Why visit Century City
Century City is the Westside's clean, contemporary counterpoint to old-Hollywood glamour. Visitors come for the revamped open-air Westfield Century City mall, one of LA's best shopping and dining centers, and for the area's polished hotels that make a convenient base between Beverly Hills, Westwood, and the beaches. It's also a comfortable, easy-to-navigate district for travelers who prefer a modern high-rise setting over LA's sprawl.
Century City rose on land that was once the backlot of 20th Century-Fox, which sold the property in the late 1950s and early 1960s to help cover the soaring costs of the film Cleopatra. Developers transformed the backlot into a planned "city within a city" of office towers, hotels, and apartments, with construction beginning in the early 1960s. The district's signature twin Century Plaza Towers, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, became defining landmarks of the Westside skyline and Century City remains a major hub for entertainment law, finance, and talent agencies.
Top Attractions
- Westfield Century City
A sprawling, recently redesigned open-air mall with high-end and mainstream retailers, a large food hall, and a movie theater.
- Annenberg Space for Photography (former site)
Century City long hosted this photography gallery; the institution closed its physical space, so check current programming online before planning a visit.
- Century Plaza Towers
The iconic twin triangular skyscrapers that define the district's skyline and house major law and finance firms.
- Westwood & UCLA (adjacent)
Just west, the UCLA campus and Westwood Village add museums, theaters, and college-town energy within easy reach.
- Beverly Hills (adjacent)
Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills sit just east, an easy add-on for window-shopping and people-watching.
A Suggested Day
- 1Start with coffee and breakfast at the mall food hall
- 2Spend the morning shopping at Westfield Century City
- 3Lunch at Din Tai Fung or Eataly
- 4Walk east toward Beverly Hills for window-shopping
- 5Catch a movie or relax at a hotel bar with skyline views
- 6Dinner at an acclaimed Century City restaurant
Where to Eat
- Eataly Los AngelesItalian marketplace
A sprawling Italian food hall and market inside Westfield Century City with restaurants, counters, and gourmet groceries.
- Hinoki & the BirdModern Asian
An acclaimed, design-forward restaurant known for inventive Asian-inflected dishes and craft cocktails.
- Pink TacoMexican
A lively spot at the mall serving Mexican fare and margaritas with a bustling, social atmosphere.
- Din Tai FungTaiwanese / dumplings
The world-famous soup-dumpling chain draws long lines at its Westfield Century City location.
Where to Stay
- LuxuryFairmont Century Plaza
A landmark hotel reborn after a major renovation, with refined rooms, a spa, and a storied Westside address.
- LuxuryInterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills
A high-rise hotel with skyline views and an upscale, business-friendly atmosphere.
- Mid-rangeHyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
Note: confirm current Century City lodging options online, as the district leans heavily luxury; check the official website before booking.
Best Photo Spots
- 📸 The Century Plaza Towers framed against the sky
- 📸 The modern open-air corridors of Westfield Century City
- 📸 The fountains and plazas along Avenue of the Stars
- 📸 Skyline views from an upper-floor hotel bar
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Top Attractions Near Century City
Century City FAQ
Is Century City worth visiting if I'm not shopping?
Yes, for its dining, modern architecture, and central Westside location, though shopping at Westfield is the main draw for many visitors.
How close is Beverly Hills?
Very close. Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive are just east, an easy drive or longer walk away.
Will there be subway access?
A Metro D (Purple) Line station serving Century City is under construction; check Metro's official website for the latest opening timeline.