While Handlebar Bike Tours take place in Downtown LA, I live in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. This neighborhood has experienced remarkable change in the last two decades and has replaced Silver Lake as the place for young creative types.
I first came to Highland Park in my teaching job, and loved the under the radar neighborhood with cool Craftsman homes, nestled up against Pasadena and the LA River. I used to hit happy hour at Mr. T’s Bowl (Now Highland Park Bowl) and catch neighborhood kids knocking out punk rock in the defunct bowling alley. Highland Park’s Figueroa St. is a popular filming location, as its streets resemble vintage LA with cute store fronts, and elaborate street lamps. Longtime residents put up with the Avenues street gang, and it was considered a dangerous neighborhood. A concerted effort to get area kids in college coupled with soaring rents in west LA neighborhoods, combined to change the fortunes of this once ignored neighborhood.
Older businesses are giving way to hip bars, eateries and vintage shops. Some long time residents view the encroaching gentrification with a wary eye, others love the influx of hip young businesses, many of whom are second generation residents setting up shop. If you want to visit Highland Park the 2 main streets for making the scene are Figueroa and York between Avenue 50 and 60, easily accessible from the Metro A line. The Lodge Room, and Checker Hall can be a night out all in one, but I love Blind Barber and Good Housekeeping for that speakeasy in the know feel. Highland Park Brewery is a lively yet laid back scene with pretty good pub food, and don’t miss Galco’s soda pop shop. Architecture lovers shouldn’t miss Heritage Square Museum, with period homes you can explore. If it’s shopping you’re after, York Blvd is dotted with cute independent shops, where Figueroa is more about the nightlife.
These kinds of tips are what sets Handlebar Bike Tours apart. We end every tour with a recommendation sheet and all guides are encouraged to share personal favorites with guests.