Los Angeles' Westside is home to the suburban community of Brentwood. Seated at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, the district is bordered to the east by the San Diego Freeway, to the south by Wilshire Boulevard, to the southwest by the Santa Monica municipal boundaries, to the west by Sullivan Canyon/Westridge Trail, and to the north by Mulholland Drive.

Like the nearby city of Santa Monica, Brentwood enjoys a moderate climate formed by maritime breezes that originate in the Pacific Ocean. The "marine layer," a blanket of clouds that forms overnight and breaks by mid-morning, is a common sight for the locals when they wake up. The average high temperature in Brentwood is 67°F (19°C) in January and 86°F (30°C) in August, demonstrating the city's mild year-round temperatures, according to climatic data. In addition to an annual precipitation pattern with the most rainfall happening in the winter and a noticeably dry summer, the area's moderate winters and pleasant summers add to its allure.

Brentwood has a few notable locations. San Vicente Boulevard, which was designated as a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, replaced a Pacific Electric trolley track and is characterized by a broad median with magnificent coral trees. It serves as a historical green belt. The neighborhood is made up of several residential subdistricts, each having a distinct personality. Among these are Brentwood Glen, an enclave characterized by small lots and single-family houses, and Brentwood Circle, an exclusive gated community that arose with the development of the Getty Museum. The community's unique fabric is further enhanced by other locations like Brentwood Park, Mandeville Canyon, Sullivan Canyon, Bundy Canyon, Crestwood Hills, the "Polo Field" at Will Rogers State Park, and Brentwood Terrace.

In Brentwood, professional services are the main industry, with a focus on serving accountants, attorneys, and medical professionals. Brentwood Country Mart, Barrington Plaza, and the San Vicente Business District are just a few of the affluent business areas in the community that are home to expensive eateries and retailers. Part of the area's economic vitality are long-standing businesses like Brent-Air Pharmacy and the famous Brentwood Country Mart. The community has been served by Vicente Foods, an independently owned grocery store, since 1948. Other nearby markets include Whole Foods and Ralphs. There are many different kinds of restaurants in Brentwood Village, a well-liked location for dining and coffee. The town's economy is still strong, with a variety of enterprises catering to the demands of Brentwood's wealthy citizens, even after Dutton's Brentwood Books closed its doors in 2008.

Over seventy percent of Brentwood's population, who were 25 years of age or older, had a four-year degree in 2000. This represents exceptionally high levels of education for both the county and the city. In this age group, the proportion of people having a bachelor's degree or above exceeded the county norms. In Brentwood, there are public elementary schools such Brentwood Science Magnet Elementary School and Kenter Canyon Elementary School, and a public middle school called Paul Revere Charter Middle School. Students go to Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades and University High School in West Los Angeles for their high school education. A number of private schools are also located in the area: Brentwood School (K–12), Berkeley Hall School, Westland School, The Mirman School, Milken Community High School, Archer School for Girls, and Saint Martin of Tours School.