Dardvl

Oh Melrose. This Hollywood go-to spot is legendary for it's cutting edge fashion boutiques and rock & roll devil may care attitude. Don't forget that it is in the middle of one of the densest residential areas of Los Angeles.
The apartments and homes that spread away from Melrose are some of the most coveted in LA for the young and ambitious. This is a see and be seen neighborhood and the neighbors you have may make the difference between success and failure in this town of "it's not what you know, it's who you know".
Of course there are the staples of a Starbucks or Coffee Bean every other block for the entire stretch and the prerequisite hamburger joints but, the personality of this place comes from places like the Snake Pit, a dive bar if ever there was a dive bar. The Groundlings, sketch comedy at it's finest. The secondhand shops and the overpriced trend turnovers which burn bright and disappear like shooting stars on Melrose. It's like that here, you're either an institution or a shooting star. The entire town is like that. It's just obvious on Melrose.

Buena Vista Terrace is a wonderful secret nestled in the nook that runs along the peak of the hill between Eagle Rock, Higland Park and Pasadena. It is a narrow winding hilly street that lifts it's inhabitants out of LA life and allows them to float above a glorious valley with an abundance of open land and picturesque views.
Neighbors are neighborly (with the exception of a few grumpy Gusses) and everyone loves this wonderful hidden valley that has city views of Glendale on one side and Los Angeles on the other.
Barking dogs are common as everyone in the valley seems to have one.
The occasional ice cream truck's music echos through the valley during the summer but beyond that it is as peaceful as can be and at just over 5 miles from downtown LA!
The steep hills and winding roads are an adventure unto themselves. There is even a not-so-secret road connecting Eagle Rock to Highland Park that probably isn't safe but is driven daily by dozens of in-the-know drivers.
Even better than driving through this neighborhood is taking a walk around and catching the spectacular views and discovering the hidden homes among the hills.

Old Town Pasadena is a popular destination for shopping and dining for Angeleno's. It's upscale shops and boutiques give it a wonderful style and the fact that it is one of the few places in Southern California where you can shop without having to go to the mall is indeed refreshing.
Aside from condos and apartments the actual residential neighborhoods are a little ways away but they are indeed beautiful neighborhoods.
That said, the boulevard has much to offer. From Tiffany's to the Apple Store, Forever 21's flagship super store to H&M fashion and style conscious consumers have no trouble finding lots to occupy their wildest desires. Add to that Zara, American Apparel, Juicy Couture, Diesel, Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, Restoration Hardware and on and on.
And lets not forget the dining. Oh the food is to die for. From Spitfire Saloon's upscale take on the roadhouse to JJ's Steakhouse the range of dining experiences range from simple to fabulous.
The fact that parking in most of the garages is free for the first 90 min. makes Pasadena a great choice for window shoppers who don't want to spend a fortune.
Side streets abound with fantastic options and adventures.
Old Town is a great area and with the development that is taking place there are more and more opportunities to live right in the middle of it all.

This is a tough neighborhood... to ever want to leave. Literally every house is waterfront. most have docks with extravagant yachts just begging for their occasional cruise around the harbor. While I merely rented a guest house here I did have the opportunity to immerse myself in the neighborhood life and lifestyle which includes boating, shopping, eating out at fantastic restaurants, traveling (cause when you live someplace this nice, you have to get away just to keep some perspective on your lavish life).
I would especially like to walk over to the Harbor Island yacht club and have breakfast in their quite modest little diner. Like stepping into a time capsule this place is right out of the fifties. If I happened to be getting a late start, I'd swing in for a sandwich. They have the tuna melt perfected.
Sometimes I would take my 9 iron and putter across PCH to the the Hyatt Regency and play a round of golf. Also a good place to have a $20. cocktail this place is a bit much.
Balboa Island is a short walk or boat ride and has all the amazing boutiques and quaint restaurants one could ever want.
Of course the famous Fashion Island is around the corner and shopping doesn't get better anywhere. Period. People come here to shop when they can't get what they want on Rodeo Drive. It's a great place to star gaze.
More my speed would be taking the ferry over to the Newport Peninsula and the Fun Zone and hitting the beach, grabbing a veggie sandwich (I'm not a vegetarian but they're really good) or some fish tacos along the boardwalk.
The beach and pier are great and Ruby's diner on the pier is a mandatory stop for a visitor. Head out to the point of the peninsula and check out the amazing waves and body boarders at the legendary "Wedge".
For those days where walking just seems too... pedestrian I would take my boat (you can rent a boat from a multitude of places around the harbor) to any one of many restaurants and shops that have dock tie-ups for boat parking. The Cannary is at one end of the spectrum with Hooters at the other. Each has it's place and crowd.
I do recommend hitting the Blue Beet Bar and Grill if you are in the mood for good drinks and the best steaks on the west coast. The owner used to own a legendary Steakhouse up the street that was shut down by the city due to a "tax" discrepancy (at least that is one of the stories I heard). Anyway, none of it had anything to do with the amazing food and the owner just transferred the best of the menu to his bar. The Baseball steak is unparalleled anywhere within a twenty hour drive.
I must be hungry. Anyway, this neighborhood is such that I would run into Shaq or Celine Dion or Arnold and Maria and it wouldn't be unusual.
It just really is as good as it gets.

Colorado Blvd. is the hub of dining and shopping for Eagle Rock which is a quiet yet growing oasis just outside Los Angeles. Nestled between the cities of Glendale and Pasadena, Eagle Rock is a great area and in Eagle Rock, Colorado Blvd. is the core.
Starting at Eagle Rock Blvd. and heading East on Colorado you'll find great restaurants that run the gamut from local sandwich maker Dave of Dave's Chillin' and Grillin' who puts a lot of love into his legendary subs. Catch him early as his daily specials go quick. A few doors back is the Swork Coffee Shop which, despite being a chain coffee establishment, has integrated itself into the community quite nicely. Head East and you'll arrive at the Colorado Wine Co. which is a wonderful vino shop with an eye on value. They have a tasting room in the back where you can share a glass or bottle with friends. Often in the Colorado Wine Co. you'll see and smell the delights from two local eateries being enjoyed along side the wine. Brownstone Pizza and Oinkster are carry-out worthy of a great glass of wine.
Brownstone Pizza is a reletively newcomer to Colorado Blvd. but they have quickly made a reputation as a first-class slice. Their ginormous NY style pizza tastes as if you just got off the D train. Thin and delish.
Venture across the street to Oinkster where the owner/chef has taken carry-out to a whole new level. Homemade pastrami, Carolina style pulled pork, great burgers and the most decadent french fries make it a favorite with the locals. Don't forget to wash it all down with their delicious Oinksteraide, an orange juice/soda experience unto itself.
Head up Colorado a bit more and you'll happen upon Columbo's Itallian Steakhouse. Live jazz and good food make this an institution in Eagle Rock. Across the street there is the Coffee Table which is known for coffee, sandwiches and desserts. They have added a lounge next door if coffee doesn't have quite enough kick.
The local Chamber of Commerce has limited the nightlife to 9PM unless your alcohol serving establishment has been open since before the rule so, nightlife is reserved for further up the street.
Overall, this stretch is young and hip with new establishments opening all the time.