A Totally Non-Satirical Tour of the Neighborhood

The neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silverlake offer multiple historic landmarks, as well as fun things to do. 

As summer approaches, many New Roads students will be looking forward to their calendars filling up with plans for various vacations and trips. While this may be fun, if you find yourself unable to travel or simply looking for extra activities to fill up the soon-to-be-abundant amount of free time, why not start off your summer by learning about some places in your own city that you may not have ever explored before? 

During my time at New Roads, I have discovered that many students on the Westside rarely, if ever, venture out from their part of town. As a soon-to-be graduating senior, I have taken it upon myself to change that, taking you through a brief tour of the area of LA I know best: Los Feliz and Silverlake. 

Silverlake, aptly named for its beautiful reservoir, is known for its bustling Sunset Blvd. With rows of various shops and restaurants stretching from the edge of Sunset and Hillhurst in Los Feliz and East Hollywood, all the way through to its border with the neighborhood of Echo Park. Los Feliz, while being the sleepier of the two sisters, is home to the Los Feliz Village where Vermont Blvd and Hillhurst Ave. offer various restaurants, as well as cultural landmarks. Los Feliz is also home to Griffith Park, and borders the equally significant neighborhoods of East Hollywood, Little Armenia, and Thai Town. 

Although now known to be the cultural mecca of the LA hipster community, Los Feliz and Silverlake have not always been this way. In addition to being the home of sizable immigrant communities ranging from Armenian and Thai, to Lithuanian, Japanese and Latin American, Los Feliz and Silverlake played a crucial role in the cultural landscape of Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” Glimpses of this often romanticized world can still be found if you look hard enough, yet this side of Los Angeles is in danger, as gentrification and expensive housing developments quickly erode what was once a far more diverse neighborhood. While this erosion shows no sign of stopping, there is no better time to learn about what historic and cultural monuments Los Feliz and Silverlake have to offer. 

The Dresden 

(Image reprinted from Discover Los Angeles)

1. The Dresden-1760 N. Vermont

If you are a New Roads student looking for a new clubbing spot, why not try The Dresden? This dimly lit club opened in 1954 and has been a local staple ever since. Lounge act Marty and Elayne are a must see, and the club attracts an eccentric, older crowd. It was also featured in the 1996 movie Swingers. 

The Hollyhock House

(Photo reprinted from the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation)

2. Hollyhock House- 4800 Hollywood Blvd

Built by famous architect Frank Loyd Wright, Hollyhock house is a UNESCO World Heritage sight. Sitting on top of beautiful Barnsdall Park, the house is a great example of early 20th century architecture and now is home to an art gallery.  

Ennis House

(Photo reprinted from The Los Angeles Times)

3. Ennis House – 2655 Glendower Ave

Another house built by Frank Loyd Wright, the Ennis house is yet another beautiful example of early Hollywood architecture. While you will not be able to walk around the house, it is definitely worth a visit. 

The Old Zoo

(Photo reprinted from California Through My Lens)

4. Old Los Angeles Zoo – 4801 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Located in the heart of Griffith Park, the Old Zoo is both a great place to explore as well as take photos. It is made up of the abandoned remnants of the first incarnation of the LA Zoo and is free for the public to walk around and even enter, including all its older enclosures. 

Shakespeare Bridge

(Photo reprinted from Time Out)

5. Shakespeare Bridge

Built in 1926 and a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument since 1974, the Shakespeare Bridge is decorated in Gothic style architecture and will enhance any drive through the residential neighborhood of Franklin Hills. 

LaBianca Murder House

(Photo reprinted from The Guardian)

6. LaBianca Murder House – 3311 Waverly Drive

Known by all those interested in true crime, this is the famous house where the Charles Manson family broke in and murdered Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. A dark and very significant part of LA history — if you are interested in anything Manson-related, this is a must see.

Tam O’Shanter

(Photo reprinted from the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles)

7. Tam O’Shanter- 2980 Los Feliz Blvd

If you are looking for charming Scottish pubs, this is your place. The Tam O’Shanter has been a local staple for around 100 years, offering good food as well as cute decor. If you are in the Atwater area, it is impossible to miss and worth a stop.

John Sowden House

(Photo reprinted from The Hollywood Reporter)

8. John Sowden House – 5121 Franklin Ave

The John Sowden House, colloquially called the “Black Dahlia Murder House,” is yet another ideal location for true-crime lovers. A beautiful piece of architecture on its own, it was also the home to the lead suspect in the murder of famous actress Elizabeth Short — another significant piece of LA history that is still intact today. 

John Marshall High School

(Photo reprinted from Report-HPLA)

9. Marshall High School- 3939 Tracey St.

Opened in 1931, John Marshall High School serves primarily the Los Feliz and Silverlake regions. In addition to having a beautiful campus, it is home to the Los Feliz Flea Market that takes place every Saturday, and has been the set for numerous movies throughout the years, including Grease and A Nightmare on Elm Street. 

Walt Disney Hyperion Studio Lot

(Photo reprinted from the Walt Disney collection)

10. Walt Disney Second Studio Lot- 2719 Hyperion Ave

Now a Gelson’s with a series of apartments sharing the space, this area used to be the second studio lot of Walt Disney. The apartments behind maintain their original cottage style. 

Tiki-TiTiki 

(Photos reprinted from With Ray)

11. Tiki-Ti – 4427 Sunset Blvd

Do you want to go to a Tiki bar and also check out a Scientologist radio station? Well, if so, then this is your place. This local landmark is perfect for tropical drinks and is located directly in front of a large Scientologist compound. Perched along Sunset Blvd, the surrounding area has plenty to do as well. 

Jose Martí Monument

(Photo reprinted from Flickr)

12. Jose Martí Monument- 1082 Glendale Blvd

While technically not in either Los Feliz or Silverlake, the Jose Martí monument is located in the nearby neighborhood of Echo Park, and pays homage to the incredibly influential revolutionary poet Jose Martí. As it is in Echo Park itself, you can rent a boat, float around the water and learn about an important Cuban writer all in the span of minutes. 

Figaro Bistro

(Totally LA)

13. Figaro Bistro- 1802 N Vermont Ave

Take a trip to Paris for lunch at this parisian themed bistro and cafe. While it is nearly always packed at all hours of the day, it is well worth the wait no matter if you are having escargot, french onion soup, steak frites or just a coffee. The vibe alone is reason enough to go — attracting an older and sometimes eccentric group of neighborhood residents. 

Skylight Books

(Publisher’s Weekly)

14. Skylight Books- 1818 N Vermont Ave

Just up the street from Figaro Bistro is Skylight Books, where you can shop locally for any book your heart desires. This store is incredibly popular among locals, and if you aren’t going for the literature you might as well pop in to see the live tree growing in the middle of the store. 

Los Angeles Public Library-Los Feliz

(Loco Scout)

Los Angeles Public Library Silverlake

(Bendheim)

15. LA Public Library: Los Feliz and Silverlake branches – 1874 Hillhurst Ave/2411 Glendale Blvd

The original Los Angeles Public Library was founded in 1872, and while both of these were made as extensions to the library system later, the LA Public Library is a crucial part of Angelino history and well worth a stop if you want a book or just a nice place to relax for a while. The Los Feliz branch is located on Hillhurst Avenue, with shops and restaurants a short walk away. If you are in a more modern mood, the Silverlake branch is the perfect place for you.