NorthEast LA

 

Located away from the bustle of Hollywood and in between Downtown LA and Pasadena, Northeast Los Angeles is a trendy area of LA County made up of seven individual neighborhoods, the largest and oldest being Highland Park. A haven for creatives, artists, and intellectuals, Northeast LA is filled with Craftsman homes, hip coffee shops and boutiques, and up-and-coming eateries located off the beaten path.

 

Long overlooked as a hub of Californian culture, Northeast LA has burst onto the scene in recent years and is now recognized as the place to be for art, food, and laidback living. Every neighborhood in the area, which includes Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Mount Washington, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, and Atwater Village, has its own identity, but they are all unified by a hip, up-and-coming vibe.

 

Developed in the early 1920s but recently growing in popularity, Northeast LA has a mix of real estate options, including historic Craftsman, Spanish-style villa, and California ranch homes, as well as condo buildings and modern marvels tucked among the hills.

 

• Eclectic arts community
• Hip shops
• Diverse eateries.
• A sweet escape from the bustle the west side
  
  

Northeast LA is home to a diverse array of residents, but it has long been known to attract those with a passion for music, art, and literature. Its picturesque historic homes entice people looking for unique real estate—while also being surrounded by trendy cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums, and more. 

 

Thanks to its relatively lower cost of living, eclectic yet modern and charming homes, more and more young residents and families have relocated from other areas of LA and even other cities to Northeast LA. Given its size, the area also holds more real estate inventory than other parts of LA, meaning more appealing prices for first-time homebuyers, and increased opportunity for a diverse community.

 

While many neighborhoods in LA require you to drive to get anywhere, parts of Northeast LA, including pockets of Highland Park and Eagle Rock, are extremely walkable, making each community feel like a small city of its own. These seven neighborhoods are also just a few miles from Downtown LA, providing easy access to big-city amenities while keeping a healthy distance for those looking for an escape.

 

Northeast LA’s neighborhoods are known for their impressive number of trendy boutiques, coffee shops, music studios, galleries, restaurants, and more. Of all the seven communities, Highland Park and Eagle Rock have the highest concentration of popular spots for locals and visitors alike. 

 

In Highland Park, you’ll find a number of eateries inspired by the neighborhood’s rich Latino culture, including coffee shop Cafe de Leche and El Huarache Azteca, a stylish community staple serving signature Mexican-style huaraches. For delicacies from Asia, be sure to check out Mason's Dumpling Shop and Ramen of York, and for those looking for some of the best pizza around, pick up a slice—or entire pie—from Town Pizza or Triple Beam Pizza. In Echo Park, popular places include Ostrich Farm for New American cuisine, Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe for pizza, and Sage Plant-Based Bistro and Brewery Echo Park for vegan and vegetarian options.

 

For entertainment, Highland Park Bowl, a vintage bowling alley established in Prohibition-era Los Angeles, is a local favorite for date night, group outings, or a family night on the town. There are also many live music venues, including Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, The Hi-Hat, and Lodge Room.

 

Northeast LA is also packed with shopping, including a number of record stores, boutique clothing and gift stores, local small businesses selling treasures from near and far, and fresh flower shops.

 

There are a number of good restaurants in Eagle Rock including The Little Beast, a charming restaurant in a craftsman home, Cacao Mexicatessan with Mexican dishes, and Cafe Beaujolais for fine French dining packed with regulars. More casual spots include Four Cafe. Casa Bianca ( awesome pizza) and of course the Oinkster an A-framed burger joint whose ethos is “slow fast food”. There are great beer pubs - Public House and Eagle Rock Brewery.

 

Thanks to its rich history as a haven for artists and creatives, Northeast LA is dotted with a number of cultural institutions. Historic homes now open to visitors—like Smith Estate and Lummis House—attract architecture and history lovers, while galleries like Avenue 50 Studio, which showcases the area’s diverse cultures through international exhibitions, and The Judson Studios, a renowned fine arts studio specializing in stained glass, appeal to those passionate about the arts. Another popular attraction is the Audubon Center at Debs Park, an environmental education and conservation center that serves all of Northwest LA’s communities.

 

The Heritage Square Museum, which is dedicated to showcasing Southern California’s first 100 years of statehood, and The Los Angeles Police Museum, which traces the history of the LAPD through archival photos, uniforms, badges, weapons, squad cars, and more. Many locals also spend their weekends perusing the numerous bookstores in the area, including Pop-Hop Books & Print and Book Show—seeking out both the latest releases and vintage finds.

 

Northeast LA’s neighborhoods fall within the Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest public school system in California and the second-largest public school district in the United States.