:: Neighborhoods :: Los Feliz
Los Feliz is a neighborhood in the north-central region of the city of Los Angeles. It
lies just south of the Santa Monica Mountains between the neighborhoods of Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park. It is home to Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. The area is generally considered to be bordered by Hollywood Blvd. on the south,
Griffith Park on the north, the Los Angeles River on the east, and Western Ave.
on the west.
Los Feliz means the happy [people] in Spanish. The name actually refers to a family with the surname of Feliz that
owned property in the area in the 19th century.
The neighborhood has historically been home to movie stars, musicians, and other
members of the glitterati. Prior to the 1930's, it was Los Angeles' most exclusive and expensive area. It is also home to
some of the more interesting residential architecture in the city, including two
homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright: Hollyhock House and the Ennis-Brown House.
After a period of relative obscurity, the district was rediscovered, and a decade-long
period of gentrification resulted in Los Feliz regaining its position as one of
the most desirable areas of Los Angeles. The district's popularity was also boosted
considerably by its prominence in the 1996 hit film, Swingers.
Notable residents include Madonna, Howard Hughes, Anthony Kiedis, Leonardo DiCaprio,
Bela Lugosi, Johnnie Cochran (where he passed away in April 2005, Gavin Rossdale,
Tony Kanal (also where his Kingsbury Studios is located), Kim Shattuck, William
J. Bratton, Cecil B. DeMille, Al Jolson, Mandy Moore.