CNN Money called Silver Lake the best big-city neighborhood in the country, and for good reason. You can walk to just about anything, which is different than what most people think about Los Angeles. You’ll find the trendy coffee shops and loveable boutique shops that Silver Lake is famous for along Sunset Blvd. You’ll also find great bars along the way, top-notch restaurants, and parks. If you’re new to Los Angeles, or just new to Silver Lake, here are some things you should know about this part of town.
ATTRACTIONS
The Reservoir: The two-mile jogging path around the reservoirs in Silver Lake is a perfect example of what makes Silver Lake click. It’s beautiful, useful, and a great place to see the people. Views of the mountains on clear days provide quite a backdrop. Open green space is available on the south and on the east side of the park.
Griffith Park: Silver Lake is very close to the 4,200 acre park. It’s one of the largest city parks in the world, and provides Angelenos with ample room to escape the city and get lost on a hike.
Bars/Restaurants: Silver Lake offers some of the best foodie culture in Los Angeles, with eccentric and eclectic cuisine scattered all over the neighborhood, plus some pretty unique locations. As for nightlife, there are numerous bars featuring hyper local to local brews, mixologist style drinks, and trendy fare.
The Hills: From many spots in Silver Lake you can get views of the rolling hills, the Silver Lake Reservoir, and some spectacular Downtown Los Angeles shots. The hills really give Silver Lake a different feel, almost like a mountain village in some spots, especially along Silver Lake Blvd near the reservoir. One of the best ways to see the hills is to explore the secret stairs.
FACTS
Demographics: Silver Lake is home to a majority of people in their late 20’s, 30’s, and early 40’s. Over 75% of the homes do not have kids, with 42% married, and 44% single. According to a 2000 census, Silver Lake was 41.8% Latinos, 34% Whites, 18% Asians, 3.2% Blacks, and 3.1% others. However, many studies have shown a shift towards more whites recently at about 45%.
Average Rent Prices: Rent price medians range mostly from $1,300 to $1,600 per bedroom around the more commercial areas of Silver Lake and around the reservoir. The south side of Silver Lake, closer to the 101, shows median rent prices between $900 and $1,300 per bedroom.
PROS & CONS
Pros: Silver Lake is great for culture – with amazing galleries, live music, top-notch restaurants, exhibits, and events. It’s very community oriented, with farmers’ markets, fundraisers, street fairs, flea markets, and locally sponsored social events. There is a lot of open park space available, green and natural living awareness, and health food stores galore.
Cons: Money, money, and money – Silver Lake is not cheap, although there are cheap options available for food, shopping, etc., but for the most part, the mid-to-high quality options are higher priced than most areas. That also brings a vibe — a pretentious one — which is hard to avoid in Los Angeles, but even harder to avoid in many places throughout Silver Lake.
photo credit: Scott Beale via photopin cc
