Bel Air Real Estate Archives - Southern California Luxury Homes

Cruising Bucolic Bel Air Real Estate

Drive through the white Adobe Westgate and find out why the stars love Bel Air real estate. The bucolic community began when Alfonso Bell subdivided a large ranch. To encourage community lifestyle established the Bel Air Country Club and the Bel Air Beach Club in Santa Monica. His Bel Air Country Club and Hotel Bel-Air nestle into the heart of the prestigious semi-secluded neighborhood.

Bel Air lies 12 miles west of downtown Los Angeles in the lush foothills of the Santa Monica mountains. It is across Sunset Boulevard from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Along with Beverly Hills and Brentwood, Bel Air is considered to be one of the three most affluent neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area. Home to 8500 residents, Bel Air comprises three main neighborhoods:

East Gate Old Bel Air at Beverly Glen Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard
West Gate Bel Air at Bellagio Drive and Sunset Boulevard
Upper Bel Air

Overview of Bel Air Real Estate

Bel Air is composed of a lovely combination of opulent mansions and one-story California style homes on large lots. Virtually every Bel Air property is surrounded by tall privacy hedges. Properties are well-maintained and may have security gates.

Only three’s Road’s lead into Bel Air. Most of the homes are not visible from the narrow, winding streets of Bel Air. Foot traffic is minimal. There are no sidewalks either. Yet much of the real estate in Bel Air features fabulous mountain and valley views from the back yards, decks, or terraces.

Prices range from approximately $1.2 Million-$50 million. The lower-priced properties are good for tear downs and remodels. Prices tend to become more expensive

Culture and Education

Hanna Carter Japanese Garden

In addition to the country club and beauty of the Bel Air community, there are many reasons residents seek real estate in Bel Air. The sophisticated community enjoys wonderful cultural aspects, the arts, and good schools. For example, the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden displays an array of antique stone carvings, water basins and lanterns, the pagoda, garden house, bridges, and symbolic rocks. In contrast, the annual Bel Air Film Festival for motion pictures is a lively gathering. Beverly hillbillies, Get Shorty, and of course The Fresh Prince of Bel Air were filmed here.

Both UCLA and the American Jewish University are located in Bel Air. In addition to Los Angeles school district magnet schools there are private schools such as Marymount High School, Westland School, and the Mirman School.

Bel Air is easily accessible to all of Los Angeles on Highway 405 and Interstate 10 and is also convenient to the international airport.