Considering moving to Culver City? Located just outside of Los Angeles and known for its iconic movies and TV shows, The Heart of Screenland has an active downtown area, amazing coffee shops, and much more. Here are 12 things to know about living in Culver City!
Live Within the LA Metro
Photo via @lhspaces
As part of the Los Angeles metro, Culver City has so much to offer in terms of big city amenities—and it’s one of the more affordable areas within LA, too! The median home price in Culver City is around $675,800 and the median monthly rent is around $1,678. Culver City is also 15% safer than other California cities, so it’s a great place for all kinds of households to settle down. And because it’s in a less-congested part of the metro, Culver City is easily walkable!
Find a Job in the Entertainment Industry
Photo via @espada_pr
If you’re looking for employment in film, TV, or radio, Culver City is the place for you! Sony Pictures Studios is a major production company in the city, with other subsidiaries like Columbia Pictures and TriStar all operating within the studios. If sports reporting is your passion, the NFL Network offers plenty of job opportunities near Culver City as well. There’s also NPR West, which offers radio careers both on and off-air, and Amazon Studios‘s new campus, which houses IMDb and Amazon Video. Plus, with the development of Ivy Station, the HBO West Coast headquarters and content production division of Apple have plans to call Culver City home!
Enjoy the Sunny California Weather
Photo via @ginamarieru
California is known for its gorgeous, sunny weather, and Culver City is no exception! Here, you can enjoy nearly 281 sunny days a year. The year-round temperatures in Culver City also stay pretty mild with annual high and low temperatures at 71 and 55 degrees, respectively. Summers in Culver City are warm and arid, generally lower in humidity, while winters stay fairly mild with no snowfall. So if you want somewhere you can experience nice weather almost all the time, Culver City is perfect for you!
Get Outside in Culver City
Culver City has all kinds of amazing outdoor recreation spots! Hike at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, a 500-foot peak in a 58-acre park where you can see sweeping views of Downtown Culver City and the Los Angeles metro. Try taking on The Culver City Stairs if you want a challenge. Have a picnic, play basketball, or walk the trails at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Center. Cycle the 14-mile Ballona Creek Bike Path that takes you to the coast and back. Spend some sunny days perfecting your ollie at skate camp, flying a kite, or reading in the green space of any of the 13 city parks in Culver City. Cool off in the summer at Culver City Municipal Pool. Or play with your four-legged friend night or day at Boneyard Dog Park.
Have Fun at Nearby Beaches
Photo via @karim_ghaly
While Culver City isn’t directly on the coast, you’re still really close to some of the best California beaches! Spend a day at eclectic Venice Beach, where you can shop on the Boardwalk, rollerblade down the walking paths, or have a beach picnic. Make a quick trip to Santa Monica Pier and ride the ferris wheel at Pacific Park, cast your fishing line, or grab a surfboard to catch some waves. Or head a little further south to Manhattan Beach, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the many eateries, play sand volleyball, or take a dip in the ocean.
Culver City Knows TV & Film
Photo via @cheriadamsdtla
Culver City has a deep-rooted history in the TV and film industries. MGM studios operated here, dominating the movie business with films like The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, and Gone with the Wind. In the 1980s, Sony Pictures took over the studio and continued shooting TV and film on the lot. Today, popular game shows like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and others are filmed here! You can see it in full operation with a studio tour and take a look at the studio’s iconic history at the Sony Pictures Museum!
Hang Out in Downtown Culver City
Photo via @whitehausrules
Downtown Culver City is the heart of the city! Not only are there some popular sites to see like The Culver Hotel and The Culver Steps, but there are also great spots for eating, drinking, shopping, and entertainment! Head to Village Well Books & Coffee to grab a recent best-seller and a cup of joe. Browse farm-fresh produce and artisan foods at the Culver City Farmers Market. Spend some time wandering around the Helms Bakery District, an area with local shops and restaurants. Or check out the trade events and art exhibitions at Helms Design Center.
A City for Art Lovers
Photo via @carlosjr84
Artists of all mediums are making Culver City a truly vibrant place to live and work. Even walking down the streets of the Culver City Arts District, you’ll find tons of murals and street art! Check out The Culver City Arts District, which includes 26 art galleries like FP Contemporary and Honor Fraser Gallery, along with 40+ boutiques, shops, and cafes. Head to Industry Cafe & Jazz, where you can see jazz musicians and spoken-word performances. Take part in the annual Art Walk & Roll Festival showcasing the work of artists throughout the city with live music and events. Visit the Kirk Douglas Theatre, which originally opened as the Culver Theatre in 1947. Or see thought-provoking performances by The Actor’s Gang at Ivy Substation.
Discover One-of-a-Kind Museums
Photo via @wendemuseum
Looking for something fun to do in Culver City? Visit museums unlike any other! The Museum of Jurassic Technology features artifacts that can only be described as a “cabinet of curiosities,” with exhibits like The Lives of Perfect Creatures, and collections like Micromosaics. Check out the Museum of Tolerance to examine the roles of racism and prejudice in major historical events like the Holocaust. Make your way to Wende Museum, a free museum where you can view artwork, films, and personal stories from the Cold War. Or for a family-friendly museum, head to the STAR Eco Station for a guided tour of exotic wildlife up close!
Sip on Craft Coffee
Photo via @superdomesticcxc
Are you a coffee lover? Coffee in Culver City is next-level! There are a ton of cozy cafes and roasters located throughout the city, so you can always stay caffeinated. Grab a Double Espresso, Iced Americano, or Bag of Whole Bean Coffee at Cognoscenti Coffee. Head to Super Domestic Coffee for a Cafe Au Lait and a Caprese Tartine. Pick up wholesale coffee beans and tea leaves at The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa. Stop by goodboybob Coffee Roasters location to try a Pour Over Coffee or take home a bottle of Rose. Or get your caffeine fix in with unique drinks like the Stockholm Fog and Espresso Con Panna from The Boy & The Bear.
A Haven for Foodies
Photo via @yelpla
Culver City is home to all kinds of great food! Check out Copenhagen Pastry, the first authentic Danish pastry shop in Culver City, for Kringle Cakes and Raspberry Macaroons. Visit Hatchet Hall for a Culver City fine dining experience. Get Slow Braised Steak Tacos, a Chicas Bowl, or Plant Based Nachos from Chicas Tacos. Head out to Citizen Public Market, a food hall in Culver City that offers a variety of options like seafood at The Jolly Oyster, soul food at Louella’s Cali Soul Kitchen, craft burgers at WEHO Sausage Company, and more. Or try Margot for incredible Mediterranean dishes and rooftop views of Culver City.
Experience Culver City Nightlife
Photo via @bribrew_
If you want somewhere you can grab a cocktail after work or try craft brews, give the Culver City nightlife scene a try! Meet up with friends at Backstage Bar & Grill for Cucumber Gimlets and karaoke. Go to Public School 310 for Recess, the school-themed bar’s version of happy hour. Head to The Cinema Bar, a vintage film-themed hangout. Spend a Saturday night at Seventy7 Lounge and imbibe cocktails like the Don Picante. Take a tour of the facility or sip on whiskey and other spirits at the Los Angeles Distillery. Hang out at City Tavern, where you can find over 20 rotating taps, a curated wine list, and specialty cocktails. Or try craft brews like the Sumpin’ Else Lite Ale at Stalking Horse Brewery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Culver City
Is Culver City expensive?
As part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Culver City could be considered an expensive place to live for anyone unfamiliar with California costs. The cost of living in Culver City is 74% higher than the national average. However, Culver City is more affordable than other areas of the LA metro, such as Santa Monica.
Where is Culver City?
Culver City is located in the Los Angeles metro near West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Ladera Heights, and Inglewood. Culver City is accessible by major roadways like I-10, I-405, and Venice Blvd.
How far is Culver City from Los Angeles?
Culver City is about 10 miles (or roughly 30 minutes) west of Downtown Los Angeles.
***
Moving to Culver City soon? Extra Space Storage has several storage facilities throughout the Los Angeles metro that can help with your transition. Find storage units near you!
