Free Westside Travel Guide & Mobile App

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Westside
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Explore Westside California for Pacific beaches, art museums, university culture, historic neighbourhoods and the varied urban life of Los Angeles.

Westside is an informal but widely recognised part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, stretching from the Pacific Ocean inland across a varied urban landscape. Its boundaries are not administrative: the term generally covers Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Bel Air, and nearby districts, while Beverly Hills and Culver City are often included in Westside itineraries because they sit within the same travel area. The district lies within Los Angeles County, on California's southern coast, and combines beaches, low hills, dense neighbourhoods, university life, cultural institutions, and some of the region's most recognisable streets.
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The coastline gives Westside its clearest geographical identity. Santa Monica has a broad public beach, a long pier, and a lively oceanfront promenade, while Venice is more eclectic, with a famous boardwalk, Muscle Beach, canals, and a dense mixture of homes, cafés, galleries, and small businesses. North of Santa Monica, the coast becomes more rugged around Pacific Palisades, where the Santa Monica Mountains approach the sea. Inland, Brentwood, Westwood, Bel Air, and West Los Angeles offer leafy residential streets, major museums, commercial corridors, and access to hills and canyon roads.
Westside is also one of the principal cultural centres of Southern California. The Getty Center occupies a hilltop above the Sepulveda Pass and presents major collections of European art, photography, architecture, and gardens, while the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades focuses on Greek and Roman antiquities. UCLA anchors Westwood with teaching, research, performance, and sporting facilities, and the Hammer Museum adds a strong contemporary and modern-art presence. Santa Monica and Venice contribute independent design, theatre, music, public art, and a more informal beach culture.
The area's history is visible in contrasts rather than a single architectural style. Indigenous Tongva history predates Spanish colonisation and the later development of ranchos, seaside resorts, streetcar suburbs, and film-related businesses. Early twentieth-century canals, bungalow districts, apartment courts, civic buildings, and mid-century modern houses stand beside luxury developments and large commercial centres. Food reflects Los Angeles's wider diversity, with farmers' markets, Mexican and Latin American cooking, Asian cuisines, Californian produce, bakeries, seafood, health-conscious cafés, and ambitious restaurants all contributing to the region's character.
Westside works best as a collection of linked districts rather than a single compact destination. Distances that look modest on a map can take considerable time in traffic, especially between the coast, Westwood, and inland Los Angeles. A visitor can spend a day walking between Santa Monica and Venice, another exploring museums and university architecture, and a separate day following mountain roads or coastal viewpoints. The area rewards flexible planning, attention to transport conditions, and an appreciation of the differences between its beach communities, residential hills, academic centre, and busy urban thoroughfares.

When is the best time to visit Westside?

Best: June–July, September · 26–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1575
February1760
March1850
April2040
May2320
June (best)2610
July (best)285
August285
September (best)2610
October2320
November1940
December1660

Getting to and around Westside

How to get there

Westside is served most conveniently through Los Angeles International Airport, which is outside Westside but lies nearby to the south and has extensive domestic and international connections. Hollywood Burbank Airport, also outside the area, can be useful for some domestic journeys but is farther away. Amtrak and long-distance buses serve Los Angeles through stations outside Westside, while the Metro E Line connects Santa Monica and nearby Westside districts with Downtown Los Angeles. Long-distance road access is provided mainly by Interstate 10, Interstate 405 and California State Route 1, although journey times can vary greatly.

Transportation

The Metro E Line serves Santa Monica and provides a practical link towards Culver City and Downtown Los Angeles, while local buses cover many coastal and inland corridors. Westside is walkable within districts such as central Santa Monica, Venice and parts of Westwood, but attractions are widely separated overall. A car can be useful for Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, canyon roads and museum visits, though parking may be expensive or limited. Cycling is practical along the coast and on selected urban routes; taxis and rideshare services are widely available, but traffic can make short cross-district journeys slow.

Top city travel guides in Westside

The cities of Westside, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Westside

Westside's attractions range from open coastline to major cultural institutions. Santa Monica combines a broad beach, the historic Santa Monica Pier, oceanfront paths and a walkable commercial centre, while Venice offers a more unconventional mix of beach activity, the boardwalk, surviving canals, public art and independent businesses. The Getty Center is a principal destination for European art, photography, architecture and gardens, with extensive views across Los Angeles; the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades presents Greek and Roman antiquities in a setting inspired by an ancient Roman villa. In Westwood, UCLA adds museums, performances, landscaped grounds and significant twentieth-century architecture, while the Hammer Museum provides modern and contemporary art. The region also offers access to the Santa Monica Mountains, where hiking routes and canyon landscapes contrast with dense urban neighbourhoods. Shopping streets, farmers' markets, historic districts, cinemas, theatres and restaurants broaden the cultural programme, although visitors should remember that Westside's attractions are dispersed and can require careful transport planning.

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Best landmarks in Westside

The Santa Monica Pier is Westside's most recognisable coastal landmark, extending into the Pacific from the end of Colorado Avenue and symbolising the city's long history as a seaside resort. Venice's surviving canals preserve part of Abbot Kinney's early twentieth-century plan, when the community was promoted as an American version of an Italian waterside town. The Getty Center is a landmark of modern architecture as well as an art museum, with travertine buildings, gardens and a hilltop setting designed by Richard Meier. The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades provides another distinctive architectural reference through its classical-inspired buildings and landscape. Westwood's UCLA campus contains notable early and later university architecture, including Royce Hall and other buildings around the historic core. Along the coast, the Santa Monica Mountains form a natural landmark, rising behind Pacific Palisades and separating the urban shoreline from inland valleys. Beverly Hills City Hall, if included in a broader Westside itinerary, lies in the independent City of Beverly Hills rather than the City of Los Angeles and should be understood as a nearby municipal landmark rather than a Los Angeles neighbourhood site.

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Explore Westside on the map

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Best restaurants in Westside

Dining across Westside reflects Los Angeles's international population and California's emphasis on fresh produce. Santa Monica and Venice offer cafés, bakeries, seafood restaurants, modern Californian cooking and casual food near the beach, while Westwood and West Los Angeles have long supported substantial Iranian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mediterranean, Mexican and other international communities. Mexican and Latin American food is especially important to the wider regional identity, from casual taquerias to more contemporary restaurants. Farmers' markets in Santa Monica, Brentwood and nearby districts provide seasonal fruit, vegetables, bread, flowers and prepared foods, though market schedules vary. Independent coffee shops, juice bars and health-conscious eateries sit alongside traditional American diners, pizzerias, delis, pubs and ambitious dining rooms. In Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, restaurants tend to be neighbourhood-oriented, while the coastal districts offer more casual, visitor-facing choices. California wines, craft beer and locally grown ingredients are common, but the area's strongest culinary feature is its breadth rather than one defining regional dish.

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Best bars in Westside

Westside nightlife is varied but generally less concentrated than the club scenes of Hollywood or Downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica has the broadest evening mix, with hotel bars, cocktail lounges, pubs, restaurants, live music and venues around the commercial centre and beachfront. Venice is known for relaxed bars, music-oriented spaces and late-opening restaurants, although the character of individual streets changes significantly and venues are subject to changing regulations. Westwood's evening life is influenced by UCLA, with cinemas, restaurants, bars and performance venues serving students, residents and visitors. Brentwood, West Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades are more oriented towards restaurants, wine bars and neighbourhood pubs than large nightclubs. Several breweries and craft-beer venues are accessible in the wider Westside area, while major concerts and theatre productions may require travel beyond the region. Check current arrangements before relying on a particular venue, and use taxis, rideshare services or public transport after drinking.

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Best nightclubs in Westside

Westside nightlife is varied but generally less concentrated than the club scenes of Hollywood or Downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica has the broadest evening mix, with hotel bars, cocktail lounges, pubs, restaurants, live music and venues around the commercial centre and beachfront. Venice is known for relaxed bars, music-oriented spaces and late-opening restaurants, although the character of individual streets changes significantly and venues are subject to changing regulations. Westwood's evening life is influenced by UCLA, with cinemas, restaurants, bars and performance venues serving students, residents and visitors. Brentwood, West Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades are more oriented towards restaurants, wine bars and neighbourhood pubs than large nightclubs. Several breweries and craft-beer venues are accessible in the wider Westside area, while major concerts and theatre productions may require travel beyond the region. Check current arrangements before relying on a particular venue, and use taxis, rideshare services or public transport after drinking.

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Best shops in Westside

Shopping on Westside ranges from major commercial streets to independent coastal businesses and produce markets. Santa Monica's pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade and surrounding downtown streets offer national retailers, restaurants and smaller shops, while the nearby Santa Monica Place provides an enclosed shopping centre. Montana Avenue has a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of boutiques, cafés, beauty businesses and homeware shops. Venice centres on smaller independent retailers, design studios, vintage clothing, art galleries and businesses serving its beach and creative communities. Westwood Village combines shops, restaurants, cinemas and services around UCLA, although its retail mix has changed over time. Brentwood and West Los Angeles provide local boutiques, galleries, speciality food shops and everyday services rather than a single dominant shopping district. Farmers' markets are good places to buy Californian fruit, vegetables, flowers, bread and prepared foods, while regional gifts often include locally produced food, surf-related goods, design items, books and art. For luxury shopping, nearby Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is outside Westside's strictest boundaries but is a commonly combined excursion.

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Westside essentials

Currency and Payment
Westside uses the United States dollar, abbreviated USD, like the rest of California. Credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, restaurants, museums and shops. Cash is still useful for small purchases, informal vendors, some parking facilities and occasional tips. Prices displayed in shops and restaurants generally exclude California sales tax, and restaurant bills commonly require a separate gratuity for table service. Inform your bank of overseas use and check whether foreign transaction fees apply.
Safety
Use ordinary large-city precautions, especially around crowded beaches, transport stops, nightlife areas and busy commercial streets. Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles and avoid leaving luggage unattended. Ocean conditions can change quickly, so follow lifeguard instructions and posted warnings; strong sun, dehydration and heat are also practical concerns. Watch traffic carefully when crossing broad roads and cycle paths. In the Santa Monica Mountains and canyon areas, remain on established trails, carry water and check conditions before hiking, particularly during hot, dry or fire-prone weather.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 throughout Westside for police, fire or ambulance emergencies. The operator can direct calls to the appropriate local service, and 911 is the standard emergency number across the United States. For non-urgent police matters, use the relevant local department's non-emergency contact rather than tying up emergency lines. At beaches, alert a lifeguard or call 911 for serious incidents. Visitors with medical needs should carry travel insurance details, prescription information and an emergency contact, and should not assume that treatment will be free.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect signs, lifeguard instructions, private property and posted rules on beaches, trails and residential streets. Do queue patiently and expect a service charge or tip in sit-down restaurants, taxis and many personal services. Do not enter the ocean in unsafe conditions, climb restricted sections of cliffs or leave rubbish on the beach. Avoid photographing people closely without permission, particularly performers or unhoused individuals. Alcohol rules vary by public space and municipality, so do not assume that drinking on a beach, pavement or in a park is permitted. California's general driving, smoking and public-safety laws apply throughout the region.
Local Tips
Plan museum visits and beach time around the same district rather than attempting to cross Westside repeatedly in one day. The coast is often cooler and breezier than inland neighbourhoods, while hills and canyons can become hot during summer. Santa Monica, Venice and Westwood each have different street patterns and atmospheres, so allow time to explore on foot instead of treating them as interchangeable. Farmers' markets are useful places to discover seasonal Californian produce, and many restaurants reflect the region's international population more accurately than a narrow search for traditional American food.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey[Hey]
GoodbyeLater[Lay-ter]
YesYeah[Yea]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo prob[No prob]
Thank youThanks[Thangs]
Excuse me/SorryMy bad[My bad]
How are you?How's it going?[How's it goin'?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Good. You?]
Do you speak English?You speak English?[You speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check the menu?[Can I check the menu?]
I don't eat meatI'm vegetarian[I'm veg-e-tarian]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[Can I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Back off![Back off!]
Call the Police!Call 911![Call 911!]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![Get a doc!]
I'm lostI'm kinda lost[I'm kinda lost]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[I'm not feeling well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?How much?[How much?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit pricey[That's a bit pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a deal?[Can you give me a deal?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time?[What time?]
It's one o'clockIt's 1 o'clock[It's 1 o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past 10[Half past 10]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where’s the...?[Where’s the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[What's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[Can you point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[A ticket to...]

History of Westside

Tongva Homeland and Indigenous Settlement

Before Spanish and American development, the Westside formed part of the homeland of the Tongva people, whose villages, trails and resource networks extended across the Los Angeles Basin and coastal areas. The shoreline, wetlands, freshwater sources and inland oak landscapes supported fishing, gathering, hunting and trade. Spanish colonial records later applied names such as Gabrielino to the people associated with Mission San Gabriel, but contemporary usage generally favours Tongva. Indigenous history remains essential to understanding the region, even though urbanisation has obscured much of the original landscape.

Spanish Missions and Mexican Ranchos

Spanish colonisation brought missions, military administration and a new land system to the Los Angeles region during the late eighteenth century. After Mexican independence, large ranchos replaced much of the mission-era structure. Areas now associated with Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and West Los Angeles were linked to extensive ranch lands, including Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica. Livestock raising and agriculture dominated the landscape before coastal resorts, transport lines and suburban development transformed it in the nineteenth century.

The Founding of Santa Monica and Coastal Resort Development

Senator John P. Jones and Robert S. Baker established Santa Monica in the 1870s, promoting it as a seaside community and commercial port. Although the port project did not develop as originally intended, the town benefited from rail connections, ocean recreation and its attractive coastal setting. Santa Monica's civic centre, pier, beachfront and early residential districts reflect successive phases of resort, suburban and metropolitan growth. Nearby Venice was founded in 1905 by Abbot Kinney as a planned seaside resort influenced by Italian architecture and canals.

Streetcars, Canals and Early Suburban Expansion

Electric streetcar systems helped connect the coast with central Los Angeles during the early twentieth century, encouraging residential growth and making beach communities more accessible. Venice's canals, built as part of its original resort concept, were later reduced or filled as roads and automobiles reshaped the district; several surviving canals remain a distinctive reminder of that period. Bungalow courts, apartment buildings, commercial strips and civic structures from the early automobile and streetcar eras still appear throughout Westside neighbourhoods.

Film, Aviation and the Growth of Modern Los Angeles

The Westside became increasingly important to Southern California's entertainment and technology economies during the twentieth century. Film studios and production businesses developed in and around Culver City and the wider Los Angeles basin, while aviation and aerospace expanded nearby during the Second World War and post-war decades. The construction of major roads and freeways encouraged outward growth but also produced the traffic pressures associated with Westside travel today. Residential development intensified in Westwood, Brentwood, West Los Angeles and the coastal communities as Los Angeles became a global metropolis.

Universities, Museums and Cultural Institutions

The University of California, Los Angeles, founded in Westwood in 1919, became one of the region's principal academic and cultural institutions. Its campus helped establish Westwood as a centre for research, performance and public life. The Getty Center opened in 1997 on a hilltop above the Sepulveda Pass, creating a major destination for art, architecture and gardens, while the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades developed a separate focus on classical antiquities. These institutions reinforced Westside's role as a cultural district as well as a coastal residential area.

Late Twentieth-Century Urban Change

From the late twentieth century onwards, Westside experienced major changes in housing, retail, employment and public space. Venice became associated with creative industries and independent businesses while also facing rising property costs and displacement pressures. Santa Monica strengthened its pedestrian, cycling and technology-oriented identity, and older commercial corridors throughout the district were adapted to new patterns of work and consumption. The result is a region where historic beach communities, affluent residential areas, university neighbourhoods and economically diverse urban districts remain closely connected but distinctly different.

Westside in Photos

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Explore Westside, California with Evendo

Discover Westside's top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, and more with Evendo, your free travel guide app for an unforgettable adventure.

  • Comprehensive travel guide to Westside's attractions, landmarks, and more
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Unlock the secrets of Westside, California with Evendo, the ultimate free app-based travel guide. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, plan your trip effortlessly.

  • User-friendly navigation and city maps
  • 'Near Me' feature for discovering nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic travel experience
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Welcome to Evendo, your go-to travel guide app for exploring Westside, California, a vibrant destination packed with iconic attractions and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're visiting the iconic Santa Monica Pier, exploring the artistic flair of the Getty Villa, or dining at renowned eateries like Cassia and Rustic Canyon, Evendo is your perfect companion to uncover the best of Westside.

Our app is designed to provide you with detailed information about all the must-see landmarks, attractions, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Westside. Each location is enriched with captivating images, comprehensive descriptions, insightful local tips, and essential contact details. Navigate with ease using our user-friendly maps and plan your itinerary seamlessly.

Evendo simplifies your travel planning by allowing you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. Say goodbye to endless searches and complicated logistics; Evendo consolidates everything you need into one convenient platform. With features such as Westside's historical insights, travel essentials, and curated local advice, you'll experience the city like a true local.

Take advantage of our 'Near Me' feature to discover attractions around you, no matter where you are in Westside. Best of all, the app is 100% free with no hidden costs or in-app purchases. Download Evendo today and embark on your Westside adventure!

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