The Guide to the Westside of Los Angeles (2024)

The global jet set has several options on the Westside, including:SLS Beverly Hills, featuring a sleek design by creative mastermind Philippe Starck and fine dining by Jose Andres; the modern French chateau ambiance ofSofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills;and the poshLondon West Hollywood.Creatives have checked into the Chateau Marmont for generations.

The Westside is a mecca for museums and cultural destinations. Located in Brentwood, theGetty Centersits like a shining city on a hill with centuries of art and photography displayed in a stunning architectural setting. Just beyond the Getty Center, theSkirball Cultural Centeroffers an overview of Jewish history and culture in America. Be sure to check out the 8,000-square-foot Noah’s Ark, a hands-on exhibit for children.

Westwood Village is home to the Hammer Museum, a hub for contemporary art and special events; and the Fowler Museum at UCLA, renowned for its collection of global works from Africa, Asia and The Pacific. The Annenberg Space for Photographyin nearby Century City celebrates the artform in a state-of-the-art space.

Located in Mid-Wilshire, theLos Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of over 135,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history. LACMA anchorsMuseum Rowalong Wilshire Boulevard, which also includes theLa Brea Tar Pits, Petersen Automotive Museumand theCraft & Folk Art Museum.

Culver City is home to two of L.A.'s most unique museums. Smithsonian Magazine describes the Museum of Jurassic Technology as "Los Angeles' strangest museum" - the cabinet of curiosities houses a collection of fascinating artifacts that may or may not be real. The Wende Museum is the passion project of Justin Jampol, who has amassed a collection of more than 100,000 bits of Cold War ephemera.

Pull out all the stops and the credit cards because shopping on the Westside is a way of life. Recent renovations and openings have made the Westside more of a shopping destination than ever.

Westfield Century Cityrecently received a $1-billion makeover to create a 1.3-million-square-foot showcase for more than 200 luxury, contemporary and international designer brands, a new three-level Nordstrom featuring its latest design concepts, a completely remodeled three-level Bloomingdale’s, and a modern new two-level Macy’s.

Like Westfield Century City, theBeverly Center is embarking on a $500 million re-imagination that will transform every aspect of the iconic fashion destination by the holidays of 2018, when construction is scheduled to be complete. Beverly Center and its tenants will be open in the meantime. The renovation includes a multi-concept gourmet food hall - THE STREET - by Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina.

A short drive east onWest Third Streettakes you through a hip stretch of women's accessories and quirky gifts, cook stores and travel goods. Soon you’ll reachThe Grove, one of L.A.'s most popular retail complexes, home to Nordstrom,American Girl Placeand Abercrombie & Fitch, plus restaurants, movies and a dancing fountain. An old-fashioned trolley makes the two-minute run to the historicFarmers Marketat Third and Fairfax, featuring classic food vendors and eclectic shops like Kip's Toyland and hot sauce emporium, Light My Fire.

Robertson Boulevard between West Third Street and Beverly Boulevard booms with sleek boutiques for fancy jeans and skinny minis; not to mention paparazzi camped outside looking for celebs. Just beyond,Robertsonand Beverly Boulevards, Melrose Avenue and Third Street are teeming with hundreds of home design shops, including thePacific Design Center.

Sunset Plazaon the Sunset Strip has boutiques with leather accessories, bright purses in a rainbow of colors, and antique furniture, as well as designer shops such as Armani A/X, Nicole Miller and Zadig & Voltaire.

Mention Rodeo Drive anywhere on earth, and you’ve conjured up fashion from Armani to Zegna. On this main drag of the Beverly Hills "Golden Triangle," the streetlamps are chandeliers and Harry Winston bejewels the stars for award ceremonies.Two Rodeois a destination in itself, with cobblestone streets and an Italian-style piazza, the better for you to model the Versace, Tiffany or Carolina Herrera you just bought. Along Wilshire Boulevard are top-name department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue.

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has three restaurants on the Westside: his flagshipSpagohas long defined California cuisine for the world; the high-end steakhouse, CUT at the Beverly Wilshire;and his eponymous restaurant at the romanticHotel Bel-Air.

L.A.'s high-profile Restaurant Row is located on La Cienega Boulevard just north of Wilshire Boulevard. Highlights include the iconic Lawry's The Prime Rib, the groundbreaking Matsuhisa, and the all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrascaria, Fogo de Chão.

Three of L.A.'s most acclaimed restaurants are located north of Restaurant Row at Melrose Avenue: Lucques, the flagship of James Beard Award winners, chef Suzanne Goin and sommelier Caroline Styne; Rosaline, the Peruvian standout from Ricardo Zarate; and E.P. & L.P., featuring Southeast Asian fare byLouis Tikaram and one of L.A.'s best rooftop bars. And at the top of La Cienega, restaurateur Bill Chait recently made his long awaited return to L.A. with Tesse on the Sunset Strip.

Burger fans can get their fix at two must-try places, the old school Apple Pan or the modern classic Father's Office.

Westside diners can travel around the world without a passport in historic districts likeLittle Ethiopia, Tehrangeles,and Sawtelle Japantown, home of the wildly popular Tsujita Artisan Noodles.

Night owls and history buffs alike will appreciate 24-hour joints like the historic Canter's Deli and two Googie-style gems,NORMS and Mel's Drive-In.