Neighborhood Series: Spending the day in Highland Park

Highland Park has a ping pong history from its artistic lure for the affluent crowd in the early 20th century to a demographic shift to Latinos in the 60s to gentrification just in the past two decades. It has become popular for its surviving craftsman homes built by its early artistic residents and its revitalized arts scene. It’s also just a fun place to be, so let’s get into it!

Highland Park’s got it all: history, culture, art, and some of the best spots to eat, drink & hang in LA. From Craftsman homes to colorful streets and cool new restaurants, it’s the perfect neighborhood to explore.

Use this itinerary however you’d like. Skip a few stops, start late, leave early, it’s your day. We just hope this guide makes choosing a little easier.

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Getting There

• Metro: Take the Metro A light rail 5 stops Northeast from Union Station to the Highland Park stop. The line runs every 15 minutes all day and night.
• Driving: Park at the LADOT lot just across from the light rail station at 155 N Ave 57 for only $2.50 all day.

Morning

• 9:00am: Start your day with a sit-down breakfast at Kitchen Mouse Cafe, an all-day vegetarian eatery just one block Southeast of the light rail. Take a coffee or juice to go for your first stroll of the day. 
• 9:45am: Walk North through neighborhood streets about 16 minutes to Galco’s Old World Grocery, a shop that’s been family operated for more than 100 years! This deli-turned-soda shop stocks 600+ sodas and beers. If you just can’t choose, make your own soda at the back of the shop! Take your soda to go for your next walk.
• 10:30am: Another 15 minutes West you’ll arrive at the poppin’ section of York Blvd. The stretch between N Ave 52 and N Ave 50 is home to several excellent small shops. You really can’t go wrong between Arroyo Records, Shorthand stationary, Crush & Touch art supply, re_ grocery, and The Pop-Hop bookstore. Not to mention clothing stores like The Plus Bus Boutique and Mas Amor In The Making. 

Afternoon

• 12:30pm: When you’re ready to fuel up check out one of these lunch spots: Joy for Taiwanese or Belle’s Delicatessen for bagel sandwiches. Both are on the same shopping stretch you’ve been perusing.
• 1:15pm: Make your way to Bob Baker Marionette Theater for a 1:30pm show (weekends only, $25). Marionettes are for all ages, so don’t be shy about stopping in for a 1-hour show!
• 2:30pm: Two doors West at Kiez Küche, grab a German beer and debate the underlying themes and nuances of the marionette show. When you simply can’t discuss it any longer, enjoy the beer garden’s ping pong, bocce ball, and foosball. 
• 4:30pm: At your leisure, walk back along York Blvd. Grab a gourmet snack for later at Sip Snack but don’t eat it yet! Otherwise, you might not have room for the best (vegan!) donut of your life from Donut Friend. Stop in at any shops you missed earlier on your way back East.
• 5:30pm: Head back toward Figueroa. It’s about a 26 minute walk (turning right on N Ave 54) or you can take the Highland Park / Eagle Rock bus Eastbound for 5 stops. Grab a few loaded tacos at Villa’s Tacos, a local favorite serving up each taco in handmade blue corn tortillas.

Evening

• 6:15pm: Head East on Figueroa about 5 minutes to Gold Line for cocktail hour. This 70s-chic bar has a vinyl collection that’ll knock your socks off. If you drove, this would be a good time to drop off your shopping bags at your car.
• 7:15pm: Doors typically open at 7pm at Lodge Room, where you can catch an indie concert or other show for around $25-$35. Check their website for upcoming shows and tickets.
• 10pm(ish): Whenever the show is over, head one more block East to Highland Park Bowl for a dimly lit game of bowling. If you need to wait for your time slot, enjoy a drink at their bowling pin bar. Head home whenever you’re ready!

Tips

• Total walk time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Everything on this itinerary can be done Saturday or Sunday. Without the marionette show, it opens up to any day of the week, but check the Lodge Room schedule in advance since weeknight shows vary.
• We recommend getting tickets for Bob Baker’s and the Lodge Room in advance. We also recommend reserving a slot at Highland Park Bowl in advance, since it can get crowded. 

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