Not to be mistaken with West Hollywood, Westside is a pint-sized neighbourhood that’s nestled inside a larger urban region of the same name. In classic Los Angeles style, Westside blends modern convenience with Californian charm, with air-conditioned mega malls standing alongside vintage diners and laid-back beach homes.
Modest yet on-trend, Westside serves as a buffer for both seaside neighbourhoods like Santa Monica, and coveted destinations like Beverly Hills. This gives it a wonderfully relaxed vibe, with family-run restaurants, ice cream parlours and movie theatres offering a wholesome escape from the razzle and dazzle of LA’s more famous neighbourhoods.
Like most of LA, Westside is easiest to access by car. Unfortunately, public transport is unreliable and time-consuming. From LAX Westside is a 25-minute drive or 1 and a half hours by public transport. That said, Westside itself is renowned for its walkability. From walking dogs to stocking up at specialty wine, cheese and deli stores, locals love to stroll its pedestrian-friendly streets.
Unlike LA’s glitzier neighbourhoods, Westside is refreshingly modest. It emerged to meet the needs of the city’s suburban population, with California bungalows and unpretentious apartment complexes making up the majority of the neighbourhood’s residential streetscape.