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Los Angeles-Brentwood Area Guide

Brentwood is a district of West Los Angeles and is situated at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains.  The area is bounded by Mulholland Drive to the north, Wilshire Blvd. to the south, the San Diego Freeway to the east, and Topanga State Park to the west.  Nearby cities and neighborhoods include Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Sawtelle, Westwood, Bel Air, and Encino. 

History

Brentwood was originally part of the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica Spanish land grant that was sold by the Sepulveda family following the Mexican-American War.  Major developments began here after a 600-acre branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors was constructed, and a small community sprung up near the building’s west gate (the area was formerly known as Westgate).  The land was annexed by the City of Los Angeles on June 14, 1916. 
The land here was originally planted with soybeans and avocados, and has grown to become one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in all of L.A.  The flourishing commercial districts along the major roadways such as Wilshire Boulevard, San Vicente Boulevard, and Sunset Boulevard attract large numbers of professionals and executives.  

Attractions

Brentwood Village
http://www.brentwoodvillage.org  
Brentwood Village consists of a group of merchants located in the heart of West Los Angeles.  All of the businesses here are independently owned and operated, and many of them are run by families who have been in Brentwood Village for over three decades.  Shops and boutiques in Brentwood offer jewelry, couture apparel, designer shoes, spa and nail services, fitness options and more.

Getty Museum
http://www.getty.edu/museum/about.html
The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center houses paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, and photographs by both European and American artists.  The museum features special exhibitions, publications, and educational programs to provide visitors with the most innovative visual arts experiences at the Getty Center and Getty Villa sites. 

Parks and Recreation

Local public parks in Brentwood include Crestwood Hills Park and Barrington Recreation Center which features a community center, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and a dog park.  For mountain biking and hiking, fire roads in the Santa Monica Mountains are also easily accessible from the top of Sullivan Canyon and Westridge.  The 2.7-mile boundary of the Brentwood Country Club is also a popular spot for jogging among the residents.   

For more details about the amenities and history of Brentwood, please visit the Brentwood Homeowner’s Association website here: http://www.brentwoodhomeowners.com/.