Four Distinctive Beverly Hills Neighborhoods to Visit

1. Trousdale Estates

Mid-century modernist architecture aficionados will flash back to the days of 8-track tapes when they head to the hillside community of Trousdale Estates. The residential neighborhood is located just north and east of the majestic Tudor Revival manor home, Greystone Mansion and Gardens, the most famous building in the area which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Named after Paul Trousdale who purchased the land and parceled it off into 535 lots in the 1960s, Trousdale Estates touted “A life above it all” in print advertisements. The opportunity to build an airy home in the new hillside development with unobstructed views of Beverly Hills and greater Los Angeles attracted celebrities and socialites who commissioned the best twentieth century architectural icons and interior designers of the day including Harold W. Levitt, A. Quincy Jones, Wallace Neff, Richard Neutra, Paul Williams and Lloyd Wright.

These private residences are understandably still in high demand with Hollywood A-Listers, several of whom proudly call Trousdale Estates home.

2. South of Wilshire and South Beverly Drive

In the community just south of Wilshire Boulevard, grand mansions give way to single and multi-family homes, along with top notch boutiques and cafes. South Beverly Drive has a number of truly phenomenal restaurants and bakeries. Stop by Urth Caffé for the perfect pick-me-up coffee before walking the shady streets of this neighborhood. For a true “slice of life” take on Beverly Hills, head to the beautiful 11-acre Roxbury Park, which is outside of the tourist center and offers recreational activities and community classes for locals. Later, relax with pre-dinner specialty cocktails at the cozy Honor Bar. If you can, book far in advance for a much sought after table at the in-demand restaurant, Maude. Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone offers a creative prix-fixe dinner menu, inspired by the world’s leading wine regions.

3. Golden Triangle

Three major roads shape the Golden Triangle in Beverly Hills: South Santa Monica Boulevard to the northwest, Wilshire Boulevard to the south and Cañon Drive to the east. The neighborhood’s focal point is nearly synonymous with Beverly Hills - Rodeo Drive. First-time visitors are rightly drawn to the world-famous shopping street. Pause between shopping at the flagship stores of Tom Ford, Fendi, Valentino and Cartier to admire Galerie Michael. This beautiful art gallery specializes in European artwork from the 17th century to the present and exhibits paintings, drawings and prints by history’s most notable artists, from Rembrandt van Rijn to Henri Matisse to Pablo Picasso.

Then visit the edges of the triangle to discover North Beverly Drive and Cañon Drive’s unique local boutiques, gourmet restaurants and open-air cafés. Along the triangle’s southern border, is home to the top names in luxury retailing, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
 

4. The Flats

The distinctive Beverly Hills residential neighborhood known as “The Flats” epitomizes the California aesthetic. The wide, tree-lined streets span up to 70 feet across thanks to urban planner Wilbur David Cook who designed the master plan for the city of Beverly Hills and was influenced by the Olmstead Brothers, sons of the eminent landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead. Four main roads form the area's borders: Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Doheny Road and Wilshire Boulevard.

As the name suggests, these flatlands are ideal for resident walkers and runners, or for those wanting to stroll with their pets in the fresh evening air. Many restaurants are a short walk away, including the classic Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which is the perfect spot to sip cocktails under the stars—and amongst the stars.