As far as affluence in
Los Angeles is concerned, you'll undoubtedly find it in Bel Air. LA is best known for its glitz and glamour, and this neighborhood is right at the forefront of it. This ritzy residential district along the Santa Monica Mountains boasts the most lavish estates, high-class homes, and, of course, Hollywood! Many of the rich and famous live here, luxuriating in their mansions, private pools, home gyms, and more. This is the kind of place Bel-Air is, and if you manage to stay here, it means you've truly made it!
Where is Bel Air in Los Angeles?
While it's technically a
central neighborhood in Los Angeles, Bel Air is perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains. If not for how organized and luxurious the district is, you'd sooner think it was a mountain town in the American countryside. That's how much the mountains truly dominate the area, which in turn allows its elite residents to enjoy a level of privacy that's rare in other parts of the city. And that's on top of the fact that LA's other, equally prominent districts border Bel Air, including Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Brentwood, among others.
Is it Safe in Bel Air, Los Angeles?
Without a shadow of a doubt! As one of the most affluent and exclusive areas in Los Angeles, Bel Air ranks among the safest parts of the city. Its mountainous location, despite how rugged it tends to be, considerably helps. Dominated by nature and set a fair distance away from even the nearest neighborhoods, this is not a place that sketchy characters can easily frequent. Bel Air also enjoys some of the lowest
crime rates in Los Angeles, thanks to its tight security. Its wealthy residents afford high-quality alarm systems, efficient security guards, and the like.
What's The Vibe in Bel Air, Los Angeles?
Bel Air boasts a luxurious, elite, and private neighborhood at the heart of Los Angeles. While Beverly Hills is more than likely the city's most expensive area, this district is the most exclusive. As mentioned previously, the neighborhood's location atop the Santa Monica Mountains gives it a natural border from the rest of the city, allowing its wealthy residents to practically live and luxuriate in seclusion. Their lavish mansions and high-class homes also amp up the glamour, so much so that anyone in the 1% who
moves to Los Angeles will want to reside here, too.
Is it Expensive in Bel Air, Los Angeles?
“Expensive” doesn't even begin to describe
how much it costs to stay in Bel Air. This is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, right up there with the more famous Beverly Hills. Though it may not be as expensive as the latter, it's still not too far! Forget about living in a house here, which will more likely be a mansion than a typical detached home; rent alone will already cost you an average $2,768.00 per month! And if you want to eat out, expect to find very few places where you can enjoy a meal for less than $100.00!
What to See in Bel Air, Los Angeles
Part of how Bel Air maintains its exclusive status is that it doesn't have any of LA's famous landmarks. The neighborhood is more residential than urban, and though many would likely be interested to see the lavish homes here, they're not open to the public. Hence, the most notable sights to see here are few and far between. The Getty Villa is nearby, famous for its Romanesque architecture and beloved collection of antiques and artworks. And if you drive to the top of the area, you'll get to see some of the most breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Mountains and beyond.
What to Do in Bel Air, Los Angeles
The best things to do in Bel Air depend on your status here. If you're a resident of the neighborhood, it's enough to just luxuriate in your glamorous home here. If you could afford to live in Bel Air, it's more than likely you could afford to rent/own a massive mansion with a private pool, a home gym, maybe even a private spa, and other luxurious amenities. But if you're simply visiting, you can still drive through its mountainous region and enjoy West Coast nature in its full glory. Get to the highest peaks and enjoy stunning views, too!
The Best Restaurants in Bel Air, Los Angeles
It's no surprise that Bel Air boasts one of the most fabulous culinary scenes in all of LA. This is an upscale neighborhood that boasts some of the richest and most famous residents, after all, so it makes sense that the places to eat nearby equal their caliber. As a result, Bel Air features some of the chicest bistros, coolest cafes, and, of course, many of
LA's best Michelin-starred restaurants. Nobu Los Angeles on N La Cienega Boulevard is a famous standout as it serves exceptional Japanese cuisine to Hollywood stars.
Bel Air boasts a treasure trove of high-quality hotspots, especially:
- Ava Krō on Roscomare Road
- Baltaire Restaurant on San Vicente Boulevard
- Bottega Louie on S Grand Avenue
- Girl & the Goat Los Angeles on Mateo Street
- Nobu Los Angeles on N La Cienega Boulevard
- Perch in the Pershing Square Building on Hill Street
- Redbird on E 2nd Street
- The Shack in the Back on N Sepulveda Boulevard
- Umberto's Trattoria & Cantina on N Sepulveda Boulevard
- 71Above in the US Bank Tower on W 5th Street
What to Know About Renting in Bel Air, Los Angeles
There's truly only one thing to know about renting in Bel Air: it's expensive! As already mentioned, the average rent here is about $2,768.00 per month, which is already higher than the city-wide average. Moreover, $2,768.00 per month will only afford you some of the smaller
luxury apartments to rent in Los Angeles, ranging from studio flats to one-bedroom homes. If you prefer a bigger place, prepare to pay as much as $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 per month. And that's already too much for you, don't even try to attempt to know how much a full-blown house in Bel Air would cost!
Wealth and affluence reign supreme in Bel Air in Los Angeles. This refined residential neighborhood adds to the glitz and glam of LA, almost to the point that it practically rivals the more famous Beverly Hills.
