Atwater Village
Atwater Village is a small Los Angeles neighborhood on the east bank of the LA River, between Griffith Park and Glendale, known for its walkable stretch of Glendale Boulevard, the river path and the historic Tam O'Shanter. Here's what to know whether you're visiting or thinking of moving, with full drives so you can see the streets for yourself.
Last updated November 2026 · Sources
At a glance
- Part of
- City of Los Angeles, LA County
- Population
- About 13,400 (recent estimate)
- ZIP code
- 90039
- Main streets
- Glendale Boulevard and Los Feliz Boulevard
- Freeways
- I-5 along the river, SR-134 to the north, SR-2 to the southeast
- Borders
- The LA River on the west and south, the city of Glendale on the north and east
A short history
- Rancho land
The area was part of Rancho San Rafael, granted to José María Verdugo in 1784, which covered much of what is now Glendale and northeast Los Angeles.
- Named for Harriet Atwater
In 1912, Fred Paramore opened the Atwater tract on land that was then a poppy field, naming it after his wife Harriet's maiden name. The word Village was added in 1986.
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- A Disney favorite
The Tam O'Shanter opened on Los Feliz Boulevard in June 1922 and took its current name in 1925. Walt Disney and his animators from the nearby Hyperion studio were regulars, and it is often called the oldest LA restaurant run by the same family in the same spot.
- The river in concrete
The LA River was lined with concrete in the late 1930s. Today the river path along the Atwater side is a popular walking and cycling route.
Atwater Village today
- Glendale Boulevard is the main street: a short, walkable stretch of cafes, restaurants, bakeries and small shops, with a farmers market on Sundays.
- Most streets are flat and quiet, lined with 1920s and 1930s bungalows and Spanish-style houses, plus small apartment buildings.
- The LA River bike and walking path runs right along the neighborhood, with bridges across to Silver Lake and Frogtown.
- Along the river near Griffith Park, a small equestrian area still has stables and horse trails.
From the driver's seat
Our drives show a calmer, lower-slung side of the Eastside: flat grids, wide sidewalks and a small-town main street, just across the river from the hills of Silver Lake and Los Feliz. The cloudy-day drive is the best start, rolling from Silver Lake and Los Feliz into Atwater Village.
Watch Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Atwater Village on a Cloudy DayIf you're visiting
- The Tam O'Shanter
The storybook-style restaurant on Los Feliz Boulevard, open since 1922 and a favorite of Walt Disney's animators.
- Glendale Boulevard
A short, walkable strip of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and small shops, with a farmers market on Sundays.
- The LA River path
Walk or bike along the river toward Frogtown and Griffith Park.
- Griffith Park
Just across the 5 freeway, with trails, the zoo and the Observatory.
Getting there: Metro buses run along Glendale and Los Feliz boulevards, and the Glendale Metrolink and Amtrak station is just over the city line. Street parking is usually easy.
Preview it: Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Atwater Village on a Cloudy DayHours, prices and seasons change, so check before you go.
If you're moving here
Cost snapshot
Figures are area-wide estimates from listing sites and change monthly. Check current listings before you decide.
Getting around
Atwater Village is easiest with a car, but Metro buses run along Glendale and Los Feliz boulevards, and the river path makes biking to Frogtown, Griffith Park and Glendale easy. The Glendale Metrolink and Amtrak station is just over the border in Glendale.
Need Atwater Village on film for work?
Realtors, relocation consultants and brands can license our footage or commission a drive of a specific street, route or time of day.
Watch it: drives through Atwater Village
2 drives
No. 02026:26Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Atwater Village on a Cloudy Day
No. 02228:51Silver Lake to Frogtown at Sunset
Next door
Quick answers
Where is Atwater Village?
Atwater Village is a small Los Angeles neighborhood on the east bank of the LA River, between Griffith Park and Glendale, known for its walkable stretch of Glendale Boulevard, the river path and the historic Tam O'Shanter.
What is the population of Atwater Village?
Atwater Village has a population of about 13,400 (recent estimate).
What is there to do in Atwater Village?
Top things to see include The Tam O'Shanter, Glendale Boulevard, The LA River path and Griffith Park.
How do you get around Atwater Village?
Atwater Village is easiest with a car, but Metro buses run along Glendale and Los Feliz boulevards, and the river path makes biking to Frogtown, Griffith Park and Glendale easy. The Glendale Metrolink and Amtrak station is just over the border in Glendale.
How much does it cost to live in Atwater Village?
Median home value: $1.30M (Trulia, September 2026). Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,909/mo (Apartments.com, February 2026).
Can I see what Atwater Village looks like before I visit or move?
Yes. Somewhere Drive has 2 full 4K drives through Atwater Village with no narration, including Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Atwater Village on a Cloudy Day.
Sources
- Atwater Village, Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
- Atwater Avenue name history (LA Street Names)
- Exploring Atwater Village (Eric Brightwell)
- Tam O'Shanter (LA Conservancy)
- Northeast LA historic districts (LA City Planning)
- Atwater Village home values (Trulia)
- Atwater Village rent (Apartments.com)
This guide describes places, streets and history, not who lives here. Spot an error? Email hello@somewheredrive.com.
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