Bel Air
Bel Air is an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles featuring large mansions and manicured grounds set behind tall hedges and walls. Winding streets lined with palm trees and mature trees connect the properties, with most homes secured by gates and fences, and some areas like Bel Air Crest completely gated off from the public.
The neighborhood was founded in 1923 after Alphonso Bell discovered oil on his land and began subdividing large plots for wealthy residents. Since then, it has become established as a home for rich and famous people and forms part of a group of upscale neighborhoods known as the 'Golden Triangle'.
Bel Air carries cultural significance as the long-standing home of celebrities and wealthy residents, shaping how people perceive the neighborhood. The tall hedges, manicured lawns, and visible swimming pools in residential properties reflect a lifestyle centered on privacy and comfort away from public view.
The neighborhood is easily accessible by car via Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Glen Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, or Sepulveda Boulevard, and exploring on foot is possible along the quiet streets. Visitors should expect that most homes are hidden behind walls and gates, and maps are available at corners of main roads.
Many visitors mistakenly think the famous mansion from the TV series 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' is located in this neighborhood, but the show's house actually sits in nearby Brentwood. The area also hosts the three-day Bel Air Film Festival annually, drawing thousands of visitors to watch new films screened on private estates and UCLA or USC campuses.
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