kdschu

Northridge from North Hollywood.

Like Lassen it's a mainly, almost completely suburban street-- but it features, trees and a lovely view- and more importantly wide roads, well paved and its clean. So should you want to avoid higher traffic (East/West) roads like Roscoe and Nordoff this street is for you! Unfortunately because of CSUN it is cut off btw a truly epic east/west journey which is why should you want to meander you can go up to Lassen or Devonshire... Use this recommend if you're avoiding the freeway and just want to feel like you're moving through a place not at all like LA. I recommend it for a healthy and much needed change of pace.

You're in the middle of the valley... I myself try to avoid this area because I really don't get it. There's lots of mom and pop shops... lots of traffic... a theatre, a strip mall, car dealership... not to mention a DMV nearby and a courthouse, but it's just ultimately flavorless urban- sub-urbaness. And usually the only reason you'd find yourself here is if you're passing through to some other place... like Ventura Blvd or making your way to a freeway. But I suppose right around Victory Blvd you might pullover one of these days and have a look around... or not.

Franklin Ave @ Bronson...
I use this street for a lot of shortcuts. It gets me to La Brea to the west quicker and if I'm coming from Hollywood proper it's a fast way to get over to Los Feliz Blvd to the east. It can get jammed however on typical peak times. There are at least 3 notable stops should you ever find yourself on this street- a newly opened Crepe shop @ Cahuenga, further east at Bronson there is a row of shops set up like a viewing station for the Sci-Ti Celebrity center... should your eyes not be drawn too frequently to the dark windows and spires you will find an awesome coffee shop, bookstore, small theatre and a few excellent restaurants. Just adjacent to there you have Victor's Deli- great steak fries and a winestore, and a bit overpriced but lovely Mayfair Market. Should you find yourself in need of a quick picnic if you're planning on heading up Canyon Dr/Bronson (home of the original 60's bat cave!) or further up to view the LA skyline... this little corner has a lot of charm, but can be a bit crowded-- with hipsters and neighborhood locals but come on down and make yourself feel a part. It's one of my favorites. (Even further east- bonus round- is Franklin at Vermont... home to "House of Pies".)

This, not unlike Larchmont is where the hip and upwardly mobile go to live. Ah, Los Feliz! Hillhurst Blvd, specifically from Los Feliz Blvd down to where Sunset and Hollywood Blvd feed into each other. You will feel moderately to mostly safe and all the shops cater to people who can afford to pay outrageous prices for things. Parking is absolutely SPARCE, however. So you must become expert at trolling for spaces, finding valet or walking a bit. It can be done. But once there you will find some very tasty places to eat like The Alcove, Mustard Seed and La Poubelle... it's a perfect destination that has a high and quaint aesthetic appeal with houses tucked all around it.

I'm writing mainly to help all you new to downtown JuryDuty people who have their lunch break and want to go further than the cafeteria, which only takes cash. Who has cash!? I ask you. Clearly there is NOTHING in this area but a less than charming park across the street, occassional protesters, alleged "felons", and public servants- though for the most part it is cleanly maintained and is a close step to the redline and a little bit of a hefty walk UP the hill to Grand... where you can find a California Pizza Kitchen and some corporate lunch eateries. But I say take the slope down to Broadway and 3rd. You'll find the Grand Central Market, El Pollo Loco AND the Bradbury Building, which is truly a beautiful thing to behold. Go to it and get out there!

I used to work @ the Academy Bldg @ Lankershim/Magnolia, which has an awesome golden Emmy statute, and is worth a look at all its golden glossyness, in addition to some statues in the courtyard. Now to whats really good: FirePit Grill across the street (great chicken,steak sandwiches, and hello- the pizza! Kitty-corner from there is Eclectic Cafe (pretty good basic Californian Cuisine). The area has tons of lofts going up all around if and has the end of the redline not two blocks from it- Once the Starbucks came in the 90's it took a while for this area to ramp up but recent additions including the How's supermarket came your basic small stripmall with Daphne's Greekfood, Panda Express, Coldstones and the like. On the west side of the street you have some more mom/pop eateries in addition to a smattering of theatres and small funky shops. Parking is fairly sparce which is all the more reason to take the red or orange line if you can, but it makes for a mellow but eclectic stop off that's not too packed and has plenty of flavor- and it's young, so it can only get better from here. We Hope!