A Weekend in Los Feliz
Here’s how to spend the perfect weekend in Los Feliz. Whether you’re a neighborhood resident or a visitor planning to possibly move to the neighborhood, I’ve put together an itinerary for the perfect Los Feliz weekend.
Full disclosure: I live in Los Feliz! I’m in the Franklin Hills part of the neighborhood, so I may be a bit bias in my assessment of Los Feliz. But, if there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that Los Feliz is an extraordinarily walkable neighborhood. So leave your car at home and take a Lyft or public transit to get over here! Parking can be a bit difficult besides (but if you are driving, here’s a parking pro-tip: park on New Hampshire or Berendo North of Franklin).
Los Feliz is a neighborhood that strongly promotes community among its residents and visitors. Don’t be surprised if you see some of the same people in the morning and again in the afternoon and again at night. It truly does feel like a village, which is exactly why we call the epicenter of the ‘hood Los Feliz Village. You’ll find most of the shops, bars and restaurants along Hillhurst Avenue, with another cluster of pedestrian-friendly activity on Vermont Avenue. So if you are in the mood for gourmet Italian food and art supplies for your next creative venture, Los Feliz is the place, and all within walking distance. This is one hip eclectic neighborhood whose laid-back charms are best explored on foot.
Read on for the best things to do in Los Feliz!
(And let’s just just get this out of the way up front, it’s pronounced Los FEE-lisz.)
Friday Night 5pm – 6pm
Welcome to the neighborhood! I promise you’ll love it here. You’ll notice at once, there are less cars, less traffic, less people! It’s a relaxed and relaxing place to be. But that doesn’t mean the neighborhood isn’t happening and busy. Settle in, and let’s get going.
Friday Night 6pm – 9pm
Cross over Hollywood Boulevard and climb up to Barnsdall Art Park for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark, temple-like Hollyhock House. Be sure to go back up to Barnsdall Art Park for Friday Night Wine Tastings. With stunning views overlooking the city, the event will totally become one of your new favorite events in all of Los Angeles. This event is 21 and over, and that includes babies. Silverlake Wine curates the fine selections of boutique artisinal wines and a number of food trucks are always on hand plus micro pop-ups by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and The Cheese Store of Silverlake.
Friday Night 9pm – 11pm
Next head just up the street for dinner and drinks at the ultra charming Figaro Bistro. If you can, definitely get a table on the sidewalk outside, perfect for open air dining and people watching. During the evening, Los Feliz’s creative clas huddle at the bar, swapping screenwriting secrets over aperitifs, while diners squeeze into red banquettes. The Parisian fin de siècle décor is re-created with French antiques, cast-iron chandeliers and a zinc bar. The menu includes Bistro standards such as garlic butter escargots, imported cheese platters and a beef Carpaccio topped with parmesan cheese. Croissants, chocolate croissants, baguettes and pastries are baked fresh each morning in the adjoining bakery. I recommend the boeuf bourguignon, which could give Julia Child a run for her money.
Fright Night & Saturday Morning 12am – 9am
It’s true that hotels in Los Feliz are scarce. In fact, there really aren’t any! Of course you could get an affordable AirbNb or stay downtown or in Hollywood, but there are two unique options Los Feliz has recently started offering. The first is Los Feliz Lodge. From the street on Sunset Drive you wouldn’t know this was a hotel. It’s a row of cute Spanish-style bungalows. The four detached bungalows include a comfortable living room, fully-equipped kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and queen size beds so it’s perfect if you plan on staying in the neighborhood for a week or more. But I recommend Hotel Covell. You could have a drink at Bar Covell and walk upstairs to your stylish, hip bedroom and turn in for the night. Each of the five suites feels like an apartment, complete with an array of amenities that are ideal for hosting short or long-term guests. They’re a favorite for those working in the music, film and television industry while in Los Angeles. Another great idea? Come to Los Feliz with friends and rent all five guest suites, plus Bar Covell’s private (and oddly affordable) private room. Wherever you lay your head, I know you’ll wake up the next morning excited to explore more of Los Feliz.
Saturday Morning 9am – 1oam
First, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you start your day with a cup of coffee or tea. Thankfully, Los Feliz has no shortage of coffee shops (there’s even a Starbucks being added to our neighborhood’s “Caffeine Alley” on Hillhurst). What’s great about Los Feliz is you can switch up your daily caffeine fix based on your mood. Feel in the mood for an latte with a side of avocado toast? Try the recently opened Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood. The outdoor patio is the place to be on mornings in the ‘hood. Or maybe you’d like a nice drip and a comfy chair to read the Times for an hour? Hit up H Coffee on Hillhurst. Don’t worry, they serve avocado toast as well. But the coolest coffee on the block might belong to Maru, also on Hillhurst. This minimalist and immaculate space is not the most relaxing place to hang out but they serve a damn fine cup of coffee. Oh, and Blue Bottle just opened up the street too!
Saturday Morning 10am – 2pm
Hiking in Griffith Park. Feeling intrepid? Hike the two-mile trail up to the art deco hilltop Griffith Observatory. Be sure to bring your SPF! And if you feel so inspired after your hike, check out Friends of Griffith Park: they work to preserve Griffith Park as L.A.’s signature green and open space, a place of free recreation, and a linchpin in the survival of Southern California’s native ecosystems. Like that coyote up there. Here’s a great list from KCET on some underseen Griffith Park wonders.
Saturday Afternoon 2pm – 3pm
Head down for lunch at Trails Cafe at the bottom of Griffith Park. Get one of their signature sandwich and a slice of pie. Trails Cafe overlooks the lovely Fern Dell, a shaded, rustic oasis equally stocked with relaxing strolls and hiking trailheads. It’ll be the freshest peach pie you’ll ever have, and even if it’s a hot Southern California day, Trails Cafe gets an insanely nice hillside breeze.
Saturday Afternoon 3pm – 8pm
Catch a movie at the Vista Theatre, a historic movie palace built in 1923 and known for its Egyptian decor, massive screen, lots of legroom, and for its kooky owner who takes tickets dressed in costumes inspired by the films. Also, tickets are only $6 bucks before 6pm. For more indie fare, there’s the three screen Los Feliz 3 on Vermont, also shockingly affordable.
Saturday Night 8pm – 10pm
Trek back down the hill for dinner on one of L.A.’s most idyllic patios at Alcove Cafe and Bakery, which serves up large, unfussy plates in its twinkle-lit courtyard, with top-notch whimsical cocktails at the adjoining Big Bar. Or why not try Little Dom’s, a neighborhood mainstay and a favorite of many actors and artists living on this side of town. All of Little Dom’s dishes are fantastic, but, of course, start with the margherita pie!
Saturday Night 1opm – 1am
Afterward, make sure to visit lounge legends Marty and Elayne performing at The Dresden Room. Inside this martini-stained, mid-century bar, the indefatigable husband and wife couple Marty and Elayne Roberts have been performing jazz and endearingly kitschy takes on modern hits for over 35 years. They are truly iconic Angelenos, living landmarks that are a constant in our ever-evolving town. If you come to Los Feliz, you can’t miss them.
Sunday Morning 9am – 11am
We’ve reached Sunday brunch, and no neighborhood does it better than Los Feliz. Lately I’ve been loving Messhall‘s steak and eggs, but they also offer plenty of vegetarian and vegan options if you’re feeling like you’ve got to reset your pallet for the week ahead. Messhall also has awesome drinks, including a delicious meal-in-itself Bloody Mary and bottomless mimosas.
Sunday Morning 12am – 2pm
Shopping time! Take your coffee or tea to go and swing by the airy, extremely well-curated Skylight Books, the longtime neighborhood independent bookshop (and one of the last surviving in Los Angeles). Do some vintage shopping at Squaresville or Cherry Pick, the latter a favorite of local lady Chloe Sevigny. As with all vintage shops finds can be hit or miss, but I always seem to have luck at these two stores. There’s also a Steven Alan outpost on Hillhurst with some nice deals for men, women, and children. For other great shopping, try Otherwild, a bohemian gift shop with goods by local artists, clothes, workshops & graphic-design services. the indescribable assortment of pop culture at Soap Plant Wacko.
Saturday Afternoon 2pm – 5pm
You’ve walked a bit. Built up a hunger for tacos, maybe? Los Feliz has you covered. Yuca’s on Hillhurst is a casual favorite of many, especially their tiny outdoor shaded patio. But there’s also the Best Fish Tacos in Enseñada. There’s a local debate going on on who does them better. My advice? Try both.
Cheers!
Tatiana
Did you have the perfect weekend in Los Feliz? What were some of the shops, restaurants, and experiences you may have stumbled upon that I’ve missed? Let me know!
And if you’d like a tour of the neighborhood or to see some homes for sale in Los Feliz, email me at tatiana.tensen@sothebyshomes.com or call me at (937) 242-2349!