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West Los Angeles
Sawtelle Blvd is the main point of interest in West Los Angeles
Area: West side
Overview: West LA is a middle of the road part of Los Angeles but it does have some distinctive features which merit talk. As far as layout is concerned, West Los Angeles, or West L.A. as locals refer to it, has two parts: the first part lies between Centinela Ave on the west and Sepulveda Blvd on the east. Wilshire Blvd claims the boundary at the north end and Pico Blvd, the south. The narrow southeast corner of West L.A.’s first part, which borders Mar Vista to the south and Centurty City to the northeast, then connects to the second part of West L.A. The second part opens up to a broad area that extends to La Cienega Blvd. Pico Blvd borders the north of the second part of West L.A. while National Blvd and Venice Blvd border the south.
Plaza with restaurants and stores on west side of Sawtelle Blvd in West LA
As middle of the road West L.A. might be viewed, West L.A. holds in its palms some points of interest for the traveler. The first advantage of West L.A. is location, location, location. The freeway interchange between the 405 Freeway, which runs north and south, and the intersecting 10 Freeway, which runs east and west, sits within West L.A.’s boundaries. A true advantage in Los Angeles for anyone is that you can reach the beach to the west or Hollywood to the east. You can also hit the north or south parts on the 405 Freeway. Plus, West L.A. doesn’t have hustle and bustle of too many people that Hollywood or even Santa Monica or Venice does.
Sawtelle Blvd in West Los Angeles
Towards the west most part of West L.A. on Sawtelle Blvd between flanking Santa Monica Blvd (north) and Olympic Blvd (south), there is an area known as the second Little Tokyo or “J-Town.” The reason of course is that Japanese businesses – mainly restaurants, tea houses and stores – comprise most of the area. On Sawtelle Blvd towards Olympic Blvd, you’ll find delicious Japanese and even a Korean restaurant such as Hurry Curry, Little Hong Kong Cafe, Hide Sushi and mush more. The area caters to young, college-aged kids. They take advantage of two Giant Robot stores, a pop culture phenomenon with an eclectic array items and clothing, the decadent Beard Papa cream puffs, the trendy tea houses and the many karaoke bars and suites. Another great and favorite restaurant in West L.A. worth mentioning is the Cuban Versailles Restaurant.
Giant Robot 2 store in West LA
West L.A. might be overlooked by tourists but it is popular among locals for respite and entertainment. It does have the large Westside Pavilion Mall on Pico Blvd and great cinema theatres such as The Landmark, which is connected to the Westside Pavilion Mall, and the historic Nuart Theatre, where The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays every Saturday at midnight. On Pico Blvd, you will also find the dramatic, holocaust-focused Museum of Tolerance.
Accessibility: West Los Angeles is wheelchair friendly. Most sidewalks, streets and businesses have ramps.
Getting There: www.bigbluebus.com, www.metro.net, http://www.culvercity.org/bus/bus.asp