Los Angeles's Must-See Neighborhoods
The City of Angels is one of the most famous cities in the United States. An open-air film set, it's brimming with iconic landmarks that we all dream of seeing in person one day…
The City of Angels is one of the most famous cities in the United States. An open-air film set, it's brimming with iconic landmarks that we all dream of seeing in person one day… From Beverly Hills to Bel-Air, via Hollywood: discover Los Angeles's must-see neighborhoods – and where to go in L.A. during a California getaway!
Beverly Hills: Los Angeles's Most Famous Neighborhood
Though considered a neighborhood, Beverly Hills is actually a city in California, made famous by the eponymous television series. During your strolls, you'll undoubtedly recognize familiar buildings and be charmed by its magnificently manicured gardens (like Beverly Gardens Park). Both serene and highly sought-after by the entertainment industry, Beverly Hills is a haven of peace and a business hub.
Points of Interest Rodeo Drive (luxury shopping street), Mulholland Drive (and its scenic viewpoint at #7701 offering panoramic views of the city and Universal Studios), the Beverly Wilshire Hotel from Pretty Woman (also renowned for its architecture). |
Venice Beach: The Beachfront Neighborhood
Located between Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach is known for its beachfront promenade… The must-do? Rent a bicycle or, even better, rollerblades to explore Venice Boardwalk! Beloved for its trendy atmosphere, the neighborhood boasts numerous restaurants, shops, and the Venice Farmers' Market (very popular with locals).
Points of Interest Main Street (shopping and art gallery street), Venice Canals Walkway (Venice's historic canal district). |
Santa Monica: The Neighborhood for Fun and Festivities
Just steps away from Venice, Santa Monica is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, as well as its mythical amusement park, located on the pier (at the foot of Colorado Avenue).
Pacific Park – which opened in 1909 – draws visitors for its many thrilling attractions (roller coasters, Ferris wheel, etc.). A tip? Make the most of your Santa Monica stopover to try surfing! The waves are frequent and suitable for all skill levels.
Points of Interest Ocean Avenue (restaurant and shopping street), Bubba Gump Shrimp seafood restaurant (inspired by the film Forrest Gump); Wilshire Blvd (one of Los Angeles's main thoroughfares). |
Downtown L.A.: The Cosmopolitan Neighborhood
Both downtown and business district, Downtown L.A. is known for its skyscrapers and cosmopolitan culture. Indeed, this is where you'll find Chinatown, as well as El Pueblo (the Hispanic-Mexican historic center) and Little Tokyo, L.A.'s Japanese neighborhood.
If you're a basketball fan: check out the schedule at Crypto.com Arena, which hosts numerous events (and legendary NBA teams, like the Lakers and the Clippers!).
Points of Interest Historic Broadway Theater District, the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). |
Silver Lake and Echo Park: The Trendy and Vintage Neighborhoods
Located just steps apart, these two trendy Los Angeles neighborhoods are renowned for their avant-garde culture – as early as the 1930s, Silver Lake had attracted producer Walt Disney, who established his first studio there…
Echo Park (located adjacent to Silver Lake) is known for its vintage vibe, with secondhand shops and numerous record stores. This neighborhood is also appreciated for its outdoor activities, such as the Swan pedalo.
Points of Interest Silver Lake: its street art, its modernist architecture. Echo Park: Carroll Avenue (featured in Michael Jackson's Thriller music video), The Echo concert venue. |
Hollywood: The Film Neighborhood
Known for its film industry since the 1920s, Hollywood is the must-see neighborhood for cinema enthusiasts, and features numerous film studios open to the public. Among them, the iconic Paramount Studios – where many classics were born, such as the film Titanic!
Points of Interest Walk of Fame (the famous avenue of stars), film studios, the Chinese Theatre (listed as a Los Angeles Cultural Historic Monument), the Guinness World Records Museum. |
Los Feliz: Los Angeles's Oldest Neighborhood
Less well-known, Los Feliz (located between Silver Lake and Hollywood) is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles. Among its remarkable landmarks, don't miss the William Mulholland Memorial Fountain, built in 1940, or Ennis House, a stunning 1923 residence designed by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright – and frequently used as a filming location…
Points of Interest Griffith Park (a historic site, whose observatory offers stunning views of the Hollywood letters), the Vista Theatre (iconic cinema built in the 1920s and saved from demolition in 2021 by Quentin Tarantino), Skylight Books (an independent and trendy bookstore). |
Bel-Air: The Residential Neighborhood
The Bel-Air neighborhood is known for housing some of the most beautiful celebrity and wealthy businessman estates – as well as one of the most expensive properties in the world, The One.
Points of Interest This residential neighborhood forms, together with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills, the famous Golden Triangle. To admire these beautiful estates, note that it's only possible to visit this neighborhood by car! |
Frequently asked questions
Beverly Hills is undoubtedly Los Angeles's most famous neighborhood, made world-famous by the eponymous television series. It's renowned for its sumptuous villas, manicured gardens like Beverly Gardens Park, and its famous luxury shopping street, Rodeo Drive.
To visit Los Angeles's main neighborhoods — Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Downtown LA, and Silver Lake — it's recommended to allow at least 5 to 7 days. Since Los Angeles is a sprawling city, traveling by car or Uber is almost essential.
Los Angeles is a car-designed city. Renting a vehicle is recommended to explore the different neighborhoods easily. Alternative options exist such as Uber, Lyft, or the metro network (Metro Rail) which connects Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica among others.
Hollywood is the must-visit neighborhood for cinema lovers. You'll find the Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios open to the public, the Chinese Theatre listed as a historic monument, and numerous museums dedicated to the film industry.
No, the Bel-Air residential neighborhood isn't well-suited for walking tours due to its size and private character. It's recommended to explore it by car to admire the celebrity villas and estates from the street.
Los Angeles enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate year-round. March to May and September to November offer mild temperatures and fewer tourists than summer. Summer (June-August) can be hot and crowded, particularly at Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
