Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Locals' low-down on L A, P Springs

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Locals' low-down on L A, P Springs

Looking for a magazine, website or other that will give me ideas as to where to eat, shop and drink in L A and in Palm Springs. Also, if anyone can help with pointers as regards good bars, restaurants and interiors shops (furniture, art, lighting etc.) I would be grateful. I like design, art, architecture, local history and good dining. If you can help at all, please reply! We are coming to L A on Nov. 5th and will be in the L A, P Springs area for two weeks.

Palm Springs Life and LA Magazine are two magazines that you should check out. Also pick up a copy of LA Weekly when you get to town to check the events. While in LA, you might want to consider signing up for one of the many walking tours offered by the LA Conservanancy. Here's their website: http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.shtml Also be sure to go to the Getty Center. It's a great museum and wonderful architecture. Palm Springs also offers some great mid-century modern architecture. Be sure to check out the old Movie Colony section of town.

Another vote for the Conservancy Yes, do contact the LA Conservancy. They conduct excellent walking tours of LA. The Gamble House in Pasadena ( a Greene and Greene) home also has tours. The West Adams historical society has special tours of the mansions in that area ( near USC-inner-city LA). Most of these homes were built in the early 1900s. Many have been restored. Local LA History: Olvera Street downtown, bus tour of Hollywood, Adamson Beach House in Malibu, and the Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills are all options ( call both the Beach house and the Robinson Gardens for hours). Huntington Gardens and Library in San Marino is another choice. Have fun, M. PS If you like visiting cemeteries, try any of the Forest Lawns or , better yet, Hollywood Forever. Lots of local history there.

Nigel, Forgot this one: as you are interested in lighting and interiors , visit the Pacific Design Center on Melrose and La Cienega--most of the businesses are to the trade, but some aren't and browsers are welcome anywhere. The other small street that has several pricey antique shops is Melrose PLACE ( different from avenue). If you like moderne, walk around the Silver Lake area , particulary Rowena , small shops with some interesting things--more of a hit or miss atmosphere, though. M.

If you're in Palm Springs on a Thursday night, be sure to check out the Farmer's Market. Where else will you find an "Ask the Rabbi" booth? So many great restaurants to choose from. For a fun nightclub, check out Murial's on Palm Canyon in PS. If you like to hike and enjoy great scenery, make sure to make a trip over to Joshua Tree. The Indian Canyons are also a great place for a horseback ride. I'd also second the suggestion for a drive through the Movie Colony in PS. Check with the Chamber of Commerce and see if there are any tours going on while you're in town. I went on a great walking tour last year of a bunch of the old motels that have been renovated. Be sure to stay at one of these renovated places as opposed to staying at a generic place like the Hyatt or Wyndham. As for a fun place to stay in the LA area, check out the Standard Hotel. The Checkers Hotel in Downtown is also a good place.

Nigel: Try www.inpalmsprings.com www.inpalmsprings.com Link to cut and paste in your browser with some restaurant and bar suggestions: http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...meset&active=5 For some funky consignment and design oriented stores, try the Uptown district area of Palm Canyon Drive. That would be the area west of Alejo. The Palm Springs Desert Museum has some interesting collections. There is also a somewhat cheesy celebrity home tour that will take you through the Movie Colony and Rancho Las Palmas areas. Cheesy, but sorta fun, especially if you have a cocktail or two prior. For local history and pre-history, try the Cahuilla Museum and think about going on the guided Tahquitz Canyon hike, easy to moderate difficulty, about two hours. Joshua Tree rocks. The Indian Canyons are great hikes. The chamber may have info on local architecture, including some stuff by Richard Meier, Albert Frey and Sim Bruce Richards (an understudy of FLW). I agree with previous comments. I like the Thursday Night Street Fair. One fun thing is to try to stump the Rabbi, like ask him paradoxical questions, e.g., "if the Lord is all powerful, can he make a rock that is so large he himself cannot lift it?" The Rabbi has a good sense of humor and usually has a good response. Also agree that the funky hotels are more interesting than the generic chains. Some that come to mind are the Willows, Korakia, Villa Royale, Casa Cody, La Serena Villas and maybe, Ingleside Inn. The Orbit Inn also looks interesting and was a good pick, according to a recent poster. Enjoy. PS L

Crud, the link did not post right. Another shot. http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...rnia&x=17&y=9&