotspot frequented by the Hill Gang near Hollywood Boulevard. This is also where Lauren and Heidi let out their infamous "You know what you did!" blowout.
Now: unknown
For a time, Sadie's Kitchen and Lounge occupied the space, but it has since closed. When I was there, there was no sign of life.
Then: Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon Park is known as a "beautiful people's hike" where you can hike, people watch and enjoy stunning views of Los Angeles, so it's no wonder that The Hills was filmed here Strange. Whitney hikes here with personal trainer Jarrett, who officially invites her on a date against this beautiful, smoky backdrop.
Now: Runyon Canyon (closed until July)
To the sadness of many Angelenos, Runyon Canyon remains closed until July, during prime L.A. hiking season for celebrities and everyday people alike.
Then: Area nightclub
Heidi opens this upscale Los Angeles hot spot in West Hollywood.
Now: Greystone Manor
The area closed and Greystone Manor took its place as an exclusive club, but earlier this year Greystone closed for refurbishment.
Then: ketchup
This stylish red-themed upstairs lounge is located on the Sunset Strip in the actual Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood. This is where Lauren and Jason met Spencer and Heidi—not in a good way.
Now: Jewelry, Verizon Stores, and Equinox
It looks like what was once a Ketchup is now a combination of a jewelry store, an Equinox, and a Verizon store.
Then: Monique Lhurier
Heidi found her dream wedding dress in this famous designer's store.
Now: Monique Lhurier
Other than the architectural colors (lights?) and window displays, the store doesn't look like much has changed.
Then: People's Revolution
It's the home and longtime home of public relations expert Kelly Cutrone's company, where Lauren, Whitney and Spencer's sister Stephanie all worked. The company works.
Now: unknown
When I went there, the People's Revolution no longer existed. In 2014, Cutrone told Racked that People's Revolution would be leaving the space on Melrose Avenue and hoped to move the company into a house with a pool.
Then: Don Antonio's
The background to Spencer and Heidi's many dates. Spencer comes to this West Los Angeles Mexican restaurant so often that it has a menu item named after him.
Present: Don Antonio's
Don Antonio's still looks the same. I hosted a dinner party here once, and its old-school, timeless style is part of its charm.
Image: MTV; MTV (screenshot) (11); Mallory Kara/Hustle (11)
