Echo Park was one of LA’s first designated suburban areas, and its popularity today is stronger than ever. Just a 10-minute drive to downtown, 15-minute drive to Hollywood, and 20-minute drive to Griffith Park, this neighborhood’s convenient location is one of many perks to living here. Add to that a healthy dose of hipster coffee shops, Indie music venues, and laid-back west coast vibes and you’ll start to see why it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles. If you’re thinking of making the move to LA, here’s why you should set your sights on Echo Park.
The Echo Park basics: What to know about the neighborhood
The neighborhood
Echo Park’s accessibility and convenience make it a popular neighborhood with young professionals, creatives, and sports fans. Residents flock to Echo Park for outdoor recreational activities and gorgeous views of Echo Park Lake. Considered a very walkable community, there are tons of bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops within walking distance. The neighborhood’s top-rated public schools also attract many young families.
The Echo Park neighborhood is comprised of five major districts, each offering a distinct ambiance:
- Angelino Heights, one of the oldest neighborhoods in L.A.
- Elysian Heights, which was home to many turn-of-the-century authors, filmmakers, and artists
- Elysian Valley, which offers views of the Los Angeles River
- Historic Filipinotown (HiFi) is considered the first enclave of Filipino settlers in L.A.
The vibe
Young professionals, young parents, and long-time Angelenos are all locals in Echo Park. Many new restaurants, trendy coffee shops, and hip bars have opened their doors along the main drag, Sunset Blvd.
A gem in the area is the tiny Victorian-era pocket of the neighborhood, Angelino Heights. It was the second suburb created outside of downtown and its spooky-looking mansions bring in tons of trick-or-treaters every year. Echo Park Lake is also a main attraction in this neighborhood, as locals bring picnics and lounge at the park on warm, sunny days.
Main streets and neighborhood borders
Just north of Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park is an Eastside neighborhood in Central L.A. If you’ve ever been to Dodger Stadium or the Echoplex, you’ve been to Echo Park. It covers an area just shy of 2.5-square miles and encompasses Angelino Heights and Elysian Heights. On its west, Echo Park is bordered by Silver Lake, a haven for free spirits. Echo Park shares a southern border with Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles, and Historic Filipinotown.
Commuting
Echo Park is surrounded by four major freeways–the 5, the 2, the 110, and the 101–so getting anywhere is a hop, skip, and jump on the freeway. Are you working downtown? You can get there in 10 minutes by car (or 35 minutes by bus) from your new hood. Santa Monica and Venice can be reached in under 30 minutes and Glendale in under 15.
Our favorite places to eat in Echo Park
The food scene in Echo Park is a mixture of old and new where you can get nearly any type of food within your neighborhood borders.
Masa of Echo Park: You may not be in Chicago, but you can still eat pizza like a Chicagoan. Masa of Echo Park is a staple here, and one bite of their deep dish will explain why people come from all corners of LA for their food. Owned and operated by Chicagoans who know their way around Chicago-style pizza, this cozy spot is perfect for date night. Get the calamari or meatballs if you’re in the market for an appetizer.
Brite Spot: Since 1949, Echo Park locals have had the luxury of enjoying Brite Spot’s delicious diner food. When it changed ownership last year, folks around the neighborhood were apprehensive about its re-opening. To their surprise, the Brite Spot was renovated and returned to its classic 50’s diner look, complete with wood paneled walls and funky light fixtures. The menu still homemade pies, cakes, griddled pancakes, and scrambles, but offers a fresh new take on some items. Try the sweet potato hash–made with soyrizo, caramelized onion, grilled peppers, braised greens, avocado, lime crema, and a sunny side egg.
The Park’s Finest: Barbecue lovers will drool over the offerings at The Park’s Finest. Their “American cuts of BBQ with a Filipino flavor” will have your mouth watering from the first bite. Favorites include, but are not limited to, the Cornbread Bibingka, hot link with sweet filipino longanisa, and slow cooked tri-tip, short ribs, and pulled pork.
Sage Vegan Bistro: It wouldn’t be an LA neighborhood without a vegan spot, would it? At Sage Vegan Bistro, you’ll find everything from jackfruit-stuffed avocado to chia seed french toast. What makes this place even more interesting is their house-brewed beers. Grab their Rosewater Cream Ale or Habanero Pilsner to go with your healthy, organic, and locally-sourced grub.
Things to do in Echo Park
You won’t have a problem finding something to do in this neighborhood. Catch a show at the Echo + Echoplex, a premier destination for Indie bands to showcase their talent before they get big. Lot 1 Cafe and The Lost Room are also great spots to see a show. Elysian Park, the city’s oldest park, spans 575 acres, offering residents hiking trails, picnic spots, and some of the oldest trees in the city. This massive green space is a welcome sight for a city of buildings and movie sets. Then, of course, there’s Echo Park Lake, which features a swan boat rentals, a fountain, and an unbeatable view of downtown LA. Don’t forget to catch a baseball game at Dodger Stadium, a staple to the Los Angeles sports scene.
Where to drink in Echo Park
Don’t think we forgot your bar recommendations, we’ve got plenty. The Semi-Tropic is a go-to spot for brunch and a drink, and its homey vibe (complete with mismatched comfy chairs) makes you want to stay for a few more drinks. Mohawk Bend is an Echo Park beer and pizza institution, with a covered back patio perfect for downing a few brews off their massive beer list. Sunset Beer Company is another great spot for indulging in a few California brews; take them to-go or sit at the small bar and enjoy it there. Bar Henry’s intimate setting is great for a date night filled with handcrafted cocktail; Little Joy will be your new, go-to, upscale dive bar with a pool table; and, Bar Bandini has a vast selection of wine and beer on tap you can guzzle any day of the week.
Renting in Echo Park
Renting is popular in Echo Park, with more than 75% of Echo Park’s residents being renters. Average rents for apartments have increased between 19-24% since last year with:
- $2,023 for a studio apartment
- $2,590 for a 1-bedroom apartment
- $3,495 for a 2-bedroom apartment
Echo Park is filled with mid-century apartment buildings, historic Victorian Homes, contemporary duplexes and single-family bungalows, craftsman, and Spanish-style homes. Whatever your aesthetic, Echo Park has the apartment for you.
Whether you’re an artist, chef, teacher, or entrepreneur, Echo Park’s central location, unique nightlife, shopping options, and cultural attractions make it a great place to live. Find your next apartment and get ready to live in one of the best neighborhoods in L.A.
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