Montecito Heights
Hello Montecito Heights, California
A breathtaking oasis steps from the concrete jungle of DTLA. Beautifully preserved nature, rolling hills, and million-dollar views make Montecito’s Heights a truly enriching neighborhood to live in. North East LA’s newest hot spot. Some call it the “Topanga Canyon” of the Eastside.
ITS ALL ABOUT LOCATION
Montecito Heights Real Estate
Montecito Heights depicts the western border as being defined by the Arroyo Seco, with Cypress Park, Sycamore Grove, and Highland Park on the other side of the river. Ernest E. Debs Park is typically included in the north, with Hermon, Monterey Hills, and Rose Hill to the east. To the south are Happy Valley and Lincoln Heights.
A handful of houses for sale in Montecito Heights have incredible views of the Arroyo Seco, DTLA the San Gabriel Valley, and, the clearest day, even the ocean. Montecito Heights and indeed all of Northeast Los Angeles are part of the Eastside but the Arroyo Seco location gives the Hermon, Mount Washington vibe versus Boyle or Lincoln Heights.
Montecito Heights Community
Montecito Heights is created of residents ranging from families with children, young couples, and working professionals offering summer caps, and childcare as well as the Lotus Festival and Summer Night Lights.
Montecito Heights Community Center – Home to the Montecito Heights Senior Citizen Center, an auditorium, basketball courts, a children’s play area, an indoor gym, picnic tables, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a weight room, a soccer field, and two baseball diamonds
Heritage Square – is a “living history museum” that was created to preserve structures that were in danger of being destroyed in the face of rapid, urban expansion.
Charles Flemming’s Secret Stairs – walking along the public stairways and stair streets of Montecito Heights and Happy Valley to which is described as a difficulty rating of five out of five
Montecito Heights Art and Shopping
In the 1970s, the Silver Lake, CA was a center for Los Angeles’ gay culture. The combination of affordable housing, a bohemian ambiance and promotion by gay real estate agents caused the gay and lesbian population to swell. Neighborhood bars Harry Hay’s Mattachine Society and the Black Cat were thought to be the originating points of the gay rights movement in Los Angeles.
Since about 2000, gentrification has intensified in the neighborhood, including the opening of many stylish independent boutiques, coffee shops, fitness studios, and restaurants. If you purchased property in Silver Lake around this time you, my friend, are what I consider a lucky duck!

There are three main commercial strips within the neighborhood – Sunset Boulevard, Hyperion Avenue, and Silver Lake Boulevard. Many say the heart of the community is at the junction of Sunset and Santa Monica Boulevards, named Sunset Junction, and home to the festival by the same name that ran from 1980 to 2010.
Art is everywhere in the Silver Lake community, whether it’s in the form of a cult mural Elliott Smith memorial ‘Figure 8’, a dilapidated Bates Motel covered in white limewash, or intimate galleries featuring handmade jewelry. Recent Silver Lake commissioned projects include “Street Medallions”, “ArtCans”, the “Electrical Art Box Project”, and the second annual “Make Music LA” created by several different artists, groups, and the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Arts & Culture Committee.
Shopping in Silver Lake, CA is just as eclectic, with everything from vintage clothing, throwback record shops, Motorcycle Garages, farmers markets with local artisanal products, retro/mid-century modern furniture shops, and so much more!
Montecito Heights Nightlife
Montecito Heights Eats and Drinks – Montecito heights is mainly residential or natural, keeping the neighborhood clean and peaceful. Most people will hop over to Highland Park or Mount Washington for a fancy dinner or night out however there are 2 must-try locations.
Blazing Stone Pizza – The mastermind behind Blazing Stone knows how to make a pie. They successfully merge premium quality ingredients into a relatively affordable pie that won’t turn away budget-minded folks nor leave food critics turning up their noses. Their crust is among the best I’ve had in Los Angeles. Their ingredients are fresh. Their sauces are complex and sophisticated.
El Palenque – Known for a killer Mexican breakfast this place is must stop for authentic cuisine. The warm, local staff treat all customers like family and the environment is perfect for people of all ages.
Montecito Heights Architecture and Real Estate
From quaint bungalows to, remodeled 1910 craftsman’s, Montecito Heights and its real estate, is known for beautiful and often expansive homes. Many homes are built in height with second-level balconies and patios because with the opportunity for million-dollar views, who wants to miss them.
With prices increasing just as quickly as neighboring NELA neighborhoods Montecito heights will surely be the place to set roots. Privacy, views, and land opportunities that you cant find anywhere else in LA will no longer be an option in the next couple of years.
Montecito Heights Historical Fun Facts
A Spanish town, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciuncula, was founded in 1781. Its area included four square leagues and the northeastern-most corner was in what became Montecito Heights.
All four corners of the original pueblo are today marked by plaques and the northeast one can be found in Ernest E. Debs Park. The area beyond the northeast corner was administered by Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which still stands about ten kilometers east.
THE SHELHAMER GROUP | DRE: 01950995
Glenn Shelhamer is a licensed real estate broker DRE: 01950995 in the state of California and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. To reach The Shelhamer Real Estate Group’s office manage please call (310) 913-9477.
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