Itinerary: Echo Park

Before there was Hollywood, there was Echo Park--or, as it was known at the time, Edendale. Early movie studios, including the Selig Co. and the Sennett-Keystone, had their “lots” on Glendale Boulevard, north of Sunset Boulevard. The Keystone Kops silent comedies were filmed in the area’s streets. Tom Mix used its then-rural hills for early westerns. The studios are long gone, but Echo Park still contains lots of local history.

The park from which the neighborhood gets its name is one of the oldest in the city, dedicated in 1895 as a place for the burgeoning city’s residents to stay in touch with nature. These days, despite abutting the Hollywood Freeway, Echo Park is still a haven to those who walk its perimeter, fish in its murky waters and cross its surface in paddle boats.

Friday

Check out one or more of Echo Park’s huge staircases. Built in the 1890s--originally wood, now mostly concrete--these steps provided access to hillside homes and were shortcuts from hilltop streets. Just east of Echo Park Avenue on Avalon Street is one. Another connects two parts of Laveta Terrace just north of Sunset. You might also drive through some of the area’s notoriously hilly streets: Baxter, Cerro Gordo and Duane. But you’d better be good with a clutch on Fargo Street: It has a 32% grade--reportedly the steepest street in all of California.

Saturday Afternoon

This weekend’s Lotus Festival (Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. on Park Avenue between Glendale and Echo Park boulevards, [213] 485-1310) is just one of several annual festivals in the neighborhood. Now in its 22nd year, the festival is a celebration of Asian and Pacific Island cultures. The city Department of Recreation and Parks chose Echo Park as a location because it was central to Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Koreatown and the Filipino communities.

Starting at noon Saturday, there will be music, martial arts, dancing and the ever-popular Dragon Boat Races. There will also be food, arts and crafts and a special area for kids. You might take a spin in the paddle boats, available at the boathouse. (Rental is $5 for 30 minutes, $8 per hour; open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends, noon to 6:30 weekdays; [213] 847-8524). They’ll be keeping later hours for the festival.

Don’t forget to check out the blossoming lotus at the north end of the lake. The origin of these flowers--normally found in Asia--is unknown, though one story has missionaries from Aimee Semple McPherson’s Church of the Foursquare Gospel returning from China with the seeds. The church’s headquarters, Angelus Temple, is adjacent to the park.

Saturday Evening

From 7 to 9 p.m., three Echo Park galleries will have a joint opening. At Fototeka (1549 Echo Park Ave., [213] 250-4686), the show “J. C. Ogden: Lost Tibet 1905-1927” will display the work of the American photographer. Local artist Sam Dantone’s “revolutionary salute to Uncle Sam” is at Delirium Tremens (1553 Echo Park Ave., [213] 861-6802). And at Ojala (1547 Echo Park Ave., [213] 250-4155) is Sharyll Burroughs Chung’s “Living by Design.”

Sunday

In the 2200 block of Sunset Boulevard is a small pocket of antique shops perfect for browsing on a Sunday afternoon. Stick your head in the Echo Park Community Garden (2223 Sunset Blvd.), open Sundays, 10 am. to 2 p.m.

Also, don’t miss the Art Park Gallery (1478 Sunset Blvd., [213] 482-9469), an empty lot turned outdoor art installation space. Need a break? Try Barragan’s Mexican Restaurant (1538 Sunset Blvd., [213] 250-4256). Or El Carmelo Bakery (1800 Sunset Blvd.) might provide a potent cup of Cuban coffee or a pastry to tide you over.