Citrus Grove, Glendale, CA

Citrus Grove in Glendale sits just east of downtown along East Broadway and North Glendale Avenue, and it is a close-in neighborhood of older bungalows and apartments with some of the city's longest-running delis and bakeries. Craftsman bungalows from the early twentieth century still hold many blocks here, and the area has one of the higher concentrations left in Glendale. Apartment buildings from the 1960s onward sit among them, with more density toward Glendale Avenue and more single-family feel on the side streets toward the east. Wilson Mini Park is the small local playground, and for bigger outings it is an easy drive north to Brand Park and the trails of the Verdugo Mountains. Many people walk the neighborhood blocks toward downtown instead of heading to a larger park. Skaf's on North Chevy Chase Drive is a quick Lebanese lunch spot known for garlic-heavy falafel and chicken shawarma. Rincon Argentino on East Colorado is known for empanadas, and Highlight Coffee on East Broadway covers espresso, cold brew and pastries near the civic center. Sasoun Bakery on East Colorado is another stop for Armenian breads and savory pastries. Daily errands are easy. Downtown Glendale, the Americana and the Galleria are a short walk or bike ride away. The tradeoff is traffic on Glendale Avenue and Broadway, and blocks where new apartment buildings have changed the scale of the street. Citrus Grove moves at a slower pace than downtown a few blocks west. The line at Mario's around lunchtime is one of the more reliable sights in the neighborhood.