Winnetka, CA

Winnetka began as a small farming community when the city of Los Angeles tasked Charles Weeks with establishing a number of one-acre egg farms in 1922. Locals later began calling the area Weeks Poultry Colony, and Weeks eventually renamed the community Winnetka in honor of a farm he owned in Winnetka, Illinois.

For a taste of local history, check out nearby museums like the Canoga-Owensmouth Museum just west of the neighborhood. Also take part in community events like the annual Winter Wonderland at the West Valley YMCA to immerse yourself in Winnetka culture. Join local families to decorate holiday treats and let your kids get their picture taken with Santa.

Just like the neighborhood that hosts it, the dining scene in Winnetka is a melting pot of different cultures with trendy neighborhood eateries serving up everything from Peruvian and Thai dishes to Latin fusion cuisine. Pockets of restaurants grace major street corners like Roscoe and Winnetka, but residents generally travel to nearby neighborhoods for nightlife. If you want to stay around the neighborhood, a few bars and lounges serve up drinks for a casual evening with your neighbors down the street.

If you're looking for a good empanada, head to Johnny Pacific where Latin American, Caribbean and American cuisine blend together to create unique platters that keep the locals coming back for more. This place may not look like much from the outside, but the interior feels more like a trendy coffee shop than an empanada grill. For your first meal, try the basic chicken empanadas or the more adventurous potato and chorizo empanadas, and be sure to ask for some extra sauces. The restaurant has a small dining area, so consider getting takeout if you have a larger group.

Tucked away in a simple strip mall, Jasmine Thai Cuisine is a hole-in-the-wall eatery serving up some of the best orange chicken in the Valley. Complete your meal with a big mug of Thai iced tea, and don't forget to sample the mango with sticky rice after you've had your fill of pad Thai and fried spring rolls. Jasmine's menu has plenty of meals for under $10, but the classy decor creates more of a fine-dining atmosphere. If the small parking lot in front is full, feel free to park your car in the back lot.

When the sun sets, hit up Silly's for live music, karaoke and cocktails. Stop by on Tuesday and Thursday nights for a game of beer pong, or play a quick game of darts or pool. If you get hungry, you can even have food delivered from Jasmine Thai next door.

Whether you're exploring the neighborhood by car, bike or bus, enjoy little traffic and easy navigation along Winnetka's grid-like streets. Ventura Freeway to the south provides access to downtown Los Angeles and the rest of the Valley, and you find plenty of free street parking throughout the neighborhood. If you need to get around without the car, feel free to call United Taxi or a ride-share service like Uber.

Residents have a few public transportation options, including the standard Metro buses that make frequent stops throughout the neighborhood and the speedy Metro Orange Line buses a few blocks to the west. Bicycle enthusiasts also find a home in Winnetka with a host of bike-friendly roads and a bike lane along Winnetka Avenue. For safer biking at night, you can cruise down the sidewalks. Pedestrians also have an easy time running their errands, with basic amenities at nearly every street corner.

Just like Winnetka's quiet residential streets, the neighborhood's public parks have a family and community focus, creating a peaceful getaway for playing Frisbee or simply reading a book under a shade tree. Stop by Winnetka Recreation Center to let your kids enjoy the playground or play a game on the lighted baseball diamond. The park also has an indoor gym and auditorium, making it a popular spot for camps and after-school programs.

A cute pocket park on the south end of the neighborhood, Runnymede Recreation Center, provides plenty of green space for you to walk your pooch, have a picnic or watch your kids play on the little jungle gym. Feel free to play a game on the tennis courts, or just stop by to push your kids on the swings.

Renters living in Winnetka pay an average rent of $1,500 for one bedroom, $2,000 for two bedrooms, and $1,600 for three bedrooms. By comparison, the state average is $2,950. Those exploring houses for rent in Winnetka can expect to pay around $3,000. For anyone looking to buy, the average house is valued at $780,000, compared to the state average of $740,000.

Living in Winnetka puts you just minutes from some of the Valley's biggest shopping destinations, such as the Northridge Shopping Center, but you also find everything you need at your doorstep. Grocery stores, drug stores and landscaping services await in laid-back strip malls and humble shop fronts, but budget-savvy shoppers also find a wealth of discount fashion retailers and dollar stores. Just keep in mind that the more popular strip malls often have small parking lots that fill up fast. If you love bargains, you may have a hard time leaving Marshalls, a discount store that offers a wide range of brand-name clothing, accessories, shoes and housewares right in the middle of Winnetka. Shop your favorite labels for less, and pick up a few surprise bargains while you're there. For graphic novels, trading cards and vintage comics, stop by Collector's Paradise to satisfy your inner child. Keep an eye out for regular events like comic artist signings and magic gatherings, and join the membership program to get a sizable percent off your purchase, along with free holds. Don't be afraid to ask the knowledgeable staff for some recommendations on your next read. For your weekly groceries, stop by neighborhood markets like Samir's Gift & Grocery, or find all your staples at the local Ralphs. Also check out the Canoga Park Farmers Market just a few minutes away for local produce, fresh flowers and live music.