Bel Air, CA Real Estate

Bel Air is a residential community located approximately 30 minutes from Los Angeles. The community was founded in 1923 by Alphonzo E. Bell, Sr. Bel Air is part of the so-called "Platinum Triangle," a term that refers to three affluent adjoining communities: Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills.

Bel Air was home to former President Ronald Reagan who lived in Bel Air from the time he left the White House after his presidency ended until the time of his death. His widow, Nancy, still makes Bel Air her home. Besides being home to former President Reagan and still enjoying Mrs. Reagan’s presence, Bel Air is also the location of the UCLA Hanna Carter Japanese Garden. Its lovely landscaping, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese Garden, invites one to take a peaceful, relaxing tour.

Residences in Bel Air tend to be private and hidden from the winding roads of the community. Most homes are not visible from the street, as they are hidden by well-manicured hedges and gates. Residences range from modest ranch style homes, to multi-story configurations, to grand mansions. The homes in Bel Air range from modest ranch-style houses to extravagant mansions. The most widely recognized home is a French neo-classical design mansion that was built in 1938. The outside of this home was used for the exterior shots for the TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies.” in the 1990s, the popular television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was set in the neighborhood at 805 St. Cloud Road in Bel Air.

Although it is not technically considered as such, Bel Air gives its residents the “feel” of living in a “gated” community. This is because there are very strict home ordinances. There are no multi-family homes (this includes town homes and condominiums) allowed. Unlike Beverly Hills, Bel Air has no residential sidewalks in attempts to discourage the public from walking around the community. Bel Air is also heavily patrolled by local security companies to reinforce the safety and privacy of its residents.

Bel Air is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. Students attend Warner Avenue Elementary School, although some Bel Air area homes are zoned for attendance at Roscomare Road Elementary School, Emerson Middle School and University High School. In addition, Community Magnet School, which is also in the Los Angeles Unified School District, is located nearby.

Private schools include John Thomas Dye School, which serves Grades K-6, Westlake School (Grades K-6), Berkeley Hall, a Christian Science-sponsored school (Grades K-8)and the Mirman School (K-8). Two Jewish schools—one Reformed Jewish (Stephen S. Wise Temple, Grades K-6) and one Orthodox Jewish (Milken Community High School, Grades 7-12) are also both located in Bel Air.