Los Angeles – An Unusual SoCal Experience

I had expected it to big. It was.

The villa had seven bedrooms and seven baths spread over 11,000 square feet. I have been to a few big homes in my time; but, this one took the cake.

I reminded myself, I am in Bel-Air, Los Angeles.

Exclusivity and excess go hand in hand in the platinum triangle — Beverley Hills, Bel-Air, and Holmby Hills. The “Tiffany-twisted” denizens of SoCal (Southern California) are not loath to publicly displaying their affluence. The size of their homes and the cars they drive stand testament to their financial well-being.

And why not? You can only flaunt it when you have it!

It is believed that the Eagles drew inspiration for their song Hotel California from the nearby Beverley Hills Hotel which to date symbolizes the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.

When you stay as a guest in a sprawling chateau in the heart of Bel-Air, Los Angeles, you are in your own version of Hotel California. You begin to understand what the Eagles were singing about: American decadence and burnout.

The song’s last line says it all: “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”

The experience stays with you. Forever!

My stay was short — four nights.

The plan was simple: hang out with cousins in a Luxe rental in Bel-Air. I had been to LA before; so, sightseeing was going to be confined to nearby neighborhoods.

For first time visitors, the pace of life in Los Angeles can feel less hectic than New York City or even San Francisco in Northern California. Perhaps wrongly so.

I wouldn’t call Los Angeles a walking city.

The things to see in LA are too spread out, forcing you to drive, ride-share, or use public transportation. For instance, Hollywood is a six-mile taxi ride from downtown LA. The many fabled residential and commercial neighborhoods of Los Angeles also fall outside the downtown core.

LA has a lot to offer

The palm-tree-lined boulevards are broader than most other big city roads. They give you a sense of space and warmth. There are beaches galore and Mountains as the backdrop. Celebrity-sighting and high-end shopping are part of the experience. There are neighborhoods that you recognize from movies and TV shows — Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Beverley Hills 90210, Sunset Boulevard… The list goes on.

Bel-Air

As a neighborhood, Bel-Air can best be described as swank. Home to many celebrities such as Elon Musk, Beyoncé, Jennifer Aniston, and others, Bel-Air is definitely not pedestrian friendly.

The roads do not have sidewalks — Go figure!

In the four days that I spent in Bel-Air, I can safely say that I did not see more than ten people walking the streets who were not gardeners, chauffeurs, or maintenance crew. The luxury homes that line the narrow streets of Bel-Air are mostly hidden behind long driveways, high walls, or trees and thick foliage that ensure the residents’ privacy.

Should you check out Bel-Air next time you are in LA?

I would say that a drive through the quiet streets of Bel-Air is warranted, especially if you are going to be anywhere near Beverley Hills or Rodeo Drive. In and around Bel-Air, there are many attractions worth checking out. Perhaps a drink at the famous Hotel Bel-Air, a wooded sanctuary in the heart of the community, may help you catch a celebrity or two.

Beach recommendations in LA can vary depending on the interests of the people recommending it. I picked two based mainly on proximity.

Venice Beach

A twelve-mile Uber ride from Bel-Air, Venice beach offers an eclectic mix of sandy beach, bike trail, boardwalk, art, street performers, restaurants, bars, and shopping. For the fitness-conscious, a muscle beach outdoor gym and a skate park are additional draws. As I walked past tattoo parlors offering funky body art, a storefront sign caught my eye: Weedbuzz Tours. I didn’t explore what the tour involved but wondered if Toronto will soon follow LA’s lead on this one.

Not surprisingly, the Venice beach vibe is often referred to as Bohemian.

Santa Monica Beach

The subject of many songs and movies, Santa Monica Beach lies about three miles north of Venice beach and has an extensive well-maintained beachfront. Families with children are drawn to the Santa Monica Pier where an amusement park and aquarium keep the young ones engaged.

As you walk north along the beach, the crowd gets thinner, allowing you to find a quiet spot to sit and take in the SoCal beach culture. If restaurants on the pier such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. do not appeal to you, Ocean Avenue which runs parallel to the beach and its many crossroads offer a range of food options that fit your budget.

Both Venice and Santa Monica beaches are considered touristy. If you are looking for quieter beaches in the Los Angeles area, check out this list.

Rodeo Drive

No visit to Beverley Hills is complete without a trip to Rodeo Drive. Famous for its ultra-upscale stores and celebrity sightings, the three-block stretch of Rodeo Drive represents the lifestyle of the rich and the super-rich. Most tourists throng Rodeo Drive to hunt for non-existent bargains in stores such as Gucci, David Yurman, and Chanel while a few like like me people-watch well-groomed shoppers driving exotic cars.

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Whether you are a shopper or a gawker, Rodeo Drive is probably worth a short (or long) visit.

My high-life experience was in the rearview mirror as I settled into an economy seat to fly home on Air Canada. For a minute, I paused to ponder. If money were no object, would I buy the house we stayed at in Bel-Air?

I concluded, “no.”

It’s not sour grapes.

I loved the exclusivity of the Bel-Air home. But, the seclusion, I can do without. A penthouse near Central Park on the Upper East Side of New York City would work. At the very least, I can step out on the balcony and see some life go by.

But for now, the point shall remain moot.

Money is an object.