AFTERNOON
in
ATWATER
VILLAGE

THE PERFECT LAZY EAST LA DAY

Atwater Village is LA’s best kept secret when it comes to neighborhoods. Far enough to be off the radar of tourists, small enough to go unnoticed by most transplants, nondescript enough to not be a talking point for locals. And therefore, the perfect place to spend half a day in peace, and perhaps the platonic ideal for an east sider who’s grown up from central LA but isn’t quite about that Valley suburban life to reside.

For the uninitiated, Atwater Village is the western most part of the region bordered by the 5 (and Los Angeles River) on the west, 134 to the north and the 2 on the east. It stretches along the river, and is primarily residential, featuring a lot of single family homes, save for a thriving strip of businesses on Glendale Blvd and a bustling Costco.

Sandwiched by the suburban convenience of Glendale and the well-off hipsters of Los Feliz and Silver Lake, Atwater is in some ways, the best of both worlds. There is kind of that breezy hipster air of east LA, but also a bit more grown up with the family life of Glendale. Similar to Highland Park and Eagle Rock, but less sprawl. It’s aspirational in a way, the laid back LA that crunchy granola social creators sell, a stark contrast from the other genre of laid back of the west side. This one is for the linen wearing millennial moms going to the farmers market to stock up on seasonal produce, and picking up a couple bottles of natural wine for a backyard dinner party. Who needs to venture beyond the neighborhood anyways?

To spend an afternoon in Atwater is easy. You might even get away with just parking once, unless you need to make a Costco run. Great for a solo day or to bring a friend.

start with pastries

There’s only one correct answer to where any day starts in Atwater, and that answer is Proof Bakery. One of the best bakeries in the city. Grab a sandwich and a pastry or two, a coffee, and sit outside in the LA sun.

Or, if you’re looking for a more substantial lunch, pop across the street to Dune for falafel or Tacos Villa Corona for a breakfast burrito or chilaquiles, or breakfast tacos at Homestate. Still get pastries from Proof though, that is a non-negotiable.

and then you shop

Then the rest of the afternoon can be spent shopping. Packed into a few blocks of Glendale Blvd is a wealth of small businesses that span thrift and consignment stores, home goods, speciality and shoppy shops. The best way to do it is to just wander, pop in and out at your leisure.

gifts, boutiques & shoppy shops

Wine & Eggs: the platonic ideal of a shoppy shop superette, with organic produce, shelves filled with small and local brand pantry goods, and rounded out with a curated selection of wines and spirits
treehaus: a homey gift shop with everything from books to clothes to neighborhood themed gifts
Yolk: a local gift and toy shop with colorful homeware and unique toys
Dreams: a vibey boutique that has everything from quirky candles to sex toys

homeware

deKor: furniture and home accessories by interior designer Isabelle Dahlin
Goodies: simple wood, ceramic and marble home and kitchenware, all at low prices
Black Shop Textiles: one of a kind textile goods and art at this shop and design studio

specialty shops

Secret Headquarters: a store dedicated to comic books and graphic novels
Jacknife Records & Tapes: your neighborhood record shop, used and new
Alias Books: a cooler-than-you used and rare book store with an emphasis on art and film books
The Social Type: a poppy stationary store, and an excellent place to find the perfect greeting card for any occasion
Stash Dash: dispensary, CBD products, etc

clothes & accessories

Ora Gift: affordable vermeil sterling silver jewelry
MaeMae: crystals and jewelry that channel whatever energy you seek
RG: modern, sustainable jewelry that spans a range of budgets
KK Dodds Shoes: colorful shoes made of Italian suedes and leathers
The Lucky Pig: a tiny shop of curated vintage clothes
Velvet Threads: vintage clothes and jewelry
The Curatorial Dept: consignment shop with designer and vintage clothes
The Attic: quirky vintage clothes for the whole family
Dresscue: rent-a-rack consignment format

grab some dinner

There’s Morihiro for an understated michelin-level meal. Or on the other end of the spectrum El Buen Gusto, a popular no-frills Salvadoran eatery. If you’re craving pho, there are two within a stone’s throw, Indochine Vien and Viet Noodle Bar. For pizza there’s the casual neighborhood staple Hail Mary, or the sit down Neapolitan pies at All’Acqua. And for some of the city’s favorite Thai, Holy Basil opened an outpost.

sweet end

Finish off the night with the monthly flavor selection of ice cream at Wanderlust Creamery.

AFTERNOONinATWATERVILLAGE