Lucerne / Higuera / Rancho Higuera / Hayden Tract

On its eastern third, the neighborhood turns into three blocks worth of corporate offices stretching from National on the north down to West Jefferson Blvd. on the south. Such corporations as Big Picture Productions, Zoic Studios and Bidz.com have their headquarters here. The outward appearance of these buildings is off-putting and keeps those without business in the area away. Offices dominate the northern section along National all the way across as well. Some fairly bland and forgettable restaurants and businesses serve this commercial sector but they are barely worth mentioning individually.

The rest of Lucerne-Higuera is made up of mostly older Ranch and Mission Revival style homes of mixed quality. Most streets in the area will have nicely kept homes with lush green lawns and colorful ferns, next to homes with poor paint jobs and faded lawns. This hit or miss quality makes the neighborhoods in the area feel rather run down, despite the gentrification that is altering so much of Culver City. The architecture of the homes in the neighborhood are varied enough however, that if you were looking to live here you could probably find something to suit your tastes—as long as you aren’t looking for anything made in this century.

Most of the homes for rent in the area show the signs of gentrification, with 2 bedrooms starting at $2K. Although you may be able to find the occasional studio for less, the economic forces that are changing Culver City are making this more and more difficult even in this harsh economic environment.

There is a firm sense of community that is on the rise in Culver City, as well. Current residents are challenging the oil fields that were to be built just south of West Jefferson Blvd. Residents fear both the environmental and health effects that such drilling may expose the city to and are demanding more oversight over the wells. Yet another sign of the way in which the Culver City is changing.