Los Angeles Neighborhoods
By Shana Ting Lipton, About.com Guide
- Get to Know Los Angeles
- Bel-Air and Beverly Hills
- Brentwood and the Pacific Palisades
- Culver City
- Downtown
- The East Side
Get to Know Los Angeles
Los Angeles is many 'little towns' within a sprawling metropolis. Gone are the days when we were just relegated to being a simple industry city by the beach. Today, Los Angeles is home to world-class art and architecture, music, performance and sports venues, and shops. Beyond its backbone of entertainment and culture, LA is also home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails, views, parks, beaches and breathtaking rustic landscapes.
- Los Angeles Authors Share Their Favorite Books About LA
- Overview of Los Angeles Neighborhoods
- How to Choose a Neighborhood When You Move to LA
- Profile of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
- Fact Sheet: Los Angeles Philharmonic Director Gustavo Dudamel
- The Annenberg Space for Photography
- Michael Jackson's Los Angeles
- Celebrities Born and Raised in Los Angeles
- 15 Top Surf Spots in Los Angeles
- 12 LA Short Cuts
Bel-Air and Beverly Hills
The reputations of these world-renowned affluent areas precede them. Beverly Hills is of course a mecca for high-end shopping. Bel-Air is a residential area that is home to many celebrities, the Getty Center and even a small vineyard.
- Review of RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen in Century City
- Maps of Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills Walking/Driving Tour
- Review of Miru 8691 Restaurant in Beverly Hills
- Review of Oliverio at the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
- Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop in Beverly Hills and Century City
Brentwood and the Pacific Palisades
Home to affluent professionals, politicians and celebrities, Brentwood continuously attracts the paparazzi despite it being a largely residential neighborhood.
- Brentwood: Neighborhood Profile
- Brentwood Kids Learn to Write Songs with Lauren Barrett
- Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in the Pacific Palisades
Culver City
Once, a Mecca for LA's film and television industries, Culver City has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and his since gained the distinction of being a top destination on LA's cultural map.
- Culver City: Neighborhood Profile
- Shopping, High Tea and Art; Culver City’s Royal/T Has It All
- M. Cafe
Downtown
Downtown is made up of small sectors like Little Tokyo, Chinatown, the Old Bank District, Pico Union, the Olvera Street area and the Jewelry District. It had its heyday in the '20s when big businesses began setting up shop there. After some 'down time,' Downtown has experienced a renaissance. Unlike other cities' downtowns, it may not be the technical center of LA, but it is one of the most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods in town.
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Corkbar Wine Bar Engages Diners with Interactive Events
- Downtown Los Angeles: Neighborhood Profile
- Downtown Los Angeles Maps
- Downtown Art Walk: A Monthly Event in the Cultural Heart of LA
- Chinatown Neighborhood Profile
- Profile of Downtown LA's Chinatown Neighborhood
- Review of the Water Grill in Downtown
The East Side
Los Angeles' East Side is made up of areas like Echo Park, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Mt. Washington, Elysian Park, and closer to the West, Los Feliz. The East Side has become increasingly trendy (especially Silver Lake and Echo Park) and particularly popular with young artists and others in creative communities.
- Blair's Restaurant Cafe and Lounge in Silver Lake
- Silver Lake Neighborhood Profile
- Echo Park Neighborhood Profile
- East Side Dog Walking Tour
- Pasadena Neighborhood Profile
Hollywood
Lights, camera action...all action in the area for clubs, bars, restaurants, star-studded sightseeing and more.
Venice and Marina Del Rey
Venice is a creative and artistic seaside community that is full of life--from roller skaters and merchants on the boardwalk to its quiet and charming canals. Adjacent Marina Del Rey offers a equally chill and relaxed vibe for beach lovers and avid cyclists.
- Stones Restaurant at the Marriott Hotel in Marina Del Rey
- Chaya Brasserie
- Venice, CA - Neighborhood Profile
- Maps of Venice, California
West Hollywood
West Hollywood includes the famous Santa Monica Strip, a central boardwalk for the gay and lesbian community, as well as outlying areas to the North like Laurel Canyon and the South, such as Melrose Avenue. It boasts some incredible restaurants and trendy bars and clubs as well as one of the city center's best bike path systems.
- Review of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood
- W. Hollywood's Tucked Away Gem: Melrose Place
- West Hollywood Neighborhood Profile
- History of the Notorious and Chic Chateau Marmont
- Top Coffee Spots in West Hollywood
- Los Angeles Gay Pride Festival and Parade
- House of Blues Sunset Strip
- Best Diet Ice Cream in LA: Ice Cream Plus
- Review of Agent Provocateur Lingerie Boutique on Melrose
- The Viper Room: Club Review
- Neighborhood Profile: Laurel Canyon
- Review of Vinoteque on Melrose
- Review of the Veggie Grill
- Review of Breadbar Cafe and Restaurant
- Los Angeles Gym Review: Crunch Fitness
- Review of Real Food Daily (RFD)
- W. Hollywood's Tucked Away Gem: Melrose Place
West Los Angeles
Made up of smaller quarters like Cheviot Hills, Westwood and Palms, West Los Angeles is populated by a cross-section of families, students, and locals of different ethnicities, all contributing their own flavors to the mix. From Sawtelle's great Japanese eateries, to Westwood's fine Middle Eastern foods.
- Napa Valley Grille in Westwood
- Westwood Neighborhood Profile
- Westside Tavern
- Blvd. 16 at the Hotel Palomar
San Fernando Valley
Often known simply as 'The Valley,' the San Fernando Valley is its own world over the hill, consisting of neighborhoods like Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys and Toluca Lake.