Discovering Highland Park: A Hidden Gem for a Perfect LA Stroll 🚶♀️🌴

Finding a great spot for a relaxed city walk in LA isn’t always easy—many places have crowded sidewalks, scattered shops, or feel less safe these days. I used to love Abbot Kinney, Melrose, and DTLA, but lately, they’ve lost some of their charm. So I tried Highland Park without high expectations… and was totally surprised! From vinyl records to vintage finds, this area is full of character and cool little spots. 🎶💿 🚗 Parking was decent—we parked behind the Chase bank, though there were some tents nearby (classic California vibe). 🧭 Route Tip: Start at Chase, walk along Figueroa St toward Sunbeam Village (you can navigate directly there), continue to CVS, then cross the street and loop back toward Le Labo. 🪽 Must-Visit Spots: • Sunbeam Village: A vintage furniture store with pop-art, design-forward pieces. 🛋️🎨 • Design Boutiques like Anju and Luca: Cute candles, tarot cards, home goods—each window display pulls you in! Perfect for chatting and browsing with friends. Anju is tiny but plays dreamy music—I Shazam-ed tracks like “Back Baby” by Jessica Pratt and “Femme” by Le Couleur. Felt like stepping into Europe! 🎧💫 • Vintage Shops: Wasteland, The Bearded Eagle, Soft Human, Avalon Vintage—each with unique decor and vibes. • Vinyl Spots: Gold Line Records—a vinyl bar that feels like a hidden Tokyo gem. Also check out De La Playa, Gimme Gimme Records, and even a record-spinning barbershop called The Artform Studio (haircuts + records = genius!). Many vintage stores play vinyl too—so cool! 💈🎶 • Highland Park Bowl: A retro bowling alley with leather red couches and industrial decor—vintage vibes everywhere! 🎳❤️ • The Arroyo Club: A lush green-themed bar with serious style. 🍸🌿 Highland Park turned out to be a refreshing, walkable, and inspiring neighborhood—perfect for a slow weekend explore. Have you visited Highland Park or another underrated LA neighborhood for a great city walk? What’s your favorite street for browsing, music, or vintage finds? Share your recommendations below! 🗣️📍 #LosAngeles #HiddenLA #CityWalk #VintageShopping #VinylCulture #LocalExplore #LABusinesses #ChillVibes #NeighborhoodGems #CreativeSpaces #DreamPlaylist #RetroStyle #UrbanAdventure #SoCalLife #WalkableLA