ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES

California native Boo Johnson is a professional skateboarder who began touring the world at 16 years old. He now calls Los Angeles his home. Follow him on a journey to his favourite Echo Park hangouts.

So it goes with Zebulon, the Frogtown music venue that in its two-year existence has defined itself as a sophisticated yet blessedly unfussy destination for avant-garde and underground analog music.

The community of artists and makers, that have long resided in the area, of course took to Salvare’s expertly selected offerings – vintage rugs, pottery, furnishings and other one-of-a-kind pieces sourced from estate sales.

With three years under its belt, Salazar is now a go-to for residents of Frogtown, Silver Lake, Echo Park and points beyond. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, the place fills up with local families, dogs included.

Tucked at the end of a quiet residential street near the banks of the LA River, the Frogtown sandwich shop Wax Paper is a legitimate labour of love. The place is owned and operated by Peter and Lauren Lemos, who fell in love in 2012 while working at a downtown LA restaurant.

LA’s citywide craft-beer phenomenon has found a cosy home at Frogtown Brewery, a craft-beer emporium owned by old friends and long-standing beer enthusiasts Adam Kestel and Mike Voss.

Permanent Records – which has two additional locations in LA’s Highland Park neighbourhood – also boasts an eponymous label, now with 60 releases to its name.

While it’s been open for nearly 20 years, The Echo still fills up most nights, and weekends get particularly hectic, with the long-standing funk/soul dance party Funky Sole happening every Saturday on the back patio.