In My Hood: Out and About in Larchmont, Los Angeles

Larchmont is near one of the busiest parts of L.A. but still has a village atmosphere. To find such a neighborhood in such a place is quite extraordinary. What's also special is that Larchmont is one of the few areas of Los Angeles that you can easily explore on foot. The best place to start is Larchmont Boulevard and walk south from there. At the coffee shop Go Get 'Em Tiger (1), I like to get a cold brew with almond macadamia nut milk in the morning or have a snack and watch the hustle and bustle on the street. 

Larchmont is home to a colorful mix of people, many of whom work in the entertainment industry. For example, at Paramount Studios (2), which is very close by. They all appreciate the neighborhood's proximity to Hollywood, downtown L.A., Los Feliz and the beautiful Hancock Park (3) with its extensive lawns and its golf club. My husband and I like to buy our three-year-old son JD toys or new clothes at Flicka (4) on Larchmont Blvd. A great tip for spa treatments is the Larchmont Beauty Center (5).

It is also worth taking a look at the houses and villas in the residential streets of the neighborhood. From British Tudor to Spanish colonial style, a wide variety of architectural styles are represented here. A real insider tip is Cookbook (6), a delicatessen and café that has recently opened. The shelves are full of locally sourced products, and you can fortify yourself with power toast with almond butter, bee pollen and chia seeds. Right next door, the Larchmont Village Farmers Market (7) is held every Wednesday and Sunday. You never know who you'll meet there! Finally, a restaurant tip: the all-day café "Great White" (8) serves delicious banana bread, breakfast burritos and particularly crispy Brussels sprouts.

Chris Heywood is Senior Vice President of Los Angeles Tourism and lives with his family near Larchmont.