doyerdog

I find Beverly Blvd to be one of the most resourceful east-west passageways in Los Angeles. It goes on for miles and is a great shortcut when crisscrossing from the westside to the east, with a little help from Wilshire or Santa Monica Blvd. Some of the highlights: Swingers 24 hour restaurant, The Bagel Broker for the best bagel in L.A., and Pan-Pacific Park (so vast and gorgeous). And if you're into shopping or people-watching, you've got both the Beverly Center and The Grove. So Beverly gets some of my highest marks when it comes to Los Angeles.

I've spent a lot of time with friends on this small street, and one thing that must be mentioned is that it really does feel like a small community of young and old artists alike. It just seems like everyone just gets to know each other over there, and even like each other (which is never a given in L.A.). It's a 1-minute walk from the resourceful Fairfax Ave, and is tree-lined and absolutely gorgeous. The one downfall: parking is dreadful over there, and the street is really narrow so double-parking can be tricky. But it's a great place to live for singles and young families.

Venice Blvd is another of my favorites in Los Angeles because I've never found it to be too congested, there's loads of independently owned boutiques, restaurants and shops throughout, and if you're driving it from east to west, there's a gem waiting for you at the end...The Beach. The street can start to get a little seedy the further east you go once past Culver City and Palms, but the westside makes it all worthwhile. This is another street worth including your list of nice weekend drives with the windows down.

To me, Sepulveda will always be known as "the alternative to the 405 freeway." It pretty much runs alongside this major L.A. highway as a sort of Frontage Road but to the nth degree. Only some of the time is it quicker to take Sepulveda north-south instead of the freeway, but its just comforting knowing there's another option if you need. The boulevard itself can get pretty windy and nauseating at times when there's no traffic, but there's ample commerce and scenic views to make it worth your while if you're just going for a weekend drive to blow off some steam.

Ventura Blvd is one of my favorite thoroughways in L.A. It spans so far and wide, and literally has everything you could be looking for, whether its shopping, eating, movies, exercise, people-watching, etc. Its also great because it lies just on the other side of the "hill" with Hollywood being on the other side. Housing is a little pricey along the blvd, but the offshoot streets leave you with lots of safe and affordable options if you're looking to plant your seeds out here.

Sunset Blvd is a must-see for anyone coming through town. However, if you live here and you're like me, you try to avoid it all costs. It's definitely worth a few visits at first when it comes to nightlife, but soon thereafter you'll likely be well sick of it. I of course have seen some pretty great music (House of Blues) and comedy (Comedy Store) gigs, plus had some really drunk nights out - a la Saddle Ranch, The Standard and Cabo Cantina, but you definitely GET it shortly thereafter. That, on top of horrendous traffic which never really dies down, Sunset is one boulevard I try to avoid at all costs.

Magnolia Blvd is indeed a great place to search for housing around if you're new to town. It's really central to all that Los Angeles has to offer, and plenty more affordable than the eastside (Hollywood and Silverlake) or the westside (Santa Monica and Venice). Whatever you're looking for you'll likely find it on Magnolia, not to mention loads of part-time jobs and acting studios (sorry but those are the first two things that come to mind when I think about my drives down this street).

Granted La Cienega is chock full of restaurants, shops, coffee stops, beauty and health storefronts, and two great malls (Beverly Center and Beverly Connection), but I just can't look past the neverending traffic that feasts on this passageway. It's almost unbelievable but then when you realize this IS Los Angeles and La Cienega is one of the core arteries that keeps it moving (slowly), it's not actually that surprising at all. Alternate north-south routes: Fairfax Ave, La Brea, or Highland...

Wow has this little nook come a long way in the last few years! It used to be nothing, literally, and now its the core of the rejuvenated spirit and commercial life in downtown LA. There's a little something for everybody there, with families in mind the most, and it's pretty accessible too. I parked my car at the North Hollywood Metro Station and took it downtown. It was only about a 10 minute walk from there to get to Chick Hearn Ct. I've never felt so safe downtown, and so as a native Angeleno that definitely excites me. The Police and Fire Departments are everpresent in that area, and Laker Love is at an all-time high. Go Lakers!

Westwood Plaza is basically the front entrance to UCLA. It gives off the perfect first impression to what is one of the biggest and most beautiful university campuses in the world. The famed UCLA Medical Center is right there, as are tons of bumbling youth...our future leaders actually. Traffic is real bad on Thursday and Saturday nights when there's a basketball game on campus, otherwise its generally pretty mild. Walking is generally the best away to navigate this street, and while you're on foot...you really should pop your head on the campus. It's immaculate.

I have lived here a couple different times, and wouldn’t mind going back for a third. I kind of stumbled upon it when looking for a place to live in the city, and at first wasn’t so sure if I was making the right decision, but definitely no regrets in hindsight. For starters, the entire area is chock full of amazing vintage Italian eateries…complete with aggressive (and at times cat-calling) maitre d’s. But I suppose that just comes with the whole package because once you get inside most of these “local” restaurants - the service, ambience and food is of the utmost quality. In terms of suggestions, maybe I’d recommend you avoid La Mela and try out some of the adjacent spots on Mulberry. And if you’re not in the mood for Italian food, Chinatown and Canal St are just a few minutes away on foot.

As far as watering holes are concerned, my favorite place to cap off a hard day’s work or start off a night is Spring St. Lounge. But don’t tell the regulars I told you so.

Little Italy is super convenient to a couple different subway stops, it never takes too long to catch a cab, safety has never been an issue, and if you’re into shopping - SoHo is a stone’s throw away. So whether you’re looking for a place to visit or somewhere to settle, I’d definitely keep Little Italy on the shortlist.

I have been through this area several times in the last couple of years and love every chance I get to go back. I usually stay at the Hotel Tomo which is deceivingly part of the Best Western chain, but an excellent bargain and high-quality digs too. It’s walking distance from the legendary Fillmore Auditorium, which is a must-see for any visitor coming through town. The Fillmore re-opened a few years ago and is jam-packed with living history, allure, classic posters and generally good national acts coming through the west coast…and all at a decent price-point too.

As for food, there’s definitely a little something for everybody in this area…with Japantown supplying the meat of it (pun intended). Most of the boutique retail shops and restaurants rest along Fillmore Street. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my own list of two must-do’s when/if you’re in the neighborhood:
-check out the amazing jazz at Yoshi’s Jazz Club. Even if you’re not a fan of that kind of music, it’s worth it
-visit the farmer’s market at Fillmore Center Plaza. Unfortunately it’s only up on Saturdays during the summer, but the selection and vibe there is unmatched for a farmer’s market.

And to close, this neighborhood is very safe but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to walk in pairs late at night.