Crenshaw - Los Angeles, CA

The Crenshaw neighborhood originated in the early 20th century being split off from surrounding neighborhoods and has remained a mostly residential and very diverse area since then. The neighborhood bounced back after experiencing a devestating earthquake in 1994 and the Los Angeles riots 1992.

The Crenshaw neighborhood residents enjoy a multitude of parades and festivals in downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. A Chinese New Year parade happens in Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles every year attracting thousands of people.

In February Crenshaw residents can go to Crenshaw Plaza for the annual Pan African Film Festival with films featuring cultural and racial issues of our world. Admission costs $30 for a day pass per person.

The Museum of African American Art situated on Crenshaw Boulevard provides a great cultural experience for art lovers. The non-profit stays open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and admittance is free.

Locals in Crenshaw choose from affordable and mid-range eats, including Mexican, Salvadoran, pizza joints, and brunch spots.

Post & Beam serves up the epitome of Californian fare in a hip and urban atmosphere. Located on Santa Rosalina Drive on the northeast side of the neighborhood, the restaurant has been featured in several food and lifestyle magazines that rave about the food and vibe. Customers come to brunch for beautifully prepared dishes such as Southern-style eggs and homemade buttermilk pancakes while they enjoy live jazz music, or arrive at lunchtime for the slow-cooked ribs. The simple dinner menu offers dishes such as shrimp grits with beef bacon and spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Located in the same shopping center as Post & Beam, Cafe Creole serves New Orleans-style Cajun foods such as blackened fish with rice and Louisiana hot links. Servings are generous and prices fair, with a combo plate that can easily feed two people.

The Candy Shack located on Crenshaw Boulevard is one of the best places in the neighborhood to enjoy a fun Friday night out for a modest cover charge. The club always has someone playing beats, and in between DJ sets, bands and solo performers play live music. There's no dress code at this laid-back establishment, which balances a chill atmosphere with high-energy good times.

Crenshaw Boulevard provides the main transportation route in and out of the neighborhood with other main roads like West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard cutting across it. Use the Uber app to catch a ride around the Crenshaw neighborhood if you don't have a car. Alternatively, use one of the many cab companies operating in Crenshaw. You can hail them from the curbside.

Public transportation can be found easily, whether it's the Metro rail service or the LADOT bus service. A trip from the center of the neighborhood to Downtown Los Angeles takes about 40 minutes by car or bus.

Most residents park on the street freely. Since the neighborhood remains mostly residential it proves safe for bikers and pedestrians.

Several parks are located in and around the Crenshaw neighborhood including Jim Gilliam Park on the west side of the neighborhood. The park features an indoor gym and indoor basketball courts. Outside, the park features more basketball courts and tennis courts. Soccer and football fields are also in the park. A large playground with safe and clean play equipment provides ample space for children to play. A picnic area with tables and barbecue pits can also be found here. The outside park costs nothing to use and stays open until 9 p.m. during the week and closes earlier on the weekends. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park.

The Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area sits just off to the west right outside the neighborhood boundary. Here patrons can enjoy 308 acres of quiet greenery and many sports areas including soccer and baseball fields. Walking and hiking trails wind through the park providing breathtaking views of the city. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden. During the week the recreation area does not cost anything, and on weekends, vehicles pay a $6 fee. Leashed dogs are allowed inside the park.

The cost of living in the Crenshaw neighborhood averages about 3 percent lower than the average of Los Angeles. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,047 per month.

A ticket to ride the Metro rail costs $1.75 for a one-way ticket with several lines running in and out of the neighborhood and into the city. Bus passes are available with many LADOT city buses running, and a monthly pass costs $57.

A beer at a local bar or restaurant can start at around $4 for a regular domestic beer and specialty beers start at $8 and go up from there depending on the establishment and the beer.

Gas prices in the Crenshaw neighborhood run about 16 percent higher than the national average.

Because Crenshaw remains a residential area there are very few shopping options aside from chain retail stores in the Crenshaw Plaza strip mall. Residents can find some boutiques located just to a few blocks north of the neighborhood.

My Little Sunshine Baby Boutique located on Washington Boulevard just north of the center of Crenshaw carries a wide variety of baby clothing and accessories. Their unique pieces are hard to find in other shops like it. The store also sells eco-friendly and innovative baby furniture and accessories as well as toys and other baby essentials.

Superior Grocers on South La Brea Avenue provides acts as the main grocery store for the area and carries regular grocery items and also caters to an international crowd selling ethnic foods and products. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the store itself always looks clean.

Crenshaw does not have its own farmers market, so residents travel to the next town to enjoy the Culver City Farmer's Market, open Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Patrons can walk through the stands and find fresh and organic produce and homemade goods like jams and sauces.