For many people who are new to Los Angeles, and even those who have been living in the city for a while, getting involved in the community might seem daunting. Maybe you’re not exactly the social type, or perhaps you don’t know where to find the right resources. Believe it or not, there are many activities that give residents the chance to participate in the community. Whether it’s volunteering with community-oriented nonprofits or attending a street festival, neighbors can easily get involved by simply joining in on the festivities. In a city as large as Los Angeles, there are several neighborhoods to get involved in different ways.

Below are five neighborhoods in Los Angeles that are especially great for meeting your neighbors and getting involved.

Best Neighborhood for Volunteering - Downtown

You can find several volunteering options in DTLA

If you’re a resident of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) or live nearby, there are several ways to get involved in the community’s nonprofits and volunteer centers. Although there are other neighborhoods in the city that offer volunteer opportunities, DTLA has the highest concentration of community-oriented organizations in the area. Residents who are passionate about helping the disadvantaged can become involved in nonprofit organizations such as Downtown Women’s Center, Lunch on Me, Midnight Mission, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, School On Wheels, and many more. DTLA’s readily available programs throughout the district makes it one of the city’s top neighborhoods for volunteer work. 

Best Neighborhood for Street Festivals - West Hollywood

Pride festival in West Hollywood / Shutterstock

Another way to have loads of fun while getting involved in your community and meeting like-minded individuals is to attend a street festival. If street festivals are your thing, simply head over to West Hollywood, where there’s always something happening. The festive city’s main thoroughfare, Santa Monica Boulevard, is not just surrounded by convenient eateries and bars, it’s also perfect for hosting festivals. West Hollywood hosts the annual LA Pride Festival & Parade as well as the ever-popular Halloween Street Festival and Carnaval, which are a couple of the city’s most celebrated events. Many people don’t realize that West Hollywood has a street festival almost every month, including Connect Film Festival, Frida Fest, LA Get Down Festival, and many more.

Best Neighborhood for Movies in the Park - Hollywood

Head to Hollywood to experience some classic films outside / Shutterstock

For many film buffs, summer is the season of outdoor movies. Getting involved in your neighborhood Movies in the Park event can help you meet neighbors who are also movie fans, and if you’re on the shy side, you can just go to watch classic movies or the latest blockbuster hits. In Los Angeles, Hollywood is the top option for quality Movies in the Park, with venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Melrose Rooftop, Los Angeles State Historic Park, and even outdoor movies at Griffith Park. Many popular outdoor movie-watching organizations such as Street Food Cinema even offer plenty of food and drink for people who attend. 

Best Neighborhood for Block Parties - Burbank

Burbank is host to several different block parties / Shutterstock

Nothing beats the charm of a neighborhood block party, but in a city as busy as Los Angeles, many people are deterred from going to one. Although there are several block parties throughout LA, the best neighborhood for block parties is Burbank. Located a bit further from the LA congestion, Burbank offers residents a tranquil and fun way to connect with others in the community. The community holds several block parties throughout the year, some hosted by the neighborhood council, the local police department, and even local residents. Earlier this month, the Burbank Police Department hosted its second National Night Out block party, which ended up turning into a huge city-wide event welcoming LA locals, community members, firefighters, and police officers.

Best Neighborhood for Farmers’ Markets - Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Farmers Market / Photo by Jason Rosenberg / CC BY

If farmers markets are your thing, there are plenty of them happening every day in Los Angeles. Not only can locals shop for fresh produce and goods, they also have the opportunity to connect with local small-business owners and farmers. Santa Monicais arguably the best neighborhood in the city for farmers’ markets. it hosts four California certified farmers’ markets every week, including The Santa Monica Farmers Market, The Pico Farmers Market, The Saturday Downtown Farmers Market, and the Sunday Market, all of which can be read about here. Visit any of these markets and you can bond with your neighbors over a shared love of good food.