Snapshots from a Morning in Los Angeles' Silver Lake Neighborhood
Just another day in La La Land (Sunset Boulevard, looking southeast)
On the advice of the wise men and women at Gentlemen’s Quarterly, I knew one of the Los Angeles neighborhoods I wanted to visit during my second go-around in the city was Silver Lake. Described by GQ contributor Natalie B. Compton in a January 2018 piece as “LA’s chillest neighborhood,” it sounded like the perfect place to spend our first morning after getting into town late Saturday night.
Situated slightly northwest of downtown and very near Dodger Stadium, Silver Lake is known to embrace the “hipster lifestyle” — think street art, clothes that send a message, fancy coffee, and a vegan option at every restaurant. The neighborhood’s main drag runs right along Sunset Boulevard, where each of the photos below were taken. We may have only seen a tiny swath of the overall neighborhood, but I think these shots give you a good idea of what you can expect if you ever pay Silver Lake a visit.
The Most Important Meal of the Day
A staple in the area since the 1920s, Millie’s Cafe is a popular spot right in the heart of the neighborhood. While they’re only open until 4 p.m, breakfast is served all day and they have some oh-so-delicious options, including their tacos de huevos and the “slutty bun” (scrambled eggs, cheddar, caramelized onions and sriracha mayo on a brioche bun). Of course, they also have a vegan menu.
If the line at Millie’s gets a little too long (people started showing up in droves just after 10 a.m.), GQ recommends a few other breakfast and coffee spots in Silver Lake that we did not have the chance to check out. Some of them include: Alimento on Silver Lake Blvd., La Colombe on the corner of Hyperion and Sunset, and Botanica Restaurant + Market, also on Silver Lake Blvd.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Food is definitely a draw in Silver Lake, but so, too, are the numerous inviting storefronts, such as that of Mollusk Surf Shop, which sits just across from Millie’s on Sunset. Inside you’ll find sleek graphic tees, surfboards you’ll wish were yours, and plenty of other wave-riding paraphernalia.
Just down the street from Mollusk is Golden Age, a vintage shop where you’ll find some solid oldies, as well as a line of branded pieces.
The interior of Golden Age is small — intimate, you might say — with just a few racks of clothes, a couple shelves full of shoes, and just one or two employees on hand who will sit back and let you do your thing or lend a hand, should you need it. If you need even more Golden Age, they have a second location over on Melrose.
The mission of the Allright Collective is to provide an inspiring and accessible brick and mortar retail experience for local makers and designers, and their storefront at 3208½ W. Sunset Blvd. does just that. Here, you’ll find plenty of art prints, various trinkets, graphic tees, homemade candles, and a whole lot more.
Arrive in Style
Throughout the morning, we spotted a handful of classic cars parked along Sunset, including this Porsche 911 (model years: 1964-1989).
Make a Statement
At Wild Fang, the entire philosophy revolves around women being able to wear whatever they please — no ifs, ands, or buts about it. And while the company was created by women, is run by women, and is geared toward the female customer, they still sell items that could be worn by anyone, such as the grey beanie I purchased.
As you can see, the folks at Wild Fang are very serious about their core belief. In addition to being bold in belief, they are also bold with their actions. In 2018, the company raised over $400K for charities that support reproductive, immigrant, and women’s/human rights.
A Parting Shot
Street art abounds in Silver Lake, making it a very Instagram-able place to be. But, as always, I’d advise against taking my word for it and simply getting out here to see for yourself.
-LTH