Story: Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide

Superficially, Los Angeles seems like one vast sprawl. But for every first-time visitor who calls L.A. a giant parking lot, there's a local who will tell you that the city is actually a rich tapestry of great neighborhoods... bissected by parking lots. These are a few of the most interesting locales to explore.

Los Feliz & Silverlake
The Hipster heart of LA, these two neighborhoods are known for their residents' eclectic tastes, their music scenes, and some exceptional architecture.
Eat: Alegria on Sunset, The Dresden Shop: Soap Plant Wacko, Y-Que trading post, The Circle, Rockaway Records See: Griffith Park

Downtown
Downtown is where LA started, although it deteriorated after the freeways were built. The last 10 years have seen a renaissance, however, and now the area is home to great hotels and restaurants.
Eat: Ciudad, AOC Sleep: The Standard Hotel Shop: Santee Alley See: Disney Concert Hall, The Bradbury Building, The Museum of Neon Art, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Little Tokyo, Chinatown

Hollywood
Once the center of the movie-making universe, Hollywood was largely left to rot after the 1970s. Recent efforts have restored many of the classic sights, and with the Academy Awards back in town, the local film industry is coming back to life.
Eat: CineSpace Sleep: Roosevelt Hotel Shop: Amoeba Music See: Lucky Strike Bowling Alley, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Hollywood Walk of Fame

West Hollywood & Melrose
West Hollywood is a vibrant nightlife spot, with great music, restaurants, and bars. As you might have guessed, Melrose is all about the shopping.
Eat: M Cafe de Chaya, Pinkberry Sleep: Chateau Marmont, The Hollywood Standard Shop: Melrose Ave, Fred Segal, Wastelands, Decades See: Sunset Strip, Formosa Cafe

Santa Monica & Venice
When you think of California, you probably picture scenes from these two cities right on the beach, complete with palm trees, girls in bikinis, and naked guys on rollerblades.
Eat: The Otherroom Sleep: The Viceroy Hotel Shop: Hennessy+Ingalls Books, Third St Promenade See: Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, The Venice Canals

Beverly Hills
If you can get over the famous zip code, you'll find an area with some excellent nightlife, high-end shopping, and if you're looking for it, ample celebrity spotting.
Eat: Urth Caffe, The Ivy, The Polo Lounge Sleep: The Avalon Hotel, Maison 140 Shop: Kitson, Robertson Boulevard See: Gagosian Gallery,

La Brea
Not exactly a neighborhood, but this area right in the middle of LA has so many attractions crammed into such a compact area that it's worth a visit.
Eat: Loteria Grill Sleep: The Farmer's Daughter hotel Shop: Zipper See: The La Brea tarpits, The Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), The El Rey Theatre,