Bel Air

Bel Air homes is one of the most exclusive and expensive residential neighborhood in the hills on the Westside of Los Angeles real estate. Founded in 1923 by Alphonzo E. Bell Sr., Bel Air homes are bordered by Brentwood on the west and southwest, Westwood on the south, Beverly Hills Post Office on the east, Sherman Oaks on the north and also the north side of UCLA along Sunset Boulevard. Of several entrances there are two main ones: the East Gate at Beverly Glen Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, and the West Gate at Bellagio Road and Sunset Boulevard, opposite an entrance to UCLA. Bel Air real estate is generally subdivided into three distinct neighborhoods: East Gate aka Old Bel Air, West Gate Bel Air and Upper Bel Air. At the heart of the community sits the Bel Air Country Club and the recently remodeled Hotel Bel Air. For the oenophile, the Moraga Vineyards are also located in Bel Air with 16 acres of grapes, which help create some of the finest California wines available. Bel Air homes tend to be private and hidden by dense foliage and gates, from the winding roads of the community. Houses range from relatively modest ranch style homes, to lavish mansions on magnificent estates. Multi-family housing is not permitted and ordinances regarding architectural styles, landscaping, and lot sizes exist to preserve Bel Air real estate. Although, no one is necessarily banned from entering on foot, most of Bel Air lacks residential sidewalks (unlike Beverly Hills) to discourage the public from walking around the community. Bel Air is also patrolled by local security companies. In general, the higher the property is located up the mountain, the smaller the building lots and the more modest the houses. However, those Bel Air homes along roads such as Stradella Road and Linda Flora Drive provide panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin to as far as Catalina Island. The most desirable houses for sale in Bel Air are near the main entrances of the Bel Air Country Club, because this section offers views of both the country club and the city. Lower Bel Air boasts many of the most expensive homes in the community, largely because of their proximity to Sunset Boulevard, a major thoroughfare allowing for access east to Beverly Hills and west to the beach. Among the numerous Hollywood celebrities and high-profile corporate executives who have lived, past and present, in Bel Air are Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Bruce Lee, Meg Ryan, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Will Smith and Mariah Carey. Together with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills, Bel Air forms the Platinum Triangle of Los Angeles neighborhoods.