The word rodeo as a term referring to the cowboy sports can be pronounced with the stress on either the first (/ˈroʊ.di.oʊ/) or second (/roʊˈdeɪ.oʊ/) syllable; the latter is its Spanish pronunciation.

[3] In 1906, Burton E. Green (1868–1965) and other investors purchased the property that would become Beverly Hills, formerly named Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas, with plans for a mixed-use subdivision with a branch of the Los Angeles and Pacific Railway running North on Rodeo Drive before turning west at Sunset Boulevard.

[7] Pacific Electric Red Cars operated over the street to the Beverly Hills Hotel as the Coldwater Canyon Line between 1907 and 1923.

[8] The central part of Rodeo eventually became a business street with hardware stores, gas stations,[9] beauty shops, and bookstores.

[11] In 1958, real estate developer Marvin Kratter bought 48,000 square feet (4,500 m2) of land at the corner of Rodeo and Wilshire Boulevard from the city of Beverly Hills.

[12] In 1961 Fred Hayman, "the father of Rodeo Drive," opened Giorgio Beverly Hills, the street's first high-end boutique.

"[16] The RDC wanted to make Rodeo Drive an economic engine for Beverly Hills and spread the image of a "culturally elite lifestyle.

"[18][19] Pakzad touted his Rodeo Drive store as "the most expensive in the world," but, as Women's Wear Daily notes in relation to the claim, "he was known for hyperbole.

"[22] In the early 1990s, Rodeo Drive was ranked 4th most-visited destination in the Los Angeles area (after Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios).

[10] Many franchised stores were bought back by the brands they represented (Polo Ralph Lauren, Gianni Versace, Hugo Boss).

Recipients of the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award receive a "Torso" maquette also designed by artist Robert Graham.