L.A. - What's new?
 

I'll be heading to LA this weekend for a few days to visit a relative. I have been to LA a handful of times before, with my last visit in March 2007.

On my last visit, I went to LACMA, Getty Villa and Getty Center, Marina del Rey.

My interestes are mainly art, architecture, design (ie, cultural stuff).

I'm trying to see what's new or what else I may find interesting to check out on this upcoming visit.

I have never been to Norton Simon Museum or the Huntington Library, so I may go there this time.

Has anyone seen the Hearst the Collector exhibit at LACMA?

Another place I may consider is the Reagan Library.

Any other thoughts or suggestions are most welcome!

The New Broad Contemporary Section of LACMA opened in February of 2008

The Griffith Park Observatory reopened after being closed for several years for major renovations. The views from there are great.

There is a new Chinese Garden at the Huntington. Stone artisans from China were brought in to build the bridges and structures. http://www.huntington.org/Advancemen...neseGarden.htm The Art Gallery there has been recently renovated as well.

The L.A. Conservancy has several walking tours: www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

Weather is supposed to be pretty nice this weekend -- sunny and low 70's. Enjoy!

Just thought of a couple more. :)

The Walt Disney Concert Hall has guided tours on weekends, audio tours on weekdays. Also, Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil's new young and exciting Musical Director will be conducting there this weekend: www.laphil.com

The Grand Ave. location of MOCA is just across the street from WDCH. www.moca.org/museum/moca_grandave.php

You just might enjoy a visit to the Bradbury Building at 304 S. Broadway. It was built in 1893 and is one of the city's most revered architectural achievements. Here are a few photos:

http://tinyurl.com/6lu5qf and

http://tinyurl.com/5l4fqx

Their phone number is: 213/626-1893

lvk - Thanks for your suggestions! I think Huntington Library will be a must for me on this visit, esp since it currently has an exhibition on Arts & Crafts movement.

The walking tours look wonderful, but I'll need to pass this time. I won't get in until Sat noon, and most of the tours are on Sat AM.

I checked LA Philharmonic's website, and this weekend's concerts seem to be sold out? The website says I need to call for availability...

I think I'll also check out MOCA and the new Contemporary section at LACMA.

Orlando_Vic - thanks for the photos. I googled it and found a self-guided walking tour on the LA Conservancy website. I might do that on Mon or Tues by myself.
http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/index.php4
Thanks again.

Downtown on the weekend is a good time to go on a self-guided walking tour. In addition to the Disney Concert Hall, there's the new Cathedral and the ugly Thom Mayne Caltrans building (catty-corner from City Hall). The latter would be best viewed at night. I don't know that you could get inside on the weekends anyways.

If you don't have time for the Reagan Library, put it on your list for next time. It is really interesting and especially so if you lived through his presidency.

Most definitely the Norton Simon in Pasadena (www.nortonsimon.org), and also the Huntington Library and Gardens (www.huntington.org ) - a bit of a drive but worth it!

I just listed a bunch of pointers about interesting LA targets, all in a compact area near downtown, in reply to another post - go here and see which of these you haven't seen yet:

http://tinyurl.com/6qce8l

Enjoy!

I think I spent most of my time at the Reagen Library in or around the Air Force One.

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p934551833/e18006f57

The setting is also very beautiful. I think its view is the best of all the presidential libraries I've been to. The exhibits are okay, but nothing too extra-ordinary.

If you're just collecting libraries, you can also go to Nixon's down in Yorba Linda:

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p74084606/e2ca6b32e

rkkawn,

Your photos are just beautiful. Thanks for posting them. Makes me want to visit the libraries.

I also enjoyed those pictures, rkkwan. This whole thread reminds me that there are so many places close by that I need to visit!

yk, I wouldn't be surprised if the Dudamel concerts are sold out. He is creating quite a buzz here. I would try calling, though, if you are really interested.

Another opening this weekend is the L.A. Live entertainment complex, downtown near the Staples & Convention Centers: www.lalive.com. To me, it looks more like an assault on the senses than a pleasant place to spend time. :) The architecture critic in the L.A. Times did not give it a very favorable review: http://www.latimes.com/theguide/holi...0,325531.story

lvk - isn't that the same as the Grammy Museum? I saw it on the LA tourist bureau website. Not that interested, to be honest.

I think I'll pass on the LA Philharmonic. I live in Boston, and I have yet to attend a BSO concert this season. Shame on me! :">

DalaiLlama - thanks for the link. Didn't except so much good info in a Tijuana thread (I never read that one)! :)

I like the Olvera Street suggestion, and looks like they offer free walking tours as well, so I probably will take one.

yk: If you haven't been there before, do not miss the Gamble House (Pasadena), the breathtakingly beautiful masterpiece by Greene and Greene (the subjects of the Arts and Crafts show at the Huntington). When I was there several years ago, I visited the gift shop after the tour, bought a map showing historic homes in the neighborhood, and used the map to do a self-guided tour. Didn't see anything of the same caliber as the Gamble House, but I still happily spent a couple of hours walking/driving around, admiring these lovely old homes.

By the way, the Gamble House is just a few minutes away from the Norton Simon Museum (which I also recommend).

Are you a Frank Lloyd Wright fan? His Hollyhock House (Los Angeles) is open to the public (guided tour only).

just_me -

Thanks for your additional input! Both Gamble House and the Hollyhock House look great. I'll try to go to both as well if I can fit it all in.

Can anyone comment on the Charles Lummis Home & Garden? I looked at the website but not quite sure if it's interesting or not.

Has anyone ever visited the Eames House? Per the website, one can only do an "Exterior" tour but no interior tour. Not sure if it's worth the effort to go just for the outside (plus, I have to rely on public transportation).
http://www.eamesfoundation.org/index.html

Here's an L.A. Times article with a panel's list of the top 10 all-time "best Southern California homes."

Article:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home...,6748026.story

Photo gallery:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home...2.photogallery

Hi Jean - I just learned about that article this afternoon, when I happened to be visiting the Schindler House!!! Can you believe that? The lady at the ticket office told me that, and I was quite surprised that I didn't encounter any other visitors while I was there.