Pico-Robertson - Los Angeles, CA

Pico-Robertson has long been the heart of LA's Jewish community, and that influence is evident in the numerous kosher restaurants and synagogues. In 1993, the neighborhood became home to the Museum of Tolerance, now considered a neighborhood landmark. The museum receives about 350,000 visitors every year. The interactive "Holocaust Section" provides a "passport" to each visitor with the story of a child during the Holocaust. The fate of the child is revealed at the end of the exhibit. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum hosts special exhibits and special events.

When you're looking for a romantic dinner at a reasonable price, head to A Food Affair on Robertson. This French restaurant began life as a catering company, and the emphasis on quality service has been retained into its new incarnation. Try the scallops and couscous with its pomegranate and corn garnish or order the house specialty of beef bourguignon. The lemon mascarpone cake and creme brulee make for enticing dessert choices. Bring your own wine, since this restaurant has no liquor license.

Kosher Persian food lights up the menu at the Sangak Cafe on Pico. Spicy meats and beef koubideh are favorites of locals, who praise the bread as the best in the neighborhood.

When you want a treat for a special occasion, head to Sotto on Pico Boulevard for luscious Italian food in a charming atmosphere. This creative restaurant serves innovative craft cocktails, artisanal pizzas, and other northern Italian food with just a bit of a hipster vibe. Try the grilled pork meatballs, squid ink pasta, or stinging nettle risotto. Vegetarians especially appreciate having many menu choices here.

While many residents of Pico-Robertson head just a bit north to Beverly Hills for a swanky atmosphere or to West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip to get a bit wilder, the Pico-Robertson area offers some fun nightlife of its own. Check out the Black Rose Tavern on Pico for amazing happy hour specials after work, big screen TVs for watching the game, and live music on the small stage on weekends. For a unique experience, head to the Dinner Detective interactive murder mystery dinner and show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Beverly Drive. Enjoy a four-course meal as you try to solve a mystery happening right before your eyes.

Pico-Robertson is very pedestrian-friendly, and many people choose to walk to nearby shops and restaurants. The Los Angeles Metro bus lines connect locals to Culver City and the Beverly Center, while Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus provides public transportation to Santa Monica and Hollywood.

Those who choose to drive have the Santa Monica Freeway near to the south of the neighborhood, connecting them easily to Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles. While you'll have to feed the meter to park on major thoroughfares, residential streets provide plenty of free parking. No taxis roam the streets in this neighborhood, but they can be called for a pickup, as can Uber.

The Cheviot Hills Recreation Center to the west provides a wide range of recreational facilities, most of them free to use. Come here for tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, and a pool. Many kids' sports leagues compete here in the park, and the recreation center offers many classes for adults as well. The park even includes a dog park where your furry friends can play off leash. Just beyond the Cheviot Hills park lies the Rancho Park municipal golf course, available to all in the city of Los Angeles for a modest greens fee.

Roxbury Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, just off the northwest corner of Pico-Robertson, has playgrounds for the kids, as well as basketball courts, tennis courts, lawn bowling greens, and barbecue pits. Once a year, the park hosts Woofstock, a family-friendly animal adoption event that features a pet parade and free lawn bowling lessons.

Pico Robertson offers a variety of homes that truly capture the essence of LA living. For those considering a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay around $2,545 per month. Alternatively, if a house aligns better with your style, the average house for rent costs around $6,094 per month. For those envisioning a more permanent stay, the average house price typically hovers around $1.2 million.

Shoppers in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood can enjoy a wealth of shopping destinations in the immediate vicinity. Head to the Westfield Century City mall to the west or Beverly Hills' renowned Rodeo Drive to the north for high-end designer boutiques. With the Beverly Center and the Grove also within easy distance, you won't lack for many shopping choices and opportunities for retail therapy.

While many Pico-Robertson residents shop at one of the two local Ralphs supermarkets, one of the real draws of this neighborhood remains the incredible selection of kosher markets. Head to the Glatt Mart on Pico for Shabbat takeout and low liquor prices. Shopping at the Elat Market can be an adventure as you navigate the crowded aisles, but locals praise the great selection of Middle Eastern staples. The Livonia Glatt Market has a wonderful deli, terrific fresh meats, great customer service, and its own parking lot in the rear. The small La Cienega Farmers Market opens up on Thursday afternoons to provide you with locally-sourced produce and prepared food booths.