5 Los Angeles Neighborhoods Near Griffith Park
Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. It spans over 4,000 acres of woodlands and offers plenty of untamed and rugged trails for jogging, hiking, and horseback riding. Often called the “Central Park of Los Angeles,” it’s home to a zoo, a golf course, a children's playground, a Merry-Go-Round, a museum, an equestrian center, and the Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre where national music acts perform.
The park is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic, thanks to its numerous tables. And if you go to the park on certain days, you might get to witness a drum circle. It’s the place where Los Angeles residents go to relax and unwind, while enjoying the bounties of nature within this vibrant city.
The park itself is located in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains near five of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Although it’s technically located in Los Feliz, the communities of Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and East Hollywood are all within reasonable driving or biking distance of Griffith Park and all of its amenities and attractions.
Los Feliz
Celebrity neighbors, quiet tree-lined streets, great schools, and a quaint shopping district are all part of Los Feliz, which true residents know is pronounced “Los Feel-ez,” not “Los Feh-leez.” Griffith Park is actually located within this neighborhood, making it an ideal place for homebuyers seeking daily access to greenspace and outdoor recreation.
In addition to being home to this large urban park, Los Feliz is made up of two distinct sections—above Los Feliz Boulevard in the hills and the slopes of the flatlands where most of the commercial properties sit. The 2.61-mile neighborhood is the place where Mickey Mouse was born; a Gelson’s supermarket plaza now sits on the site of the original Walt Disney Studios.
The village part of the neighborhood has numerous restaurants and bars, none more popular than the Dresden Room where jazz musicians Marty and Elayne have provided music five nights a week for more than 30 years, and the bartenders know how to make a good Harvey Wallbanger.
Distance to Griffith Park:
5 minutes by car
30 minutes by bike
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a popular LA neighborhood that attracts a wide selection of homebuyers. This neighborhood is also family-friendly thanks to Ivanhoe Elementary School, the main focus of the community due to its high rating from GreatSchools.
The Silver Lake Reservoir and its abutting recreation center remain the heart of the community, providing a scenic setting for walking or playing sports aside from Griffith Park. Besides the abundant greenspace, there’s also a thriving dining and nightlife scene along Sunset Boulevard. Moby’s vegan restaurant Little Pine, the hipster haven bar Tenants of the Trees, and Club Los Globos are just a few of the options locals love.
Distance to Griffith Park:
10 minutes by car
40 minutes by bike
Atwater Village
Atwater Village is east of Griffith Park. With home prices starting in the low $500s, according to Neighborhoods.com listings, this used to be the neighborhood where homebuyers who couldn’t afford to buy homes in Los Feliz or Silver Lake went to live. But skyrocketing prices in those neighborhoods and the quaint charm of the bungalows in this neighborhood, not to mention its walkability, have boosted Atwater Village’s popularity.
Numerous eclectic restaurants can be found throughout the neighborhood, with most located along Los Feliz Boulevard and Glendale Boulevard, like The Tam ‘O Shanter. Established in 1922, it’s one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles.
Distance to Griffith Park:
5 minutes by car
30 minutes by bike
Echo Park
Besides easy access to Griffith Park via car or bike, Dodgers Stadium is the real attraction in this up-and-coming neighborhood. You’ll know it’s game day when traffic backs up along Sunset Boulevard, but there’s more than baseball to this community—the numerous coffee shops tells you that this neighborhood is on the move.
Some homes are relatively affordable by Los Angeles standards, ranging in price from the low $500s to over $4.5 million. In Echo Park, you can enjoy some of the hottest dining in the city with popular restaurants like Ostrich Farm and Button Mash, featuring impressive American fare. And don’t forget about all of the food trucks lined up along Sunset Boulevard on the weekends.
Distance to Griffith Park:
10 minutes by car
40 minutes by bike
East Hollywood
East Hollywood is a true urban neighborhood that’s close enough to Griffith Park to enjoy its delights while also offering homebuyers a wide selection of housing options starting in the mid $600s.
It’s also the home of culturally diverse enclaves Little Armenia and Thai Town, both offering numerous exotic food delights to culinary adventurers. But there’s so much more in this densely populated area such as the Los Angeles City College, Barnsdall Art Park, and the famed Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. East Hollywood is walkable and affordable, diverse and welcoming, all blended together in an urban setting that’s attracting new residents each day.
Distance to Griffith Park: