How to Find Luxury Hotels in Bel Air, California

Nestled at the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, Bel Air, California is well known for being the home of many of the entertainment industry's most affluent and famous people. Although Bel-Air, which is a gated community, doesn't have any hotels, there are plenty of places to find luxury accommodations in the immediate vicinity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Know Your Destination

1. Drive through the large, impressive entry gates at either of the two main entrances. The East Gate is located at the corner of Beverly Glen and Sunset Boulevard. The West Gate can be found further up Sunset at Bellagio Drive.
2. Note the somewhat modest facades of the most spectacular estates in Bel Air, designed to reduce attention to this affluent neighborhood, part of the “Golden Triangle” along with Holmby Hills and Beverly Hills.

Get Around Bel Air

3. Consider renting a car once you get into Los Angeles, which is clearly the best way to get around since everything is so spread out. Many rental companies offer free pick-up and drop-off services at the airport.
4. Use the Westside/Central bus of the Metro to get around Bel Air, as well as nearby Westwood, Century City and Beverly Hills.
5. Make your travel time as efficient as possible by using Commuter Express, which makes far fewer stops than other forms of public transportation in Los Angeles.

Find Luxury Accommodations Near Bel Air

6. Book accommodations at Hotel Bel Air by calling [phone], or visit its Web site (see Resources below).
7. For more information about the Bel Air community, call [phone].
8. Indulge in luxury accommodations right on a Southern California beach, since Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica are very close to Bel Air.
9. Book luxury accommodations in nearby Westwood, since Bel Air is a gated community with no public services within. This will offer easy access to Bel Air, as well as UCLA and most of the shopping districts in West L.A.
10. Book your luxury accommodations at one of the famous hotels along the Sunset Strip. Some of these hotels also contain some of the finest restaurants in Southern California.

Explore Bel Air

11. Drive by 750 Bel Air Road to see the Neo-Classical residence used for the exterior shots of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
12. Take an after-dinner walk through the 12 acres of lush gardens at the Hotel Bel Air—a favorite haunt of the rich and famous in Hollywood for over 50 years.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare to drive along some very steep and winding roads in Bel Air, due to its proximity to the Santa Monica Mountain range.