THE VILLA SOPHIA GUIDE TO THE BEST OF LOS ANGELES

Los Feliz Attractions

• Los Angeles Equestrian Center - rent horses by the hour and explore Griffith Park OR see the calendar for Show Jumping, Dressage Shows, Western Shows, Polo Matches, Rodeos and much more...  (3 miles from Villa Sophia)
• Covell - Los Feliz wine bar, civilized fun.  
• Vinoteca Farfalla - Los Feliz wine bar, popular local watering hole.  
• The Oaks Gourmet - charming small neighborhood specialty market and liquor store
• Figaro Cafe - Los Feliz French Bakery and Bistro with popular cafe - eat dinner at your own risk
• The Dresden Restaurant - live jazz every night, valet parking in back and my favorite spot for a nightcap...
• Griffith Park Bicycle Rental
• Griffith Park Horse Rentals – Trail Rides
• Griffith Park Observatory
• Harding Municipal Golf Course
• Hollyhock House (Frank Lloyd Wright)
• Los Angeles Zoo
• Roosevelt Municipal Golf Course (walking distance)
• The Greek Theater
• Vista Movie Theater
• Wilson Municipal Golf Course
• Griffith Park Hiking Trails - 10 select hiking trails with maps, photos, distance and level of difficulty courtesy of Dan Simpson
• Bike Paths of Los Angeles - Los Angeles River Bikeway from Griffith Park to Elysian Park
• Coco's Variety Store Bicycle Rental

Villa Sophia Favorite Restaurants

• Umami Burger - Los Feliz - the savory burgers are remarkable.  
• Senor Fish – Super Mexican restaurant, next to Occidental College campus in Eagle Rock neighborhood. (6.7 miles)
• Shibucho - This hole in the wall sushi restaurant in a not too great neighborhood is where the sushi chefs go for sushi. Serves sushi and sashimi only.  If you order a California roll they might throw you out.  No menu.  Tell chef you want whatever he recommends and he'll keep making you sushi or sashimi 2 pieces at a time until you're full.  Finish off your meal with some incredible french pastries homemade by the patisserie!  Superb wine collection (3.5 miles from Villa Sophia)
• Cafe Stella – Probably our favorite local restaurant.  French bistro style, warm atmosphere, good food and a wine bar...  (Silverlake)
• The Village Bakery – Nice lunch spot with bakery.  Organic everything.  (on Los Feliz blvd.  1 mile from Villa Sophia)
• Cliffs Edge – Local week-end brunch spot. Sit outside under the tree tops. (Silverlake)
• Trails Cafe – Adorable little cafe hidden in the hills of Griffith Park but with a limited menu.
• Pace – Atmospheric, Italian restaurant set in the Hollywood Hills.
• Osteria Mozza – (Mario Batali restaurant) – Very popular.  Hollywood.  Make reservation a week in advance.
• Rambutan Thai – Local Thai favorite (Silverlake)
• Gingergrass – Local Vietnamese cuisine, byob (Silverlake)
• Angelini Osteria – Hollywood, Italian food, make advance reservation.
• DanTana's Restaurant - West Hollywood Institution since 1964.  Italian
• Inn of the Seventh Ray - Very romantic.  Restauarant tables set outside along the river in Topanga Canyon.
• Musso and Frank Grill - Old school Hollywood Institution since 1919.
• Saddle Peak Lodge - Malibu Canyon.  Michelin star.  This is quite a hike from the Villa Sophia but worth the drive.
• The Little Door - Very Romantic French restaurant in Hollywood
• Urth Cafe - Breakfast and lunch, very popular Hollywood favorite.  Nice baked goods and sandwiches.  See and be seen kind of place.
• Water Grill Restaurant – Zagat "best seafood in SoCal", Opulant Arc Deco decor, Downtown
• Church and State – Wonderful French Bistro in industrial downtown neighborhood.  The food, boisterous atmosphere and gritty location makes one feel as if you've been magically transported to New York City.  Vibrant bar scene.
• Electric Lotus – Indian food in the Los Feliz neighborhood.  Delivery available.
• Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen - Vegetarian Thai restaurant in Silver Lake.
• Madame Matisse - Villa Sophia favorite local place for breakfast.
• Alcove Cafe and Bakery - Popular Los Feliz restaurant.  Seating is outdoors on a charming terrace.  Mediocre breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Little Dom's - The closest restaurant to Villa Sophia. Mediocre food, nice atmosphere.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Lamill Coffee Boutique - a local, chic, see and be seen cafe and restaurant. Free parking lot. (Silver Lake)
• Forage - cafeteria style, delicious, fresh, seasonal food, lots of salads and a free parking lot. (Silver Lake)

Los Angeles Attractions

• The Grove - Mall located in Hollywood with good people watching, quasi town square of Hollywood
• Farmers Market - A world unto itself, since 1934, to me the most international feeling place in Los Angeles
• Descanso Gardens - International renowned botanical garden of 150 acres, 12 miles from Villa Sophia
• Larchmont Village - Quaint shopping district in the very affluent Hancock Park neighborhood
• Santa Anita Race Track - A beautiful drive east past Pasadena (20 miles), gorgeous setting at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains
• J.  Paul Getty Museum
• LA OPERA
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Walt Disney Concert Hall
• Olvera Street – Historical Mexican marketplace.
• Little Toyko – Downtown.
• Thai Town – 1 mile from Villa Sophia on Hollywood Blvd.  – Los Angeles has the largest Thai population outside of Thailand.
• Koreatown – Koreatown is very chic, go to historic Koreatown Plaza.

Other Activities

• ArcLight Cinemas - Best Hollywood movie theater
• E.J.  Fleming's Movieland Directory
• Hollywood Bowl
• Los Angeles Conservancy's Walking Tour Program

Villa Sophia Favorite Blogs

• Frederico de California - Our favorite blog about California

Location of The Villa Sophia

The Villa is situated next to the 4200 acre Griffith Park, the largest municipal and urban wilderness area in the United States with many walking and hiking trails. The Park is the home of the Los Angeles Zoo, four Golf Courses, the Greek Theater, the Griffith Observatory, the Autry Museum, horseback riding, public tennis courts, bicycle rental, pony rides, camping, picnic areas, swimming pool, athletic fields etc. Two Frank Lloyd Wright museums, the Hollyhock House and the Ennis-Brown House (by appointment) and Richard Neutra's most famous house, The Lovell Health House are all in the neighborhood. Walking distance to restaurants, coffee shops, mail/shipping store, grocery and health food stores in Los Feliz Village center.