Parking is god awful, I'm gonna be real, but mostly is free if you can find street parking or in…read morelimited lots so it's not the biggest evil in all of LA. Lots of culture, history, and art on these streets. Love the painted stairs all around and the artwork for the local school and other various buildings. Nice to see hills and the palm trees lining them and the main road as well. Eclectic and "hipster-y" vibes and community, so you get lots of interesting community shops, businesses, and eateries, but also some really high end ones as well. I really liked the super friendly cats that came out to say hi and get some pets at a local hookah lounge and that the local school there has a community garden and chickens. Can't say it's a place I'd regularly seek out and visit, but nice to stop by here and there.

"I've been waiting…read more.. I've been waiting for this moment all my life..." Reflecting on the history of Silver Lake over the last several decades it's amazing to learn and have seen it evolve with time from days of activism in the 60s advocating for equality across the board to present with much more inclusivity. I was born in LA near LAX, but didn't truly start exploring this side of the bustling streets of Los Angeles until about 12 years ago and even in that short span. Neighborhoods have changed, new businesses have popped up and a few great long-standing ones shut their doors. If you're visiting or local walking around this little big neighborhood can be quite fun with a little of everything from cuisine to cocktails. Clothing to cars and even the occasional local events like Off Sunset recently-ish (usually early Springtime each year), a collection of vendors and businesses supporting each other as well as the city of Silver Lake... Open to all and for all much like the city itself!! Transportation of the public variety isn't too bad as local city orange Metro busses such as the 2 or 4 (which run frequently and connect to the Metro B Line aka the Red at Vermont /Santa Monica and/or Vermont/Sunset). Some streets and areas are inclined with certain residences (homes, apartments, condos, and so on) being oddly placed out of the natural foundation, but it's part of the charm much like the Micheltorena Stairs off Micheltorena Street & Sunset Blvd, which does have a metro stop of course. The education system is primarily preschool, elementary, and middle school within the area with a private school going up to 12th just beyond Los Feliz. LACC or Los Angeles City College isn't too far outside Silver Lake for high education, but I'm not sure of too many other trade, career, or college-level schooling facilities within close proximity, but we do have plenty beyond that. Silver Lake has one of the best Los Angeles Public Libraries out of any you might visit, plus it's near the Silver Lake Reservoir and other hidden gems. Some of my favorite haunts in this city are definitely Intelligentsia, Akbar, El Cid, 4100 Bar, My Vegan Gold, The Black Cat, yes... that Del Taco!, Big Mac Liquor, and the Eagle bar to name a few. The best thing/upside about Silverlake is that it's very all-inclusive and welcoming, but the down thing besides the parking is the cost of living. It's creative, artistic, and very trendy.

This city turned out to be sort of a super fun Upscale city aside from Burbank and North Hollywood…read more(NOHO), CA., to explore around Los Angeles, CA border again. I had thematic rounds of local biz I have been Yelping to support here. I was in town in the 'City of Studio City,' was because I have been on a transfer mode for work for a short while, so I had some vacation time which is coming to a close soon. Any ways, the two businesses I located to support from the 'City of Studio City,' was 'Muse House Retreat,' where I met store owner, Lana and on-site counselor Leo who both helped me stay aligned, extremely calmed, and 400% confident everything was going to turn out more than I can ask or think of my life's 'next steps.' The other was '7-Eleven,' to locate free parking. The day I visited, I actually located free parking off the curb, but it was a block down the street. That was super fortunate for me, and was definitely my super lucky day. I'll be back again soon supporting more local biz here in the 'City of Studio City.' Cya again soon!!!!

Bestie and I lost a friend back in high school and we've made it an annual tradition to visit him…read moreat the nearby Forest Lawn. That said, that's when we usually find ourselves roaming around this beautiful and sorta quaint town of Studio City. I found myself here for an appointment and got to do a little more exploring. Lots of businesses along Ventura Blvd alone - I even spotted Jinya, one of the spots Bestie and I grubbed at before going to one of those aforementioned visits we make. I also noticed tons of people doing errands accompanied by their dogs - what a dog-friendly town this is! I also got the chance to drive around a few blocks' worth of residential neighborhood. There must be some speedsters running around these quiet blocks because there were "slow down" and "15 MPH ONLY" signs... Such clean neighborhoods, from what I saw. My favorite thing is that although Los Angeles County have eased up on the mask mandate, people till took caution and kept their masks on as well as distanced socially. Good lookin' out! And street parking was more than reasonable: $1/hr is a bargain! I already found a few possible places Bestie and I will be eating at when that annual visit come around... looking forward to more exploring!

All the years that I had lived here, I never thought to pen a review until now. One of my favorite…read moreneighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, NoHo is very diverse in several ways, economically, demographics, education, and homeownership to renters, to name a few. The claim to fame is the Arts District. There are several theaters, small actor studios, dance schools and Hollywood industry support infrastructure. Other attractions are the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The Iliad Book Store, The Amelia Earhart Park and Library, Phil's Diner and the Masonic Temple, to consider. Some of my favorite restaurants are Cascabel, Rustic Spoon, Porto's Bakery, Morrison's and Prosecco Trattoria. There are several bars, shops and neighborhood gems in NoHo to checkout and explore, enjoy

The Alley located on Lankershim near Magnolia in North Hollywood.. just kicked-off there Brunch…read moreMenu on Saturday/Sunday. What a delicious way to start your day! I had the freshly made Bacon, Egg, Cheese Burrito! OMG! The Best! Many options to choose from. Brunch starts at 8:00am

The city of Chatsworth is a surprising one. It's got some great hidden gems like Chatsworth Park…read moreSouth (North needs some love), Artvanta Art Museum (which needs some Yelp love ;) #AddABusiness if you've been) and Hand-Brewed Beer (just refreshing for craft brew enthusiasts). And a lot of familiar chains like Ralph's, Dollar Tree, Vons, Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet (my fav), Del Taco (fast food taco king in the SFV) and one of the cleanest Burger Kings I've set foot inside more than once. The Anytime Fitness (so nice, clean and full of wonderful people) is just above the Chatsworth Metrolink station where you can also connect with several city and local busses as well as the Metro G Orange Line for the San Fernando Valley. Like all cities there is some grime, grit, graffiti (though not as much) and interesting characters, but also some charm and history. They have several public and private schools (almost 50/50) including Chatsworth High School which has a ton of notable alumni including Alex Borstein, Kirk Cameron, Lori Beth Denberg, basketball player Dwight Evans... and even Mr. CrossFit himself Greg Glassman. In terms of living and housing it's a little more on the secluded side in parts as most residences are in small neighborhoods and communities. It's not as cost affordable though you can possible find a nice spacious studio under $2K, but you're looking at much more for a 1 bedroom and up for an apartment, condo or townhome.... though Northridge, which borders Chatsworth has some more reasonable property being a college city (CSUN). I had a friend who lived up near the Garden of the Gods (trails and additional local flavor) and the old infamous Iverson Movie Ranch I'd visit a lot and got to see a lot of this city I never knew with some beautiful views. It's easy to drive, cruise and take it all in. You can enjoy some good cuisines including Indian, Vegan, Thai, Japanese, Comfort, American, Mexican and numerous others. Vegan My Thai is a must, Woodlands on Topanga Canyon Blvd has an incredible Indian Buffet and Paint with A Twist (a paint and sip creative space) is high up on my must try list. Topanga Nursery is great for plant enthusiast as well as Paradise Nursery, which lives up to its name and known more so for it's incredible fruit trues (planting + delivery services are available). For entertainment you have the California Conservatory of Performing Arts, Harley's Valley Bowl in Simi Valley... not to far away from the Santa Susana Depot/Railroad Museum plus local Magician and DJs for your party bliss or pop-up events pleasure. The closest movie theaters are the AMC Northridge, AMC Porter Ranch or Regency Granada Hills, but non directly in the city itself... for night/barlife you have more laidback or niche fun like the Cowboy Palace Saloon, The Rabbit Hole (technically in West Hills), 818 Brewery (Canoga Park), Olive & Fig (which borders West Hills, Canoga Park and Chatsworth) and a few others including several dive bar and venues, which can sometimes surprise you much like the city of Chatsworth itself.

If you love doing Taco Crawls in Highland Park, then you'll love the Boyle Heights Latino Food…read moreFair. Imagine all your fave Latino street food vendors congregating in one parking lot and this is pretty much what the place is. It started informally a few years a go with just a few vendors, but now when you go there in the evenings, its a full blown food fair. A variety tacos, including fresh hand made tortillas. Check. Champurado? Check. Pupusas? Check. Agua fresca? Check. Taquitos? Check. Fresh churros? Check. Heck, they even have a cart lady that makes crepes. I think the only missing were missing was a paletas vendor. You name it in terms of Latino street food and odds are they will have it here. The vendors are sell primarily Mexican and El Salvadorean street cuisine. They even have the El Salvadorean style tamales that I prefer over the Mexican ones. The food vendors start arriving in dusk and by 8 PM or so, they are out in full force. Best time to visit is on a weekend night, but many of the vendors are also there during week nights. Most of the dishes cost between $1.00 to $2.50. Its basically a Latino smorgasbord. And the food quality? It ranges from good to excellent, depending on what vendor and what item you purchase. This is a CASH only place. They will not accept credit/debit cards. however, if you forget to bring cash and have an ATM card, the Fair is conveniently located beside a BofA with 2 ATMs. The only downside is that there are no restrooms nearby. So arrive with an empty bladder before you load up on the agua frescas and other specialty beverages the various vendors offer. They take over a parking lot beside a Bank Of America. Its between the I-5 freeway and Soto Street. When driving on Cesar Chavez, just look for the B of A and the Big Buy Foods. The cross street is Breed. There is still parking available on the lot - you can pay by quarters or credit card. Its $1 per hour. after 9 PM, parking is free. Or you can look for parking in the nearby streets as well.

This place was such a gem to find and I owe it all to Robert H.!!! We have been back now more than…read moreonce and I can't say anything bad about this place. I mean it is what it is which is.... a bunch of Latin food stands in a parking lot behind the B of A. You can find anything from sopes, empanadas, tacos, arroz con leche, gorditas, quesadillas, pig skin, hand made tortillas, churros, squash flower, pupusas, bananas, strawberries and yogurt, crepes, bread friend in pork fat, I mean I don't know the names of alot of this stuff because lets face it, been a while since my 9th grade Spanish class and we certainly didn't cover street foods. Point is it is hot, it is fresh and made to order with the price totally right $1-3 for just about everything. Check it out some weekend in the evening if you get a chance.

I've always loved Santa Monica. The college days where the beach was the spot for after classes and…read moreweekends. Then the big kid job where I got my start at Fred Segal making money. Oh those days are long gone. The hub for it all would have been third street promenade and the pier. Fast forward decades later, it is nothing compared to what it used to be. Of course you still have the beautiful homes north Montana and so on. But mainly you think of Santa Monica with the pier and water. Now it's just a faded memory. The bluff park and walkway is still beautiful with the scenery. But there's the homeless effect here and there all over LA. The view is still beautiful. Then there's the third street promenade. Like wtf happened there. Stores have completely disappeared while empty storefront line the boardwalk. The days of busy shoppers and lookers walking by and restaurants with waiting lines to get in. Now it's like a ghost town with random shops here and there. Three blocks of shops and restaurants has completely vanished. You still have random shops open here and there but it definitely not what it used to be. Covid did have a big impact with shoppers now just doing everything online. What's the fun in that. But Santa Monica still has its luster. You know it's alway going to bring people in with the hotspot. The beaches, the pier, PCH, Main Street and not far from it, the Venice boardwalk which connects through along the boardwalk. Santa Monica has its flaws but the beauty outtakes it all. A nice afternoon grabbing lunch along ocean blvd and walking along the bluff to a fun experience on the pier and beach. Water situation is a little iffy. But everyone knows Santa Monica and will keep coming.

Santa Monica is a wonderful place. From the European style 13th street promenade to Pacific Park…read morethis city is a BLAST! Now it does have some problems with homelessness similar to LA it still looks way nicer and I am proud to be living here

Back in Little Ethiopia!…read more This small slice of culture in the mix of Central Los Angeles with awesome eats, artsy beats, cool shops and bits of tranquility. My primary doctor is a short stroll away so I pass through and by a lot, but actually got to have a nice sit down post routine check up meal and go in for the frills. Rahel's Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine is a must stop dream! I enjoy them when they do pop ups at events for sure, but nothing beats an in person experience. Vintage Treasures and Repairs is a great vintage jewelry, clothing furniture as well as repairs shop. Cannonball & Tilly is a fun thrift store that encompasses a good portion of the neighborhood and 45 Three Modern Vintage Home is thee used, vintage & consignment one truly should explore with so much amazing art. Fun markets via Merkato and Buna, which both double as restaurant/cafes. Don't forget to enjoy the iconic Paradocs Coffee and Tea featured on Infatuation LA last year, and a personal favorite of mine. That coffee is 10/10. Open to all, teatastic teas, and good vibes for everybody. You'll discover fun flyers and/or posters for music nights, events, etc., Take in the greenery throughout and large sidewalks with a mid street crosswalk, for a very pedestrian friendly area. I've only driven over once or twice, but parking is pretty adventurous. I recommend metro or rideshare. And often catch the LA Metro 217 bus over from the Hollywood area over, which goes down Fairfax and even stops at The Grove along the way. Always a great part of the city to enjoy #SupportSmallBiz #SupportCultureinLA

First time visiting Little Ethiopia, which finds itself located mostly on Fairfax Avenue with a…read moremyriad of shops, store, and other businesses. You can easily walk through the entirety of it in an afternoon and I'm sure they host community events and celebrate here too. I'm not usually in this area, so it was a treat that the Gintama Art Exhibit was randomly hosted here. There are so many options for dining here, so hopefully one day we'll be back in the area to try more or to get a drink from one of the businesses. We saw some shops selling vintage goods and a grocery store too. There were casual coffee spots, sit down restaurants that were banquet style, a buffet, and much more. Way too much for an afternoon and for only 1 stomach in that sense. Strong community feeling here as I saw the businesses owners chatting with each other and locals coming in and greeting them like lifelong friends. Parking can be free, but just be wary of where you park and READ THE SIGNS.

Porter Ranch is a beautiful and peaceful neighborhood with a clean, suburban feel. The area is…read morewell‑maintained, and the views of the hills make it feel calm and relaxing. It's quiet enough for evening walks, and I always feel safe whether I'm out early in the morning or later at night. It can get breezy at times, but the fresh air adds to the charm. Shopping and dining are convenient -- everything you need is close by, from grocery stores to restaurants and cafés. The Vineyards is a great spot for food, errands, and quick stops.Traffic is manageable, and parking is rarely an issue, which is a big plus. The community feels friendly, and the overall vibe is calm and family‑oriented. I enjoy hiking at the Limekiln Canyon Trail and watching movies at the AMC 9 theater. There's also a big congregation at Good Shepherd which adds to the strong community feel. When it comes to schools, Porter Ranch has solid options - Public & Charter Schools as well as Private & Specialized Schools. Healthcare access is convenient -- Kaiser, Facey, and Exer Urgent Care are right in Porter Ranch, and two major hospitals (Northridge Hospital and Providence Holy Cross) are just minutes away. A lovely place to live or visit if you enjoy clean streets, open spaces, and a peaceful environment.