Street Wise: A Stop-by-Stop Guide to Sunset Boulevard, Silver Lake

The Silver Lake Pool & Inn is a low-rise, upscale hotel that sits on a corner just south of Sunset Junction, within strolling distance of all the area’s highlights. There’s something of the desert Palm Springs motel about it, albeit with understated styling and first-rate features. On its upper level, the swimming terrace is a prime spot to soak up some Cali sunshine while perusing the pool menu. Bright, restful rooms come with luxe linens, Nespresso machines and smart TVs; better rooms add views of the Hollywood Sign.

Set right on the junction where Sunset meets Santa Monica Boulevard, this trendy clothes-and-more designer store is a great place to start your trip along the boulevard. Together with an expert eye for men’s and women’s fashions from dozens of designers, this elegantly laid-out boutique has a supremely browsable collection of fragrances, beauty products and quality, sometimes quirky, homeware.

This Taiwanese restaurant describes itself as fast-casual, which equates to first-come, first-serve seating and simple small-plate dining, quickly whipped up from fresh ingredients. The menu is mostly comprised of Taiwanese staples like noodle soups, shrimp wonton and – the always popular – pan-fried pork buns. There are solid vegetarian and vegan options, too, plus loose-leaf teas sourced from Taiwan and a rotating list of craft beers, wines and sake. The result? A honeypot for local hipsters.

American restaurants don’t come much more classic than Millie’s – a Silver Lake mainstay since 1926. Pick a counter-front swivel chair or curbside table and choose from a long breakfast- and brunch-oriented menu – there’s a dozen iterations of eggs benedict alone. They’re committed to cooking the old-fashioned way, too, with real butter, nothing processed, and everything made from scratch. It’s unpretentious, morning-after comfort food at its best, and there are plenty of vegan options, too.

It wasn’t long after their 2017 opening on Melrose that Golden Age was soon counting a long list of LA celebs among its regular customers (Lily-Rose Depp is a big fan). This, their second store, boasts a similarly impressive range of expertly curated vintage pieces, mostly from the 1920-50s golden age of Hollywood (hence the name). They also offer a collection from their own fashion brand, with their chic-yet-comfortable footwear lines garnering particular attention.

Some stores just have that wow factor, and Candid Home is one. Owner Ashley has a background in residential interior design, and it shows in her wonderfully eclectic yet cohesive collection of colorful homeware. Browse loads of one-of-a-kind retro objets, from ’60s lighting to ’80s ottomans, together with an abundance of decorative contemporary pieces, fashion accessories and handmade candles and other pleasant-smelling items. You’ll go for a gift and come out with a little something for yourself, too.

Another fab restaurant with a few miles on the odometer, Café Tropical has been serving Silver Lake since 1975. This distinctly Havana-tinged coffee shop specializes in freshly baked traditional Cuban-style pastries, cakes and pies. Their breakfast sandwiches are the stuff of legend around these parts, while their coffee is single origin, organic and custom-roasted to the café’s specification (read: strong).

If you’re looking to stay within striking distance of Sunset Boulevard, but keen to keep costs down, consider a stay at the Steady. Just west of Silver Lake, it’s a hip and breezy hostel brimming with upbeat West Coast vibes. Choose from sunny mixed and female-only dorms, or treat yourself to a private room – all bathrooms are shared. Wake up to a free breakfast before setting out to explore the neighborhood. Return to a cozy lounge to mingle with other guests, before whipping up dinner in the shared kitchen.