Westwood, California

So, What’s Westwood All About?

Westwood is one of those LA neighborhoods that’s got a little bit of everything. It’s sitting pretty on the Westside of Los Angeles, tucked between Beverly Hills to the east and Century City to the southeast. And yeah, it’s definitely got that upscale vibe going on.

About 54,609 people call Westwood home, with an average age hovering around 38. [1] Here’s the thing though – over 75% of residents are college educated, which makes sense when you’ve got UCLA right in your backyard.

But don’t think it’s just a college town. Far from it. You’ve got everything from high-rise condos lining Wilshire Boulevard to single-family homes in exclusive areas like Holmby Hills. And speaking of Holmby Hills – that’s part of the famous “Platinum Triangle” alongside Bel Air and Beverly Hills. [2]

Westwood Village: The Heart of It All

Okay, so Westwood Village is where the action happens. This 55-acre shopping district sits right below the UCLA campus, and get this – it was only the second planned shopping district ever built in the entire country. [2] The only one that came before it was Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.

The Janss Investment Company put this whole thing together back in the late 1920s. They designed it with this Mediterranean vibe that still holds up today. When it first opened, there were just 34 businesses. Now? Over 260 shops, restaurants, and local spots. [3]

From the 1930s all the way through the late ’80s, Westwood Village was the place to go out in LA. [4] At its peak, the neighborhood had 17 movie screens – making it one of the largest concentrations of single-screen theaters in the world, right up there with Manhattan.

These days, you can still walk around and hit up over 100 restaurants, grab coffee at local spots, or pop into Diddy Riese for their famous ice cream cookie sandwiches. Target, Trader Joe’s, and all the essentials are within walking distance too. [5]

UCLA: The Campus That Defines Westwood

You really can’t talk about Westwood without talking about UCLA. The campus has grown to nearly 200 buildings spread across 419 acres. [6] It’s massive.

Here’s a fun bit of history: on May 31, 1929, police motorcycles led a colorful motorcade of trucks and student cars from the old Vermont Avenue campus all the way west to Westwood. [7] Classes started that fall, and the rest is history.

Royce Hall

If you’ve ever seen a picture of UCLA, you’ve probably seen Royce Hall. Those twin towers are the defining image of the university. [8] It was designed in the Italian Romanesque style, inspired by the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. [9]

The building started out as the main classroom facility, but today it’s known for its incredible acoustics. The 1,800-seat auditorium has hosted some legendary performances. [8] We’re talking George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. [10] Neil Young even recorded “The Needle and the Damage Done” here back in 1971.

Other Campus Highlights

Right across from Royce is Powell Library with its gorgeous dome (copied from a church in Bologna, by the way). The Fowler Museum on the north side of Janss Steps is UCLA’s anthropology museum – it’s got amazing art from East Asian, Pacific, African, and Indigenous American cultures, and admission is totally free. [11]

And don’t miss the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. It spans five acres and features over 70 modern and contemporary sculptures by artists like Henry Moore, David Smith, and Hans Arp. [12]

Famous Landmarks You’ve Gotta See

The Historic Movie Theaters

The Regency Village Theatre is an absolute icon. It opened on August 14, 1931, designed in this beautiful Spanish Mission style. [13] But the real showstopper? That 170-foot white tower looming over the intersection of Broxton and Weyburn. [13]

At night, this thing literally becomes a beacon with all its illuminated signs. [14] You’ve got carved winged lions halfway up and that distinctive blue and white Art Deco “Fox” sign at the top. Westwood Village still hosts around 24 movie premieres a year here. [13]

Right across the street is the Bruin Theatre. It opened in 1937, designed by S. Charles Lee with that gorgeous Streamline Moderne marquee. [15] It’s named after UCLA’s mascot, Joe Bruin, and became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1988. You might recognize it from Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

Both theaters closed in July 2024 when their leases ran out, but here’s the good news – the Village Theatre is set to reopen in 2027 after a renovation led by filmmaker Jason Reitman’s investment group. It’ll be programmed by American Cinematheque. [13]

The Hammer Museum

If you’re into art, the Hammer Museum is a must. It’s affiliated with UCLA and was founded back in 1990 by entrepreneur Armand Hammer to house his personal collection. [16]

Here’s the best part: as of June 2025, everything is completely free – the collections, exhibitions, all of it. [16] They host over 300 programs throughout the year, from lectures and film screenings to concerts and symposia.

The museum has become a vital platform for emerging artists, especially through their biennial “Made in L.A.” exhibition. Fun fact: the Hammer is the only LA institution to devote 50% of its exhibition programming to female artists. [16]

The Geffen Playhouse

This intimate theater was actually built in 1929 as the Masonic Affiliates Club for UCLA students and alumni. [2] It was one of the first dozen structures in Westwood Village, designed by architect Stiles O. Clements. Today it’s one of LA’s most acclaimed live theater venues, consistently producing quality original works.

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park

Tucked behind the high-rises on Glendon Avenue is this tiny 2.5-acre cemetery. You’d never know it was there unless someone told you. It was established as Sunset Cemetery in 1905, though burials have been happening here since the 1880s. [17]

When Marilyn Monroe passed away in August 1962, her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio chose this spot specifically because it was sleepy and off the beaten path. [18] That decision changed everything for this little cemetery.

Now it’s the final resting place for a ton of Hollywood legends: Burt Lancaster, Truman Capote, Hugh Hefner, Natalie Wood, Dean Martin, Ray Bradbury, Jack Lemmon, Don Knotts, and many more. [17] Director Billy Wilder’s headstone reads: “I’m a writer, but then nobody’s perfect.” Classic.

Los Angeles California Temple

This is the second-largest temple operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [2] It sits on Santa Monica Boulevard, and here’s a cool tidbit – the church bought the land from silent film star Harold Lloyd back in 1937 and opened the temple in 1956.

The grounds include a Visitors’ Center that’s open to the public, plus the Los Angeles Regional Family History Center – the second-largest branch in the LDS Church’s Family History Library system.

Westwood has a little bit of everything. You’ve got the academic energy of UCLA, the cultural draw of museums and historic theaters, and over 100 restaurants to choose from. It’s close to the beach, easy to get around, and packed with things to do. Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon or thinking about putting down roots, Westwood’s worth your time. Go to this article.

Sources

[1] Tamkin Real Estate Group – Westwood Neighborhood Guide
[2] Wikipedia – Westwood, Los Angeles
[3] Westwood Village Improvement Association – Visit the Westwood Village
[4] SFGate – One of California’s most decadent movie palaces
[5] UCLA Undergraduate Admission – Los Angeles and Westwood
[6] UCLA Newsroom – The Secret Lives of Campus Buildings
[7] UCLA Newsroom – UCLA Moments: Moving to Westwood
[8] Wikipedia – Royce Hall
[9] SoCal Landmarks – Royce Hall in Westwood
[10] Royce Hall Official Website – History
[11] Transiting Los Angeles – Walking Westwood
[12] Discover Los Angeles – A Walking Tour of Westwood
[13] Wikipedia – Fox Theater, Westwood Village
[14] Historic Theatre Photography – Fox Westwood Theatre
[15] Wikipedia – Fox Bruin Theater
[16] Wikipedia – Hammer Museum
[17] Wikipedia – Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park
[18] UCLA Newsroom – Final Curtain