About Los Feliz
Los Feliz
Los Feliz is one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods, located on the eastern side of the Hollywood Hills, just north of Hollywood and next to Griffith Park, the largest municipal park with an urban wilderness in the country.,
The neighborhood has long been home to movie stars, musicians, and Hollywood elite. Presently Jon Hamm, Kristen Bell, Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Colin Farrell, James Cameron and Angelina Jolie make it their home. It boasts some of the best-known residential architecture in Los Angeles, including two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright’s first project in Los Angeles, the Ennis House, built by his son, Lloyd using pre-cast concrete “textile block.” Included in the national registry of historic places, it has been in many films and television programs, most notably in the 1982 Blade Runner. Wright’s Hollyhock House is now the site of the eleven-acre public Barnsdall Art Park and Museum. Another architecturally ground breaking house is Richard Neutra's Lovell House . Once described as "a Mondrian painting come to life," the 1929 prefabricated steel caged house ignited Neutra’s world-wide reputation. There are a variety of architectural styles in Los Feliz homes from classic Mediterranean, Spanish Riviera, Norman French and Country English to Mid-Century Modern.
Los Feliz was home to many early film studios. Walt Disney drew his first image of Mickey Mouse in the garage of his uncle's house in Los Feliz and later opened his first animation studio nearby on Kingswell Avenue. D.W Griffith ran his production studio on what is, now Laughlin Park an exclusive, gated Los Feliz neighborhood.
Los Feliz’s backyard is Griffith Park with over 53 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. This 4,310-acre park is home to the Autry Museum of the American West, the Greek Theatre, the Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Observatory. There are two 18-hole and one 9-hole public golf courses; the Los Angeles Equestrian Center that offers boarding and direct access to all of Griffith Park trails; and grassy, open spaces for family picnics and soccer.
The Neighborhoods of Los Feliz
Los Feliz Village
Centered between Vermont Ave. and Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz Village is a city-wide destination known for its retail, coffee shops, bars, bookstores, cinemas and restaurants. Primarily apartments built in the 1920s and 1930s as well as California Bungalows made up the surrounding neighborhood.
Los Feliz Hills
North of Los Feliz Blvd. leading up to the entrance of Griffith Park is an area known for generously sized lots with predominantly Spanish and Mediterranean style homes that represent the upper-end of the real estate market on the Eastside. Given the hilly topography, many of the homes offer views of downtown and the city to its south. As one of the older neighborhoods in Los Angeles, many were built between 1920 and 1930. But like much of Los Angeles residential architecture no one style dominates. There are fine examples of Mid-Century Modern along with Tudor Revival.
Franklin Hills
Franklin Hills is part of the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains that span westward to Malibu. Los Angeles’ population nearly doubled in the 1880s and then quintupled in the 1890s during a real estate boon. Although Franklin Hills residential development didn’t occur until the 1920s, the American Vitagraph in 1915 opened its studios. Twin homes near the corner of Lyric Ave. and St George Street were owned in the 1920s by brothers Waly and Roy Disney who could walk to their studio on Kingswell Ave. The homes are Franklin Hills reflect the styles of their period. There are some fine examples from the 1930s of Streamline Moderne inspired by aerodynamic designs that often feature curved, horizontal, lines that resemble nautical or industrial look giving a sense of speed or motion. Another architectural feature of Franklin Hills is the Gothic style Shakespeare Bridge built in 1937 and now designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.
Laughlin Park
Rated by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the 5 top neighborhood, Laughlin Park represents “Old Hollywood” wealth and glamour. Fittingly, the early residents of this gated community include Hollywood royalty Cecile B. DeMille, Carol Lombard, Charlie Chapin and W. C Fields. And today Laughlin Park still holds allure for A-list celebrities Natalie Portman, Kristen Stewart, Will.i.am and Angelina Jolie who lives in the former Cecil B DeMille’s Beaux Arts, six-bedroom, ten bath mansion. A surprisingly wide range of architecture is on display among the sixty odd stately homes within its gates including Spanish, Mediterranean, French, Gothic and traditional. There are several homes designed by Frank Llyod Wright as well as those by noted architects Gordon Kaufman and Julia Morgan (known for her work at San Simeon and as well as being principal architect for William Randolph Hearst on many of his projects.)
The Oaks
Adjacent to Griffith Park is one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and peaceful neighborhoods. While not technically part of Los Feliz, The Oaks named after the variety of oak tree named streets – Wild Oak, Valley Oak, Verde Oak that wind through its hilly slopes past an eclectic mix of homes dating back to the early 1900s. The neighborhood has a significant concentration of Arts and Crafts (Craftsman) homes. In fact, the largest Arts and Crafts house in the Western United State, the Artemisa (1913) on Valley Oak Drive recently sold for over $12 million. The interior space, over 13,000 square feet, offers eight bedroom, nine baths and features a 2,000 square foot ballroom.
Atwater Village
Just east of Los Feliz across the Los Angeles River is Atwater Village. The area has undergone gentrification in the last decade with new restaurants and shops along Los Feliz and Glen Feliz Blvds. that cater to the recent arrived young creatives. Change will continue with the re-imagining of the Los Angeles River. Property prices have risen is anticipation of the massive developments that expand the public access to the riverside’s green spaces and parks. Interestingly Atwater has the largest concentration of pre-1939 buildings in LA County.
Los Feliz/Atwater Schools
Among the many factors in considering where to live, the proximity to quality school is vitally important. It’s not only important information for parents of school aged children, but for any informed buyer or seller who knows school location’s impact on property value and re-sale.
The school finder link provided is intended as a first step. Before purchasing or renting, parents of school aged children need to contact the district’s school for availability and registration requirements. When considering private schools, in addition to availability and registration requirements, commute times and transportation should be considered.
Public Schools
The Los Angeles Unified School District Resident School Identifier is a helpful tool to locate schools in your dream neighborhood. This website matches address within the school district to the corresponding elementary, middle and high schools.
Private Schools
Things to do in and Around Los Feliz
Los Angeles Zoo - a family-favorite for decades
Griffith Observatory – is a free-admission, iconic public attraction and offers public telescope viewings along with educational programs.
The Greek Theatre – is the iconic outdoor amphitheater providing a great music venue for internationally known acts.
Hollywood Bowl - an historic outdoor music amphitheater that brings in nationally recognized musicians and performers and is home to L.A. Philharmonic’s summer concerts
Golf – a driving range, two public 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course named after the US presidents.
Hiking and Biking– to the Hollywood Sign, observatory and through the canyons including the popular Runyon Canyon trail.
Open spaces – throughout the park for soccer and family picnics.
Los Angeles Equestrian Center – offers boarding with direct access to all of Griffith Park trails
Other Popular Los Feliz Attractions
Jerome C. Daniel Overlook – is a tour stop and often crowded with buses, but it’s one of the best panoramic views in Los Angeles on a bluff above the Hollywood Bowl.
Secret Steps - originally built as a direct route for hillside residents to get to and from public trolleys, and now a great place for stair climbing workouts. There is an app available of A Walking Guide to the Historical Stairs of Los Angeles.
Lake Hollywood Park - a great dog-friendly open space with green grass and picnic tables.
Hollywood Reservoir – an almost hidden and less-trafficked trail (3.3 miles) around the reservoir for biking, hiking or walking.
Interested in learning more about Los Feliz?
Get in touch with David Rosen to learn more about upcoming listings and local real estate trends.
