Eagle Rock Los Angeles, CA

Eagle Rock was once known as Rancho San Rafael when it was under Spanish and Mexican rule. In 1870, it was divided into parcels as a farming community, and in 1911, it became a city. In 1923, Eagle Rock became part of Los Angeles. Since that time, this neighborhood has become part of a suburbanization of Los Angeles, hosting affordable apartments for students attending nearby Occidental College. The Eagle Rock Center for the Arts offers classes, concerts and other opportunities, including exhibitions. Ghettogloss and Curve Line Space are two other local galleries adding to the arts scene here.

Eagle Rock is a foodie paradise, with many culinary choices clustered along Colorado Blvd., the area’s main drag. French, soul food, deli food, Italian, American, burgers, sandwiches, Mediterranean, and Mexican all reside in this eclectic neighborhood. If you try only one restaurant in Eagle Rock, make it Little Beast. Named after the affectionate nickname the couple running the place calls their son, it’s low on attitude and high on taste. Another area gem can be found at The Oinkster. If you thought of pork when you read that name, you wouldn’t be wrong – but this place is way more than that. Though known for its pastrami, pulled pork and reubens, The Oinkster also serves great salads and rotisserie chicken. Dressings are homemade in-house, and you can dip the food of your choice in the spicy homemade ketchup. The menu combined with a casual drive-in setting – with picnic tables, in case you want to hang out – makes The Oinkster stand head and shoulders above other places like it in the city. Everybody’s got a favorite taco joint. But in Eagle Rock, expect to get the real deal. CaCao Mexicatessen takes it up a notch with interesting burritos, tortas and tacos, including shrimp, duck and squash blossom. Though very casual in atmosphere, expect great food at a reasonable price. Nightlife in Eagle Rock turns up on weekends. Most locals head out to favorite bars, like The Eagle Rock Lounge and Black Boar for great beer selections and fantastic jukeboxes, or the All Star Lanes for a little bowling and karaoke. The Church on York also hosts great live music from local talent to the best in touring indie rock.

Though you can find some public transportation in the Eagle Rock area, you’re best off driving to your destination. Parking will likely be plentiful on the street or at a metered space. Access or leave Eagle Rock via the 134, 2 and 5 Freeways, which can connect you to wherever you want to go in the Los Angeles area. There are some bikes lanes in Eagle Rock, and the area is considered safe for cyclists.

The Eagle Rock Recreation Center provides visitors with a softball field, basketball courts, and tennis courts. For the kids, there’s a jungle gym, and for the dogs, lots of space to run around. The Eagle Rock Canyon Trail is a one-mile loop trail around the famed Eagle Rock in pleasant surroundings. Parks are free and mostly easy to park at, with exercise and fitness activities encouraged. Kids and dogs are always welcome. Street Food Cinema provides the area’s summer festivities, with movie screenings and lots of food trucks to meet any craving.

The cost of living in Eagle Rock runs slightly lower than the average in Los Angeles. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,400 per month.

With charming boutiques and locally-owned specialty stores dotting the neighborhood, you'll discover plenty of interesting shops to explore once you move to an Eagle Rock apartment. Leanna Lin's Wonderland and Owl Talk sell unique women's clothing and accessories, some designed by local artists, while the Sniveling Sibling serves as the go-to spot for home decor and furniture. Comics VS Toys also lies along the main drag of Colorado Blvd., selling tons of cool graphic novels, action figures, and toys. Eagle Rock has many choices when it comes to groceries, with chain stores like Trader Joe's, Vons, and Ralph's represented alongside smaller grocers such as Organix and Fresco Community Market. The Eagle Rock Certified Farmers Market opens on Friday evenings, with fresh produce, fish, crepes, and roasted corn for sale and an Elvis impersonator to entertain the crowd.