Atwater Village - Los Angeles, CA

Originally part of Rancho San Rafael, Atwater Village lies largely in the old flood plain of the Los Angeles River. In 1868, a portion of the ranch was purchased by W.C.B. Richardson, who renamed it Rancho Santa Eulalia. The land was later obtained by the family of Harriet Atwater Paramore and given the name Atwater Park.

Residents began settling in Atwater Village in the 1920s. Families favored the new, small, Spanish style houses, several of which survive in the neighborhood. Ethnically, the town diversified in the 20th century with young hopefuls flocking to the Hollywood area for its career opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Atwater Village has a unique area museum known as the Holyland Exhibition. Antonia Futterer traveled to the Holy Land in 1926 and amassed a collection of artifacts ranging from oil lamps to mummy casket tapestries. The museum hosts no annual events but provides weekly tours.

Atwater Village has a few main thoroughfares with dining options along each of them. Stroll along Los Feliz Boulevard to find burgers and tacos, or travel down Glendale Boulevard if you want to go to a quaint coffee house.

Located on Glendale Boulevard, Canele brings delectable French dining to your fingertips. Start your weekend with brunch and order the baked pancake with lemon custard. Diners also rave about the mascarpone French toast. For lunch, go for the herb-roasted leg of lamb Wednesday through Friday. Dinnertime features fantastic locally grown foods made into classic French cuisine.

Dig into a hefty hamburger at The Morrison on Los Feliz Boulevard. Locals hail this gastropub as one of the best places to gather for incredible food. Don't skip the famed ramen burger, as chefs stack a savory beef patty with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes before placing it between a crunchy bun made of ramen noodles.

Head to Atwater Village Tavern and socialize with your neighbors. This local favorite sits on Glendale Boulevard and serves Mexican food with a twist. In addition to pulled-pork quesadillas and the best avocado fries around, the tavern also whips up beef brisket tacos and "Mexican barbecue."

When night falls, Giggles Night Club features a hip, contemporary setting for the 21-and-over crowd. Dance to sizzling Latin DJs, or lounge on comfy chairs while listening to the music. The place has seven fully stocked bars, huge plasma TVs and plenty of action to keep your night rocking until 3 a.m.

A chief advantage of Atwater Village is the easy commute. The neighborhood lies just east of Interstate 5 and south of State Route 134. From SR-134, drivers can reach the Hollywood Freeway, U.S. State Route 101. Downtown Los Angeles rests 8 miles southeast of the village. Most residents commute by car and must contend with limited street parking in Atwater Village. Parking remains free, however.

Pedestrians enjoy safe sidewalk travel in the neighborhood, and many errands can be accomplished on foot. Few bike lanes have been designated for cyclists, so exercise caution.

Several taxi companies service Atwater Village. For a pickup, simply call for a reservation. Uber ride-sharing service may be arranged by downloading the mobile app.

Locals enjoy access to reliable public transportation. Los Angeles Metro buses and Metrolink trains service the area. You find the Glendale Metrolink station on West Cerritos Avenue, and from here, passengers can travel to outlying Southern California counties, including Ventura and Orange Counties.

Griffith Park stands out as a neighborhood icon more so than any other locale. Home to the Los Angeles Zoo, Autry National Center and the Griffith Observatory, the park comprises a whopping 4,210 acres. Head to Crystal Springs Drive, where you arrive at the largest U.S. municipal park with an urban wilderness area. The bridle trails attract horseback riders, while avid cyclists clock serene miles on the park roads. Load up your golf clubs and hit the greens, or just sit under a shade tree for a picnic.

One of the most popular attractions of the park is the Griffith Observatory. Self-described as "Southern California's gateway to the cosmos," the phenomenal observatory boasts public telescopes that draw scores of stargazers. Every time the seasons change, Griffith staff members host a talk to explain the solstices and equinoxes. Plan a visit for the next lunar eclipse for a spectacular viewing.

Griffith Park welcomes families with children and pets at no cost. Guests of all ages may visit Griffith Observatory for an admission fee.

Spend a day of recreation at Elysian Park on Academy Road. Atwater Village locals favor this park for its challenging hiking trails with stunning views. Tucked behind Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park inspires both novice and avid hikers to hit the trails and glimpse the L.A. basin in beautiful panorama. Grab your dog for a perfect pooch outing at this neighborhood gem.

Residents of Atwater Village benefit from lower-cost housing compared to the cost in Glendale. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Atwater Village for an average of $1,450 a month. Whereas, Glendale residents pay an average rent of roughly $1,800 for a studio. The cost of living is approximately 44 percent lower in Atwater Village than in Glendale.

Drivers pay about 17 percent above the national average cost for gas, but public transportation remains affordable. A trip to the city center costs $1.75 base fare on the Metro.

Expect to pay around $4 for a beer at a local pub.

To stock up on groceries, locals head to Costco Wholesale on Los Feliz Boulevard and Ralphs on East Colorado Street. Every Sunday, residents browse the Atwater Village Farmers' Market from 10 am to 2 pm. Located on Glendale Boulevard, this thriving market provides farm-fresh goods from over two dozen Southern California farms.

Ask locals for the best high-end shopping destination, and they'll point you to The Americana at Brand not far away in Glendale. Known simply as the Americana, this gorgeous outdoor shopping center resembles a modern villa and is filled with top brands such as Free People, Tiffany & Co. and Diane von Furstenberg.

Those looking to save a penny visit The Left Bank. This treasure trove on Fletcher Drive is packed with rare vintage and thrift items. Sort through an eccentric collection of neckties and fedoras to accessorize your wardrobe. Atwater Village residents tout The Left Bank as a goldmine for everything from purses and shoes to funky clothes and home furnishings.

Alias Books East on Glendale Boulevard is a haven for those who love books and ideas. The thoughtful staff is ready to discuss literature with you at the drop of a hat, and the beautifully curated inventory spans cookbooks, historical literature, and books on film, fashion and yoga, among many other subjects.

Stitch Art LA, also on Glendale Boulevard, is where to go when you need a screen-printed t-shirt or some customized embroidery on a hat, jacket or sash. The professional service, reasonable prices and attention to detail make Stitch Art LA the first stop for Atwater Village locals when team spirit needs to be announced to the world.