Something Unusual In Los Angeles
Jun 13th, 2003, 06:33 AM
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Something Unusual In Los Angeles
I'm will be in Los Angeles from July 18 to July 21 visiting/staying with an old friend in the Valley. This will be my third visit and I am looking for suggestions on what to do that is unique or unusual or "off the beaten track". I have been to Disneyland and California Adventure. I've taken side trips to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Big Bear and Catalina Island. Last year we went to the LA County Fair. I've seen Mission San Gabriel and San Fernando (and Ventura and Santa Barbara). I've taken in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl and have walked around Hollywood and Olvera Street. I've window shopped/wandered Rodeo Drive and Venice Beach. Driven Mulholland and Angels Crest. In otherwords, I've done almost everything you can do in Los Angeles (acording to the guide books) and am looking for suggestions for things to do/see for this trip. I'm not a big beach person, nor am I a big museum person, but a trip to the Getty may be an option. I've never been to the Santa Monica Pier so that may be an option as well. My friend has a car, but I don't want to get too far from LA. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks! Keith
Jun 13th, 2003, 06:50 AM
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You could try the Arboretum or Huntington Gardens. They both have beautiful grounds and gardens. the Huntington has a museum that has "Pinky" and "Blue Boy" famouns paintings as well as the orginal home and furnishing of the owners.
Old town Pasadena has great shops and restaurants. If you are going to Santa Monica you could try Venice Beach pier as well, not for the beach but for all the "local color". Farther south is the Laguna Beach Art Colony, with small shops and galleries, there is a well known Mexican Restaurant that everyone goes to "Las Brisas" that looks out over the ocean.
I could probably think of more, but I hope this helps. Have fun!
Old town Pasadena has great shops and restaurants. If you are going to Santa Monica you could try Venice Beach pier as well, not for the beach but for all the "local color". Farther south is the Laguna Beach Art Colony, with small shops and galleries, there is a well known Mexican Restaurant that everyone goes to "Las Brisas" that looks out over the ocean.
I could probably think of more, but I hope this helps. Have fun!
Jun 13th, 2003, 07:16 AM
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The idea of going to Laguna Beach is excellent. Not only is it a lovely seaside town and artists' community, you will be there in time for the Festival of the Arts, including the world-famous Pageant of the Masters-- a series of tableaux vivants (recreations of paintings using live models), which sounds hokey but is unusually stirring. They don't just do realistic paintings, either-- one year they did Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", among other Cubist works.
In Long Beach, you could go to the Aquarium of the Pacific or take a tour of the Queen Mary. Stroll through the silly shops of Shoreline Village, have a margarita at Tequila Jack's, or one of 200 beers on tap at the Yard House, or killer seafood at Parker's Lighthouse. Head over to Belmont Shore, stroll down Second Street, have dinner at the new hot-spot, Bono's (run by Sonny's oldest daughter Christy), listen to good loud bar rock at Panama Joe's.
How about roller-blading on the Strand in Hermosa Beach, then go for lunch on the Redondo Beach Pier? Lots of little neighborhood bars to hang out in down there.
Hang out down in Surf City-- Huntington Beach. Another pier. Or, for that matter, you could check out Newport Beach and Balboa Island.
Have you... window-shopped on Melrose Avenue? Hung out on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica in the evening to catch the street performers? Hit the clubs on the Sunset Strip? Had drinks at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel? Heard the acts at the Improv or Comedy Store? Done a tour at Hollywood Forever Cemetery? Checked out the art at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica?
Old Town Pasadena is another great idea.
In Long Beach, you could go to the Aquarium of the Pacific or take a tour of the Queen Mary. Stroll through the silly shops of Shoreline Village, have a margarita at Tequila Jack's, or one of 200 beers on tap at the Yard House, or killer seafood at Parker's Lighthouse. Head over to Belmont Shore, stroll down Second Street, have dinner at the new hot-spot, Bono's (run by Sonny's oldest daughter Christy), listen to good loud bar rock at Panama Joe's.
How about roller-blading on the Strand in Hermosa Beach, then go for lunch on the Redondo Beach Pier? Lots of little neighborhood bars to hang out in down there.
Hang out down in Surf City-- Huntington Beach. Another pier. Or, for that matter, you could check out Newport Beach and Balboa Island.
Have you... window-shopped on Melrose Avenue? Hung out on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica in the evening to catch the street performers? Hit the clubs on the Sunset Strip? Had drinks at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel? Heard the acts at the Improv or Comedy Store? Done a tour at Hollywood Forever Cemetery? Checked out the art at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica?
Old Town Pasadena is another great idea.
Jun 13th, 2003, 07:45 AM
#6
How about some "theme?" My vote would be architecture.
Union Station, the new Frank Gehry blob, the new cathedral, the Getty, old LA city hall, Hollywood/Highland and other movie-oriented places; great "theme" houses ("Spanish," "Olde England," etc. themed houses in Beverly Hills or Hollywood; best of all the Gamble House (as in Procter) in Pasadena (not far from some F.L. Wright houses) and similar places in the downtown/north area, convenient to the Valley.
Belmont Shore and the Long Beach coast strip are also good. Take your camera and stroll through Naples, just south of Belmont Shore, and see what happens when the "Venice" idea from up the coast really works.
I'd vote for downtown Manhattan and the MB pier for quintessential beach atmosphere.
Breakfast at Nate 'n Al's (Bev. Dr.) and/or dinner at Canter's (Fairfax) for serious tsimmes or luscious latkes, with possibly a sprinkling of movie types.
"Off the beaten track" in LA is an oxymoron. Just go for the diversity and the history, and there'll be plenty left for the next trip.
Union Station, the new Frank Gehry blob, the new cathedral, the Getty, old LA city hall, Hollywood/Highland and other movie-oriented places; great "theme" houses ("Spanish," "Olde England," etc. themed houses in Beverly Hills or Hollywood; best of all the Gamble House (as in Procter) in Pasadena (not far from some F.L. Wright houses) and similar places in the downtown/north area, convenient to the Valley.
Belmont Shore and the Long Beach coast strip are also good. Take your camera and stroll through Naples, just south of Belmont Shore, and see what happens when the "Venice" idea from up the coast really works.
I'd vote for downtown Manhattan and the MB pier for quintessential beach atmosphere.
Breakfast at Nate 'n Al's (Bev. Dr.) and/or dinner at Canter's (Fairfax) for serious tsimmes or luscious latkes, with possibly a sprinkling of movie types.
"Off the beaten track" in LA is an oxymoron. Just go for the diversity and the history, and there'll be plenty left for the next trip.
Jun 13th, 2003, 07:55 AM
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gardyloo has some great ideas. Although I think the new cathedral ("Our Lady of the Warehouse") is an ochre-colored abomination, Gehry's new Disney Hall is turning out to be kinda cool (and frankly, I usually can't STAND Frank Gehry's work). The Biltmore Hotel and all the old Deco-era movie houses downtown are also beautiful.
The Beverly Hills house tour is always fun. From Paul Williams treasures (first successful African-American architect in the US, and designer of many houses for celebs living in LA) to the Witch House (a gnarled, shake-roof curio in the "flats" of BH) to those awful Tuscan-style wedding cakes being built by nouveau-riche BH newbies-- always fun. Pasadena is a treasure trove of Craftsman-style houses-- as is Long Beach (in the "beach bungalow" vein).
The Beverly Hills house tour is always fun. From Paul Williams treasures (first successful African-American architect in the US, and designer of many houses for celebs living in LA) to the Witch House (a gnarled, shake-roof curio in the "flats" of BH) to those awful Tuscan-style wedding cakes being built by nouveau-riche BH newbies-- always fun. Pasadena is a treasure trove of Craftsman-style houses-- as is Long Beach (in the "beach bungalow" vein).
Jun 13th, 2003, 08:41 AM
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If you are downtown, stop and get a drink at the Hotel Figueroa which is a recently renovated hotel at the corner of Fig. and Olympic (right near the Staples Center). It may not look like much from the outside, but this is deceiving -- they've remodeled the interior in a Moroccan theme and they've got a cafe and several bars inside. Go to the poolside bar -- it's great.
Or take a walking tour of downtown with the LA Conservancy. They are offered on weekends only, but there are approximately 10 to choose from and are wonderful if you are interested in architecture and history. I believe their website is www.laconservancy.org.
I agree, unfortunately, with Gardyloo that off the beaten track in LA generally doesn't really exist. Most of the city (yes, that includes the Westside) is a wasteland and our malls and other such attractions (a la Santa Monica Pier) are our biggest draws but are very corporate. Sigh....
However, some of the studio tours are actually quite good if you like that kind of thing. I would recommend Paramount and Warner Brothers. Forget about Universal which is a theme park as you probably know.
I would also second the suggestion for the Gamble House tour in Pasadena, which is a great tour of a Craftsman style house. Maybe afterwards catch a play at the Pasadena Playhouse.
There is a walkable (yes, walkable!) strip of eclectic shops and restaurants along Sunset Blvd in Silverlake. Eat dinner at Cafe Stella (which is great) or just walk around and pick a place.
Or take a walking tour of downtown with the LA Conservancy. They are offered on weekends only, but there are approximately 10 to choose from and are wonderful if you are interested in architecture and history. I believe their website is www.laconservancy.org.
I agree, unfortunately, with Gardyloo that off the beaten track in LA generally doesn't really exist. Most of the city (yes, that includes the Westside) is a wasteland and our malls and other such attractions (a la Santa Monica Pier) are our biggest draws but are very corporate. Sigh....
However, some of the studio tours are actually quite good if you like that kind of thing. I would recommend Paramount and Warner Brothers. Forget about Universal which is a theme park as you probably know.
I would also second the suggestion for the Gamble House tour in Pasadena, which is a great tour of a Craftsman style house. Maybe afterwards catch a play at the Pasadena Playhouse.
There is a walkable (yes, walkable!) strip of eclectic shops and restaurants along Sunset Blvd in Silverlake. Eat dinner at Cafe Stella (which is great) or just walk around and pick a place.
Jun 13th, 2003, 11:21 AM
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Visiting the Hollywood Cemetery is an interesting couple of hours. Lots of famous people buried there. One of my family members asked to go there on her last visit. While walking around we met an older gentleman who is kind of an unofficial tour guide. He was a wealth of information and juicy old gossip. There are grave maps at the entrance.
Of note, Marilyn Monroe is not buried here but rather in Westwood.
Of note, Marilyn Monroe is not buried here but rather in Westwood.
Jun 13th, 2003, 12:38 PM
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A favorite of mine is a quick visit to the historic Union Station followed by a train ride to San Diego. Once there, you can wander the waterfront, Horton's Plaza, or the Gas Lamp District or you can take the San Diego Trolley (light rail) to Old Town. Once past San Juan Capistrano, the scenery is awesome and San Diego is always a great place to visit.
Jun 13th, 2003, 02:37 PM
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Don't know if you are interested in fabulous antique cars, but in the NE corner of the Valley (Sylmar), is a collection and museum of beautiful classic cars which have been restored. San Sylmar requires a reservation for the free 2 hour tour, and is open Tues-Sat. The Nethercutt Collection is across the street. And all this is probably best described at their website.
www.nethercuttcollection.org
www.nethercuttcollection.org
Jun 13th, 2003, 02:39 PM
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not sure what to think about this..... you've been to all these great places, done all this fun stuff, but are still looking for something more? heck, if you liked disneyland (or any place else), why not go back? almost sounds like you're just looking to put notches in your travel belt.
Jun 13th, 2003, 02:50 PM
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Some of these have been mentioned before:
Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena
LA Arboretum in Arcadia
Descanso Gardens in La Canada
Old Town Pasadena
The three gardens listed above all have outdoor concerts by local orchestras on certain summer evenings, usually on the weekend. You can bring or buy a picnic. Similar to the Hollywood Bowl but without the parking hassles and crowds.
If you haven't yet been to the Getty, that would be my top recommendation. It's fabulous even if you are not into art museums. The view, architecture, food, and gardens can keep you happily entertained. Indeed, the art almost seems secondary sometimes.
Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena
LA Arboretum in Arcadia
Descanso Gardens in La Canada
Old Town Pasadena
The three gardens listed above all have outdoor concerts by local orchestras on certain summer evenings, usually on the weekend. You can bring or buy a picnic. Similar to the Hollywood Bowl but without the parking hassles and crowds.
If you haven't yet been to the Getty, that would be my top recommendation. It's fabulous even if you are not into art museums. The view, architecture, food, and gardens can keep you happily entertained. Indeed, the art almost seems secondary sometimes.
Jun 13th, 2003, 03:59 PM
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A 45 minute drive up PCH is Charmlee Park. A lovely open nature preserve overlooking Malibu. Only a short, easy walk to the edge of flower-filled meadow overlooking the beautiful Pacific. We saw mountain lion tracks but no signs of the actual cat!
Jun 13th, 2003, 05:52 PM
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thanks rjw....had also heard about pageant of the masters. Figured I'd check it out when I visit in August. Had no idea tickets were selling out. After reading your post I then bought 6 tickets for my family on Wed evening in August and only seats left were way in back. Had I not seen your post I'd miss the show! How much time should I spend in Laguna Beach. Have kids age 9-16. Was thinking of seeing Warners Bros Studio tour in morning and driving to Laguna Beach for the afternoon and show at night. Is this feasible? What's the best time to avoid highway travel on this route? Thanks. Elliot
