Will
London, United Kingdom
Hi, I live in Brixton, London and will be visiting LA around Xmas time. I am looking for the same kind of vibe, not necessarily Caribbean but laid back, reasonable, edgy and full of nighttime options. I have beenreading about Echo Park / Silver Lake but part of me was also thinking Venice would nice ? Ideally - this is LA I know - I would like to be able to go out for dinner / drinks on foot and walk back home. Thoughts / Ideas?
You got it, but in addition I would throw in Downtown Los Angeles and Los Feliz as options.
With that being said, my number one choice would still be Venice Beach (and not just because I live there!). Walkable, edgy, artsy...but you also get the ocean. Stay anywhere close to Abbot Kinney Blvd, where you can walk home from many delicious meals at Gjelina (make reservations in advance), or their takeout option Gjelina Take Away, Tasting Kitchen, Venice Beach Wines, Salt Air, or get drinks for sunset on the High Rooftop Bar at Hotel Erwin. If you have any specific questions, happy to help further.
As for downtown, my favorite area is the Los Angeles Arts District which is really worth a visit. So many great options like tasting local beers at Angel City Brewery, or dinner (amazing italian) at Bestia, eating a slice at The Pie Hole, and enjoying coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee Downtown (now Blue Bottle Coffee). Close by I recommend enjoying cocktails on the rooftop at Perch, or the speakeasy The Varnish, grabbing a breakfast sandwich at Eggslut, and Mexican food at Bar Ama.
As for Los Feliz, you have Hillhurst Ave, where you must get dinner Little Dom's or check out Messhall Kitchen. You can't go wrong with the pizza at Lucifers, margs at El Chavo, and brunch at Home Restaurant. Plus you can easily hike Griffith Observatory for some exercise and amazing views (if that's your thing).
Close by is Silver Lake, and I would recommend Sunset blvd for places like Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Sqirl for the prosciutto sandwich, Pine & Crane for Chinese (so good!), Cafe Stella for dinner, and Mohawk Bend for a casual fun vibe. Also, L & E Oyster Bar for some oysters. Although I love this area, I would say this is less walkable due to the hills.
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You are dead on the money. Echo Park, Silver Lake and Venice Beach.
Venice is my favourite though when it comes to being able to walk around. Los Angeles is a driving city and Venice Beach in my opinion is the only real walking-friendly place with distances being manageable. And Santa Monica is not too far away with a ton of "walkable" options too.
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Venice Beach sounds most like you will love it. 2nd place Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock (California) or Highland Park. You got it right :) If you do Silverlake you can bike to Los Feliz, Eagle Rock and Highland Park... :) But I am a eastside girl myself.... so I should not talk toooo much :p
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