Brentwood - Los Angeles, CA Area Guide

Brentwood grew out of a small community based outside what is now the Los Angeles VA hospital, becoming part of Los Angeles in 1916. It quickly became an enclave for the wealthy. The entire community was badly shaken in 1961 when a wildfire consumed the hills of Brentwood and neighboring Bel Air, destroying almost 700 structures. Brentwood ended up in the news again during the 1990s murder trial of O.J. Simpson, one of the neighborhood's many famous residents.

The Getty Museum hovers on the hillside over much of Brentwood, making a striking architectural statement. Many locals treasure the gardens and the spectacular view so much that they almost forget to step inside to take in the Monets and Rembrandts. Further up Sepulveda Boulevard, parents love to take their kids to the innovative Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center, returning often for fascinating programs and exhibits hosted there.

Brentwood residents enjoy a wide variety of wonderful restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to high-end fine dining options. You can find many top restaurants lining San Vicente Boulevard, with others scattered throughout the neighborhood.

One of several top-flight Italian restaurants on San Vicente, Toscana sets a high standard for Tuscan-style cuisine. Stop at the Bar Toscana next door for a signature cocktail in a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere, then adjourn to the restaurant itself for paper-thin carpaccio, a whole branzino with spinach, fresh mussels or white truffles with chanterelles. If you think you spot a celebrity, you're probably right – and you can expect celebrity prices at this restaurant that's perfect for special occasions.

When you're on the run, stop at one of Brentwood's many sandwich shops or bakeries to pick up lunch on the go without having to resort to fast food. The Belwood Bakery in Barrington Court makes an incredible chicken rosemary sandwich; if you swing by closer to breakfast, grab the turkey egg croissant to start your day off right. Locals line up at ROAST Deli for the French dip sandwiches, sliders and flatiron steak sandwiches.

For lunch with friends or takeout food that's a notch above the usual, head to Lemonade on Barrington Avenue. This upscale cafeteria with its constantly changing menu keeps all its guests happy, whether you're looking for a healthy salad or robust comfort food. Choose from curried cauliflower salad, truffled mac and cheese, a buttermilk chicken sandwich on pretzel bread, Israeli couscous with mushrooms or curried chicken apple salad. Save some room on your tray for a freshly made macaron and a glass of exotically flavored lemonade.

While Brentwood residents tend to head west to Santa Monica when they want to drink, dance or hear a live band, a few places can show you a relaxed evening when you want to have a drink or shoot some pool. Head back to the Bar Toscana for a great drink, or cruise down to Wilshire Boulevard to Q's Billiard Club. Ten pool tables keep company with foosball and air hockey, and you'll always find the game playing on one of the big-screen TVs. Come on Tuesday for karaoke, Wednesday for trivia and Sunday for free pool.

Residents of Brentwood rely on their own cars for daily transportation, as some of the hilly areas of the neighborhood are several miles away from public transportation. You'll find free street parking in all the residential areas, but expect to hunt for metered parking or use a valet in the commercial districts. The main highway out of Brentwood is the often-congested 405 freeway, which leads north to the San Fernando Valley and south to the airport.

For the few locals who don't have a car, Los Angeles city buses run down San Vicente Boulevard to connect Brentwood residents to Pacific Palisades, Hollywood and downtown L.A., and bus lines down Wilshire Boulevard make connections to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and downtown. You can call a cab or Uber if you need a quick lift, but don't expect to hail a cab on the street.

The flat sections of Brentwood include bike lanes on the major thoroughfares. Only the most hardy will want to brave the hills on bikes, though many cyclists take the 5-mile long Mandeville Canyon Road for recreation. Locals prefer to stroll through the commercial district on San Vicente Boulevard, and runners love its wide, grassy median where they can run under the beautiful, historic coral trees.

Brentwood's location in the Santa Monica Mountains makes it easy for hikers to lose themselves in the wilderness even as the city stretches below them. Head to the Mandeville Canyon fire trail or the Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park in the mountains over Mandeville Canyon for beautiful and challenging hiking trails.

Brentwood locals take their kids and dogs to the Barrington Recreation Center and its attached dog park. The rec center features basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, softball diamonds and a playground for kids. Across the street, dogs can run off-leash in the Barrington Dog Park. Everything's free, including parking in the fairly large lot, with Barrington Village right next door if you need a snack.

Every month during the summer, head to Saturdays Off the 405, a festive concert series held at the Getty Museum. Enjoy the live music knowing that you'll pay for parking only. Bring a picnic blanket and a gourmet movable feast, but expect long lines to buy drinks on the museum grounds unless you arrive early.

Brentwood offers an array of homes that capture the essence of Los Angeles living. Whether you're imagining a cozy apartment or a spacious house for rent, Brentwood has something to suit your style. Rental costs here can vary based on factors like location, size, and amenities. On average, a stylish one-bedroom apartment costs $2,002 per month, while a more spacious two-bedroom residence costs around $2,646. For those considering a more permanent stay, the average house price typically hovers around $2.9 million. So, whether you're drawn to the neighborhood's tree-lined streets, the vibrant local scene, or the stunning outdoor spaces, Brentwood warmly invites you to your new rental or future forever home.

While residents in Brentwood often head west to Santa Monica or east to Beverly Hills or Century City for major shopping expeditions, the commercial area along San Vicente Boulevard provides plenty of shops for both recreational and practical shopping, including some high-end choices.

Rag & Bone sells upscale denim for men and women, as well as other fashion-forward clothing. Expect attentive customer service at this designer boutique, where the staff is happy to help you put together an outfit or send you advance notice of upcoming styles.

The Brentwood Country Mart at San Vicente and 26th Street may look old and rickety, but a second look reveals high-end designer boutiques, specialty stores and yummy food choices. Stop at Diesel Bookstore to pick up something to read while you relax on the patio and enjoy Reddi Chick's addictive fried chicken or a treat from Sweet Rose Ice Cream. For unique yet affordable women's apparel and accessories, check out Accentz boutique, where the owner prides herself on personally helping each customer. Browse through upscale boutiques such as Calypso St. and Sugar Paper before running practical errands at the local shoe repair shop or post office.

For grocery shopping, locals head to Whole Foods Market or venture down to Wilshire Boulevard and visit Pavilions or Ralphs. Independent Vicente Foods also has its share of loyal customers, who praise its small-town feel and free samples. The Brentwood Farmers' Market opens its doors every Sunday morning, offering a petting zoo for the kids and many dining options. Locals find this market friendly and fun, though they're likely to head to the massive Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays for a larger range of produce.