Complete Guide to Brentwood & Westwood 2026

Brentwood is the LA neighborhood that doesn't try to impress. The homes are large, the streets are lined with coral trees and jacarandas, and the pace is slow and residential. San Vicente Boulevard — a divided road with a central running path — is the main commercial street, anchored by cafes, a Whole Foods, and upscale boutiques. Westwood revolves around UCLA. The campus brings youthful energy, cultural events (Royce Hall, Hammer Museum), and a density of apartments and restaurants. Westwood Village — once a thriving commercial district — has been in transition for years but still has character: the Bruin and Fox theaters, Persian restaurants along Westwood Boulevard, and the Westwood Memorial Park (where Marilyn Monroe is buried). Together, these neighborhoods offer a Westside lifestyle that balances access to nature (mountains and beach within 15 minutes) with urban convenience.