Living in Culver City, CA
Located 10 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, Culver City's evolving identity reflects a blend of its cinematic past and its future as a tech and creative center. Ambitous start-ups and tech companies are not only attracting new talent and residents, but driving an intriguing influx of new restaurants, retail destinations, local businesses, and residential projects. With everyone from the New York Times to the Los Angeles Times weighing in on the town's changing character, the one thing everyone can agree on is that more housing is needed. To support all of this dynamic new growth, the city's RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) calls for 3,341 new homes by 2029, with zone changes to allow residential development in 80 percent of the city.
Here's our personal guide of things to know — and things to love — about Culver City:
It's the Heart of Screenland - and Streamland
Culver City has long been a keyplayer in the entertainment industry, earning it the nickname "The Heart of Screenland." It's home to Sony Pictures Studios (formerly MGM Studios), where iconic films such as The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Singin' in the Rain and more were produced, plus major new franchises like Men in Black and Spider-Man . Another local studio, Culver Studio, is behind iconic classics like King Kong, Citizen Kane, a Star is Born, Beetlejuice, The Matrix, TV shows such as Arrested Development, and more.
Screenland now also includes streamland, with Amazon Studios, HBO Max at Ivy Station, Apple TV +, and TikTok all maintaining campuses in Culver City.
It's a Tech & Start-Up Hub
In addition to Apple, Amazon, and TikTok, Culver City is also now home to some of the biggest tech companies and start ups in the Los Angeles area. These include bio tech company NantWorks; commission-free online food ordering platform ChowNow; healthy restaurant chain sweetgreen; on-demand moving and storage service Clutter; mobile gaming and interactive entertainment company Jam City; warehousing and fulfilment company Flowspace; employee referral and hiring platform Boon; production software company Everyset; online learning platform Everydae; and many more.
You'll Love the Culinary Scene
We could easily devote a separate post to our favorite spots to eat, but Culver City has you covered 2/47:
Best Coffee Shops: Tanners for chill vibes, local flavor, and good brews - open morning to night; Menotti's for in-shop vinyl and artisan blends like the "Channel Orange" iced latte; Bar Nine for industrial-chic vibes and single-origin coffees; The Conservatory for fresh roasted coffee and a nice tea selection; Cognoscent for strong espressos and superb pour-overs.
Breakfast & Lunch-Only Spots: Lodge Bread for artisan baked goods, brunch, and lunch; Destroyer for inventive all-day fare and instagrammable decor; Monroe Place for ingeniously flavorful and thoughtful sandwiches; Jackson Market and Deli for custom deli sandwiches, wraps, and salads plus a lovely outdoor patio.
Delicicous Lunch or Dinner Options: Hatchet Hall for Southern-inspired, wood-fired cuisine; Sobar for exquisite, traditional buckwheat noodles; Mayura for flavorful and authentic South Indian; Arth Bar & Kitchen for upscale, modern Indian cuisine; Honey Kettle's for perfectly crispy and juicy fried chicken; Afuri Ramen & Dumpling for their signature bowl of Yuzu Shio ramen; Father's Office for its legendary burger and gastropub comfort food; Lustig for swoon-worthy schnitzels, spaetzels, and Austrian-inspired modern fare; Yunomi for utterly exceptional handrolls in a swanky bar setting; Shojin for elegant, plant-based, organic Japanese cuisine; Esme for elegant, contemporary Mediterranean; Ceviche Stop for incredibly flavorful, Peruvian classics at a great price; Piccalilli for striking decor and Southeast Asian-inspired Californian cuisine; Juliet for a date night.
In a Class of Its Own: Dear John's for rat-pack ambiance and iconic steakhouse fare. One of LA's most beloved, decades-old dining haunts.
Other Goodies: Fat & Flour for heavenly pies and desserts; Copenhagen Pastry for exquisite baked goods and Danish delights; Ginger's Divine Ice Cream for unique and indulgent handcrafted blends; Lei'd Cookies for one-of-a-kind flavors like Mango Sticky Rice and Cardamom Pistaschio.
Last but not least: Be sure not to forget Citizen Public Market, one of LA's best food halls, offering a host of local vendors and delectable food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It's a Haven for the Visual Arts
Culver City has an incredibly supportive local community, with supportive grassroots organizations that include the Culver City Arts Foundation, the Culver City Arts District along Washington Boulevard, an Artist Laureate program, and more. The community is also known for its fabulous public art, and recently celebrated 35 Years of its Art in Public Places Program. Be sure to take the tour.
Enjoy access to a host of different art galleries that include: Sixty 29 Contemporary for cutting-edge pieces from emerging and established artists; CadFab Creative - a creative studio specializing in design, fabrication, and innovative solutions for art and architectural projects; Taylor Fine Art - a woman-owned, experiential gallery featuring master-level fine artists; Blum - showcasing innovative works from well-known international artists; Honor Fraser - features contemporary art with an emphasis on experimental and multidisciplinary practices; Thinkspace Projects - known for street art and emerging artists; Allouche Gallery - a local outpost of the famed NYC gallery; Bradford Stewart - LA-based artist known for his abstract paintings; FP Contemporary - curated paintings, abstract photography, sculpture, and digital mixed-media work; George Billis Gallery - contemporary art from realism to abstraction, with other locations in NYC and Connecticut; Ikon LTD - a full-service art consultancy connecting collectors to 'blue chip' artists; Roberts Projects Gallery - focused on museum-quality, installation-based exhibitions; Walter Maciel Gallery - focused on socially and politically engaged works.
Another major local highlight is the Helms Bakery District, historic and revitalized area in known for its vibrant mix of design showrooms, art galleries, retail shops, and restaurants. The Helms Design Center places a specific focus for local design professionals, fabricators and architects, ranging from exceptional Maharam textiles from innovative flooring from family-owned Swedish design firm Bolun.
Also noteworthy is the Wende Museum, a local institution focused preserving the art, history, and culture of the Cold War era, particularly from Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The museum's collection includes artifacts, artwork, and archival documents that provide insight into life behind the Iron Curtain.
It's a Mecca for the Performing Arts too
Culver City is a thriving hub for theater, music, and dance. The Kirk Douglas Theatre, part of the Center Theatre Group, is renowned for presenting cutting-edge productions and fostering new works. The Actors' Gang, led by actor Tim Robbins, is another prominent theater group known for its innovative and socially conscious performances. The New American Theatre produces thought-provoking and contemporary performances from both focusing on new works and reimagined classics. Featuring their annual free shows in the park, the Culver City Public Theatre provides free, family-friendly theatrical performances in local parks.
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra provides classical programs that the entire community can enjoy, with 3-4 performances per season. Check out the Heidi Duckler Dance for site-specific dance performances, blending movement with the local environment. The Pacific Dance Company showcases traditional Mexican folk dance with vibrant costumes and intricate choreography.
The Culver City Chamber Orchestra brings high-quality orchestral performances to the local community via a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary music. Orchestrating the future of Jazz, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra offeres innovative performances and programs that highlight the fusion of these two genres. A women’s choral ensemble dedicated to diverse music and commissioning new works, Vox Femina places an emphasis on female composers and themes.
It's a Great Place to Shop
Last but not least, here are some of our favorite boutiques and shopping centers to patronize, with a focus on locally owned shops:
Platform Los Angeles - This stylish, mixed-use development offers a curated collection of boutiques and restaurants, featuring hot spots like The Optimist - offering an exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind, independent menswear labels; exquisite jewelry from the West Coast's only Catbird store; unique furnishings and home concepts at Atrio from interior designer Jeremiah Brent; and many more.
The Helms Bakery District complements its art and design offerings with a roster of high-end stores that inclde everything from Rejuvenation and Cisco Home to Scandinavian Designs, the celebrated visual arts bookstore Arcana: Books on the Art curated home furnishings from HD Buttercup, and more.
Midland - Kelly Harris and Paige Appel curate their Washington Boulevard boutique with carefully selected items from designers and artisans across the Southwest and Mexico, including geometric-patterned ceramics handmade by the Santo Domingo tribe in Santa Fe, and herbal apothecary products crafted in Laurel Canyon.
Hi Lo Liquor - This upscale bodega offers a curated selection of craft beverages, specialty foods, and artisanal snacks for both on-site enjoyment as well as your home pantry. Another popular spot for wine, spirits, and beer, Stanley's Wet Goods stands out for its unique blend of craft beverages and high-quality specialty foods, all carefully selected to highlight local and artisanal producers.
Lundeen's - The ultimate gift shop, this beloved local spot is known for its eclectic selection of greeting cards, quirky gifts, books, and unique home accessories.
Allendale's - Menswear store known for its personalized, unpretentious service and impeccable, go-to selection of shirts, suits, and jackets.
Your Gateway to Culver City
ARQ is an innovative new luxury high rise that positions you near the best of Culver City. Explore the local design scene, go gallery hopping, hike Baldwin Hills—it’s all within walking distance of your unique new apartment home.
