Playa del Ray

Hills built by ancient sand dunes run parallel to the ocean, lending a secluded feeling to this easygoing coastal community. When night falls, the hillside homes sparkle high above the water, and the cluster of dive bars on Culver Boulevard fill with local characters. Jetties have dulled the waves that drew surfers here in the 1950s and ’60s, leaving the neighborhood with a slightly romantic, forgotten vibe.