West Adams - Los Angeles, CA Area Guide

West Adams is LA's oldest neighborhood, developed in the late 1800s. Much of the buildings were built between 1880 and 1925, and this area contains some of LA's best Victorian-era architecture. Once considered the wealthiest neighborhood in the city, West Adams contained the massive mansions of entrepreneurs, real estate developers, oil barons, and railroad magnates. Today, the neighborhood contains five historic districts, each with amazing architecture. The Menlo Avenue-West Twenty-Ninth Street Historic District contains Victorian and Craftsman-style homes dating to 1896. In the Twentieth Street Historic District, you'll discover a wealth of Bungalow and Craftsman-style homes. Percy H. Clark built six of the homes in the Van Buren Place Historic District.

During the 1940s and '50s, West Adams gained a cool vibe as famous musicians, such as Little Richard and Ray Charles, moved in. Ray Charles had his business headquarters and his RPM studio in the neighborhood. It was named the "Ray Charles Square" in his honor. Today, West Adams is a rare combination of historic mansions and homes, trendy and hip boutiques and restaurants, and a vibrant college-town energy.

Nearby museums in this area include the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California African American Museum, and the California Science Center. These locations rest in close proximity to Interstate 110 and have various attractions and exhibits. The California African American Museum provides art, culture, and history exhibits as well as live events throughout the year.

The restaurants in West Adams consist of options that range from authentic Latin American cuisine to seafood markets. This area also has bakeries, fast food stands, and cafes. The central location for restaurants and nightlife borders Interstate 10 throughout the area.

Vees Cafe provides a breakfast and brunch menu, which includes breakfast burritos and breakfast paninis that guests highly recommend. These popular menu items may be combined with fresh juice, organic coffee, or fine tea. Vees Cafe has an inexpensive menu considering the excellent quality of food.

Although several authentic Latin American restaurants border Intestate 10, Mariscos Maria's Restaurant has genuine Latin American food that guests find not only affordable but enjoyable. This restaurant has menu items that combines seafood with authentic Latin American options. The Tostada Mixta and the Tostada de Jaiba y Camaron prevail as customer favorites and come strongly recommended.

Nightlife in West Adams consists of dance clubs, lounges, and pubs. Popular locations include Soulside Productions, Cafe Club Fais Do-Do, and Jah-Life. Soulside Productions functions as a music venue and a dance club. This nightlife location has a live DJ and a large dance floor. Soulside Productions plays a mixture of vintage Jamaican music and R&B that includes reggae, ska, and rocksteady. Cafe Club Fais Do-Do is a place residents can watch a dance show or listen to a live band. This club has a nicely sized dance floor and a decent selection of mixed drinks.

West Adams ranks as a highly walkable neighborhood in the Los Angeles area. Many errands can be accomplished on foot; however, cycling is a convenient option for reaching a nearby location as a result of the scattered bike lanes. West Adams has good transit and nearby public transportation options. This area uses the Metro for public transportation and has about 19 bus lines and a single light rail line passing through the area.

Car-sharing services like Uber, RelayRides, and Zipcar provide service for residents without a personal car. Local taxis run regularly and provide another alternative for errands that require a vehicle. For access to nearby locations, Interstate 10 and Interstate 100 are available.

West Adams has multiple small neighborhood parks and recreational centers. The Loren Miller Recreation Center has lit outdoor basketball courts, a large children's playground, lit tennis courts, and picnic tables for special events. This beautiful neighborhood park allows visitors to exercise or enjoy the comforts of nature. Loren Miller Recreation Center has programs for children throughout the year that include preschool, language classes, and sports activities. The price for these programs range depending on the activities and resources required.

The Normandie Recreation Center also provides a family-friendly park in the West Adams area. This facility has an indoor gymnasium that doubles as an auditorium. The park includes a lit baseball diamond, indoor basketball courts, a children's play area, and a community room. Normandie Recreation Center has year-round sports and dance programs as well as tutoring, summer camp, and after school programs. The cost for the different programs can range depending on the activities and resources. This park provides an ideal location for exercise or hosting a special event.

The cost of living in West Adams sits at eight percent lower than Los Angeles. Metro rail and bus lines provide the public transportation in this area, which costs $1.75 for a single, one-way fare. The average rental rate rests at $1,241. However, a one-bedroom apartment in West Adams can start at $600 and go all the way up to $1,725.

Gas in this neighborhood generally sits more than 11 percent higher than the national average, and a resident should expect to pay close to $5 for a pint of domestic beer at a local bar.

Shopping in West Adams consists of a few department stores and chain retailers. The area also has a wide selection of speciality shops and boutiques that border Interstate 10. Residents frequently shop for groceries at stores that include Smart & Final and Food 4 Less. These stores are an alternative to expensive grocery stores and have a reputation for competitive prices and quality products. Ralph's and Smart & Final have a selection of home essentials as well as produce, meats, and seafood items.

Danny's Warehouse, a large warehouse filled with discounted sports apparel, is a popular destination. Customers find locating the items through the tons of inventory just as much fun as using the items. Big Daddy's Antiques has a distinct collection of antiques and oddities. This store has a high price tag for some items, but they're often worth it. Big Daddy's Antiques has furniture and custom pieces that would be near impossible to locate in a department store or chain retailer. This store doubles as an event space and has items for both the home and garden.

The Adams/Vermont Farmers' Market provides a local market that stays open from June through August every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This market is open three months a year and has a wide selection of produce, local specialties, crafts, prepared foods, and organic bites.