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
Pack a picnic basket and climb up to Barnsdall Art Park for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark, temple-like Hollyhock House and stay 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 – 10pm
After your wine and picnic imbibing, you’ll need dessert. Nearly next door is McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s LA’s original creamery and, dare I say, best? It’s the frozen gold standard of ice cream. You’ll fall in love. It’s creamy, decadent, and comforting. Get the mint chip.
Fright Night & Saturday Morning 10pm – 9am
Next door is Bar Covell and upstairs is Hotel Covell. 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 I recommend Hotel Covell. Have a nightcap 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. Wherever you lay your head, I know you’ll wake up the next morning excited to explore more of Los Feliz.
Saturday Morning 8am – 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. You can roll out of bed and try the recently opened Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood. (It’s next door to your hotel). The outdoor patio is the place to be on mornings in the ‘hood. 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?
Saturday Morning 10am – 11am
Across the street stop by Wacko, a huge offbeat shop that offers an eclectic (and weird) range of pop-culture ephemera, novelties, housewares, and gifts. It’s also a nice little piece of neighborhood and fashion history: Wacko opened back in 1971. It began as a small family-run shop in Los Feliz Village by the Shire Family. Barbara Shire sold her hand-crafted soaps, Hank Shire designed the graphics for the shop and they ran the store with the help of their two sons, Peter and Billy. Peter Shire worked-out original ceramics and Billy Shire created authentic leatherware. Billy’s outrageous leather outfits garnered him clients like The New York Dolls and Elton John. In 1974, Billy gained even greater notoriety when his studded denim jacket won a design competition sponsored by Levi Strauss. Billy’s custom jacket was later displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as part of their “Made in California: Art, Image, and Identity, 1900 – 2000″ exhibition and epitomizes the hand-made fashions of 1970s American counter-culture era.
Saturday Afternoon 11am – 12pm
Head back to your room to drop off your Wacko purchases (I’m assuming you’ll have some) and fuel up at HomeState – excellent breakfast tacos. It’s a warm, rustic-style cafe fixing up tacos, queso & Central Texas-inspired chow for breakfast & lunch. You’ll need the protein because next up we’re going HIKING.
Saturday Afternoon 12pm – 2pm
Feeling intrepid? Hike the two-mile trail up to the art deco hilltop Griffith Observatory. Be sure to bring your SPF! Griffith Park offers many, many different hiking trails and loops. Modern Hiker offers a nice little rundown. 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. There’s also the old abandoned LA Zoo that’s a fun little wonder you’ll love exploring.
Saturday Afternoon 2pm – 4pm
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 4pm – 7pm
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 7pm – 10pm
Dinner at 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! And for a real feast, you can’t go wrong with the pastas. You’ll love the Crescenza & Burrata Agnolotti with heirloom tomato & basil or the Paccheri with house made sausage, sage, & Ricotta.
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
Kismet is a bright and minimalist spot from Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson (Madcapra) that sports blonde woods and white furniture, a semi-open kitchen and overall communal vibe. It’s my new favorite Los Feliz breakfast spot. You’ll love the poached chicken & arugula salad with chili, tomato & basil. Egg dishes include the freekeh polenta with lamb, green chili, charred cabbage & a poached egg and the shakshuka: poached eggs in tomato stew, served with bread.
Sunday Morning 12am – 2pm
Shopping time! Vermont has a bunch of great shops and boutiques for you to explore. 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). Co-Op 28 is a funky shop selling antiques & unique items such as jewelry, clothes and cards made by local artists. 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. For other great shopping, try Otherwild, a bohemian gift shop with goods by local artists, clothes, workshops & graphic-design services.
Sunday Afternoon 2pm – 5pm
Top your weekend off with a decadent brunch at neighborhood staple Figaro Bistro. Happy hour is every day from 4-7pm. The vibe here is one-of-a-kind. Figaro is a vibrant French eatery lures locals to its sidewalk tables, and red banquettes with classic bistro fare. 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.
– 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) 243-2349!