Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide: Studio City

Studio City is a hipper suburban enclave nestled north of Hollywood off the 101 freeway.  With its proximity to major studios like CBS and Warner Brothers, Studio City attracts families working in the entertainment industry as well as celebrities looking to settle down in a quieter part of town.  Locals describe it as "the place we moved to so we wouldn't have to give up and live in the real suburbs."  The heart of downtown Studio City threads through Ventura Boulevard, and while there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore, I've pared the list down to my favorites below:

Stop 1: Alfred Coffee   (Address: 12077 Ventura Place, Los Angeles, CA 91604)

Be prepared for random celebrity sightings here - remember Selma Blair? She's a regular.  And while the seating is limited, Alfred Coffee is a great to-go coffee joint.  You can never go wrong with a plain Stumptown Coffee, or a matcha tea latte.  At the very least, you'll have a few Instagrammable photo opportunities!  Good for: celebrity sightings, matcha tea drinks, Instagram photo opps

Stop 2: Entertaining Elephants (Address: 12053 1/2 Ventura Place, Los Angeles, CA 91604)

After you're caffeinated, swing by Entertaining Elephants, an independently owned children's boutique focusing on sustainable design.  The store carries colorful 100% organic cotton knits for babies and kids, as well as toys, books and unique gifts.  Good for:  unique kids gifts, organic baby/kids clothing

Stop 3: Hide & Seek Vintage (Address: 12047 Ventura Place, Los Angeles, CA 91604)

For some home decor inspiration check out Hide & Seek Vintage, a 1/2 block down from Alfred Coffee.  This tightly curated vintage boutique has everything from vintage postcards to mid-century furniture.  I stop in here when I don't have the time or energy to hit up weekend flea markets.  Good for: curated vintage home decor

Stop 4: Artisan Cheese Gallery (Address: 12023 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604)

For lunch, a more low key option is the Artisan Cheese Gallery.  This French-inspired sandwich/cheese shop has the best Truffle Grilled Cheese sandwich.  If you're with a group, it's the perfect place to get a charcuterie board and some wine.  Even better - if you're solo, it's the best place to grab a nice lunch alone without feeling awkward.  The restaurant is small, quiet, casual, and rarely crowded.  It's a great alternative to nearby Joan's On 3rd which can be noisy and a bit of an LA scene at times.  Good for: eating solo or with a group