Under the Tuscan Sun Cottage in West Los Angeles

Sixteen palm-lined blocks separate this Purdue Avenue cottage from the Expo Line's Palms station, putting West LA's stucco bungalow streets within easy reach of Santa Monica and Culver City alike. The Tuscan-styled interior sets exposed beams and terracotta tile against a residential block otherwise built of postwar duplexes.

No front desk or restaurant here — this is a self-contained house, suited to families or small groups wanting a kitchen and yard rather than hotel service.

Overland Avenue's grocers and cafes sit a five-minute walk east, and the 405 on-ramp is reachable in under ten minutes by car.