Westwood

One of the safest neighborhoods in L.A., Westwood sits in the city’s northwestern center. The area developed on what was once the 3,000-acre Wolfskill Ranch. Find it centered within Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard, San Diego Freeway and Veteran Avenue.

Today, a major attraction is the University of California, Los Angeles, better known as UCLA. The area also boasts the second largest LDS temple. It sits on Santa Monica Boulevard and serves as the headquarters for the church’s L.A. missionary outreaches, and you can tour the Visitors’ Center and explore the 30,000 books collected in the Family History Center.

Architectural fans must see Ralphs Grocery Store building and the Janss Dome. The dome includes gold leafing and a beautiful white and aqua zigzag pattern. These buildings are located in the Westwood Village, a major shopping center in the district and the site of some of L.A.’s most congested traffic.

Vintage theaters also delight architectural fans as they offer entertainment. The theaters include Bruin Theatre, Mann Village and the Art Deco Crest. Additionally, don’t miss one of L.A.’s trendiest cultural sites. Nicknamed The Hammer, it displays Impressionist and modern art exhibits.

If you’re looking for glimpses of the rich and famous, visit Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars are buried there. You can also check out Holmby Hills. Affluent area residents, including Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Mansion, reside there.