Los Feliz

Los Feliz is an established hub of affluence and creativity with a bohemian sensibility. While Spanish and Mediterranean-style homes dominate the housing stock, the neighborhood is filled with architecturally significant structures listed as historic cultural monuments.

Sowden House

Historic cultural monument no.762 is an awe-inspiring, magical, Mayan-style masterpiece. It was built in 1926 and designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son.)

Wright uses the same textile block system his father used in the Millard House in Pasadena. In 2001, high-end house flipper Xorin Balbes purchased the property. Despite the hiss of criticism he received from an architectural purist, Balbes’ restorative remodel successfully created a modern-day sanctuary.

Hollyhock House

Frank Lloyd Wright-designed historic cultural monument no.12 for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall. Known today as Barnsdall Park, the Mayan-esque-looking home rests at the center of Oliver Hill. Barnsdall loved Hollyhock flowers and instructed Wright to make them part of the home. The flower’s representation is seen on the roofline, wall, columns, planters, and furniture.

Ennis House

Historic monument no.149 is a testament to Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative approach to architecture. It’s one of four Mayan-esque textile block structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles. Wright was not a fan of the “gutter rat” material, but his creativity and curiosity on utilizing the cheap concrete blocks got the best of him. The Ennis House is the fourth largest of Wright’s textile block designs.

Lovell House

Historic cultural monument no.23 is architect Richard Neutra’s nod to industrial production and a turning point in his career. The home was designed for health-conscious physician and naturopath Philip Lovell. It is considered to be the first steel home in the United States. This modernist residence, also known as the Lovell Health House, seamlessly blends minimal industrial details with Lovell’s desire to live in a home that breeds healthy living.

Local Grub & Things To Do

Los Feliz offers a never-ending list of places to eat, drink, and sleep. Here are a few local faves.

Griffith Park

Los Feliz is named after its land grantee, José Vicente Feliz, whose 8,000-acre land grant included Griffith Park. At the park’s entrance stands a statue of Griffith J. Griffith, a Welshman who, in the early 1880s, gained ownership of what was known then as Rancho Los Feliz. He later donated a wad of cash and over half of the area to Los Angeles.

The park is the largest urban park in North America. It’s filled with endless hiking and equestrian trails. The must-see attractions include the Observatory, the Greek Theatre, the Los Angeles Zoo, Travel Town, and multiple golf courses.

Griffith Park Observatory

Griffith J. Griffith believed “an individual gained an enlightened perspective when looking at the skies” and dreamed of bringing astronomy to the masses.

The Observatory is a Los Angeles gem. It sits high on Mount Hollywood, offering breathtaking views of the city below. To get a closer view of the LA basin and the surrounding mountains, you can peek through one of the coin-operated telescopes mounted around the perimeter of the building.

On clear days and nights, telescopes are available inside the building for visitors to wonder at the stars. Make sure to check out one of the shows at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Bar Covell

There’s no wine list. Describe how you like your wine to taste, and they’ll pour you a perfect match.

Co-owned by former long-term resident bartender of Café Stella in Silver Lake, Dustin Lancaster, and former employee of Silver Lake Wine turned one of the top Sommeliers in the country, Mathew Kaner bonded and made the perfect hosts of this neighborhood bar. And if you want to host a private party or an event, check out their private room, Sidebar.

Hotel Covell

Parlaying his hospitality skills into the hotel industry, Dustin Lancaster opens Hotel Covell.

This boutique hotel rests above Bar Covell and offers five rooms for short and long-term stays. The interiors are designed around the imagined life of a fictional 20th-century writer who hails from Oklahoma. ( … does anyone else see the coincidence here? That’s where Lancaster is from.)

Each room is a visual representation of a moment in Covell’s life. According to the website, “With each chapter comes a visual story of George Covell’s life, from a young boy in Oklahoma to an accomplished Author in New York City.”

With the mid-century modern decor and those beautiful Herringbone hardwood floors, Chapter 5 will likely be my favorite.

Barnsdall Art Park

On a mission to create an artist community, oil heiress Aline Barnsdall purchased 35 acres of land, hired legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and made plans to erect several buildings on the site. While only a few buildings saw the light of day, one is the famous Hollyhock House.

In the late 1920s, Barnsdall donated the land to the city of Los Angeles for use as a public park. In keeping up with Barnsdall’s wishes, “The Barnsdall Art Park has as its mission the presentation, promotion, enrichment, and development of the arts and artists of the Los Angeles region in all its cultural diversity.” And summer nights filled with wine-tasting events hosted by Silver Lake Wine. (This was not part of the heiress’ plan, but I think she’d approve of these summer events.)

Vista Theatre

Located at the corner of Hollywood and Sunset, this historic landmark originally opened as a vaudeville playhouse. Now, the large, single-screen movie theater provides enough legroom for a giant, and the popcorn is (usually) always fresh.

On The Map

The zip code of Los Feliz is 90027. To the West is the Hollywood Hills. To the East is Atwater Village. Along the North is Griffith Park, and to the South is Silver Lake.