I have lived in EXP my whole life... from the time I ducked bullets to it being gentrified to now…read morebecoming a very cool and super expensive place to live in (I love my home increasing in value ;) ). These stairs have never changed! They always kick your ASS. I love Echo Park because of all the secret stair cases and hills (Baxter being on the news) that you can use for cardio. I did not know about them for a couple of years but found out about them through my family that they were hidden no more than a block and half away... I have tried time and time again to run them up once without stopping but I have gotten winded every single time and it just never gets easier. The views from the top are magnificent! On a clear day you can see all of the west side including the observatory and the Hollywood sign. Or if you look to the east you can catch a good view of DTLA and the east side. The stairs lead right to Elysian Park and there are trails that you can take from there if you want to continue your work out. I sometimes run up the stairs once and then take a trail because when I have tried to run up and down those stairs more than once I don't make it to the trail LOL. In the evenings you do have to be careful because we have coyotes that roam around in a pack of three. They can be harmless but I wouldn't chance it with small dogs. I don't know how parking is since I just walk over to them. I have tried counting them and then get so exhausted that I forget I lose count.

We wanted to try a new trail and took the Baxster Stairways to get to the Elysian Park Trail. Being…read moreout of shape, going up the stairs was tough but the view was amazing and it was a great way to exercise.

The little big neighborhood city of Toluca Lake was established in the roaring 1920s with a mostly…read moreresidential make up encompassing some great hidden streets, avenues and sites. Moorpark Street being to most roaring part a century later in the 2020s. From longstanding historic eateries like Bob's Big Boy (on the border of Toluca Lake in Burbank) to the local Trader Joe's, Fresh Brothers Pizza and Tocaya Moden Mexican fast casual restaurant. Incredible personal favorites such as Something Vegan, Forman's Tavern and Paty's Restaurant. It's a fairly accessible area both by car and on foot with easy streets, a fairly function LA Metro system, the 155, 222, 224, 501 and Commuter Express not to mention the Pink Route bus via the nextdoor city of Burbank. Historical gems such as the Gary Marshall Theater are here as well as other small theaters and/or playhouses. Your main freeways are the 134, 101 and 170, but surface streets are very much the way in Toluca. The Lake of T resides alongside the Lake Country Club & Golf Course on Clybourn/Toluca Avenue. Toluca Lake Elementary and Toluca Crossroads School, both off Cahuenga Blvd, are the only schools in Toluca Lake. Bordering Burbank, Universal City, Studio City and North Hollywood in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley the T Lake has great places to eat, shop and stay with most of your essential needs within the "city limits," but also very closeby. Parking can be a challenge like almost anywhere in Greater, however you can definitely find it and find your way. The cost of living is steep with studios starting around $2k, one bedrooms around $2.4 for a one bedroom. Homes are worth a pretty penny as well and for the comfort and luxury of living in a little big slice of SFV/LA County greatness, you can definitely see why visiting, passing through and exploring is definitely something a lot of us can enjoy without breaking the bank, that said they have most bank branches (Chase, Us Bank, Wells Fargo, etc) here as well as a Fire Station (number 86), US Post Office and Neighborhood Council. The nearest library is in North Hollywood and the closest medical facilities are the UCLA Health Toluca Lake Primary Care and the Toluca Lake Medical Building on the cusp of North Hollywood. Toluca Lake is a skip over to Warner Bros Studios as well as Universal Studios. With some awesome accolades for cinema, television and digital mediums such as Pulp Fiction, the Netflix series Never Have I Ever, and T.J. Hooker to name a few. This overall neighborhood in the city is charming, intimate and inviting even more so for seasonal occasions like Halloween and Christmas, they go all out!

In my humble opinion? This is the cutest neighborhood in Los…read moreAngeles. I have yet to come across a cuter little village like city. The shops are mom and pop owned. The restaurants are super cute, and the people are cute and friendly. Yes, I used cute a lot...it's because Toluca Lake is SO DAMN CUTE! I've been planning to move here for a while, I just didn't have the financial means to relocate. I'm getting married in August and my fiance and I are looking for a place in Toluca Lake. When he proposed to me I agreed only under the condition that we move to Toluca Lake. Yep, I love this place that much. Even looking long term it makes sense. The house value will only increase in such a great neighborhood. Its a great little town to raise kids, and the schools here are spectacular. Oh and they have a lake and a car show every sunday during summer! What more can you ask for?!

I have been a wizard in this area since 2008…read more I love it all. Many people make great choices. I enjoy a good choice. Like having a choice that f del taco tacos at the Roost. Or maybe spraying the raccoons and possums with the hose. Sure, things have changed, but the magic only grows stronger. Danger can be anywhere in the world but magic only comes from magicians. One day I will be mayor. Thank you

Welcome to Atwater Village…read more It's little big neighborhood feel energy all around from Hugo's Tacos to Blu Jam Cafe to the Sunday Atwater Village Farmer's market and every side street, small biz, small businesses chain and local must have in-between! Transportation is pretty thumping with very navigatable streets, not to mention access to the 5, 134, 110, and CA highway 2. PLUS public transit with access to LA Metro Bus, Metrolink, Greyhound, and more. Parking is plentiful with many businesses having their own lots or back parking lots. Street parking fires have some restrictions... It's LA, after all, lol The essentials: Public Library, United States Postal Service, National Banks and Education ( primarily Elementary school only). Mostly small markets in terms of groceries in Atwater/Atwater Village, however... Bordering places such as Glendale, Los Feliz, Silverlake and Glassel Park you have Trader Joe's, Vons, Whole Foods, Gelson's and even Target to lean on for stocking your pantry, fridge and home. Cocktail bars and night lounges make for more laid-back nightlife Roost being a popular dive. Technically, Golden Road Brewery's original flagship, also known as the Pub at Golden Road, also resides in Atwater Village/ Glendale.... Very Los Angeles borderlines. No movie theater... Though the Atwater Village Theater might be the live entertainment you never knew you needed. AMC's - Americana at Brand 18 is where you might partake in moving going for the big screen experience. Overall, it is a trendy place to enjoy, dine, clink, support, and even live in if this slice of bliss.

The Hobbit's House is just a cute house to see if you are in the area. It is not a must stop. The…read morehouse actually has an owner and there is an apartment there. It was built by a former artist for Disney Studios and the builder, Lawrence Joseph worked on all of it for decades. There are adorable cottages and a view from the street is super. I think some of it may be occupied, I am not sure, so I did not venture far, just the front and back yard and stopped when I saw what looked like an apartment building. It is an LA Historical Landmark and just so cute. It is near Sony pictures. It almost looks like you are walking into a movie set. There is a great garden and a pond and it really does look like a Hobbit house. We were not there long, maybe 15 minutes and did not need to be. So, if you have 15 minutes and want to see a super cool house go take a peek.

When in LA on a rainy bank holiday (dramatically less traffic) do what Angelenos do! See the…read moresights!! These are people's homes aka the Lawrence and Martha Joseph Residence and Apartments, commonly known as the "Hobbit Houses," located in Culver City, California. The structures were designed and built by Lawrence Joseph, a former artist for Walt Disney Studios, starting in the 1940s and continuing construction for decades. Now surrounded by high rises it is difficult to land a parking spot but worth it to get a closer look. For a moment imagine yourself on a walk through emerald green grass & fields of wildflowers. And then look up & see these enchanting cottages.

One of the best kept "locals" secrets in Los Angeles, but something that tourists would be well…read moreadvised to try. You can ride your bike from Culver City to the end of Redondo Beach and back without ever having to ride on an actual road. Seeing the planes soaring above your head as they take off over Dockweiler is a thrill and going to the Redondo Beach Pier for some classic video games at the arcade is the reward for taking this amazingly scenic ride. How lucky to have this bike path open to all. Park in a dirt lot off of Centinela and make a day of it.

We always enjoy riding from Syd Kronenthal Park in Culver City to Marina del Rey. The trail is very…read morepopular on the weekend and it gets especially busy with bicyclists the closer you get to the beach. The city or local volunteers should do more to keep the trail clean of litter. Graffiti seems to be the norm along the trail so that would be the only eyesore if all the trash was removed.

This was an amazing place…read more It was super easy to drive down the street and find the cul de sac and park next to the house. This was great! I've wanted to come here forever! The house looked the same - so did the backyard. But there were less trees. You can stand in the driveway and take pictures with the house too. There were cars in the driveway but there was no one out in the neighborhood. It's a super quiet spot. My favorite destination I've been to!!

Phone home phone home!!!! Lol. It is absolutely amazing to me how iconic the E.T. home still is -…read morealmost thirty years after the movie was filmed!  As the Grim Cheaper and I drove up the hill where the residence is located and the property came into view, we both immediately recognized not only the actual house, but the cul-de-sac and neighboring residences which surround it.  Being that I haven't seen E.T. in almost three decades (I only watched it once, when it first came out, and I became so hysterical when E.T. left Elliot that my parents had to drag me out of the auditorium kicking and screaming and I've never been able to re-watch it since), I find that to be absolutely amazing!  The long, sloped driveway, the cul-de-sac, the mountains in the background - for better or for worse, those images of the house are indelibly engraved in my memories.

Boyle Heights. 5 stars. I wish that would be the beginning and end of my review but…read more. Growing up in Boyle Heights was tough. Gangs, violence, cops, and everything you see and hear on the news. Not a bad place at all! This neighborhood has awesome restaurants, amazing public transportation, great art/graffiti, great history, and the best people in LA county. If you're from out of town stay vigilant because you can get lost here at night in this section of the city. The night life is alive. Plan your visits.. A lot of connecting freeways here to get you going in the neighborhood to enjoy. Minutes driving to the heart of DTLA, walking distance to Metro rail or bus, and everything is connected in safe distance! Amazing people who are hard working and always staying busy. Gangs have calmed down a lot, cops are always patrolling the streets, and art/graffiti is everywhere, amazing stuff! (Yay!!). Overall great vicinity to get street tacos, awesome pictures for Yelp, and of course to see and hear a very alive community! Boyle Heights.. my hometown. Amazing, beautiful, and hard working people. Everytime I visit I feel safe. Represent! Let's get tacos!!

I grew up here. And moved 15 min away and I come down every chance I get. Love it here. You can…read morefind anything here

One of my favorite streets in Los Angeles. Abbot Kinney has a unique atmosphere with local vendors,…read moreboutiques, cafés, street musicians, and interesting architecture. It's a great place to walk around, grab a coffee, and enjoy the Venice vibe. Every visit feels a little different, and there is always something new to discover.

Abbott Kinney is only a mile long but there's so much to see. Whenever I'm in Venice, I never miss…read morecoming in here and strolling around the neighborhood. So many things to see in here such as checking the small businesses , view the colorful murals and attending pop up events. Also love dining here as there's so many different options as well. I love hanging out the stores which has either front and back patios. I really like the vibes and atmosphere here.