
During the early 20th century, thousands of Americans flocked from the chilly East Coast and escaped west to sunny Southern California taking advantage of the numerous luxury hotels that were popping up throughout the region. These pristine establishments served as havens for upper class and wealthy tourists along with several popular restaurants that became the stuff of legend and lasted for decades.

Situated in Los Angeles, the true heart of southern California, the fancy and spacious hotels, including The Ambassador Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel and The Raymond Hotel, became known for welcoming esteemed guests, including celebrities, musicians and politicians, with open arms.

Many of them also hosted the early years of award shows like the Academy Awards and became the hotspots where A-listers often took up residence and where countless memorable moments took place.

It was truly a time when glitz and glamour were at their peak - a now bygone era of Los Angeles's golden age that saw the cream of the crop dancing to orchestras at nightclubs and truly living their best lives.

During the early 20th century, thousands of Americans flocked from the chilly East Coast and escaped west to sunny Southern California taking advantage of the numerous luxury hotels that were popping up throughout the region. Pictured above is the entrance the famed The Beverly Hills Hotel in 1957, which is still operating today

The now shuttered Ambassador Hotel and its fabled Cocoanut Grove nightclub witnessed the gamut of everything while it operated for more than six decades.

After opening for business at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1921, the Ambassador Hotel quickly became the pristine example of what a luxury hotel should be. It cost an estimated $5million to build at the time, which today's equivalent is about $63million.

Sitting on 27 acres of land near Wilshire Boulevard, the hotel was supremely designed and was referred to by F. Scott Fitzgerald – who once lived there - as 'the greatest, gaudiest spree in American history.'

The hotel was surrounded by a quarter of a million plants, trees, and shrubs on the lush lawns, while the decorative scheme inside included pastel tinted furniture.

There was even a small beach area, mini-golf course and a theatre to entertain guests that included royalty, businessmen, politicians and Hollywood stars.

Once the Cocoanut Grove nightclub opened inside of the hotel, it was instantly the go-to venue for the Hollywood elite to frequent.

Joan Crawford was a regular at the club, especially when she was trying to make a name for herself in the industry.

She once said: 'There was so much drama right here in this hotel...so many lives were affected, some for better, some for worse. So many careers began...some even ended in this very room...What memories I have of this place.'

Situated in Los Angeles, the true heart of southern California, the fancy and spacious hotels, including The Ambassador Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel and The Raymond Hotel, became known for welcoming esteemed guests, including celebrities, musicians and politicians, with open arms. Pictured above is a packed Cocoanut Grove in the 1920s during a regal event

The now shuttered Ambassador Hotel and its fabled Cocoanut Grove nightclub witnessed the gamut of everything while it operated for more than six decades. Pictured above is Ava Gardner next to her then-husband Frank Sinatra who is speaking with Cleveland Browns football player Otto Graham during a party for Sinatra's film, 'Meet Danny Wilson,' inside the Ambassador Hotel in 1952

After opening for business at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1921, the Ambassador Hotel quickly became the pristine example of what a luxury hotel should be. It cost an estimated $5million to build at the time, which today's equivalent is about $63million. Pictured above is Eddie Bergman and his Orchestra perform for the dancers at the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel on December 28, 1951

Sitting on 27 acres of land near Wilshire Boulevard, the hotel was supremely designed and was referred to by F. Scott Fitzgerald – who once lived there - as 'the greatest, gaudiest spree in American history.' Pictured above is a singer performing in front of a packed audience at the Cocoanut Grove on July 3, 1951

The hotel was surrounded by a quarter of a million plants, trees, and shrubs on the lush lawns, while the decorative scheme inside included pastel tinted furniture. Pictured above right is Alfred Vanderbilt Jr and left is Randolph Hearst walking outside on the lawn at the Ambassador Hotel during a vacation

There was even a small beach area, mini-golf course and a theatre to entertain guests that included royalty, businessmen, politicians and Hollywood stars. Pictured above is Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard on a diving board at a pool at the Ambassador Hotel in 1935

Joan Crawford was a regular at the club, especially when she was trying to make a name for herself in the industry. She once said: 'There was so much drama right here in this hotel...so many lives were affected, some for better, some for worse. So many careers began...some even ended in this very room...What memories I have of this place.' Pictured above are diners enjoying an evening at the Cocoanut Grove in 1951

According to FindingLostAngeles, Crawford competed in Charleston dance competitions at the venue with Mary Pickford, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard and Gloria Swanson. Pictured above is the southeast area of the Ambassador Hotel as seen from the golf course

The Ambassador Hotel served as the site of the Academy Awards six times – the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 12th, and 15th. Pictured above is the entrance drive way of the Ambassador Hotel in the 1950s

Plus, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Jean Harlow were others who frequented the hotspot. Pictured above is the Ambassador Hotel in the late 1960s

According to FindingLostAngeles, Crawford competed in Charleston dance competitions at the venue with Mary Pickford, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard and Gloria Swanson.

Plus, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Jean Harlow were others who frequented the hotspot.

The Ambassador Hotel served as the site of the Academy Awards six times – the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 12th and 15th.

But everything changed for the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy delivered his victory speech for winning the California Democratic presidential primary election inside the Embassy Ballroom of the venue. He was shot minutes after finishing his speech inside the kitchen of the hotel and died one day later from his injuries.

His death was the beginning of the hotel's demise, and eventually the decline of the neighborhood that surrounded it caused the area to drastically worsen. The hotel was renovated in the mid-1970s but it still did not help attract the crowd it used to be famous for.

But everything changed for The Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy hosted his victory speech for the California Democratic primary at the venue that day. He is pictured above greeting a kitchen worker inside the hotel before heading to the podium to deliver his speech

Kennedy stood alongside supporters and was flanked by members of the press during his victory speech for the presidential primary inside the Ambassador Hotel's main ballroom (pictured above)

He was shot minutes after finishing his speech inside the kitchen of the hotel and died one day later from his injuries. Pictured above is Kennedy on the floor inside the hotel after being shot while people around him scramble to save his life

His death was the beginning of the hotel's demise and eventually the decline of the neighborhood that surrounded it caused the area to drastically worsen

The hotel was renovated in the mid-1970s but it still did not help attract the crowd it used to be famous for. It shut its doors for good in 1989 and was eventually demolished in the 2000s. Pictured above is the kitchen area where Kennedy was shot

It shut its doors for good in 1989 and was eventually demolished in the 2000s.

Another luxurious hotel that also was the site stars flocked to was the Raymond Hotel and Resort perched atop Raymond Hill, which today is known as South Pasadena – just a few minutes outside of downtown Los Angeles.

The hotel offered beautiful views of the then-pastoral San Gabriel Valley countryside and on a clear day, one could see the Pacific Ocean.

The resort opened in 1886 and was one of the first upscale venue to offer accommodations for those visiting the area during the time period. During it's inaugural ball on November 17, 1886, to mark the hotel's opening, The Los Angeles Times labeled the event that was attended by 1,500 people as 'the most extensive social affair in the history of the county' and 'the mark of an important era in the history of Southern California.'

Another luxurious hotel that also was the site stars flocked to was the Raymond Hotel and Resort perched atop Raymond Hill which is today known as South Pasadena – just a few minutes outside of downtown Los Angeles. It's pictured above in 1890

The hotel offered beautiful views of the then-pastoral San Gabriel Valley countryside and on a clear day one could see the Pacific Ocean. Pictured above is the hotel porch in 1890 at The Raymond

Another hotspot during the 1940s was Clifton's Pacific Seas' cafeteria located in downtown Los Angeles on South Olive Street opened in 1932 by Clifford Clinton. Pictured above is a view from the bandstand of the venue on April 9, 1946

Clifton's was famously open from 6am to midnight and was seemingly always packed and booming with business during its 21-year run (pictured above)

Employees wore tropical print uniforms accessorized with flower leis in an attempt to give off a tropical vibe inside of the venue. The establishment closed in the 1960s

It quickly transformed the region into a booming mecca for East Coast tourists escaping the harsh, cold winter.

The hotel was forced to close after a fire in 1895 and reopened in 1901 – the second version of the resort was even grander than the original. The Raymond boomed with business for decades until the Great Depression caused it to fall into decline. It shut down completely in 1931 after it was foreclosed on and was demolished in 1934.

Both the Ambassador Hotel and the Raymond served thousands of visitors over the decades when they thrived with business.

Photos are one of the few remaining mementos that represent a time in Los Angeles that is now bygone.