Culver City

Culver City is a pedestrian-friendly Westside neighborhood with a buzzy dining scene, charming bookstores, and one of the city's best urban hikes, all packed into a compact downtown inside Los Angeles. Just 7 miles east of Santa Monica and 18 miles west of downtown L.A. this charming city has boomed over the last few years. 

Even better, its central location is super easy to reach by public transit, making it a natural meeting point for friends coming from different corners of the city.

Here's how to make the most of a day (or a weekend) in Culver.

Culver City Landmarks and Tourist Spots

While Culver City covers about 5 square miles in total, the downtown core is a hub of several walkable blocks packed with dozens of restaurants, shops, and the historic movie studios that first put the neighborhood on the map.

At the center of it all is the Culver Steps, a mixed-use complex built around a grand staircase that cascades down to the official Town Plaza—a prime perch for people-watching, outdoor events, and a coffee in the sun.

Located in this appealing area is the six-story Culver Hotel, the neighborhood's wedge-shaped landmark built in 1924 by city founder Harry Culver. A block away, catch a play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, a restored 1940s movie house, or drop by the Culver City Skate Park, a 13,000-square-foot bowl setup just off the city’s center plaza.

To go behind the scenes of the town's film legacy, book the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, a guided walk through the former MGM Studios that once produced The Wizard of Oz and still tapes Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune today.

More: How to See Live TV Tapings in Los Angeles

For something a bit more offbeat, head to the Museum of Jurassic Technology on Venice Boulevard. The museum houses a collection of fascinating (and weird) exhibits that blur the line between science and art. It also has a lovely rooftop tea shop and aviary. 

A couple of miles from the downtown core, the Culver City Stairs (not to be confused with the Steps) climb up the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, rewarding visitors who brave the 282-step hike with a view that stretches across the L.A. Basin. On clear days, the Hollywood Sign and Catalina Island can be seen. 

If you’re looking for more culture, pop over to the Wende Museum. This free experience has rotating contemporary art exhibits and a collection of Cold War historical archives that includes a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Where to Eat in Culver City

The compact downtown grid around Main Street and Washington and Culver Boulevards serves up everything from sushi to Sri Lankan. Here are some of our favorites. 

Culver City Restaurants in the Town Plaza

Right beside the Culver Steps, and atop its own collection of stairs, sits the Laurel Grill, an all-day sibling of West Hollywood's Laurel Hardware, turning out wood-fired plates and small dishes on a buzzy outdoor patio. On the plaza, be sure to check out Nong Lá Vietnamese Café. The family-run joint is best known for its selection of both phở and bánh mì. Insider tip: This spot can get packed for lunch but is always worth the wait.   

Next door you'll find cult grocer Erewhon, Salt & Straw ice cream, ramen spot Afuri, Philz Coffee, and Pop's Bagels. Across the street on Main, Esme serves all-day Mediterranean plates to a stylish downtown crowd.

Culver City Restaurants in the Design District

About a half-mile walk along Washington Boulevard to the Design District (formerly a massive Helms Bakery) is Folks Pizzeria, the first L.A. outpost, which opened in 2026. The fennel sausage pie is a standout, and there’s natural wine and a cocktail bar. Nearby, family-friendly Pasta Sisters has developed a devoted following thanks to its fresh tagliatelle and lasagna. For date-night vibes, Father’s Office, the 21-and-over venue, is known for their house burger and vast collection of craft beers.

Save room for something sweet at Lei'd Cookies, a shop turning out warm, Hawaiian-inspired cookies.

West Culver City Restaurants

Lodge Bread Company keeps things casual with freshly baked sourdough, pillowy pita, and an all-day breakfast menu. There’s also Copenhagen Pastry, serving up authentic Danish goods including its famous “Princess Cake.” 

Culver Boulevard houses a treasure trove of California-made fast-casual, worthy of several stops, including Homestate, a Tex-Mex spot that makes a mean migas bowl and fantastic breakfast tacos. The baristas at coffee shop Go Get Em Tiger will blow your mind with their iced almond macadamia nut latte. Kismet Rotisserie serves pull-apart chicken and loads of sauces and spices to stuff into pitas made from yet another local favorite, Bub and Grandma’s bakery. And a few streets down is Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken which consistently cooks up some of the best fried chicken in town. Insider tip: Order extra biscuits for maximum goodness.

Where to Shop in Culver City

Book lovers have it especially good here. The Ripped Bodice is the country's original all-romance bookstore, stocked with floor-to-ceiling love stories on Main Street, while nearby, Village Well Books & Coffee pairs a curated indie selection with espresso, pastries, and a busy calendar of author events.

For design and dining under one roof, head to The Platform, a retail-and-restaurant complex beside the E Line station with high-end boutiques like Catbird jewelry, cafés, and wellness studios. The surrounding downtown blocks round things out with vintage shops, home goods, plant stores, and galleries lining Washington Boulevard.

Where to Stay in Culver City

For that old Hollywood feel, book the Culver Hotel, the boutique landmark whose rooms mix vintage glamour with a lively lobby bar and live jazz. (In fact, you'll be sleeping where both Clark Gable and Greta Garbo once did.) 

For something sleeker, The Shay, located in the Ivy Station development beside the Metro, comes with a buzzy rooftop pool and two José Andrés restaurants. Not only is that pool open for day passes, but the Mediterranean mezze of Zaytinya downstairs and the rooftop Mexican flavors of Butterfly are top-notch. And the blue-hued Palihotel Culver City is located above their beautiful French restaurant Simonette.

All three hotels are steps from downtown's restaurants and attractions, and within easy reach of Santa Monica, Venice, and the rest of the Westside.

How to Get to Culver City

Culver City is one of L.A.'s easiest neighborhoods to access without a car. Metro's E Line—the light-rail route connecting Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica—stops at Culver City Station and is a few minutes' walking distance from the downtown core. If you'd rather drive, the area is centrally located between Santa Monica and Downtown L.A.