Century City Travel Guide

Century City is a small, dense urban district on the Westside of Los Angeles, bordered by Beverly Hills to the north and east and the Westwood neighborhood to the west. Despite a residential population of only around 5,500, it functions as a significant commercial hub, drawing hundreds of thousands of workers, shoppers, and visitors each week. Its gleaming towers house major law firms, talent agencies, and entertainment industry offices.

The land has a notable history: much of it was sold by 20th Century Fox in the early 1960s to fund the studio's financial difficulties, and the district was purpose-built as a modern business and residential enclave. A handful of Fox's original backlot soundstages still stand on the studio lot at its southern edge.

For travelers, Century City functions less as a stand-alone destination and more as a well-located, polished base camp. It sits roughly equidistant from Santa Monica's beaches, Beverly Hills' shopping streets, and UCLA's campus, making it a practical anchor for exploring the Westside of Los Angeles.

Entry Requirements

Century City is within the United States. Entry requirements depend entirely on your nationality and travel history. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (cbp.gov) well before your trip for current requirements.

Climate

Century City has a Mediterranean climate. Summers (June–August) are warm and almost entirely dry, with daytime highs typically in the mid-20s°C (mid-70s°F), moderated by ocean air from Santa Monica Bay. June Gloom — a persistent morning marine layer — is common in early summer. Winters are mild, with occasional rain from November through March. Light layers are useful year-round for air-conditioned interiors.

Practical Preparations

• Driving is the dominant mode of transport; if renting a car, confirm parking arrangements with your accommodation in advance, as structured parking is common and fees vary.
• The district is walkable within its own boundaries but not well connected on foot to adjacent neighborhoods, so plan transportation accordingly.
• Tap water is safe to drink throughout Los Angeles.

By Air

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary gateway, located roughly 8–10 miles southwest of Century City. Travel time by car varies dramatically with traffic; verify current ride-share or taxi estimates at the time of travel. The FlyAway bus service connects LAX to Westwood, a short ride from Century City — check lawa.org for current schedules and fares.

By Public Transit

The Los Angeles Metro system does not currently have a rail station within Century City itself, though Metro's D Line (Purple Line) extension, under construction as of this writing, includes a Century City/Constellation station — verify the opening date and service details at metro.net before your trip. Several Metro Bus and Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica) routes serve the area along Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars.

By Car

Century City is accessible via the I-405 (San Diego Freeway) and surface streets including Santa Monica Boulevard and Pico Boulevard. Traffic congestion is significant during morning and evening peak hours; plan accordingly.

Within Century City itself, most points of interest are within comfortable walking distance of one another. The Westfield Century City mall, office towers, and residential high-rises are clustered around Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard.

For reaching neighboring areas — Beverly Hills, Westwood, Brentwood, or Santa Monica — a car, ride-share, or bicycle is practical. The Big Blue Bus routes offer a low-cost connection to Santa Monica; verify current routes and fares at bigbluebus.com. Cycling infrastructure has improved on some Westside corridors, though Century City's wide, traffic-heavy boulevards can be challenging for less experienced urban cyclists.

Parking is widely available in structured garages attached to the mall and office buildings. Rates and validation policies vary; confirm with your destination before driving.

Century City has a small but well-regarded accommodation base concentrated around its commercial core. The most prominent hotel in the district is the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, a high-rise property with views toward the Santa Monica Mountains and direct proximity to the mall and office towers. A small number of extended-stay and boutique options exist nearby.

Because the district is compact, staying in adjacent Beverly Hills or Westwood also provides easy access to Century City's main attractions. Travelers seeking more diverse hotel options at a range of price points will find both neighborhoods have a broader selection. Verify current availability, pricing, and any resort fees directly with properties or through a booking platform before reserving.

Westfield Century City

The Westfield Century City mall is the district's anchor attraction — a large, largely open-air shopping and dining complex that underwent a significant renovation completed in 2017. It draws a broad mix of residents and visitors and serves as an informal town square for the area.

20th Century Studios Lot

The historic Fox studio lot sits at the southern edge of Century City. Public tours are not regularly offered as a standard visitor product in the way that some other studio lots are; verify current availability directly with the studio before visiting.

Proximity to Cultural Institutions

Century City's Westside location puts it within a short drive of the Hammer Museum (Westwood), the Getty Center (Brentwood), and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on the Miracle Mile. For travelers using Century City as a base, these institutions make for natural day excursions.

Outdoor Spaces

Rancho Park and Golf Course, just south of Century City, offers green space and a public golf facility. Verify operating hours and current fee information locally.

Century City's dining scene is anchored heavily by the Westfield mall, which contains a wide range of sit-down restaurants, fast-casual concepts, and a large food hall. The concentration of corporate offices also sustains a solid lunch trade in the immediate area, with options ranging from quick bites to expense-account-style dining.

Beyond the mall, the surrounding streets have a moderate number of independent restaurants, though the density is lower than in neighboring Beverly Hills or Westwood. For a broader range of dining styles and price points, both neighboring districts are within a short drive or, in the case of Westwood, a walkable distance depending on your exact starting point.

Note that some restaurants in high-traffic commercial zones keep limited weekend or evening hours; it is worth confirming hours before making a special trip, particularly outside of weekday lunch and dinner service.

Shopping is one of the primary reasons visitors come to Century City. The Westfield Century City mall is a large, upscale retail center featuring a mix of luxury, mid-range, and accessible brands across fashion, beauty, electronics, and home goods. Its open-air design and landscaping make it a more comfortable experience than many enclosed malls.

For higher-end and boutique retail beyond the mall, Rodeo Drive in neighboring Beverly Hills is the most famous destination in the immediate region — roughly two miles northeast. The boutiques along Beverly Drive and in Westwood Village offer further alternatives. Century City itself does not have a significant independent retail street outside the mall complex.

Emergency Services

In any emergency in the United States, dial 911 for police, fire, or medical assistance.

Health

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of Los Angeles' major hospitals, is located close to Century City in the Beverly Grove area. For non-emergency care, urgent care clinics operate in and around the Westside; verify locations and hours locally.

Money

ATMs are readily available inside the Westfield mall and at bank branches in the surrounding area. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost universally. Tipping is customary in restaurants (commonly 18–20% for sit-down service) and for ride-share, taxi, and valet services.

Connectivity

Public Wi-Fi is available inside the Westfield mall. Most hotels and many cafés offer Wi-Fi; confirm details with your accommodation. Mobile coverage (all major US carriers) is reliable throughout the district.

Century City is generally considered a safe, well-maintained district. Its commercial core has significant private security presence, particularly around the mall and office towers. Standard urban precautions apply: keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, be aware of your surroundings in parking structures, and secure personal belongings in crowded public spaces.

As with all of Los Angeles, vehicle break-ins are a recurring issue in the region; do not leave bags, electronics, or valuables visible in a parked vehicle. For current, localized safety information, consult the Los Angeles Police Department's online resources or verify locally upon arrival.