Mariposa - Glendale, CA

Glendale became a township in 1887 after Rancho San Rafael, a ranch that also included much of neighboring Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Burbank, was divided, creating smaller plots of land. Six landowners pooled their assets to form the 150-acre town of Glendale. In 1906, the Mariposa area had grown to 1,486 acres through annexations and was incorporated into the City of Glendale. It continued to grow in acres over the years, eventually accumulating a total of 34 neighborhoods, including Mariposa.

Interesting museums and historical attractions are just a hop, skip and a jump from Mariposa. Forest Lawn Museum, which sits on a hilltop above the famous cemetery, features diverse art exhibits, such as 14th-century armor and large sculptures made of Lego. The Glendale Historical Society hosts annual and ongoing events, including free walking tours highlighting unique features of the area.

Mariposa doesn’t have a central restaurant location, but locals don't have to go too far to treat hunger pangs; good restaurants abound in the Glendale area. As diverse as the population itself, the food choices include traditional American dishes and numerous exotic cuisines.

If you’re in the mood for a Middle Eastern meal, hit up Massif Mediterranean Grill on East Colorado Boulevard. With friendly service and reasonable prices, this establishment serves fresh, authentic fare in an unassuming atmosphere. The menu gets rave reviews from locals, who say the creamy hummus can't be beat. Try one of the kebob or shawarma plates for dinner, have a falafel for lunch, or go for early morning eats, as Massif also opens for breakfast.

More ethnic food awaits you at Rincon Argentino. The cook here fires up a mean Argentinean pizza, according to fans, and people from all over Los Angeles County flock to this carneceria for the empanadas that come with a variety of fillings. This specialty shop also offers other Argentinean items to take home, such as meats and beer.

Lucy’s Pizza and Burgers fills the bill when you’re craving American favorites. Munch on the meat lover’s pizza topped with pepperoni, salami, ham, sausage and bacon, or settle on the unusual yet true to the neighborhood Armenian-style pizza. This pie includes basturma or sujukh, basil, feta cheese, bell pepper and tomatoes. Dine in, take out or phone in your order. Lucy’s delivers anything on its menu, including tasty cheeseburgers, wings and curly fries.

Locals have no shortage of things to do in Glendale when the sun goes down. Bowling enthusiasts visit Jewel City Bowl on weeknights to get their game on and have a few drinks. Jewel City also has pool tables and a happy hour and often plays Top 40 music, making it a lively place to spend the evening. Neighborhood residents can head to Complex on East Colorado Street, which occasionally hosts bands, to listen to live music. This small, cozy venue sometimes has DJs and karaoke nights, too. Other DJs spin music at nearby 103 lounge, which also features a dance floor for those who want to kick up their heels.

Most Mariposa residents drive a car to get around, but walking also presents a viable option for running some errands or grabbing a bite to eat. Bikers use caution when cycling through town, as not many bike lanes exist.

You can’t hail a cab in Mariposa, but you can phone ahead for taxi or town car service. Uber does not do business in this area. Public transportation includes the Glendale Metrolink, which travels to other areas of Los Angeles, Ventura County and the Antelope Valley. The Ventura, Glendale, Foothill and Golden State freeways are all easily accessible from Glendale’s streets.

Some areas of Glendale require you to pay a fee to park. Downtown street parking features digital meters that let you pay by credit card and send you a text message shortly before your time expires.

Mariposa residents can work out or relax at Maple Park. This park features walking paths, a tennis court, play area, swimming pool and drop-in sports programs. Youths don't pay any entry fee, but the park requires adults to obtain a $25 yearly activity card if they wish to participate in the sports programs. A little farther away, Verdugo Park provides a place to take your four-legged friend. This park welcomes on-leash pets and has hiking trails, picnic tables and playgrounds. It also sponsors Summer Concerts in the Park from early June to early August of each year. Admission to both the park and the concerts is free.

The cost of living in the Mariposa neighborhood sits about 5 percent less than Glendale’s average but slightly higher than the average of Los Angeles County. A Metrolink ticket to Los Angeles sets you back about 6 bucks, unless a promotion runs, and you can expect to pay about $3 for a beer on tap during happy hour. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers right around $2,100 per month. Gas here costs about 30 percent more than the national average.

The Glendale Galleria serves as the area’s main shopping mall, with a variety of both low- to high-end stores, including Target, JCPenney, Bloomingdale’s, Coach and The Disney Store. When you’re done shopping at this mall, head across the street to the Americana at Brand and browse more well-known shops, such as American Girl, Nordstrom and Calvin Klein, and pick up some Sprinkles cupcakes for the ride home.

When you feel like straying from the mainstream, shop the Indian fashions for women at Karma-Xpress. This quirky little boutique sells colorful, high-quality ethnic apparel, accessories and incense. Ask the super-friendly staff for help if you can’t find what you need. If vintage and antique items get your motor running, make the trek to the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, only about 13 minutes away by car. This market, which operates on the second Sunday of every month, features has more than 2,500 vendors of things both old and current; you can find new merchandise at bargain prices as well as hard-to-find treasures.

Mariposa residents fill their grocery baskets at one of Glendale’s many markets, including Vons, Ralphs and Whole Foods Market. Those seeking locally sourced produce and other goods visit the Downtown Glendale Farmers Market on Thursdays between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.