Bel Air

Bel Air’s reputation precedes it. In a sequestered setting on the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the iconic neighborhood has evolved into a private oasis since its inception in the 1920s. The area is famously known as a backdrop for television shows, including “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” as well as movies such as “Strangers When We Meet.” Bel Air has offered luxuriant privacy for eminent actors, film producers and entertainers, including Beyonce and Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Judy Garland and many others.
You won’t find many shops within walking distance here, as Bel Air residents favor the gated lifestyle amid hilltop mansions and estates with on-site security. Lush Mediterranean surroundings, hiking trails and the Pacific coast, with quintessential California sunshine, are all part of life in Bel Air. Exquisitely manicured grounds enhance the neighborhood’s appeal as a model for master-planned communities.

Part of the Platinum Triangle neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Bel Air is made up of three central districts — East Gate Old Bel Air, West Gate Bel Air and Upper Bel Air — that each hold distinct charm for prospective residents between Mulholland Drive and Sunset Boulevard.
East Gate Old Bel Air is home to historic pre-World War II estates while West Gate Bel Air and Upper Bel Air include newer homes. Estates and mansions with Spanish mission revival or modern designs predominate the area, though they are often difficult to view from the street due to the neighborhood’s maintenance of residents’ privacy. However, there are sprinkles of smaller homes along winding roads. The estates feature vast grounds with space for recreation and swimming pools. Bel Air also boasts well-maintained Mediterranean landscaping to enhance the California lifestyle.

Because Bel Air is highly residential, many places of note lie just outside the neighborhood boundaries. High-end shopping is accessible roughly 4 miles southeast on the famous Rodeo Drive. You can also find chain boutiques, The Hammer Museum, Fox Theater, Geffen Playhouse and additional restaurants in Westwood Village, about 3 miles south of Bel Air.
Bel Air is home to the dazzling Bel Air Film Festival that attracts thousands yearly, including filmmakers, entertainers and Los Angeles locals.
The Hotel Bel-Air, popular with legends such as Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles and Oscar de la Renta, offers an upscale getaway from the bustle of greater Los Angeles.
Fine dining, such as Vibrato Jazz Grill, and the Bel-Air Country Club’s pristine golf course foster community among Bel Air locals. Club members and guests can also mark their calendars for charity golf tournaments and USGA Championships.

Bel Air is also home to Chateau des Fleurs on Stone Canyon Road, a 60,000-square-foot marvel.

The Getty View Trail begins in Bel Air’s Getty View Park and winds for nearly 3 miles through native plants, offering a scenic adventure for hikers and mountain bikers, plus a birds-eye view of Interstate 405 or the city skyline. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Although the Stone Canyon Reservoir is a local lakeside retreat in the northeastern corner of Bel Air, it isn’t open to the public. However, the Stone Canyon Overlook on Mulholland Drive offers an accessible trail and a breath-taking panorama of the mountains surrounding the valley reservoir. You can see Catalina Island and the Palos Verdes Peninsula on clear days.
Roscomare Road Elementary School boasts recognition from the California State Board of Education as a California Gold Ribbon School and California Distinguished School.
Another California Distinguished School, Community Magnet Charter School, is also distinguished as a National Blue Ribbon School. Artistic creations and lavish colors are splashed across the elementary school’s stunning 20-acre campus.

Kindergarten through sixth grade students can experience inclusivity, small class sizes and fun events as the norm at the private John Thomas Dye School.
The all-girls Marymount High School Los Angeles holds rigorous academic standards and infuses values of the Catholic faith into the learning experience.
Daily life in Bel Air moves at a peaceful tempo, price tag included. The cost of living in this famously luxurious area is significantly higher than the California and U.S. averages.
Job opportunities abound, with a buzzing hotel and shopping scene in nearby Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard tracing Bel Air’s southern border and the University of California, Los Angeles nearby. Hollywood is within driving distance for employment within the entertainment industry, and Greater Los Angeles is a nexus for art, culture, finance, education and business.
Bel Air’s western border runs along Interstate 405, providing north-south access to west Los Angeles County. California State Route 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway, is beyond the Santa Monica Mountains for access to the entire West Coast. Sunset Boulevard runs along Bel Air’s southern perimeter, and North Beverly Glen Boulevard on the neighborhood’s eastern edge leads north to Mulholland Drive. Interstate 10 is south of Bel Air for east-to-west access through Los Angeles. However, beware of the infamous Los Angeles traffic. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority provides bus lines, light rail and subway transportation around and beyond Bel Air.