The sight of fresh graffiti as you pass by the Pilates studio is the sort of ‘old meets new’ experience happening on every corner in this enchanting nook of east LA. The vertiginous streets rival any hill in San Francisco, the local music scene never disappoints, while Dodger Stadium is a stone’s throw away (or a baseball, I guess). You may have cause for reflection after a stroll around Echo Park Lake so get munching on avocado toast and fried chicken sandwiches at the boathouse cafe. And for a rare glimpse into the heritage of this culturally rich neighborhood, be a nosey park-er and explore the home of Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland).