Brentwood

HOMES FOR SALE IN BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CA

Sandwiched between Pacific Palisades and Bel Air, Brentwood is one of Los Angeles’ quintessential Westside communities. It shares much of the same characteristics as its neighbors: stunning luxury homes, serious star power, and access to spectacular outdoor recreation, with parts of the Santa Monica Mountains as its vast and wild backyard.

As you travel down closer to Wilshire Boulevard, the quiet residential streets give way to polished commercial districts lined with upscale boutiques, cafes, and specialty stores, all of which cater specifically to the local lifestyle. From there, the rest of Westside Los Angeles opens up whether you like the sea or the city.

What Is Brentwood Known For?

• Unbeatable location. Brentwood is one of the best starting points to explore the rest of Los Angeles County. North of the neighborhood lies the San Fernando Valley and its communities, such as Encino, Tarzana, and Sherman Oaks. Head west and you’ll find Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the great Pacific coastline. At the base of the Santa Monica Mountains runs two legendary thoroughfares: Wilshire Boulevard and the Sunset Strip. Interstate 405 serves as Brentwood’s eastern border.
  
  
• High-profile residents. Arnold Schwarzenneger, Heidi Klum, Conan O’Brien, Maria Shriver, Gisele Bündchen, Bob Iger, Tom Brady, Joan Crawford, Seal, Dee Caruso, Joan Didion, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Lebron James, Betty White, and Marilyn Monroe are just some of the big names that have called Brentwood home.
  
  
• Rich natural beauty. Crawling up the Santa Monica mountainside, Brentwood is blessed with a breathtaking natural environment. Almost the entire northern half of the community (approximately 1,500 acres) is rugged wilderness, which connects to an even larger place that has come to be known as the Big Wild among outdoor recreation circles. Various trails can be accessed in different parts of Brentwood, including The Whoops, Westridge, and Canyonback.
  
  
• Architectural homes. Brentwood, like many parts of Los Angeles, played host to some of the most renowned architects of the past century. As a result, the neighborhood is teeming with architecturally significant properties designed by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, A. Quincy Jones, Paul Williams, Richard Neutra, Frank Gehry, Richard Landry, Cliff May, and Gerard Colcord. Mid-century Modern is a popular architectural style in Brentwood, but the local real estate also has its fair share of Ranch, Spanish Revival, Tudor, and Cape Cod residences.
  
  
• The 1932 Summer Olympics. When Los Angeles hosted the 1932 Summer Olympics, the Brentwood Country Club– formerly known as Sunset Fields Golf Club– was the stage of the running segment of the modern pentathlon event. Although Charles Legard from Great Britain ran the fastest, Swedish athlete Johan Oxenstierna went on to place gold for the entire event.
  
  

A Slice of Brentwood History

Originally part of a land grant owned and then later sold in pieces by the Sepulveda family following the Mexican-American War, real development in Brentwood started in the late 1880s. A small community settled west of the 600-acre National Home for the Disabled Soldiers and Sailors (Pacific Branch) and was later dubbed “Westgate.”

Westgate went on to grow and cover approximately 49 square miles of land and was later annexed by the City of Los Angeles. Parts of Westgate eventually formed Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, as well as a small section of Bel Air. According to local belief, Brentwood was named after an English town.

Homes for Sale in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA

Single-family and luxury properties form a majority of the homes for sale in Brentwood, Los Angeles. These residences range in age and size: you can find homes that date back to the Golden Age of Hollywood as well as newer mansions with bespoke features and modern fittings. To a lesser extent, Brentwood real estate also offers condos and townhomes in different parts of the neighborhood.

Then there is the diversity in architectural styles. Whether you’re a fan of the traditional or the avantgarde, you’ll find a home to suit your aesthetic in Brentwood. Some of the architectural styles present include Mediterranean, Spanish Eclectic, Mid-century Modern, Tudor, California Ranch, Pueblo, International, and Contemporary.

Regardless of age, provenance, or architecture style, real estate in Brentwood takes advantage of the neighborhood’s gradual climb up the Santa Monica Mountains. Expect scenic views of downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific the higher you go.

Neighborhoods in Brentwood

Brentwood is divided into smaller neighborhoods and gated subdivisions, many of which have their own organizations and homeowners associations. These neighborhoods include:

• Brentwood Country Estates, a small guard-gated community that covers approximately 250 acres of southern Lower Mandeville Canyon, facing the coast. It was developed by the Hilton family in the 1990s and features only 13 homes on estate lots that average over 3.5 acres in size. Homes in Brentwood Country Estates are especially prized for their seclusion and jetliner views of the sea, city, and surrounding mountains.
  
  
• Brentwood Park, a woody neighborhood located between the avenues Cliffwood and Rockingham. Its lush tree cover belies the fact that it enjoys easy access to both San Vicente and Sunset Boulevard. Brentwood Park is one of the older communities in Brentwood– there are ads about the subdivision dating back to 1907– and is also widely considered to be its most prestigious area.
  
  
• Sullivan Canyon is Brentwood’s primary equestrian community with a single entry and exit point: Riviera Ranch Road located along a curving point along Sunset Boulevard. Many, if not all, of the home sites in the neighborhood are zoned for equestrian use, making Sullivan Canyon one of the ideal places to live in Los Angeles for those with lifestyles centered around horses and outdoor recreation.
  
  
• Brentwood Glen, also known simply as “The Glen,” is found west of the 405 and features a variety of residential real estate options, including single-family homes and apartments. The neighborhood was originally known as “Rateree Tract” after the Rateree Brothers, who purchased the parcel in the 1920s.
  
  
• Mandeville Canyon is named for Mandeville Canyon Road. Running for almost 5 miles from Sunset Boulevard to Sky Valley Road, a short distance from Mulholland Drive, this street is perhaps the longest in the entire Brentwood neighborhood. Due to this length, the neighborhood is divided into two parts: Lower Mandeville and Upper Mandeville. Homes for sale in this part of Brentwood, Los Angeles consist mostly of single-family properties in different sizes and architectural styles.
  
  
• Brentwood Circle is a guard-gated community with a famous neighbor: the Getty Center, located just north of the neighborhood. The Getty Center’s proximity actually led to Brentwood Circle’s transition into a guard-gated subdivision in the 1990s due to the creation of an access road that led from the museum and straight into the community. There are approximately 65 properties in Brentwood Circle, all of which enjoy easy access to Brentwood Village and the 405.
  
  
• Crestwood Hills, perched on the northeast ridges of Kenter Canyon up in the Santa Monica Mountains. A well-known Mid-century Modern neighborhood, many of the properties here were designed by notable architects of the time, such as A. Quincy Jones and Richard Neutra. Some of the homes here are also state-designated architectural landmarks. Due to this architectural legacy, Crestwood Hills observes strict rules on the styles and sizes of buildings in the neighborhood.
  
  
• Mountaingate is a hilltop neighborhood situated north of the Getty Center and across the 405 and Bel Air Crest. It covers nearly 700 acres of private land and is the only resort-style community in Brentwood, complete with its own golf course and tennis club exclusive to residents and members. Mountaingate is further divided into six distinct areas: The Ridge, The Terrace, The Crown, The Vista, Stoney Hill, and Mountain Crest Lane. Of these six subdivisions, Mountain Crest Lane is the most exclusive with only four custom home sites located past its ornate gate.
  
  

Living in Brentwood, Los Angeles

In many respects, Brentwood feels like an insular small town with its own parks, top-rated schools, outdoor recreation opportunities, and even cultural attractions. Everything seems to be right within its boundaries, and should you need to broaden your horizons, the 405 and Sunset Boulevard are some of the thoroughfares you can take to explore the greater Los Angeles area.

Schools

Brentwood is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which oversees many of the public schools in the area. These include:

• Brentwood Science Magnet
• Paul Revere Charter Middle
• Kenter Canyon Elementary Charter

There are no public high schools located in Brentwood, but students of this grade are chartered to either Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades or University High School Charter, located at Texas Avenue just outside of Brentwood.

For those who prefer private education, there are several options located within Brentwood. These include The Brentwood School in the Brentwood Park area, the Mirman School along Mulholland Drive, and The Archer School for Girls in Westgate Heights.

Shopping

Shops line the length of San Vicente Boulevard, the road that traverses downtown Brentwood. The two go-to shopping destinations in Brentwood, however, are:

• Brentwood Country Mart, a local purveyor of organic products and other specialty goods since it opened to the public in 1948. Some of the stores here include Dôen, Goop, and Christian Loubutin.
  
  
• Brentwood Farmers Market on Gretna Green Way, which is open every Sunday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. This is one of the 20 California Certified Farmers Markets located within the state, so you can expect the highest quality produce and other food products.
  
  

Dining

The aforementioned San Vicente Boulevard in downtown Brentwood is also the location of many beloved local restaurants, serving everything from organic fare to seasonal Italian specialties. Highly recommended eateries in the neighborhood include:

• Baltaire, an intimate steakhouse centered on contemporary cuisine, fine handcrafted cocktails, and good conversations. Executive Chef Samuel Jung leads the kitchen, from which each dish comes out lovingly prepared and thoughtfully executed. Check with the in-house sommelier for the best pairings to your meal.
  
  
• Toscana, a lively Northern Italian eatery that’s been a mainstay on the local dining scene for over 30 years. Three decades may have come and gone, but this go-to trattoria still serves some of the best home-made pizza and pasta in town. They also cater to dietary needs– just let the staff know.
  
  
• A.O.C Wine Bar has a Brentwood location at the intersection of Darlington and San Vicente Boulevard, just a short distance from Toscana. Come in for weekday lunch, lengthy weekend brunches with your closest friends, or dinner featuring seasonal American cuisine. Happy Hour is available from Wednesdays through Sundays, from 2:30 PM until 6:00 PM.
  
  
• Coral Tree Cafe is a neighborhood cafe rooted in seasonal, farm-to-table dining, making it one of the best restaurants in Brentwood for those who want to sample fresh regional produce. It is also proudly owned and run by Brentwood residents, who founded the cafe in 2012. Their second location is in Encino.
  
  
• Katsuya offers an authentic Japanese omakase dining experience in a stylish wooden bento box-inspired space designed by French architect Philippe Starck. But if you would like something lighter than the extensive six-course tasting menu, Katsuya also offers a la carte options such as their original crispy rice with spicy tuna.
  
  
• Restaurant at the Getty Center is the only full-service restaurant located at this highly acclaimed Brentwood destination. They feature an ever-changing menu, ensuring every dining experience at the restaurant is a little different. Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable or by phone (310.440.6600).
  
  

Outdoor recreation

One of the more underrated benefits of living in Brentwood– and the slopes of Santa Monica Mountains– is the wealth of outdoor recreation residents can access effortlessly. Scenic hiking trails and parks perfect for leisure and exercise are all a short drive away whether you live up on the hills or close to downtown.

• Mandeville Canyon Trail is one of the more prominent hiking trails in Brentwood, running nearly 7.5 miles from start to finish. This is a moderately challenging route, but offers lovely views of Greater Los Angeles, excellent bird watching, and carpets of colorful wildflowers in the summer.
  
  
• Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park covers roughly 1,500 acres of chaparral-covered canyons and ridges, making it a beautiful and exciting playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The main access point for Brentwood residents is at Westridge Road. This is the gateway to the 20,000-acre Big Wild.
  
  
• San Vicente Mountain Park is a 10.2-acre park located along Mulholland Drive, at the northern boundary of Brentwood. Thanks to its ridgetop perch, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Los Angeles Basin and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and parts of San Fernando Valley. Like Westridge-Canyonback, San Vicente Mountain Park is an access point to the Big Wild.
  
  
• Sullivan Canyon Park in west Brentwood has a 4.3-mile loop trail with sparse tree cover but gorgeous canyon views and some steep and challenging portions. Because of these attributes, the trail is especially popular among trail runners and mountain biking. Dogs are also welcome to enjoy the trail. A much longer trail (approximately 8.5 miles round trip) can also be found in the area and ventures into Pacific Palisades.
  
  

Other local attractions

Beyond outdoor recreation and great dining, Brentwood is also home to a rich tapestry of artistic and social experiences.

• The Getty Center is Brentwood’s most distinguished cultural landmark, offering a breathtaking blend of art, architecture, and gardens. Inside its galleries, visitors can view European paintings, sculptures, and other decorative arts, while the gardens feature panoramic views of Los Angeles.
• Brentwood Country Club is an exclusive private golf and country club known for its 18-hole golf course, elegant clubhouse, and top-notch amenities. The club’s rich history and commitment to excellence make it a premier destination for recreation and social gatherings in the heart of Brentwood.
• Skirball Cultural Center, founded in 1996, celebrates Jewish heritage and is dedicated to fostering intercultural understanding. It is located in north Brentwood and features exhibitions, educational programs, and performances that highlight Jewish history, culture, and values.

Unlock Brentwood, Los Angeles Real Estate

Antola Properties Group is ready to take you on a wonderful tour of homes for sale in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA so you can find the house that meets your lifestyle needs and preferences down to a T. Call us at 310.230.3755 or send us an email today to learn more.