Neighborhood Guide
CULVER CITY
Los Angeles County, California, is home to Culver City, with a population of 40,779 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is named after Harry Culver, the founder. Although it is surrounded mainly by the city of Los Angeles, it also has unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County as its borders. It has incorporated over 40 adjoining plots of land and now encompasses about five square miles as it has grown.
Santa Monica and Los Angeles are just a short distance from Culver City, California. The possibilities for upscale dining, high-end shopping, and day-to-night entertainment are limitless in these two cities just east and west of Culver City.
SANTA MONICA
Santa Monica features California’s best beachfront views, restaurants, shopping, and hotels. Aside from the prestigious schools for students of all ages, the homes in this area are cultivated yet modest. The neighborhood is home to budding professionals and families alike, making it a favorite among tourists and locals.
A perfect base for day trips to Southern California’s most exciting destinations, Santa Monica, is surrounded by an array of exciting attractions. Its convenient location makes it possible to reach many nearby places by public transportation. Wilshire-Montana, North of Montana, and Sunset Park are some of the best neighborhoods in or around Santa Monica, California. They are excellent options for renting and buying houses.
VENICE BEACH
If you prefer stylish, edgy, artsy, and a little weird, welcome to L.A.’s out-there beach town. Venice offers a vibrant and unique combination of activities and attractions, from the world-famous boardwalk and beautiful beach to the shopping paradise of Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice has something for everyone if you’re looking for cool things to do in California.
Venice, originally known as “Venice of America,” started as a beach resort town in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney. Rather than creating a cultural mecca, Kinney created the “Coney Island of the Pacific,” including a miniature steam railway and amusement pier. Besides creating canals, Kinney also imported gondolas and gondoliers from Venice, Italy. Venice, L.A. has some of the best neighborhoods, whether you want to enjoy some outdoor fun, shop until you drop, or attend an art and music event.
PACIFIC PALISADES
In 1921, a Methodist organization formally established Pacific Palisades, and over the next several decades, the community served as a refuge for Jewish artists, intellectuals, and musicians fleeing the Holocaust. Located north of Santa Monica and south of Malibu, Pacific Palisades is bordered on the south by the Pacific Ocean and Will Rogers State Beach. Besides being above the ocean, the village is surrounded by fresh air and enjoys ocean breezes during the entire year.
The average summer temperature here is 69.2 degrees, while the average winter temperature is 56.1 degrees. Outdoor activities can be planned from June to September without fear of inclement weather. Always check the weather before heading out—approximately 500 retail shops, service businesses, and professional offices in the commercial district.
HOLLYWOOD
It’s all about stars in Hollywood, underneath the Hollywood Sign. In addition to hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live, Hollywood & Highland is also the location of many movie premieres and an entertainment and shopping hotspot. A distinctive feature is an elegant staircase leading to the Dolby Theatre®, where the Oscar Awards® are held annually. You can walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The TCL Chinese Theater has been a part of Hollywood since 1927, one of the city’s most famous sites. Experience a breathtaking view of Los Angeles at Griffith Observatory and explore an array of exhibits related to space and science.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS
Let’s pretend for a moment there are only two kinds of people in the world: hill people and beach people. You are a hill person if you like panoramic views and being surrounded by nature. The Hollywood Hills should top your list if you’re a hill person looking for a home in Los Angeles.
The 7.05 square mile area is home to the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Park, and nearby Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where a celebrity cemetery can be found. Burbank, Universal City, and Studio City are nearby areas you may be familiar with. Because of its diverse population, there is a wide range of housing options in the hills, from impressive mansions to funky bungalows. The lush environment surrounds every home – trees, flowers, grasses, and shrubs, no matter the architecture’s size, shape, or style.
LOS FELIZ
Los Feliz means something different to everyone. Ask 107 people, and you’ll get 107 other answers. It was inhabited by Native Americans over 10,000 years ago, but today the charming Eastside neighborhood offers many brunch spots, 24-hour diners, and vintage movie theaters.
It feels like a small town, yet it is nestled within the borders of the United States’ second-largest city. Buildings here are not tall enough to block the sun. Instead, a walker-friendly business district and a charming (and locally-owned) restaurant and shop district greet you.
The neighborhood’s apartments and duplexes contrast with beautiful, slightly higher-end homes (above the median price for Los Angeles), creating an eclectic atmosphere and a population that straddles well-established and young residents.
LARCHMONT VILLAGE
Larchmont Village is a highly-coveted residential community with beautiful tree-lined streets and preserved historic homes. Magnolias, elms, and sycamores adorn the roads in this region. As something that was once suburban in the 1920s, the area is now urban, but the ambiance is relaxed and elegant in the best possible way.
Larchmont Village is a strip of boutiques, shops, and service businesses in the center of Larchmont. Many early homes were built around the same time the village was developed.
There beats living in the middle of Los Angeles in Larchmont, a charming neighborhood. Suburbs emerged around downtown – in what would ultimately be known as the Greater Wilshire area. Today that seems rather quaint.
DOWNTOWN L.A.
Downtown LA is where the cutting edge sits alongside the classic. It boasts gleaming new apartment buildings and historic lofts and restaurants, retailers, and museums that inspire. As the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Financial District is dense, diverse, and dynamic. As the regional metro rail hub and home to various restaurants, bars, and shopping options, this is the epitome of convenience and pleasure.
Pershing Square and the adjacent Jewelers District are authentic attractions, and major retailers such as Target, Macy’s, and Whole Foods are also located here. There is a NoMad hotel, Sheraton, and InterContinental nearby as well. The primarily residential community uses the county’s public transit system and keeps the neighborhood lit into the evening and the weekend.
SILVER LAKE
Silver Lake is more than just a hipster haven; it is often referred to as “Brooklyn of Los Angeles.” Celebrities, professionals, creatives, and many families reside in the Central LA neighborhood, from urban grit to sophisticated chic. Diversity, eclecticism, and authenticity are the hallmarks of Silver Lake.
This neighborhood has something for everyone: its proximity to Hollywood and Downtown LA, incredible hilltop views, independent boutique shopping, and an increasingly popular dining scene.
Silver Lake Reservoir is a popular 1.25-mile running and walking loop that is one of the neighborhood’s most notable features. Take in the scenery of the San Gabriel Mountains with a cold brew at the neighborhood staple Lamill Coffee down the street.
BRENTWOOD
Brentwood is a community in the South of the Santa Monica Mountains between Bel Air, the San Diego Freeway, and the Pacific Palisades. Brentwood’s population is estimated at 65,017 people based on the 2019 U.S. Census. It is an affluent and exclusive community, and many renowned personalities and executives call Brentwood home. The area contains many large, California Ranch-style and Spanish-style homes.
Brentwood is primarily residential in northern Contra Costa County with various boutiques, farm-fresh dining options, and pick-your-own produce experiences. Brentwood offers so many parks, including dog runs, skate parks, playgrounds with water features, and events such as crab feeds and car shows.
WESTWOOD
The Westwood neighborhood is a mix of commercial and residential properties, and UCLA lives here too. South of the campus is Westwood Village, a major shopping, dining, movie theater, and entertainment district.
California’s world-class Medical Center and UCLA dominate Westwood. Besides offering a stimulating intellectual environment, the university also hosts excellent musical and dramatic performances. Within walking distance of the University, Westwood Village includes shops, restaurants, movie theaters, a museum, and a playhouse.
The area is nearby the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Park, and nearby Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where a celebrity cemetery can be found. Burbank, Universal City, and Studio City are nearby areas you may be familiar with. Because of its diverse population, there is a wide range of housing options in the hills, from impressive mansions to funky bungalows. The lush environment surrounds every home – trees, flowers, grasses, and shrubs, no matter the architecture’s size, shape, or style.
cheviot hills
About 1,400 single-family homes make up Cheviot Hills on the Westside of Los Angeles. The Cheviot Hills range, between England and Scotland, inspired its creation in the 1920s with its gently rolling hills. There are recreation, shopping, cultural, and employment centers nearby, including Beverly Hills, Westwood, and Century City.
A non-profit organization, the Cheviot Hills Home Owners’ Association promotes and maintains the quality of life in Cheviot Hills for all of its residents while encouraging goodwill and cooperation among its members. In matters affecting the community’s welfare, the association exchanges information with its members and takes action as necessary. To maintain Cheviot Hills’ residential character, the association collects annual dues from its members.
The TCL Chinese Theater has been a part of Hollywood since 1927, one of the city’s most famous sites. Experience a breathtaking view of Los Angeles at Griffith Observatory and explore an array of exhibits related to space and science.
Marina Del Rey
Marina del Rey is a delightful coastal community nestled between Los Angeles and Venice Beach. The unincorporated city of Marina Del Rey is called “The Gem of Los Angeles.” It sits one and a half square miles along the Los Angeles coastline. Besides being one of the most picturesque seaside towns in the country, this California oasis has something for everyone.
The Marina Jetty is one of the most beautiful parts of the beach; along with the waves crashing, you can watch boats of every size sail in and out. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey’s Cast & Plow, or order sweet chili blue crab dip and rib eyes at SALT Restaurant. Marina del Rey, California, offers so much to do, see, and eat that it is easy to become part of this charming town.
playa del rey
The seaside community of Playa del Rey, which translates to “Beach of the King” in Spanish, is on Santa Monica Bay and in the Westside area of Los Angeles, California. Sixteen thousand two hundred thirty people live in the community as of 2018.
The economy of Playa del Rey, which is in Silicon Beach, has become significantly reliant on the tech industry. Many employers, including airlines and aerospace companies, are also in the neighborhood because of its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport.
Playa del Rey’s real estate is primarily zoned for residential use. The eastern portion of the region is densely developed with apartment and condominium complexes but is better known for its large ocean-view estates. On Manchester Avenue, Pershing Drive, and Culver Boulevard, businesses, mainly restaurants and pharmacies, are mixed with residential structures.
Playa Vista
The Playa Vista neighborhood is between Marina del Rey and the Westchester Bluffs on the Westside of Los Angeles. Howard Hughes’ original airplane plant, runway, and hangars could once be seen on this land. Today it’s a mix of new homes, creative offices, retailers, year-round events, and parks.
As one of the best-connected urban infill communities in the United States, Playa Vista features 70 percent open space and intelligent, sustainable development throughout. Located right in the middle of Playa Vista, Runway is the Westside’s most exciting new lifestyle destination. From iconic stores to trendy boutiques, there is everything you could want for shopping and dining.