Welcome to East Los Angeles
Wander through vivid street festivals in Silver Lake. In the neighborhoods of Los Feliz, you’ll find tasty Mexican restaurants and the Latino Walk of Fame, recognizing those who have made a social or cultural contribution to the area. With distinctive personalities, an engaging and lively atmosphere, and easy access to the greater Los Angeles area, East LA is emerging as one of the hottest places to live in the city.
What to Love
- Vibrant cultural history and traditions
- Some of the city’s best dining
- Unique shopping
- Landmark locations
Local Lifestyle
When deciding where to live in East Los Angeles, you’ll be choosing from several appealing areas. In Los Feliz and the surrounding hills, you’ll fall for the charming downtown district, the creative vibe, the thriving culinary scene, and the pleasing mix of funky bungalows, expansive estates, mid-century apartment buildings, and larger historic homes. There’s a great balance of shopping and nightlife, plus huge Griffith Park if you need to take a breather.
In nearby Silver Lake, lovingly known as the “Brooklyn of Los Angeles,” soak up a hipster vibe that feels diverse and authentic. You’re close to Hollywood and Downtown LA here, but have the added benefit of hilltop vistas, indie boutique shopping, and an increasingly popular dining scene. Neighbors in Silver Lake flock to the famous Silver Lake Reservoir for its recreation path and bustling, walkable Sunset Junction with its boho-chic shops, home goods stores, and coffee houses.
Pasadena is home to a well-educated, affluent and intellectual population - young professionals also love this quiet neighborhood, known as the “Crown of the Valley,” for its smaller-town feel. Neighbors kick back and relax together, but come together for world-class dining and charity events.
Dining
East Los Angeles has a burgeoning foodie scene, recognized not only by the locals but residents of farther-flung neighborhoods who come here to see what all the fuss is about. In Los Feliz, you can indulge in breakfast tacos at HomeState or a traditional French brunch spread at Figaro. Bacari Silver Lake boasts palate-pleasing specialties like sabich with roasted eggplant and purple potato, shrimp ceviche, and vegan cashew pate, in a fairy-tale-esque setting where tables are set on the pebbly ground around mature trees and under sparkling lights.
At Nick’s Pasadena, join your favorite people for market salads, fresh seafood, classic sandwiches and burgers, and creative cocktails - try the jalapeno watermelon margarita. Over at Moo’s Craft BBQ in Lincoln Heights, dig into Texas-inspired, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue that started as an underground BBQ pop-up in a small East LA backyard in 2017. Finally, we love Cafe Birdie for its delightfully named cocktails, roasted hen of the woods mushrooms, shrimp and grits, and, well, just about everything on the menu.
Things to Do
East Los Angeles brims with activities for every interest, whether you’re joining the crowd at the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, watching the UCLA Bruins play at the Rose Bowl, or hiking Eaton Canyon Trail to the waterfall or spending a day at Descanso Gardens.
In Silver Lake, you can scout out the neighborhood’s famous secret stairs - more hidden than secret, actually. Residents of the area used to get from their steep hillside homes to the main streets of Silver Lake (then named Ivanhoe) to use public transportation. Check out the Micheltorena Stairs, and vibrantly painted Swan Stairs.
Fill up on street food and listen to live mariachi bands at El Mercado. Check out the tricked-out cars with amazing custom paint jobs along Whittier Boulevard. Spend a few hours in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Learn about local varietals at the historic San Antonio Winery, founded more than 100 years ago and still run by members of the same family.
When it’s time to break free of the hustle and bustle, head to the Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena, where you can explore the San Gabriel Mountains by biking, hiking or horseback riding. Play the day away in nearly 200 pristine acres.
Schools
East Los Angeles is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
- Humphreys Avenue Elementary School, K-5, well-rated public elementary school
- David Wark Griffith Middle School, 6-8, well-rated public middle school
- Marianna Avenue Elementary School, K-6, well-rated public elementary school