Visiting El Encanto in Monterey Park
As much as I love the areas that make SoCal famous (the beaches, Disneyland, Hollywood, etc.) I love it’s hidden gems even more. Take El Encanto in Monterey Park. I’ve driven down busy Atlantic Blvd. multiple times and never once have I noticed this beautiful site.
Luckily, last week the awesome LAVA group held an informal tour of the property and the related Cascades.
El Encanto and the Cascades were built in the 1920’s and were to be the showcase of a development called Midwick View Estates – a high end neighborhood to rival Beverly Hills and the like.
Unfortunately, the stock market crashed and Midwick View Estates never came to be. But El Encanto and the Cascades remain and are beautiful sites for all to see.
El Encanto is in wonderful condition and has an impressive array of California tile. Historian Brian Kaiser was on hand to teach us all about this amazing design form.
So incredibly beautiful and all made here in Southern California.
In addition to the beautiful tile within the patio area was also a sight to see. It was a lovely sunny day and the flowers were in bloom. Ah heaven!
What a gem! Boy am I glad I visited.
700 El Mercado Avenue
Monterey Park, CA 91754