Silver Lake, Residential neighborhood in Los Angeles, US
Silver Lake is a residential neighborhood on hills around a central reservoir in the Los Angeles area, with shaded streets, mid-century and modernist homes, and small shops along the main roads. The reservoir itself is fenced, but paths follow its perimeter and offer walks with views toward downtown.
The area grew after the reservoir was built in the 1900s and remained an affordable place for artists and film workers over the decades. Walt Disney's first animation production operated here before the studio moved to larger spaces.
Cafés with outdoor seating and used record shops line the streets, drawing residents who meet and talk for hours at a time. Rainbow flags and signs on many storefronts show that this part of the city has long been home to an LGBTQ community.
Buses run regularly along Sunset Boulevard and other through streets, connecting with nearby Metro stations. Bicycle lanes make cycling easier, though steep slopes and narrow streets require care.
Over 200 public staircases cut through the slopes and offer shortcuts between parallel streets for walkers. Some of the steps carry murals by local artists that change with the seasons.
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