Overview
West Los Angeles is an area of the city of Los Angeles within the larger area of the West Side of Los Angeles County. The area includes the neighborhoods of Bel-Air, Brentwood, Century City, Cheviot Hills, Mar Vista, Palms, Sawtelle, West LA, and Westwood (the neighborhood around the University of California, Los Angeles).
9 sights · 4 things to do · 24 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about West
Fox Plaza
In the middle of Century City is this otherwise nondescript postmodern skyscraper that's notable for being the headquarters of 20th Century Studios and will be instantly recognizable to Die Hard fans as the fictional Nak…
Hammer Museum
A UCLA-affiliated institution which houses changing exhibitions of contemporary, modern, and classical art, with a particular focus on Los Angeles-based work. The basis of the museum's collection is a set of significant …
Museum of Tolerance
Focusing on the history of the Holocaust, this museum contains many interactive exhibits designed to challenge visitors to assess their own levels of tolerance. Many of the exhibits are meant to engage kids (about 10 and…
Skirball Cultural Center
In the hills above Sepulveda Pass is this expansive contemporary facility devoted to Jewish heritage. Among its libraries, classrooms, conference rooms and gardens is a museum with a permanent collection of historical ar…
Westwood Village Memorial Park
See the final resting places of some of Hollywood's most famous celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, and Don Knotts, in a compact 2 acre cemetery.
Getty Center
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 51°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 405 passes through West Los Angeles just south of the Sepulveda Pass. The area is noted for high levels of congestion, especially during rush hour.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $9 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hammer Museum, Westwood Village Memorial Park, Geffen Playhouse
- Lunch Napa Valley Grille
- Afternoon Regency Bruin Theater, Regency Village Theater
- Dinner Native Foods
- Evening Barney's Beanery
Day 2
- Morning Fox Plaza, Rancho Park Golf Course
- Lunch Marty's Hamburger Stand
- Afternoon Museum of Tolerance
- Dinner Apple Pan
- Evening Mom's
Day 3
- Morning Skirball Cultural Center
- Lunch Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
- Afternoon Getty Center
- Dinner Vibrato
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
West LA has a wide variety of food types and pricing. Westwood Boulevard features numerous restaurants of Iranian, Indian, and Pakistani cuisine, while Sawtelle Boulevard features many Japanese restaurants. There are a number of Indian and Pakistani restaurants along Venice Boulevard in Palms, mostly offering North Indian cuisine. Westwood Boulevard between Pico and Wilshire is filled with Persian restaurants, serving the largest Iranian population outside of Iran (which is concentrated in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica). There is a large cluster of Jewish delicatessens and restaurants on Pico Boulevard south of Beverly Hills, with both Ashkenazic and Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines represented. There is a small cluster of (mostly) Japanese restaurants colloquially known as Little Osaka on Sawtelle Blvd (just west of 405) bounded by Santa Monica Blvd to the north and Olympic Blvd to the south.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
West Los Angeles is made up of a set of very distinct neighborhoods, ranging from wealthy suburbs to prominent business centers to communities where you'll find a mix of ethnicities that would make the United Nations proud.
Perhaps the most prominent West L.A. community is Westwood, an area somewhere between a neighborhood and a city that surrounds the main campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Most of the area's businesses cater to the college population, with a number of used and new bookstores, art movie theaters, inexpensive restaurants and coffee houses. While the main village of Westwood had its heyday from the 1960s throughout most of the 1980s, it is picking up in popularity again as a trendy hangout for local teens and students of UCLA. Despite an increasing number of homeless people, Westwood is still known as one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, albeit with some of the worst traffic. South of Westwood are the densely populated and highly diverse neighborhoods of Sawtelle, Mar Vista, and Palms, where you'll find many established ethnic and minority communities with plenty of local shops and restaurants catering to these local populations.
The other prominent economic center in West L.A. is Century City, a small but dense collection of highrises adjacent to Beverly Hills that was built around the headquarters of 20th Century Studios. To the south of Century City is the affluent neighborhood of Cheviot Hills, with lots of parks and large suburban homes. On the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains to the north of Westwood are the fashionable and famous neighborhoods of Bel-Air and Brentwood, both of which are full of mansions overlooking the city, some of which have been the home of celebrities.
Climate
Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, West L.A. enjoys a cooler climate than the rest of Los Angeles. During the summer, temperatures can be as much as 10-15 degrees cooler in West L.A. than locations further inland, in large part due to the constant sea breezes in the area. Fog is a common occurrence, especially in the months of May and June.
Get in
By car
Interstate 405 passes through West Los Angeles just south of the Sepulveda Pass. The area is noted for high levels of congestion, especially during rush hour.
By plane
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 20-30 minutes away, and has a very large number of flights to and from the airport.
By public transit
On the west side, local transit is provided by three main carriers.
- Metro is the major operator of bus and rail services in Los Angeles County. The Metro Rail Expo Line roughly parallels I-10 through West L.A. and tends to be the fastest transit service to the area from Downtown L.A., stopping in the Palms and Sawtelle neighborhoods on its way between Culver City and Santa Monica, with bus connections to other Westside neighborhoods available at each station. Frequent Metro bus routes that pass through the area include the 2 (Sunset Blvd), 4/Rapid 704 (Santa Monica Blvd), 20/Rapid 720 (Wilshire Blvd), and the 33/Rapid 733 (Venice Blvd), with the Rapid lines stopping only at major intersections. Additionally, the 28/Rapid 728 connect Century City to Downtown L.A. via Olympic Blvd, while the Rapid 734 (weekdays only)/234 (weekends only) link the Expo Line Sepulveda station, Westwood, UCLA, the Getty Center entrance, and the San Fernando Valley via Sepulveda and Westwood Blvds. Metro fare is $1.75.
- Big Blue Bus primarily serves Santa Monica and UCLA/Westwood (and the major streets between), but also has a network of routes that serves just about every neighborhood in the area, as well as routes that head out to Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Venice, and an express route (#10) along I-10 to Downtown L.A. Additionally, the #3 bus reaches the LAX Airport Transit Center, making it a handy way for air travelers to reach the Westside cheaply. The standard fare on all buses (except #10) is $1.25.
- Culver City Bus primarily serves Culver City, but also runs buses to UCLA/Westwood (#6), Century City (#3), and LAX (#6), thus also serving as a primary carrier of tourists from LAX to the UCLA area. The base fare is $1.
See
See Fox Plaza
In the middle of Century City is this otherwise nondescript postmodern skyscraper that's notable for being the headquarters of 20th Century Studios and will be instantly recognizable to Die Hard fans as the fictional Nakatomi Plaza.
See Hammer Museum
A UCLA-affiliated institution which houses changing exhibitions of contemporary, modern, and classical art, with a particular focus on Los Angeles-based work. The basis of the museum's collection is a set of significant European works collected by the institution's founder, Armand Hammer. The museum also holds many free public programs, including lunchtime "Art Talks" every Wednesday at 12:30PM.
See Museum of Tolerance
Focusing on the history of the Holocaust, this museum contains many interactive exhibits designed to challenge visitors to assess their own levels of tolerance. Many of the exhibits are meant to engage kids (about 10 and older), and you may find your kids asking you about things such as racial and economic tensions. A highlight of the museum is live testimonies by Holocaust survivors who serve as museum volunteers.
See Skirball Cultural Center
In the hills above Sepulveda Pass is this expansive contemporary facility devoted to Jewish heritage. Among its libraries, classrooms, conference rooms and gardens is a museum with a permanent collection of historical artifacts, artwork, and interactive exhibits on Jewish history and culture, with an emphasis on the Jewish-American experience. A highlight of the museum is a large children's area modeled after Noah's Ark, with animal puppets and figurines that kids can play with.
Getty Center
One of two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Center is unquestionably one of the finest museums in the nation, with a collection of European art from the Middle Ages to the modern era set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture and tranquil gardens. Perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains and accessible only via tram from the bottom of the hill, the museum offers spectacular views of the L.A. basin and the Pacific Ocean.
The focal point of the expansive museum campus is a central courtyard ringed by several buildings which display most of the museum's holdings, linked by bridges and terraces which offer superb views of the museum campus and the surrounding landscape. The courtyard level hosts the Getty's permanent collection of European sculpture and decorative arts, as well as some changing exhibits, while the upper level displays the museum's European paintings. Outside is a large garden centered around a reflecting pool with a flowering maze set within the pool, surrounded by specialty gardens and expansive lawns that make an excellent place for a picnic.
The other museum location, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, is about 11 miles to the west via Sunset Blvd and covers the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria; you can visit both in the same day (Wednesday through Sunday) and pay the parking fee only once (save your ticket stub), but don't expect to have any time left over for other activities.
University of California Los Angeles
Spread out over 400 acres on the northern end of Westwood, UCLA is the largest branch of the University of California system by student population and is a major center of activity. The campus is a massive complex of academic facilities, residence halls, museums, gardens and pathways which make for a pleasant stroll. The original center of campus is Dickson Court, a grassy quad framed by the beautiful red brick Italianate structures of Royce Hall and Powell Library, with a fountain on the west side overlooking the rest of campus. From here a long stairway, the Janss Steps, leads west to the focal point of campus life: Bruin Plaza, where you'll find the student union, the bookstore, and the student rec center, as well as a statue of Bruin Bear, the university's mascot.
See Fowler Museum
A cultural museum that hosts changing and permanent exhibitions featuring art and archaeological artifacts, with a particular focus on non-Western cultures. A number of striking artifacts from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas are on regular view, including tribal masks, religious figurines, headdresses, and a Chinese hand puppet.
See Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Created as an experimental garden of rare and exotic plants for the university's botany program, this garden makes for a tranquil retreat from the urban landscape, with many tropical and subtropical plants as well as a stream running through the middle of the garden.
Do
Do Regency Village Theater (Fox Theater)
The art-deco Fox Village Theater (now operated by Regency) is a throwback to "Old Hollywood" that has survived into the multi-plex era, and is often the site of red-carpet premiers. Though the decor reflects its historic roots, the seating, projection, and sound are excellent and have kept upgraded to meet and exceed modern quality standards.
Buy
Shop Mitsuwa Marketplace
A Japanese supermarket with several locations in the US, boasting a collection of Japanese food shops in its food court such as Santouka Ramen, Tendon Hannosuke tempura, Sanuki Sandou Udon, Misasa, and Daikichi Sushi.
Shop Westfield Century City (Century City Mall)
An upscale shopping center in the Century City neighborhood, featuring an AMC 14 Cineplex, Bloomingdales, Gelson's Market, and Macy's. Upscale fashion on the first floor, while the second floor has restaurants (highlights include the excellent Chinese hot pot chain Haidilao and New Zealand ice cream shop Hokey Pokey) and midrange shopping. Underground parking garage.
Shop Westwood Village
A pedestrian friendly shopping district adjacent to UCLA. Features American Apparel, Bel Air Camera, Buffalo Exchange thrift store, Target, Trader Joe's market, Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods, and a selection of smaller shops and services.
Shop The Time Travel Store
Apparel, supplies, and sundries for the discriminating time traveler. You got your canned Mammoth Chunks, your robot repair parts, and the ever-popular Viking Odorant. (All proceeds from sales go towards the shop's real reason for being: the 826LA writing workshop program for school-age students.) There's another location in Echo Park.
Eat
West LA has a wide variety of food types and pricing. Westwood Boulevard features numerous restaurants of Iranian, Indian, and Pakistani cuisine, while Sawtelle Boulevard features many Japanese restaurants. There are a number of Indian and Pakistani restaurants along Venice Boulevard in Palms, mostly offering North Indian cuisine. Westwood Boulevard between Pico and Wilshire is filled with Persian restaurants, serving the largest Iranian population outside of Iran (which is concentrated in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica). There is a large cluster of Jewish delicatessens and restaurants on Pico Boulevard south of Beverly Hills, with both Ashkenazic and Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines represented. There is a small cluster of (mostly) Japanese restaurants colloquially known as Little Osaka on Sawtelle Blvd (just west of 405) bounded by Santa Monica Blvd to the north and Olympic Blvd to the south.
Budget
Eat Apple Pan
Fabulous burgers and pies since 1947.
Eat Marty's Hamburger Stand
Known for its chili and the Combo, which is a hot dog and hamburger all in the form of a hamburger.
Eat Saffron and Rose Ice Cream
Persian-style ice cream (similar in consistency and flavour to Italian gelato) in unusual flavours, such as date, rosewater, redcurrant, pistachio and cucumber(!). They have half-pints, pints and quarts to take home, but ask the owner for help because the labels are in Farsi only.
Eat Versailles
Cuban food.
Eat Juquila
Little hole in the wall Mexican joint specializing in Oaxacan food like mole, tlayudas, nopal, etc. Great pozole and menudo on weekends.
Mid-range
Eat Habayit (Kosher)
The only kosher restaurant on the Westside. Serving delicious, homemade American-Israeli cuisine for to-go or delivery.
Eat Hara Sushi
Semi-hidden sushi gem not far from the Santa Monica border. Despite its unobtrusive street presence, the small dining area often has a line during peak hours, but the wait is well worth it.
Eat Native Foods
Innovative variety of vegan foods, featuring salads, veggie burgers, rice and noodle bowls, pizzas, and desserts. Uses an original recipes for tempeh and seitan. Indoor & outdoor seating. Accept credit cards. Open daily.
Eat Sunnin
Lebanese restaurant Sunnin moved into a much bigger facility across the street from its previous location and prices increased as well as the floor space. It's not the dirt cheap bargain it once was, but the food is still moderately priced and excellent. Try the Kefta Kebab wrap and the Kebbeh Bil Saynieh. Sit at the counter and watch Toni, the owner, run her kitchen like a drill sergeant!
Eat Shamshiri
Excellent Persian food at giant portions - you'll be buying dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. Try the Tachin (chicken, basmati rice and redcurrant casserole), Bademjan (lamb shank and aubergine (eggplant) stew) or Shirin Polo (roast chicken on top of rice pilaf with almonds and orange zest).
Eat Sushi House Unico (Shu Restaurant)
Right off Beverly Glen Blvd, tucked away in a small, though fashionable strip mall in the canyons of Bel Air, is Sushi House Unico (shu), a restaurant that boasts an eclectic menu best described as a fusion of Japanese, Latin and Italian flavors and cuisines. The space is contemporary and refined, but not too overbearing. Shu's owner, Giacomino Drago, is also the familiar restaurateur and chef of several restaurants including Il Pastaio and Piccolo Paradiso in Beverly Hills. Signature dishes included halibut carpaccio with sun-dried tomato, Kobe Beef sashimi and albacore sashimi with shaved truffles.
Eat Taiko
Taiko is a casual little Japanese restaurant located in the Brentwood Gardens. The service is very friendly, and the unique variety of dishes will satisfy anyone's tastes. The Nabeyaki udon is not to be missed.
Eat Darya
Quality Persian food.
Splurge
Eat Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
Ideal for celebrations, special occasions or anything even remotely romantic, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air is the archetype of elegant dining, replete with innovative, 'French-California' or continental style cuisine. There are two beautiful dining areas; a more formal dining room or outside in the relaxed bougainvillea-draped Terrace. The roast rack of lamb is considered a favored main course. Teatime at the Bel Air Hotel is a nice relaxing time and a great way to break up a day.
Eat Vibrato
Dynamic fusion of steakhouse and jazz club from music legend Herb Alpert makes for a night of great cuisine and musical entertainment. The expansive supper club-like dining room is intimate and bold in design and color with beautiful paintings adorning the walls. The menu is impressive, with an array of modern American fare. The bar draws an eclectic gathering of jazz lovers, socialites and trendy nighthawks. This is Bel-Air after all. Situated almost out of sight in a classy strip mall at the top of Beverly Glen, Vibratto retains a certain, "in-the-know" status. But it's well worth the discovery.
Desserts
Eat Amandine Cafe
European-style bakery and cafe specializing in French pastries and tartes.
Eat Brian's Shave Ice
Hawaiian shave-ice with an embarrassment of different flavors, fillings, and combinations.
Eat Diddy Riese
Legendary among denizens of Los Angeles as one of, if not the best desserts you will find anywhere. Just $0.30 per cookie, or $1.50 for an ice cream sandwich. Expect to wait in long lines during peak hours, but their cookies are not to be missed. Be warned that you should eat quickly, as the cookies will not taste as good overnight, or even a few hours after purchase.
Eat Sweet Rose Creamery
Really good ice cream, with vegan options.
Drink
Drink Barney's Beanery
A sports bar with 40 beers on draft and 160 bottled beers that has had locations in Los Angeles since 1920.
Drink Mom's
Trendy bar that maintains a dive bar atmosphere. Happy hour is lively-to-loud with prices that are budget-friendly. They may be a line on peak nights, so visitors are advised to plan accordingly
Sleep
Go next
- Santa Monica. Best known for its famous pier, Santa Monica is a must-see destination for most tourists, and home to many restaurants and bars frequented by locals.
- Culver City. A neighboring city and the home of Sony Pictures Studios that has been undergoing a rebirth and now has an increasing number of food, shopping and entertainment options.
- Beverly Hills. Home of 90210, fabled shopping, and the upper crust of Hollywood's elite.
- Wilshire. Home to Koreatown, LA's museum district, and the famous La Brea Tar Pits.
- Sherman Oaks. Located among the hills between the coast and the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks is a mainly-residential neighborhood that offers numerous food, shopping, nightlife, and lodging options.
Nearby
Beverly Hills
City / town · 32 listings · 2 mi away
Santa Monica
City / town · 46 listings · 4 mi away
West Hollywood
City / town · 40 listings · 4 mi away
Culver City
City / town · 58 listings · 5 mi away
Pacific Palisades
City / town · 10 listings · 5 mi away
Venice
City / town · 29 listings · 5 mi away
Marina del Rey
City / town · 52 listings · 6 mi away
Sherman Oaks
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
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