The Brooklyn
of Los Angeles is
Highland Park.

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The case for Highland Park

Highland Park is the coolest neighborhood in Los Angeles for decades-old taco stands, natural-wine bars, and vinyl-spinning nights at the bowling alley.

Highland Park has two spines: Figueroa and York Blvd. The taco stands have been here for decades. The wine bars showed up ten years ago. Somehow it works. Saturday mornings the sidewalks fill with strollers and dogs, and by 9pm the bowling alley is packed and somebody's spinning vinyl next door.

Gold Line bar alone houses over 7,500 vinyl records, and that's just one of the independent bars lining York and Figueroa.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Silver Lake

Silver Lake had its moment first. The reservoir loop is still one of the best walks in LA, and the coffee shop density per block is genuinely absurd.

Echo Park

Echo Park revolves around the lake. Pedal boats, elote vendors, Sunset Blvd taquerias. It feels more like a small town than anywhere else in the city.

Glassell Park

Glassell Park is quieter, more residential, and five minutes from everything in Highland Park. People move here when they want a yard but still want good tacos within walking distance.

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Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in Highland Park.

01
Stay in Highland Park

Highland Park is residential, there are no boutique hotels in the neighborhood itself.
02
Eat & Drink in Highland Park

York Blvd runs from horchata lattes at Cafe de Leche to dan dan noodles at Joy without breaking a sweat.
03
Do & Shop in Highland Park

Walk York Blvd from Cafe de Leche to Galco's on a Sunday morning - that stretch is the whole neighborhood in miniature.
All 21 spots mapped out

Highland Park, corner to corner.

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Our 21 top picks

The Highland Park guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyUSD
LanguageEnglish
Cost level $$$$Expensive
Best monthsOctober to November and March to May
Local time UTC-7
Plug type US plug · 120V/60Hz
Emergency911
Local tip
Walk York Blvd from Cafe de Leche to Galco's on a Sunday morning. That 15-minute stretch is the whole neighborhood in miniature.
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Head to head

How does Los Angeles stack up?

All comparisons →

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Common questions

Things to know about Highland Park.

What is the Brooklyn of Los Angeles?
The Brooklyn of Los Angeles is Highland Park. Highland Park has two spines: Figueroa and York Blvd. Gold Line bar alone houses over 7,500 vinyl records, and that's just one of the independent bars lining York and Figueroa.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Los Angeles?
Highland Park is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Los Angeles. Highland Park has two spines: Figueroa and York Blvd. The taco stands have been here for decades. The wine bars showed up ten years ago. Somehow it works. Saturday mornings the sidewalks fill with strollers and dogs, and by 9pm the bowling alley is packed and somebody's spinning vinyl next door.
Where should I stay in Highland Park, Los Angeles?
Highland Park is residential and has no boutique hotels worth recommending. The nearest creative neighborhoods with design-led stock are Silver Lake and Echo Park, about 15 minutes east.
Is Highland Park in Los Angeles safe at night?
Highland Park is generally fine for visitors. The main commercial stretch along York Boulevard and Figueroa Street stays active into the evening with foot traffic. Standard LA precautions apply: don't leave anything visible in your parked car, and use a rideshare late at night rather than walking long stretches of residential side streets.
Is Los Angeles expensive?
Los Angeles runs expensive, and the airport ride sets the tone: rideshare from LAX to Highland Park usually costs 45 to 70 dollars. You can cut that hard by taking the Metro for around 2 dollars. At sit-down restaurants, plan to tip 18 to 22% on the pre-tax total.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
October and November are the prime window: warm days in the 70s, low humidity and the summer haze finally cleared. March through May is the runner-up, with hills still green from winter rain. Skip late August and September, when inland heat waves can top 100°F, and know that June often stays overcast all day on the coast - locals call it June Gloom.

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