Montecito Park, Glendale, CA

Montecito Park rises between the Verdugo Mountains and the San Rafael Hills in north Glendale, and the east end of Honolulu Avenue works as its main street. What separates it from flatter Sparr Heights next door is the terrain. Streets wind up the slope, and the higher blocks look straight across at the Verdugo ridgeline. The housing rewards a slow drive. Pre-war Mediterranean houses and 1930s ranches fill the east side, midcentury ranch homes take over in the middle, and the north end adds condo complexes, many with shared pools and gyms. Montrose Community Park on Clifton Place is the neighborhood's own park, with ballfields, basketball courts and a playground. Glorietta Park, with tennis courts and picnic tables, is a short drive south along Verdugo Road, and the Beaudry Loop and the rest of the Verdugo Mountains trail network start a few minutes away. Food is the easy part of living in Montecito Park. The Black Cow Cafe on Honolulu Avenue serves comfort food from breakfast through dinner in a rustic room. On North Verdugo Road, La Cabañita is the Mexican standby, with Café Montrose and Rosso Wine Shop on the same short stretch for coffee and a glass of wine. Trader Joe's and the Sunday farmers market are a few blocks west in Sparr Heights. Walking to Honolulu Avenue is realistic from the lower streets. Up the hill most people drive, and the 2 Freeway is the route to downtown Glendale and Los Angeles. The tradeoff is the hillside itself. The open slopes that give the views also bring wildfire risk, and brush clearance is part of owning a house up top. From the lower streets, though, dinner on Honolulu Avenue is a walk, and the ridge is the view on the way home.