Nestled around the Silver Lake Reservoir, this elegant, yet eclectic neighborhood has been a pioneering creative hub for over a century, from its early days as a mecca for early movie production to today’s Bohemian sensibility with a refined edge. A day spent discovering Silver Lake’s lush hills, hidden modernist architecture and secret staircases will inspire even the most everyday explorer.
Silver Lake
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Grungy and glamorous, this fast-evolving neighborhood has transformed from a hidden enclave of Desperado street artists and musicians into a slick artworld mecca filled with cutting edge galleries, breweries and high-end lofts. But the outlaw spirit remains, and bright murals, installation art and crowded nighttime crowds make every day in this neighborhood, on the edge of Downtown LA, a feast for the senses.
Don’t let its mid-century suburban appeal fool you—Burbank is the true nerve center of the film and entertainment industry, home to major studios with endless backlots, simulating countless different worlds. From its early days a hub of aerospace innovation, this quaint Valley gem has always served up Americana charm to the power-players and industry leaders who have shaped popular culture and technological advancement for generations.
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Dashing Through LA
The Explorer's Guide to LA Neighborhoods
this bustling metropolis holds dozens of cities within a city. Neighborhoods known for new-age fusion cooking border those that are anchored in traditions originating worlds away.
While pop culture’s depictions of this sparkly city might have us believing we’ve seen every corner and heard all of her stories, these delightfully unique neighborhoods make up one magical town, full of curiosities and wonder on every doorstep. Join Atlas Obscura and DoorDash as we explore places and meet the many faces of three L.A. neighborhoods.
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Arts District
Hank Jenkins Believes in the Power of Plants
Silver Lake, LA
Silver Lake, LA
Nestled around the Silver Lake Reservoir, this elegant, yet eclectic neighborhood has been a pioneering creative hub for over a century, from its early days as a mecca for early movie production to today’s Bohemian sensibility with a refined edge. A day spent discovering Silver Lake’s lush hills, hidden modernist architecture and secret staircases will inspire even the most everyday explorer.
Silver Lake
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Discover Silver
Lake's Hidden
Painted Stairways
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Arts District
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Part art gallery, part bookshop, part occult-trinket-lover’s fantasy, Soap Plant/Wacko is a one-stop shop for all things curious and weird: Occult books. Novelty toys. Tarot cards. Deer feet.
Husband-and-wife duo Hank and Barbara Shire opened the shop in 1971 to sell Barbara’s handmade soaps—hence the first half of the name. In the 1980s, they handed the shop down to their son, Billy, who over the decades added to its inventory the eclectic wares it’s celebrated for today. The 6,000-square-foot novelty spot is also home to La Luz de Jesus Gallery, which features a rotating selection of counterculture art.
Stop by for a rare print and a rabbit skull or just to take in the view—and you can still grab a bar of artisan soap on your way out.
Silver Lake, LA
If you’ve got dreams in need of mending, you can get one today at Berry’s New Orleans tiki bar, Latitude 29. This “slightly less lethal” version of the original contains Carribean rum mixed with lime, grapefruit and cinnamon—and of course, a pinch of the house Undead Mix.
Other bartenders tried to guess the recipe, mixing fruity, saccharine imposters with an abundance of rum. But it wasn’t until 19 years after Beach’s death that someone succeeded: tiki cocktail expert Jeff “Beach Bum” Berry, who racked the code with the help of Beach’s enciphered recipe book.
Dubbed “a mender of broken dreams” by its secretive maker Donn Beach, the drink’s contents were long considered classified, unknown even to Beach’s own bartenders. All they knew was one Zombie was equal to seven standard drinks—thus the two-Zombie-per-customer rule at his restaurant, Don the Beachcomber.
Silver Lake, LA
Why settle for an ordinary drink when you can have one steeped in mystery, legend and lots—seriously, lots—of alcohol?
Part art gallery, part bookshop, part occult-trinket-lover’s fantasy, Soap Plant/Wacko is a one-stop shop for all things curious and weird: Occult books. Novelty toys. Tarot cards. Deer feet.
Husband-and-wife duo Hank and Barbara Shire opened the shop in 1971 to sell Barbara’s handmade soaps—hence the first half of the name. In the 1980s, they handed the shop down to their son, Billy, who over the decades added to its inventory the eclectic wares it’s celebrated for today. The 6,000-square-foot novelty spot is also home to La Luz de Jesus Gallery, which features a rotating selection of counterculture art.
Stop by for a rare print and a rabbit skull or just to take in the view—and you can still grab a bar of artisan soap on your way out.
Soap Plant / Wacko
Soap Plant / Wacko
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Echo Park Time Travel Mart
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Echo Park Time Travel Mart
“Wherever you are, we’re already then.”
Such says the slogan of the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a hybrid time-travel themed shop and literacy tutoring center. It’s the only place to find a Temporary Time Stop Kit or purchase 15 Minutes of Fame (one-time use), or perhaps a collection of bottled Dead Languages.
But the time-travel gear is just part of the fun. At the back of house, you’ll find a creative-writing center for Los Angeles students, run by the non-profit organization 826LA. Proceeds from the Mart keep the writing programs free for students.
The shop is also headquarters to Barnacle & Barnacle Publishers, a publishing house specializing in original student-authored books, also available for purchase. And don’t forget to grab some Time Travel Sickness Pills for your journey through the fourth dimension!
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The Zombie
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The Zombie
Why settle for an ordinary drink when you can have one steeped in mystery, legend and lots—seriously, lots—of alcohol?
Dubbed “a mender of broken dreams” by its secretive maker Donn Beach, the drink’s contents were long considered classified, unknown even to Beach’s own bartenders. All they knew was one Zombie was equal to seven standard drinks—thus the two-Zombie-per-customer rule at his restaurant, Don the Beachcomber.
Other bartenders tried to guess the recipe, mixing fruity, saccharine imposters with an abundance of rum. But it wasn’t until 19 years after Beach’s death that someone succeeded: tiki cocktail expert Jeff “Beach Bum” Berry, who racked the code with the help of Beach’s enciphered recipe book.
If you’ve got dreams in need of mending, you can get one today at Berry’s New Orleans tiki bar, Latitude 29. This “slightly less lethal” version of the original contains Carribean rum mixed with lime, grapefruit and cinnamon—and of course, a pinch of the house Undead Mix.
Close
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Curious Places and Inspiring Faces
Arts District
Arts District
Silver Lake
The Zombie
Echo Park Time Travel Mart
The shop is also headquarters to Barnacle & Barnacle Publishers, a publishing house specializing in original student-authored books, also available for purchase. And don’t forget to grab some Time Travel Sickness Pills for your journey through the fourth dimension!
But the time-travel gear is just part of the fun. At the back of house, you’ll find a creative-writing center for Los Angeles students, run by the non-profit organization 826LA. Proceeds from the Mart keep the writing programs free for students.
Such says the slogan of the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a hybrid time-travel themed shop and literacy tutoring center. It’s the only place to find a Temporary Time Stop Kit or purchase 15 Minutes of Fame (one-time use), or perhaps a collection of bottled Dead Languages.
Silver Lake, LA
“Wherever you are, we’re already then.”
Soap Plant / Wacko
Discover Silver Lake’s Hidden Painted Stairways
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A Wild West Dish Reimagined in Silver Lake
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Silver Lake, LA
A Wild West Dish Reimagined in Silver Lake
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W
ith an abundance of silver screens and sunny days, Los Angeles knows how to dazzle. A closer look, however, reveals that
ith an abundance of silver screens and sunny days, Los Angeles knows how to dazzle. A closer look, however, reveals that this bustling metropolis holds dozens of cities within a city. Neighborhoods known for new-age fusion cooking border those that are anchored in traditions originating worlds away.
While pop culture’s depictions of this sparkly city might have us believing we’ve seen every corner and heard all of her stories, these delightfully unique neighborhoods make up one magical town, full of curiosities and wonder on every doorstep. Join Atlas Obscura and DoorDash as we explore places and meet the many faces of three L.A. neighborhoods.
Bob's Big Boy Restaurant
Burbank, LA
For a touch of nostalgia with your flame-broiled hamburger, this restaurant is a Burbank must-visit. Built in 1949 by a pair of locals, it’s the oldest still-operating Bob’s Big Boy in the country. Designed by famed Los Angeles architect Wayne McAllister, the building style is often called “Googie architecture,” in which the influences of car culture and the Space Age are evident in its cantilevered roof and curving facade. After you’ve ogled the towering neon Bob’s sign and the life-sized cartoon mascot clad in red-and-white checkered overalls, settle in for whatever diner fare strikes your fancy. Loyalists swear by fried chicken and Belgian waffles, the signature double-decker cheeseburger and hand-spun milkshakes. You might just get lucky and score a seat in “The Beatles Booth,” so dubbed because it’s the spot where the band noshed during their 1965 tour.
Wildwood Canyon Park
Burbank, LA
You might be able to imagine you’re someplace more far-flung, but with so much diversity in the picturesque foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, you won’t want to be anywhere else when you’re exploring these 900 acres east of Yucaipa. The park, perched at an elevation of 3,000 feet, is a study in extremes with chilly, wet winters and scorching, dry summers. The assortment of rare flora and fauna, some of which are native only to California, that call this area home are specially adapted to survive such extreme conditions. Known for its terrific hiking, biking and equestrian trails, the park affords opportunities to spot the black-tailed jackrabbit, granite spiny lizard, mountain lion and about 100 species of birds, thanks to its position along the “Pacific Flyway,” an avian migratory mega-route.
Wat Thai Temple Food Market
Burbank, LA
Even if you’re not Buddhist, you’re still gonna want to go to temple—trust us. That’s because on the weekends, Los Angeles’ Wat Thai Temple’s parking lot transforms into a bustling open-air Thai food market, its parking spaces dotted with stalls selling the most authentic Thai food you can find outside of the motherland. Mango and sticky rice. Noodles fried in fish sauce and curry paste. Sweet grilled meats, coconut fritters, mussel pancakes—and of course, pad Thai. The delectable dishes trace back to the market’s 1980s origins, when a group of Thai grandmothers gathered to swap family recipes. Today, it’s a cherished hot spot for foodies and families alike, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the temple.
The Baked Potato Jazz Club
Burbank, LA
Sometimes the best music is the least pretentious—and the same goes for food. That’s why one of the most renowned jazz clubs in Los Angeles serves not shrimp cocktail or caviar, but baked potatoes. Lots of them. Pianist Don Randi—who performed with Nancy Sinatra and the Beach Boys—opened the Baked Potato in 1970, and it’s since played home to some of the greatest jazz musicians of the last several decades. Meanwhile, its menu features 24 different types of loaded spud: Marinated steak potato. Teriyaki Chicken Potato. Pizzaiola Sauce Potato. And of course, the Melted Cheese Potato. Make no mistake, the music is the headliner. But at the Baked Potato, you come for the jazz; you stay for the comfort food.
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The Mystery of the Burbank “B”
Bob's Big Boy Restaurant
For a touch of nostalgia with your flame-broiled hamburger, this restaurant is a Burbank must-visit. Built in 1949 by a pair of locals, it’s the oldest still-operating Bob’s Big Boy in the country. Designed by famed Los Angeles architect Wayne McAllister, the building style is often called “Googie architecture,” in which the influences of car culture and the Space Age are evident in its cantilevered roof and curving facade. After you’ve ogled the towering neon Bob’s sign and the life-sized cartoon mascot clad in red-and-white checkered overalls, settle in for whatever diner fare strikes your fancy. Loyalists swear by fried chicken and Belgian waffles, the signature double-decker cheeseburger and hand-spun milkshakes. You might just get lucky and score a seat in “The Beatles Booth,” so dubbed because it’s the spot where the band noshed during their 1965 tour.
Close
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Wildwood Canyon Park
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Wildwood Canyon Park
You might be able to imagine you’re someplace more far-flung, but with so much diversity in the picturesque foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, you won’t want to be anywhere else when you’re exploring these 900 acres east of Yucaipa. The park, perched at an elevation of 3,000 feet, is a study in extremes with chilly, wet winters and scorching, dry summers. The assortment of rare flora and fauna, some of which are native only to California, that call this area home are specially adapted to survive such extreme conditions. Known for its terrific hiking, biking and equestrian trails, the park affords opportunities to spot the black-tailed jackrabbit, granite spiny lizard, mountain lion and about 100 species of birds, thanks to its position along the “Pacific Flyway,” an avian migratory mega-route.
Close
Wat Thai Temple Food Market
Read More
Wat Thai Temple Food Market
Even if you’re not Buddhist, you’re still gonna want to go to temple—trust us. That’s because on the weekends, Los Angeles’ Wat Thai Temple’s parking lot transforms into a bustling open-air Thai food market, its parking spaces dotted with stalls selling the most authentic Thai food you can find outside of the motherland. Mango and sticky rice. Noodles fried in fish sauce and curry paste. Sweet grilled meats, coconut fritters, mussel pancakes—and of course, pad Thai. The delectable dishes trace back to the market’s 1980s origins, when a group of Thai grandmothers gathered to swap family recipes. Today, it’s a cherished hot spot for foodies and families alike, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the temple.
Close
The Baked Potato Jazz Club
Read More
The Baked Potato Jazz Club
Sometimes the best music is the least pretentious—and the same goes for food. That’s why one of the most renowned jazz clubs in Los Angeles serves not shrimp cocktail or caviar, but baked potatoes. Lots of them. Pianist Don Randi—who performed with Nancy Sinatra and the Beach Boys—opened the Baked Potato in 1970, and it’s since played home to some of the greatest jazz musicians of the last several decades. Meanwhile, its menu features 24 different types of loaded spud: Marinated steak potato. Teriyaki Chicken Potato. Pizzaiola Sauce Potato. And of course, the Melted Cheese Potato. Make no mistake, the music is the headliner. But at the Baked Potato, you come for the jazz; you stay for the comfort food.
Close
Japanese Cultural Village
Arts District, LA
Things in Los Angeles are often not what they seem. Case in point: what looks like an ordinary staircase in a cavernous warehouse actually leads to a magical world of Japanese art and antiques. Tucked between LA’s Little Tokyo and Arts District neighborhoods, 5,000-square-foot loft space is a labor of love for Hong Kong-born fashion designer Peter Lai, who has spent the better part of a decade curating his fabulously colorful collection of Japanese design. From ceramics to sensu (paper folding fans) and uchikake (elaborately embroidered kimono) and vintage dolls, this spot is a feast for the senses. Lai has also built a tea and sake garden and a Kabuki theater, where the visionary plans to host performances.
Two Bit Circus
Arts District, LA
Step right up and prepare to be amazed… at this spot that’s anything but a typical circus. Rather, the world’s first micro-amusement park is packed with reality-bending activities for all ages. While there are some nostalgic carnival games, this innovation-forward mecca of play shines in its next-level virtual reality and escape room activities. With experiences spread across a larger 38,000-square-feet entertainment complex, you can enter a “story room” (an ultra-high-tech escape game) to pilot a spaceship or perform a surgery and join an epic four-player virtual reality battle in the Arena to fight off dragons and zombies. Or order a cocktail from the resident robot bartender, Gearmo del Pouro, at this spot that’s a monument to technology, innovation and fun.
Madcap Motel
Arts District, LA
If you’ve ever wished to be somewhere else, this otherworldly experience is for you. While you can’t spend the night in this once-abandoned—now fully reimagined and restored—motel, visiting is, shall we say, trippy. Check in for an hour or two and explore 17,000 square feet of hidden passageways, stroll through the world’s first time-warping wormhole, feel dwarfed by larger-than-life furniture, interact with characters from another dimension, roam through a jungle and enjoy many other weird, fanciful adventures along the way. While you’ll want to snap photos to (maybe) share on your social media of choice, the whole point of this excursion is to blur the lines between reality and fantasy for an immersive, far-out, travel-themed experience.
Choose an article
Poketo Brings a Pop of Color
to Los Angeles
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Japanese Cultural Village
Things in Los Angeles are often not what they seem. Case in point: what looks like an ordinary staircase in a cavernous warehouse actually leads to a magical world of Japanese art and antiques. Tucked between LA’s Little Tokyo and Arts District neighborhoods, 5,000-square-foot loft space is a labor of love for Hong Kong-born fashion designer Peter Lai, who has spent the better part of a decade curating his fabulously colorful collection of Japanese design. From ceramics to sensu (paper folding fans) and uchikake (elaborately embroidered kimono) and vintage dolls, this spot is a feast for the senses. Lai has also built a tea and sake garden and a Kabuki theater, where the visionary plans to host performances.
Close
The Secret History
of Los Angeles' Most Rebellious Hotel
Two Bit Circus
Step right up and prepare to be amazed… at this spot that’s anything but a typical circus. Rather, the world’s first micro-amusement park is packed with reality-bending activities for all ages. While there are some nostalgic carnival games, this innovation-forward mecca of play shines in its next-level virtual reality and escape room activities. With experiences spread across a larger 38,000-square-feet entertainment complex, you can enter a “story room” (an ultra-high-tech escape game) to pilot a spaceship or perform a surgery and join an epic four-player virtual reality battle in the Arena to fight off dragons and zombies. Or order a cocktail from the resident robot bartender, Gearmo del Pouro, at this spot that’s a monument to technology, innovation and fun.
Close
Madcap Motel
Read More
Madcap Motel
If you’ve ever wished to be somewhere else, this otherworldly experience is for you. While you can’t spend the night in this once-abandoned—now fully reimagined and restored—motel, visiting is, shall we say, trippy. Check in for an hour or two and explore 17,000 square feet of hidden passageways, stroll through the world’s first time-warping wormhole, feel dwarfed by larger-than-life furniture, interact with characters from another dimension, roam through a jungle and enjoy many other weird, fanciful adventures along the way. While you’ll want to snap photos to (maybe) share on your social media of choice, the whole point of this excursion is to blur the lines between reality and fantasy for an immersive, far-out, travel-themed experience.
Close
The Portal of the Folded Wings
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Poketo Brings a Pop of Color to Los Angeles
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Arts District, LA
The Mystery of the Burbank “B”
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Burbank, LA
The Secret History of Los Angeles' Most Rebellious Hotel
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Arts District, LA
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The Portal of the Folded Wings
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Burbank, LA
Hidden Histories: The Graffiti Artists of LA
Hidden Histories: The Dreamers of Burbank