Things To Do

Neighborhood Series: Spending the Day in Echo Park

10.21.25

Who doesn’t love a hidden gem and a choose your own adventure? You’re about to get both! We can’t help but send you to the best of the best - and the most unusual of the unusual - in this fun, wacky neighborhood.

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Getting There

  • Metro: Although there is no nearby Metro train line, several bus lines run right through Echo Park - the 2, 4, 92, 93, and Pico Union/Echo Park routes all stop very close to our day’s starting point.
  • Driving: Park at LADOT Lot 662 at 1152 Lemonye St. Rates are $.50/hour with a $2.50 daily max, and free on Sundays. There are four other LADOT lots with the same rate within a few blocks, so if you have trouble finding a spot, check the others (lots 643, 663, 676, and 679).

Morning

  • 9:15am: Start the day with a gluten-free breakfast at Honey Hi. Order at the counter before snagging a table at this charming cafe.
  • 10:00am: Walk 7 minutes West on Sunset to the popular Silver Lake Flea (which is indeed in Echo Park, neighboring Silver Lake) for a little shopping. 
  • 10:30am: Here's where we veer into the weird. By appointment only, check out 3-D Space, a small museum in the Alvarado Arts Building dedicated to stereoscopic arts. 
  • 11:00am: In the very same building, check out (pun intended) the heartwarming independent library and arts space, Heavy Manners Library. In addition to stocking hard-to-find media, the space is also a gallery, event venue and bookstore. 
  • 11:30pm: Pop into Lemon Frog Shop Vintage Bazaar - also in the building - for unique and affordable thrifting. 

Afternoon

  • 12:00pm: Walk back East on Sunset for 6 minutes to get to Masa for their famous deep dish pizza. This is a good time to drop your shopping bags at your car if you drove. 
  • 12:45pm: Time to choose your own adventure! Your options are: 1) Get a fabulous haircut or blowout ($50+) at Hairrari gender-neutral barbershop; 2) Grab a drink and ink ($150+) at Supersweet Tattoos and Coffee; or 3) Test your vertical mobility with a day pass ($30) at The Stronghold Climbing Gym.
  • 2:00pm: Back to our shared adventure! Sip on an afternoon tea and peruse the high-brow bookstore, Stories. Next door, travel to another era at the Time Travel Mart, an immersive experience where every purchase supports youth writing programs. 
  • 3:00pm: Hang a right on Logan St and walk 3 blocks down to Echo Park Lake. Stroll either direction around the lake, and peel off at the Southeast corner East onto Bellevue Ave.
  • 4:00pm: Just 3 short blocks from the park you’ll enter the Angelino Heights sub-neighborhood. Make sure to walk along Carroll Ave to admire the gorgeous Victorian houses and see if you can spot a few famous ones. The house from the Thriller music video and the manor from Charmed are on the same block!
  • 5:00pm: Head North on Douglas St until you’re back on Sunset. Cross over and go right to Sick City Records, an alt rock record store meets barbershop. Mozy back West along Sunset and stop at whatever calls your name (but don’t miss the quirky Reverie Bookstand!).

Evening

  • 6:15pm: Sit down for dinner at A Tí, a trendy spot serving elevated tacos and other Mexican dishes. 
  • 7:00pm: Continue your leisurely journey West on Sunset until you reach The Echo. Catch an indie show (usually 8pm, $25+) at the Echo or Echoplex. If you have time to kill before the show, stop in at Fluffy McLeod’s for an ice cream.
  • 10:00pm(ish): When the show ends, debrief over drinks at El Prado, a cozy bar right across the street. Get home safely!

Tips

  • Total walk time: 1h 25m
  • This itinerary can be done Friday-Sunday.
  • Don’t forget your reservations! Schedule an appointment to view the 3-D museum (check their website for more info), book a slot for your haircut/tattoo (if applicable), and we recommend purchasing show tickets for the Echo+plex in advance.
  • It would be easy to spend a leisurely day in Echo Park exploring Elysian Park’s trails and sights, but that simply wouldn’t allow all the stops on this itinerary so we didn’t include it. And of course, Dodger Stadium is housed within Elysian Park. If you prefer baseball to concerts, plan your day to coincide with a game!

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