Whether you’re in Culver City for a weekend or a more extended stay, you’ll find plenty to explore in this City filled with boutique hotels, delicious food, shopping, and a major movie studio.
For many visiting Los Angeles, figuring out which neighborhood to stay in can be overwhelming. You may want to find a hotel near a beach, or by a hip and cool area close to trendy restaurants, or maybe near concert venues, museums, or other cultural offerings. So, if you want a city that’s accessible and has all of those attributes along with a freeway to get to other neighborhoods conveniently–– then Culver City is the city for you.
Whether you’re in Culver City for a weekend or a more extended stay, you’ll find plenty to explore in this City filled with boutique hotels, delicious food, shopping, and a major movie studio. This diverse city is conveniently located near other cities like Marina Del Rey and Venice Beach, or if you’re in town for a sporting event or concert, Sofi Stadium in Inglewood is just a few off-ramps away.
Where to Stay in Culver City
The Shay is a boutique hotel that opened in late 2021, and if food and beverage and great hospitality are a priority when you travel, then The Shay is a top-notch option in the area. Culver City is a big entertainment town with HBO Max, Apple, Amazon, and Sony Studios residing there, so the hotel buzzes with entertainment industry folks checking into the sleek, modern, yet unpretentious lobby. Beyond its cozy 148 rooms and 19 suites with expansive views lies Culver’s Arts District, within walking distance to Platform, an outdoor shopping center across the street. Filled with great shopping and restaurants like Margot and New York’s Roberta’s Pizza, you’ll find plenty to check out, like seasonal pop-up shops.
The Shay Hotel sits on a development called Ivy Station. Here, you can catch the metro to Downtown Los Angeles in 27 minutes, skipping all the traffic, and it only costs $2. Or you can go the opposite way, and it’ll take you to the heart of Downtown Santa Monica near Third Street Promenade–– a few blocks away from the Santa Monica Pier.
Where To Eat In Culver City
With iconic movies like Gone With The Wind and Wizard of Oz and TV shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune filmed at Sony Studios, a studio tour is a must. The lot takes up a whopping 44 acres, and surrounding the gigantic area are coffee shops and eateries that are within walking distance. For newer and trendier local favorites, go to Go Get ‘Em Tiger for coffee or a quick lunch. Next to it is Homestate, a casual Tex-Mex taco joint with some of the best homemade flour tortillas in Los Angeles.
But for more at The Shay, you’ll find guests and locals heading to the Canopy Club, the only rooftop restaurant with a pool in Culver City. Sip on a banana mai tai at this Old Hollywood meets Palm Springs decorated poolside spot. Take the elevator up during the sunset for some beautiful photographic moments. For light bites, get the Hamachi Crudo and rosemary french fries, or if you’re starving, order the delicious and filling CC Burger, a classic smash burger with onions and American cheese.
Although local favorite Etta, on the lobby floor of The Shay, shuttered at the end of 2023, a new Italian restaurant will be taking its place, incorporating a menu featuring wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes. For the ultimate, The Shay hotel experience, watch the sunset at Canopy Club with a drink in hand, enjoy a few starters, and then proceed downstairs to the new Italian spot below for dinner once it opens its doors. Afterward, leisurely walk back to your room after a night well spent, all in one hotel.
Another historic landmark is The Culver Hotel, opened in 1924 by Culver City founder and philanthropist Harry Culver. If you’re coming from Sony Studios, transport yourself to a different era by exploring the speakeasy The Velvet Lounge for a craft cocktail. This part of Culver City grew tremendously over the last few years with Los Angeles staples like Salt & Straw for wacky ice cream flavors or a popular salad and sandwich fast-casual eatery called Mendocino Farms. If you’re a Neapolitan pizza lover, you’ll have to check out Ugo, an Italian institution that has resided at this location for 18 years and boasts Neapolitan pizza exactly like it’s made in Naples with a prestigious seal from The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. If you want the utmost lavish LA experience, you’ll want to cross the street and walk into Erewhon, an upscale grocery store with a cult-like following, where no one seems to care about spending $18 on a Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie.
Lastly, if you’re looking for an elevated dinner experience, the chic Juliet is a French restaurant with a Michelin nod. The ambiance is warm, and the decor is stunning. The menu consists of starters like chicken liver tartlet, sea bream tartare, and beautiful dishes like seared scallops with Meyer lemon butter or duck confit “cigars.” Save room for a dessert favorite–– the brown butter madeleines with salted honey chantilly.
