Living Like a Los Feliz Local

One of my favorite neighborhoods in all of L.A. is the east-side hipster haven, Los Feliz Village. This neighborhood0d has an abundance of hip boutiques, eateries of all types, and independently owned galleries, and the best part is it's all located within a few walking friendly blocks. It's situated directly East of Hollywood, North of Silverlake, the other happening East-Side neighborhood, and just South of Griffith Park. It is located off of the 101 and I-5, and is conveniently positioned off of the Metro Red Line Stop at Vermont and Sunset.

A couple of weeks ago I dragged a few friends from Whittier out of our little hide-away and into Los Feliz. We had an awsome day, starting with a stop at Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Ennis House, off to The Griffith Observatory for a killer sunset, then ending on Hillhurst in Los Feliz for a highly anticipated bar hopping happy hour.

Ennis House

by Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned architect, built the Ennis house in his signature textile block style for Mabel and Charles Ennis in 1924. Unfortunately you can't go inside because it is currently under rehabilitation, but the building itself is worth the visit, and the view from on top of the hill, adjacent to Griffith Park, doesn't hurt either.

by Frank Lloyd Wright

2655 Glendower Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-0607

http://www.ennishouse.org/

Griffith Observatory

We next ventured off to the nearby Griffith Observatory, in Griffith Park off of Vermont Ave., to take in the view of those burning L.A. sunsets. There is no admission cost to enter the observatory and take in its stately views.

2800 East Observatory Road

Los Angeles, CA 90027

213-473-0800

http://www.griffithobservatory.org/

Vinoteca Farfalla

After watching the sun go down my friends and I decided to head to Vinoteca Farfalla a hidden boutique wine bar on Hillhurst to enjoy some half-off Italian and Brazilian inspired appetizers and discounted wines and beer on tap. Although not in the wine mood we all opted for the discounted Stellas and dug into some killer food including and assortment of well prepared empanadas, crispy Parmesan cheese, and a creative take on bruschetta...yum.

Happy hour is 5pm-7pm daily.

1968 Hillhurst Avenue,

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323.661.8070

http://www.vinotecafarfalla.com/

Tangier Restaurant and Lounge

After some serious food and wine bliss at Vinoteca we continued our happy hour fun up the street at Tangier Restaurant and Lounge. This Saharan inspired venue sports some seriously discounted cocktails ($3 cosmopolitans!), and although we left a little early if you go also consider sticking around for the nightly entertainment.

Happy hour is served 5:30pm-7pm daily.

2138 Hillhurst Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-1033

http://www.tangierrestaurant.net/

Welcome to Los Angeles

I am starting this blog for a number of reasons, the main one being that I want to encourage others to take advantage of the state and city that we to go to school, and yes, live in. In fact, I think that for many of you, this location was a huge draw when picking where you pursued your higher education. But now that you are here, you are probably thinking “I don’t even know how/where to start exploring this city”.

Since my first year at Whittier College (I’m currently a senior) I have seen a definite interest from my classmates regarding what Southern California and Los Angeles has to offer, but I have also noticed a distinct lack of action. So… I have decided that it isn't due to lack of interest or motivation that many Whittier and Southern California College student's aren't taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities around them, so what is it?

This is where I hope to come in. I have come to find that many student's don't have the time, knowledge or motivation to investigate, plan and encourage others to actually make their desire to explore become a reality. There is a endless wealth of opportunities, destinations, locations and explorations in the Los Angeles area, and it can be seriously daunting to figure out where to start. I however, am one of few people who enjoy this research and planning process and who is willing to motivate (and sometimes force) my friends to leave the comfort of our campus and explore what is out there in the "real world." Most of them will tell you it is (almost) always worth it in the end.

The purpose of this blog will be to give others the where, when, how, and why of getting off campus and into the big, bad, beautiful world of Los Angeles. I will be posting new and interesting locations, information about them, experiences from past trips and will be letting people know of future trips to come.

I am indeed hoping to motivate as many people as possible to venture out. Many of us are here for only a short period of time and will then return to our homes of origin. It would be the greatest tragedy of all to have come all this way and not be able to say you explored the city of Los Angeles.

I am also encouraging everyone to send me feedback, lots of feedback:

Let me know places you might want to visit and learn more about (beaches, restaurants, vintage shops, hiking..?).

What have been your obstacles in getting off campus (transportation, time, money, knowledge of the area?).

How do you like the format of the blog? Is the information helpful?

All comments would be helpful!

Welcome to Los Angeles,

Whitney

PS here are a few photos for motivation.

Sunsets in Venice Beach.

(some of the best in L.A.)

Happy Hour at Cuba Libre in Los Feliz

Rockin' out to Steel Panther in Hollywood

(Weekly 80s cover band)

Hiking in Griffith Park