Quiet streets
Los Angeles doesn’t always do quiet. But tucked between the boulevards, freeways and busier parts of the city are neighborhoods where things slow down considerably.
These are places with tree-lined streets, residential pockets, front yards, cul-de-sacs and evenings that feel a little farther removed from everything happening around them.
If you want to come home and feel like you’ve actually left the city behind, start here.
Brentwood ›
Calm, residential and surprisingly removed from the city around it.
Brentwood is one of those neighborhoods where the energy changes pretty quickly once you turn off the main streets.
Tree-lined blocks, larger lots and pockets tucked into the foothills give much of the neighborhood a quieter, more established feel, while San Vicente still puts restaurants, coffee shops and everyday conveniences nearby.
Best for: Quiet residential streets without giving up Westside convenience.
Mar Vista ›
A laid-back neighborhood where residential life comes first.
Mar Vista has a relaxed rhythm that can feel refreshingly removed from nearby Venice and Santa Monica.
Most of the neighborhood is made up of residential streets, single-family homes and small pockets of local businesses rather than constant activity. You’re still close to the beach, Culver City and the rest of the Westside, but home tends to feel quieter.
Best for: A relaxed Westside neighborhood with room to breathe.
Playa Vista ›
Planned, polished and pleasantly calm.
Playa Vista was designed around residential neighborhoods, parks and green space, which gives it a different feel from much of Los Angeles.
Many streets see mostly local traffic, while walking paths, parks and landscaped open spaces help create a quieter everyday environment. Runway and the neighborhood’s shops are nearby when you want them, but residential areas often feel distinctly separate.
Best for: Calm streets, parks and an organized neighborhood feel.
Playa del Rey ›
A sleepy coastal neighborhood hiding in plain sight.
Playa del Rey is one of those places where Los Angeles seems to turn the volume down.
Away from the handful of main roads, residential streets wind through the hills toward the beach, with relatively little reason for anyone to drive through unless they live there.
It feels small, local and a little removed from everything around it.
Best for: Quiet coastal living with the beach close by.
Pacific Palisades ›
Coastal living with space, privacy and a slower pace.
Pacific Palisades has long been defined by residential streets, canyon settings and neighborhoods tucked away from major commercial corridors.
Some pockets feel suburban, others more secluded, but much of the appeal comes from having the coast and mountains nearby without the constant activity found in many other parts of Los Angeles.
Best for: Privacy, outdoor space and a quieter connection to the coast.
Los Feliz ›
Lively when you want it, peaceful when you don’t.
Los Feliz has a great split personality.
Vermont and Hillhurst give you restaurants, coffee shops and neighborhood energy, while the residential streets climbing toward Griffith Park quickly become quieter and more tucked away.
It’s possible to have plenty nearby without feeling like you live in the middle of it.
Best for: Character, quieter residential streets and easy access to Griffith Park.
Studio City ›
A neighborhood where Ventura Boulevard does the talking.
Studio City concentrates much of its energy along Ventura Boulevard, which leaves the surrounding residential streets feeling noticeably calmer.
Head into the hills or deeper into the neighborhood and you’ll find tree-lined streets, larger lots and pockets that feel surprisingly removed from one of LA’s busiest commercial corridors.
Best for: Residential calm with restaurants, shops and city access nearby.
How Quiet Do You Want to Be?
Quiet can mean different things in Los Angeles.
Maybe you want a street with very little through traffic. Maybe you want a backyard that doesn’t feel surrounded by the city. Or maybe you simply want to be able to walk to dinner and still come home to a peaceful block.
The trick is finding the right balance between quiet enough and close enough.
Explore the neighborhoods above, or tell me what you want nearby and what you’d rather leave a few blocks away. I’ll help you figure out where to start.
