Los Feliz is an affluent neighborhood located in the Hollywood hills. The area has long been a haven for Hollywood’s elite that flock to the area’s expensive homes. For this reason, the community is filled with lots of interesting landmarks to explore.
Los Feliz real estate is the birthplace of Mickey Mouse and a hotbed of Disney history. Walt Disney’s first animation studio is located on Kingswell Avenue, just east of Vermont Avenue. Unfortunately, it has not been preserved as a cultural monument and is a photocopying store today. After establishing himself, Walt Disney went on to open a larger studio, also in Los Feliz. It was later converted into a supermarket and still stands at the corner of Hyperion Avenue and Griffith Park Boulevard.
The Hollywood history of the area does not stop at Walt Disney. Los Feliz is also home to the first national Warner Brothers Studio. This was later turned into the ABC Television Center and today is The Prospect Studios. The site is still an active studio and is located at the corner of Telmadge Street and Prospect Avenue.
Griffith Observatory is perhaps the landmark that is most widely associated with Los Feliz. The observatory is located at 2800 East Observatory Road on Mount Hollywood. Along with having a variety of scientific and astronomical displays, the Griffith Observatory provides amazing views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and the ocean. There is no charge for visiting and the observatory is open Monday through Saturday.
Los Feliz also provides a plethora of buildings designed by famous architects, including Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Ennis House by Wright is a particularly interesting architectural creation and is both a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was built in 1924 for the Ennis family and as a unique design that was inspired by the Mayan temples. Its unique interior has been used for many films and music videos. It is located at 2607 Glendower Avenue.
Exploring Los Feliz is sure to be a great trip. There is so much to see and do, for those interested in film, science, and architecture alike. Take an afternoon or even a weekend and explore the wonderful world of Los Feliz.
