Behind the Gates: Touring Bel Air (90077) and Beverly Hills (90210)

The wrought-iron gates swing open, and suddenly Los Angeles feels a world away. Over the past month, I’ve toured more than twenty properties across two of the city’s most coveted ZIP codes — Bel Air’s 90077 and Beverly Hills’ 90210. Each estate carried its own personality: some quiet and understated, others designed to dazzle at first sight. Together, they tell the story of two neighborhoods that define the very idea of American luxury.

Bel Air (90077): Privacy, Power, and Hillside Grandeur

Bel Air is less a neighborhood than a private kingdom perched above the city. Founded in the 1920s as an enclave for Hollywood’s elite, it remains one of the most secluded addresses in Los Angeles. Long, twisting drives lead to gates that hide modern palaces and Mediterranean villas alike. From the inside, walls of glass dissolve into panoramic canyon views, while infinity pools spill into the skyline.

On the market side, Bel Air is booming. The median sale price in 90077 has soared nearly 30% in the past year, now sitting around $3.7 million. Demand here isn’t just for square footage — it’s for breathing room, land, and the ultimate luxury of privacy.

Beverly Hills (90210): The World’s Most Famous ZIP Code

Drive a few minutes east and the mood shifts entirely. Beverly Hills is about presence, legacy, and prestige on the global stage. Palm-lined boulevards lead to sprawling mansions that wear their grandeur openly. Trousdale Estates offers architectural showpieces with glass facades overlooking the city, while the Flats showcase manicured lawns and symmetrical façades — statements of generational wealth.

With a median price close to $7 million, 90210 remains one of the most expensive ZIP codes in the nation, ranking just behind Atherton, CA. Homes here may linger on the market longer than in Bel Air, but the address itself carries unmatched recognition. Owning in Beverly Hills isn’t just about a house — it’s about joining a legacy.

A Tale of Two Markets

Touring these homes back-to-back, the contrast is striking:

• Bel Air is soaring, a market of sharp growth where buyers chase space and seclusion.

• Beverly Hills is steady, iconic, and enduring, where the brand itself holds as much value as the property.

Both neighborhoods stand at the top of Los Angeles’ luxury pyramid, offering different answers to the same question: what does true wealth look like?

Final Reflection

Walking through marble foyers, down hallways lined with art, and out onto terraces where the city glittered below, one truth became clear: luxury in Los Angeles is never just about walls and roofs. In 90077, it’s about retreat. In 90210, it’s about legacy. And in both, it’s about owning a piece of a story that only the rarest few will ever call home.