Elysian Valley is a small working class neighborhood in LA’s eastside, bordered by the 5 freeway and the LA river. It’s surrounded by Elysian Park, Silver Lake, and Elysian Heights and, across the river, Atwater Village, Glassell Park and Cypress Park. Although many homes sit on dirt yards, the streets are lined with trees and the LA River that borders it is almost like a jungle. Back before the river was flood controlled, the community got its nickname of Frogtown in the 1930s when thousands of toads (not frogs) invaded the neighborhood. Each August, the small arts scene puts on The Frogtown Artwalk. You’d be hopping mad not to kermit to this ribbeting neighborhood.