The Top 11 Neighborhoods for Families in the Hollywood Hills

Hollywood Hills is one of the most iconic places to live in America and a great option when searching for family-friendly cities. Towering above Los Angeles, Hollywood Hills is nestled in the Cahuenga Pass within the Santa Monica Mountains. Homes are private and have a combination of mid-century modern and contemporary architecture. Infinity pools and wide open indoor-outdoor living allow for stunning views of Los Angeles and the ocean. It’s an opulent and stunning place to live, with amazing architecture, privacy, and unparalleled views.

The Hollywood Hills is one of the most well-known and prominent neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It’s centrally located and has a short commute to the Valley, the West Side, and anywhere you need to go in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Hills also have great resources for families, including relaxing parks, playgrounds, and top-notch public and private schools.

If you’re considering moving to the Hollywood Hills with your family, you might wonder which neighborhood is the best in this area. Our guide will walk you through the most prominent, family-friendly enclaves within the Hollywood Hills. We thought we would place them from the east Hollywood Hills going west to give you a good perspective.

Bordering the expansive Griffith Park, Los Feliz is filled with beautiful homes exemplifying the mid-century modern style of Frank Llyod Wright as well as the classic 1920s Spanish homes Los Angeles is known for. This enclave is tucked away in the eastern part of the Hollywood Hills and is the perfect spot to raise a family. A real neighborhood with very popular restaurants, classic boutique movie theaters, and shops. Griffith Park is steps away and is filled with beautiful hiking trails, educational programs, a few golf and tennis courts, the LA Zoo, the famous Greek amphitheater, and the iconic Griffth observatory, used in many films, from Rebel Without A Cause to LaLa Land.

Los Feliz has great schools, including the excellent Franklin Elementary public school and the International School of Los Angeles, which provides a language immersion program with a focus on college preparation. The independent French-based school creates thoughtful, global citizens prepared for college and beyond with a preschool through 12th-grade program. Other great public schools include Thomas Starr King Middle School and John Marshall High School.

Beachwood Canyon is a private home development overlooked by the famous Hollywood sign, which used to spell “Hollywoodland,” which was a development marketing sign for this new community before it became what we all know as the iconic Hollywood sign. The “land” letters fell at one point, and everyone wanted to keep the “Hollywood,” which was then restored. In the 1920s, this neighborhood was home to many of Hollywood’s most famous stars. Today, it’s still one of the most private and exclusive neighborhoods in the Hollywood Hills, perfect for those looking for quiet and privacy. Locals and tourists love walking through these hills to look at the diverse architecture as well as having access to Lake Hollywood. The lake is expansive and hidden from the city, which feels like you could be in Switzerland, with a beautiful, up-close view of the Iconic Hollywood Sign. In addition, there is access to the massive and beautiful Griffith Park trails and a secret horse ranch that hosts great horse rides through the hills. This area is an unusual cross between city life and nature and includes a very rare village in LA, Beachwood Village, with an incredible old-school market, a very popular diner/cafe, dry cleaner, and other quaint shops.

Families love the amazing public school options here. Since 1915, Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School has been serving the Hollywood Dell area as a highly-rated neighborhood school. Today, the tradition continues with excellent education for the local children.

Located nearby Los Feliz is Hollywood Dell. This residential neighborhood offers privacy and a relaxing vibe. It is one of the best family-friendly neighborhoods. Around the corner are Griffith Park and the Hollywood Reservoir for outdoor recreation. There are also excellent schools in the area, with both private and public options. Hollywood Dell has a hip feel, and the area is filled with creative bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Families love the amazing public school options here. Since 1915, Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School has been serving the Hollywood Dell area as a highly-rated neighborhood school. Today, the tradition continues with excellent education for Hollywood Dell children.

Designated as a National Historic District, Whitley Heights preserves the glamor and opulence of 1920s Hollywood. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, this neighborhood is close to several beautiful parks like Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood Reservoir, providing plenty of outdoor space for families to enjoy the beautiful California sunshine. Whitley Heights also offers excellent school options for families, including one of the most highly-ranked public schools in Los Angeles, Larchmont Charter School.

With beautiful, expansive homes, Hollywood Heights has been home to many famous celebrities in Los Angeles. Today, it’s a great choice for families as there are excellent public and private schools in the area, such as Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle School, a performing arts magnet school.

Filled with only 450 homes, the Outpost Estates are bordered by the famous Mulholland Drive and Runyon Canyon. The homes here are thoughtfully restored with beautiful, modern amenities. There are also plenty of attractions nearby for the whole family, including museums, theaters, and beautiful parks. The Outpost Estates feature incredible private school options, such as the Oaks School, an independent K-6 school featuring an innovative curriculum and personalized learning.

One of the most secluded parts of the Hollywood Hills, attracting lots of celebrities who want privacy, beautiful views, nature, larger lots, and yet only minutes away from the heart of the city. A beautiful country-like road off of Hollywood Boulevard that only the locals know, which meanders up towards the iconic Mulholland Drive. Beauty abounds, and walking distance to Runyon Canyon, one of LA’s favorite vast hiking areas with stunning views.

This area is also home to another great public school, Valley View Elementary.

Tucked between Fryman Canyon Park and the Briar Summit Open Space Preserve, Laurel Canyon is located just south of the famous Mulholland Drive. The neighborhood is filled with an eclectic style that can be seen in the variety of architecture, from sprawling mansions built with contemporary architecture to funky Tudor homes and other classic styles. Laurel Canyon is filled with charm and is the perfect respite for families looking to escape the hustle of downtown Los Angeles. This neighborhood also includes a rare LA village with a market and top restaurants.

A large area of Laurel Canyon is part of one of the best and most interesting public schools in the city, Wonderland Avenue Elementary, which attracts a lot of families.

Bordering Coldwater Canyon Park and several other nature preserves, Studio City is a quiet, trendy neighborhood located over the hill and away from the bustle of Los Angeles. Studio City is filled with quaint, tree-lined streets, eclectic shops, and locally owned restaurants with creative menus. It’s the perfect spot for those looking for a comfortable and quiet neighborhood but still want some excitement and entertainment.

Studio City has great educational options for families as well. For example, Harvard-Westlake is one of the most highly rated private schools serving grades 7-12 with a college preparatory focus. Bridges Academy is an acclaimed program for gifted students in grades 4-12, focused on student-centered, life-changing experiences. It also includes one of the best public middle schools as well, Carpenter School.

This stunning area is known for its great views and proximity to the world-famous Sunset Strip which comes with one of the most vibrant Los Angeles scenes featuring so many shops, restaurants, nightlife, entertainment venues, etc. As a result, prices for properties can command a premium.

Located just above the famous and active “Sunset Strip,” and nearby to Franklin Canyon Reservoir, The Bird Streets are one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in the Hollywood Hills. Homes are stunning, with unobstructed views of the city and the ocean. Families will love the residential feel while being only minutes from the Sunset Strip, restaurants, and entertainment and a short drive to Beverly Hills. The neighborhood is filled with amazing schools as well, such as Tree Academy, a private, non-profit school with an innovative curriculum and college preparatory tracks.

If you’re thinking of making a move to the Hollywood Hills or surrounding neighborhood, you’re going to want to work with great Realtors who know the area intimately, and with decades of experience, like our team The Xuereb Group. Emmanuel Xuereb and Salvator Xuereb at The Xuereb Group have extensive experience in the luxury market in Los Angeles and are ready to help you find the perfect property. Reach out to Emmanuel Xuereb and Salvator Xuereb at the Xuereb Group when you’re ready to get started looking for your perfect neighborhood. We are here to serve you.