Atwater Village

The quaint, two-square-mile neighborhood of Atwater Village offers residents a hometown feel with pedestrian-friendly streets, a Sunday farmers’ market, and a burgeoning dining scene.

The Atwater Village we know today was once a poppy field and originally part of Rancho San Rafael, “which covered much of what is now Glendale and northeastern Los Angeles.” In 1868, W.C.B. Richardson purchased a portion of the rancho and named it Rancho Santa Eulalia. The land eventually ended up in the family of Harriet Atwater Paramore, “for whom the neighborhood was originally named ‘Atwater Park.'” Some say, “The subdivision that stretched from the Southern Pacific tracks to the Los Angeles River was eventually named Atwater Tract for its proximity to the river – ‘at-water.’ The area would later be known as “Atwater” with the word ‘Village’ added in 1986.”

Atwater Village
CA Bungalow For Sale Atwater Village

Houses & Architecture

The original real estate ads attracted residents to the area by highlighting its proximity to Downtown and its “fine soil on a high mesa with an ever-changing vista of beautiful mountains.”

Today, the tree-lined streets are filled with many original structures built in the 1920s to 1940s, ranging from CA bungalows, Spanish-style houses, and Tudor-inspired cottages. Recently, a crop of modern homes like The Mews by Corsini + Stark and LivingHome, designed by the late Ray Kappe, have been added to the architectural offerings.

In 2020, the MLS reported the median sales price for a home in Atwater Village floats around $1 million. It’s a competitive housing market with homes selling 5-10% above list price.

Restaurants and shops along Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village

Getting Around

Atwater Village is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a walk score of 82. It has its own “post office, library, first-rate public and private schools, numerous religious institutions, and even an equestrian district,” which means most errands can be done on foot.

Venturing outside the neighborhood is pretty convenient as several Metro Bus lines service the area, and you’re near the Metrolink Glendale Station. And, visiting your friends in the neighboring communities of Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake is relatively easy as major thorough fares like Fletcher Drive, Los Feliz, and Glendale Boulevards are nearby, along with the Golden State and Glendale Freeways that connect to the 101, 170, and 110 freeways.

Atwater Village Restaurant Ozu Kitchen
Inside the shop, there are many products.

Lifestyle

Whether you’re getting ready for a hike or getting dressed up for date night, Atwater Village offers a variety of places to go and things to do.

If you’re the outdoorsy type, the Los Angeles River flows alongside Atwater Village, offering residents “one smooth, unbroken expanse of car-free bike riding through southern Los Angeles county.” Hiking trails are abundant at nearby Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States.

Indoor fitness options include improving your downward dog at Rise Hot Yoga or shaking what your mama gave you at Heartbeat House, which offers an eclectic mix of ethnic, mainstream, traditional, and non-traditional dance classes.

For morning coffee, grab a cup at Proof Bakery and treat yourself to one of their pastries. Stuff yourself silly at lunch with one of the best Middle Eastern sandwiches in town from Dune. For dinner, you must try Tam O’Shanter (one of the oldest restaurants in the city) and order a hearty plate of prime-cut beef, potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding. Or go to All’Acqua, a Pan-Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta and salads. They also happen to have one of the best happy hours in town. On Sundays, you can pick up some fresh flowers and stock the fridge with fresh produce purchased at the farmers’ market.

Do you have a home in Atwater Village you’d like to sell? Get in touch and request a free market valuation.