Hidden Gems of Eagle Rock
Tucked into the hillsides of Northeast Los Angeles, Eagle Rock is a free-spirited community full of independent businesses and art-minded events. It's an ideal neighborhood for daytime excursions, where you can hike, shop and do some beer-tasting, but there is nightlife here as well. Eagle Rock is also home to several large annual events to keep in mind if they coincide with your trip to Los Angeles.
Eagle Rock Brewery
Eagle Rock Brewery is technically located in Glassell Park, but its close proximity to Eagle Rock makes it a nice addition to a trip to this neighborhood. Family-owned Eagle Rock Brewery has been working out of the neighborhood since 2009, when they helped launch the local microbrewery craze in Los Angeles. The brewery hosts free tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and has a tap room that's open to the public. Eagle Rock Brewery also has a Women's Beer Forum that meets once a month to taste and talk about different beers. Check the brewery's website for a schedule of events.
Occidental College
Former President Barack Obama was once a student at Occidental College, which is located in Eagle Rock. The university is small - it boasts only 2,100 undergraduate students - but influential, and hosts events like the Third Los Angeles series of talks about the city. It's home to the Occidental Children's Theater and hosts community arts events like Lummis Day, which celebrates pioneering Angeleno Charles Lummis.
We Heart Eagle Rock
We Heart Eagle Rock isn't a place, but rather a collective of local Eagle Rock businesses that join forces to go all out on Small Business Saturday, the indie alternative to Black Friday. In addition to sales and store promotions, the locals host a block party with live band performances, arts programming and family-friendly activities. This is one of the better-known Small Business Saturday events in Los Angeles, so if you're spending Thanksgiving weekend in Los Angeles, head to Eagle Rock. Follow We Heart Eagle Rock for updates on this and other local events held throughout the year.