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Los Angeles: Westside
Los Angeles: Westside

Living on the Westside of Los Angeles: A Local Guide for Newcomers

What is the Westside?
The Westside of Los Angeles is a group of neighborhoods and cities along LA’s western edge, stretching from the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice inland through areas like Westwood, Brentwood, and Culver City. It’s one of the most sought-after (and expensive) areas in the metro — known for its coastal charm, mild weather, and close ties to the entertainment and tech industries.
If you're picturing LA sunshine, beach bikes, and cafes with oat milk lattes, you're probably thinking of the Westside.

The Vibe
The Westside is relaxed, polished, and beach-adjacent. There’s an unmistakable “LA” quality here — people take wellness seriously, dress casually but fashionably, and often work in creative or high-paying industries. It’s where you'll find SoulCycle studios, Whole Foods on every corner, and yoga classes that cost as much as dinner.
Despite the upscale image, the Westside is surprisingly low-key in day-to-day life. It’s quieter than the Eastside or DTLA, more residential, and full of pockets where you can escape the chaos. Many streets are lined with jacaranda trees in spring, and weekend mornings often start with a walk to Blue Bottle or Dogtown Coffee.

Key Neighborhoods on the Westside

  • Santa Monica – A walkable coastal city with its own downtown, excellent schools, and a high-end beach lifestyle. The Santa Monica Farmers Market is a local institution, and the city maintains its own public services, schools, and police. Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park offer some of the best views in the county.
  • Venice – Edgy, artsy, and a little chaotic in spots. It’s where tech meets boho, with a mix of beachfront bungalows, luxury homes, and quirky culture. The Venice Canals are a hidden gem, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the most stylish shopping and dining streets in LA.
  • Westwood – Home to UCLA, this area has a young, academic feel with lots of students, museums, and a compact downtown area. The Hammer Museum is a cultural highlight, and Westwood Village has a mix of classic movie theaters and modern chains.
  • Brentwood – Quiet, upscale, and family-oriented. Known for tree-lined streets, larger homes, and a more traditional suburban feel — with plenty of celebrities tucked behind gates. The Brentwood Country Mart is a cozy local spot with boutiques, eateries, and a small-town vibe.
  • Culver City – Once overlooked, now booming. It’s become a major media and tech hub thanks to companies like Amazon Studios and Apple. Downtown Culver is full of trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, and the historic Culver Hotel. You’re also close to the Hayden Tract, home to creative offices in bold architecture.
  • West LA – A catch-all for the dense area between the others — full of apartment buildings, strip malls, and solid commuter access. Sawtelle Boulevard, also known as Little Osaka, is a go-to for Japanese food and casual nightlife.

Who Lives Here?

  • Tech professionals (especially in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Venice)
  • Entertainment industry folks, from execs to editors
  • Affluent families looking for good schools and coastal access
  • College students and grad students, especially near UCLA
  • Transplants from other states who are drawn to the weather and lifestyle

Housing Snapshot
This is one of the most expensive parts of the LA metro — no sugarcoating it.

  • Rent: Studio and 1BR apartments often start around $2,500/month, with luxury buildings topping $4,000+.
  • Buy: Condos start in the high $700Ks, and single-family homes can easily exceed $2M in Santa Monica or Brentwood.
    You’ll find everything from mid-century apartment blocks to beachfront condos and multimillion-dollar homes. Newer developments like The Waverly in Santa Monica or Runway in Playa Vista attract high-income renters and professionals.

Commute & Transit

  • Driving: Traffic is notoriously bad, especially trying to leave the Westside during rush hour. East-west traffic crawls.
  • Transit: The E Line (formerly Expo) runs from Santa Monica to DTLA, and it’s a solid option if you live and work near the route.
  • Best-case scenario: Live and work on the Westside. Commuting into it is much worse than commuting within it.
    You're also close to LAX — a major plus for frequent travelers — and the Big Blue Bus system provides solid local service.

Things to Do

  • Beach time: Venice Beach Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier, surf spots, and bike trails along The Strand
  • Outdoors: Palisades Park, Temescal Canyon hikes, beach volleyball at Muscle Beach
  • Culture: The Getty Center (just a short drive up the 405), Hammer Museum, art walks in Venice
  • Shopping: Montana Ave (boutiques), Abbot Kinney Blvd (hip brands), and Third Street Promenade (mainstream retail)
  • Food scene: From Gjusta and Scopa to sushi on Sawtelle and Korean BBQ in Culver — there’s no shortage of high-quality, international dining

Pros & Cons
Pros:

  • Close to the beach
  • Excellent weather year-round
  • Major job centers in tech and media
  • Walkable areas in Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City
  • Upscale shopping, food, and fitness culture

Cons:

  • Very expensive (rent and buying)
  • Traffic is rough
  • Less diversity than in other LA regions
  • Nightlife is more subdued compared to Eastside/DTLA

Is the Westside Right for You?

  • Ask yourself: Do you want to be near the beach?
  • Can your budget handle higher housing costs?
  • Do you work in tech, entertainment, or remote roles with flexibility?
  • Is a low-key, clean, and safe environment more important than nightlife or buzz?

If you answered yes to most of these, the Westside might be a perfect fit.