Los Angeles

A few years on, and still the coolest neighborhood in Los Angeles. The hip kids are becoming slightly wealthier adults, with retail following the trendy money: Sunset Junction is now home to the longest meals in town, fancy salons, local designer boutiques, and enough specialty stores to fill a giant supermarket, from cheese to spices. But don’t grow up too fast—there’s still plenty of fun nightlife, from live music venues to cool cocktail lounges.

Landmarks

• Angelus Temple • 1100 Glendale Blvd
213-816-1109
Founder claimed the Lord led her to the site.

• Dodger Stadium • 1000 Elysian Park Ave
323-224-1507
With a view like this, who needs luxury boxes?

• Echo Park • Glendale Blvd & Park Ave
The paddle boats alone are worth a trip.

• Richard Neutra Houses • 2200 Silver Lake Blvd
A can’t-miss for architecture buffs.

• Rowena Reservoir • Hyperion Ave & Rowena Ave
This strategically landscaped reservoir contains 10 million gallons of water and cost a few more million to build.

• Silver Lake Reservoir • Silver Lake Blvd & Duane St
Take a jog, a stroll, and a dog! There is an off-leash dog park at the reservoir’s base.

Nightlife

• 55 Degree Wine • 3111 Glendale Blvd
323-662-5556
Tasting room and shop. Surly service; good selection.

• Bigfoot Lodge • 3172 Los Feliz Blvd
323-662-9227
It’s too bad boy scouts don’t drink.

• Club Tee Gee • 3210 Glendale Blvd
323-669-9631
Dependable watering hole since 1946.

• The Echo • 1822 W Sunset Blvd
213-413-8200
Eastside hipster haven for DJ electronica and dancing.

• Gold Room • 1558 W Sunset Blvd
213-482-5259
Looks scarier from the outside than it is.

• The Griffin • 3000 Los Feliz Blvd
323-644-0444
Casual-yet-classy spot for whiskey and beer.

• Hyperion Tavern • 1941 Hyperion Ave
323-665-1941
Ex-S&M bar. Current boho hub. Offbeat entertainment. No liquor.

• Little Joy Cocktail Lounge • 1477 W Sunset Blvd
213-250-3417
Hipsters have the hegemony on this one; Sunday open mics showcase scribes & neo-Elliott Smiths

• Pins and Needles • 1623 Allesandro St
323 313 9449
Awesome old pinball machines. BYOB!

• Red Lion Tavern • 2366 Glendale Blvd
323-662-5337
Year-round Oktoberfest, plus schnitzel.

• The Roost • 3100 Los Feliz Blvd
323-664-7272
Cheap drinks, free popcorn, no frills.

• The Satellite • 1717 Silver Lake Blvd
323-661-4380
Formerly Spaceland, currently housing the live (indie) rock.

• The Short Stop • 1455 W Sunset Blvd
213-482-4942
Cool dive bar, seasonally packed with Dodger fans.

• Silverlake Lounge • 2906 W Sunset Blvd
323-663-9636
Silver Lake’s holy church of rock ‘n’ roll salvation.

• Tam O’Shanter • 2980 Los Feliz Blvd
323-664-0228
Me want prime rib and beer. Grrr.

• Thirsty Crow • 2939 W Sunset Blvd
323-661-6007
Cool, calm whiskey bar on the retro-Prohibition tip.

Restaurants

• Astro Family Restaurant • 2300 Fletcher Dr
323-663-9241 • $
Relaxed ‘50s modern diner.

• ATX by Kitchen12000 • 3245 Casitas Ave
323-522-3488 •
Good food almost makes up for the dumb name.

• Baracoa Cuban Café • 3175 Glendale Blvd
323-665-9590 • $
Home-style Cuban cooking.

• Barbrix • 2442 Hyperion Ave
323-662-2442 • $$
Affordable Euro-wine and food in LA? Yup, it’s true.

• Black Hogg • 2852 W Sunset Blvd
323-953-2820 • $$$
Another “New American” place, but this one’s good. Chicken liver!

• Blair’s • 2903 Rowena Ave
323-660-1882 • $$$$
Silver Lake’s premier eatery.

• Dusty’s • 3200 W Sunset Blvd
323-906-1018 • $$$
Eclectic French bistro.

• Edendale Grill • 2838 Rowena Ave
323-666-2000 • $$$$
Former fire station serves American favorites . . . dine in or dine out.

• Elf Cafe • 2135 W Sunset Blvd
213-484-6829 • $$
No sign, just look for the line. Miranda July frequently holds court.

• Giamela’s Submarine Sandwiches •
3178 Los Feliz Blvd
323-661-9444 •
When you need a reliably good sub: Giamela’s.

• Gingergrass • 2396 Glendale Blvd
323-644-1600 • $$
Upscale Vietnamese food for a gringo palate.

OK—let’s stop rambling on about how this area is oh-so-hip and discuss all the great things to do. Feel like a king (or at least a baron) drinking in the castle-like interior of The Griffin, get beautiful views (and make your legs burn) walking the stairs in the hills near the reservoir, or catch some comedy and music at The Echo. Oh, and that Silversun Liquor? That’s where the Pickups got their name.

• Gobi Mongolian BBQ • 2827 Sunset Blvd
213-989-0711 • $$
Fill up the bowl, throw it on the grill.

• The Griffin • 3000 Los Feliz Blvd
323-644-0444 •
Standard gastropub fare in an space fit for plotting.

• Hard Times Pizza • 1311 Glendale Blvd
213-413-1900 • $$
Sicilian- and Neopolitan-style pies to take out or eat in.

• India Sweets and Spices • 3126 Los Feliz Blvd
323-345-0360 • $$
Vegetarian delicacies, Indian groceries, and Bollywood hits under one roof.

• Leela Thai • 1737 Silver Lake Blvd
323-660-6100 • $$
Inexpensive, delicious, friendly.

• Los Angeles Police Revolver & Athletic Club Cafe • 1880 Academy Dr
323-221-5222 • $
Dine with the cadets.

• Mae Ploy • 2606 W Sunset Blvd
213-353-9635 • $$
Home-style Thai food served with a smile.

• Masa of Echo Park • 1800 W Sunset Blvd
213-989-1558 • $
Neighborhood bakery and pizza house run by Patina vets.

• Nicky D’s Wood Fired Pizza • 2764 Rowena Ave
323-664-3333 • $$
Friendly local spot for NYC-style pies. Try the Garlic Clam pizza.

• Pazzo Gelato • 1910 W Sunset Blvd
213-353-9263 •
It’s creamy. It’s delicious. Get the salted caramel.

• Rambutan Thai • 2835 W Sunset Blvd
213-273-8424 • $$
Trendy but good Thai favorites.

• Red Lion Tavern • 2366 Glendale Blvd
323-662-5337 • $$
Go for the German brats.

• Sage Organic Vegan Bistro • 1700 W Sunset Blvd
213-989-1718 • $$
Large-menu vegan spot. Perfect for a pre-Echoplex bite.

• Silverlake Ramen • 2927 Sunset Blvd
323-660-8100 • $
A perfect cool-weather evening: ramen, then Thirsty Crow.

• Spain • 1866 Glendale Blvd
323-667-9045 • $$
Sangria and paella without the airfare.

• Taix • 1911 W Sunset Blvd
213-484-1265 • $$
Say “Tex” and check out “Two-fer Tuesdays” for double the wine at this French standard.

• Thank You For Coming • 3416 Glendale Blvd
323-648-2666 •
Ever-changing experimental restaurant with cool residency program.

• Tomato Pie Pizza Joint • 2457 Hyperion Ave
323-661-6474 • $$
East Coast-style pizza for expatriates & those sick of vegan fare.

• The Village Bakery and Cafe • 3119 Los Feliz Blvd
323-662-8600 •
Solid sandwiches and utterly delightful pastries.

Shopping

• A Runner’s Circle • 3216 Los Feliz Blvd
323-661-8971
A great place to get fitted for running shoes.

• Echo Country Outpost • 1930 Echo Park Ave
323-667-9606
For pretending you live in the woods.

• Echo Park Time Travel Mart • 1714 W Sunset Blvd
213-413-3388
Everything you need before you take a road trip through the fourth dimension.

• Little Knittery • 3195 Glendale Blvd
323-663-3838
Cozy and friendly knitting store with fun classes.

• Potted • 3158 Los Feliz Blvd
323-665-3801
Tiles, fountains, wrought-iron furniture, enthusiastic advice from “exterior decorators.”

• Rockaway Records • 2395 Glendale Blvd
323-664-3232
5000 square feet of used vinyl and CDs.

• Silver Lake Wine • 2395 Glendale Blvd
323-662-9024
Snacks and hors d’oeuvres served with tastings at this convivial wine store.