Walking LA - Fairfax District

 

Christmas on the streets of West Hollywood

As I said in my last blog piece, there are actually some neighborhoods that are worth walking in LA. One of them is Fairfax Village (map). This area was settled in the 1920/1930's and has been the heart of LA's Jewish community since then.

This area is filled with very typical LA houses and bungalows.

Bungalow with a classic out front

Mission style

A grapefruit tree with humongo fruit

One of the main shopping streets is Melrose Ave.One parking lot on Melrose had these wonderful examples of street art:

I really love this view from behind the famous sign

If you are out for a walk in the morning one place to stop for a bite is the Blu Jam Cafe. They have fantastic breakfasts and brunch. I highly recommend the blueberry pancakes.

South of Melrose, the size of the lots and houses increase:

South of Beverley Ave are two shopping icons of central LA - The Grove and The Fairfax Farmer's Market.

The Grove is a high end shopping mall. It is very nicely decorated, with a pond complete with dancing fountain:

The Grove contains several expensive restaurants and shopping that ranges from Forever 21 to A&F. (see here) The real draw for me is the dancing fountain. Every hour the music comes on the fountain in the middle of the pond takes off.

Next to the Grove is the Fairfax Farmers Market. (see here)

 In the 1880's this land was a dairy farm owned by A.F. Gilmore.While looking for water to expand his herd he struck oil (can you say "the original Beverly Hillbilly"). By the early 1900's the city of LA had expanded to include  this land, and large oil derricks were outlawed. By the 1930's new investors had bought the land and wanted to develop it. they built Gilmore Stadium for football and midget car racing and Gilmore field for baseball. And they built some permanent sheds to attract local farmers to come and sell their produce.

Today the stadia are gone and the open fields have been turned into parking, but the market is still there. There are restaurants offering all different cuisines, open fruit stands and shops selling everything from stickers to spices to hats. tables are arranged throughout the market. Who knows, you might see a star (I once saw Sandra Bullock there).

 Contrary to what is often believed, Los Angeles is not always vapid wasteland of cars and roads. There are many places that you can and should park the car, get out and walk.