| Parks & Places • San Pedro |
General Information
San Pedro Chamber of Commerce: www.sanpedrochamber.com
Overview
On the southern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula lies a fiercely proud community that’s worth a visit. The port city of San Pedro (pronounced “PEE-dro”) relies heavily on boat traffic, with freighters and barges from points all over the world drifting in and out, creating an industrial feel. Despite that, San Pedro is a delightful place for a day-trip—the city maintains a sense of history and small-town vibe, and you’d swear you were in some New England fishing town. Live out your deepest SoCal transit fantasies: Ride in one of the city’s “Big Red Cars,” restored railcars that run 12 pm to 9:30 pm Friday through Sunday and pay a mere buck for fare. San Pedro also boasts sweet hidden delights, from the Mediterranean-style Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse (3800 Stephen M White Dr, 310-548-7554) built in 1932, to the charming seaside village Ports O’ Call (Berths 75-79 on the waterfront), to the enriching Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S Gaffey St, 310-519-0936; www.angelsgateart.org or @AngelsGateArt) and the Victorian Point Fermin Lighthouse and Park (807 Paseo Del Mar; www.pfls.org). Visit the Korean Fellowship Bell (and definitely hang with the sick seals while in the park: www.marinemammalcare.org), see the grunion run at night on Cabrillo Beach (the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has a schedule at www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org), or find placid tide pools beneath the cliffs. And do not miss the Sunken City, a neighborhood that fell over the cliffs due to seismic shifting. (Walk south from Point Fermin Lighthouse and hop the wall.)
As befits a seafaring town, some of the country’s foremost tattoo parlors can be found in San Pedro (to start, try Ink Divine Tattoo, 305 W 7th St, or So Cal Tattoo, 339 W 6th St). It also boasts the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W 6th St, 310-548-7672; www.warnergrand.org or @GrandAnnex), an opulent Art Deco venue built in 1931 that is rich in both history and culture. Visit Green Hills Memorial Park (27501 Western Ave; www.greenhillsmemorial.com) to see the graves of Charles Bukowski and The Minutemen’s D Boon. But what defines and distinguishes San Pedro most is the monthly ART Walk. On the first Thursday of every month, art galleries, retail shops, restaurants, and street vendors celebrate creativity by staying open late and offering discounts and specials. Live entertainment accompanies the action throughout the historic downtown Arts District, located between 4th and 8th Streets and Pacific Avenue and Centre Street. Visit www.1stthursday.com for an extensive list of participating establishments.
San Pedro is also a bridge away from Long Beach via Terminal Island (St. Vincent Thomas Bridge), and has ferries to Catalina Island for fantastic day trips.
How to Get There
From Downtown LA, take the Harbor Freeway south (110 S) to Gaffey Street, then head south to San Pedro.
Landmarks
• Angels Gate Cultural Center • 3601 S Gaffey St
• Art Walk • S Pacific Ave & W 4th St
• Cabrillo Beach Boosters • 3800 Stephen M White Dr
• Cat Beach at White’s Point • 1799 W Paseo del Mar
• Catalina Express Terminal •
N Harbor Blvd & Swinford St
• Point Fermin Lighthouse • 807 W Paseo del Mar
• Ports O’ Call • 1100 Nagoya Way
• San Pedro Farmers’ Market • W 6th St & S Mesa St
Nightlife
• Godmother’s Saloon • 302 W 7th St
• Off the Vine • 491 6th St
Restaurants
• Beach City Grill • 376 W 6th St
• Bonello’s New York Pizza • 832 S Gaffey St
• BUNZ Gourmet Burgers • 655 W 7th St
• Jasmine Hana • 114 N Gaffey St
• Michael’s Tuscany Room • 470 W 7th St
• Mishi’s Strudel Bakery & Cafe • 309 W 7th St
• Nam’s Red Door • 2253 S Pacific Ave
• Omelette and Waffle Shop • 1103 S Gaffey St
• Pacific Diner • 3821 S Pacific Ave
• Ports O’ Call • Berth 76
• Raffaello Ristorante • 400 S Pacific Ave
• Rex’s Café • 2136 S Pacific Ave
• Think Café • 302 W 5th St
• The Whale and Ale • 327 W 7th St
Shopping
• Badfish Clothing Company • 337 W 6th St
• Behind the Scenes Costumes • 285 W 6th St
• Drop In Gifts • 385 W 6th St
• The Grand Emporium • 323 W 7th St
• Office Depot • 810 N Western Ave
• Pacific Wilderness • 1719 S Pacific Ave
| Parks & Places • Malibu |
General Information
| City of Malibu Phone: | 310-456-2489 |
| City of Malibu Website: | www.ci.malibu.ca.us |
| Weather/Surf Reports: | www.surfline.com/surf-report/malibu-southern-california_4209 |
Overview
When outsiders fantasize about Southern California, it’s not the smog-filled sky of downtown LA that runs through their minds. It’s the sandy beaches and sunny skies of Malibu and its 21-mile coastline—the city that inspired a coconutty rum and perhaps the most famous Barbie doll ever. It’s the place where Baywatch lifeguards roam and the rich and famous come to play.
The area’s first settlers were the Chumash Indians. The names of some of their villages are still a part of local culture—Ojai, Mugu, and Zuma, to name just a few. But Malibu’s current residents are a very different tribe indeed. For instance, The Colony, a gated community, is home to a wide array of celebrities, business-folk, and anyone else that can spare the $7 million-plus that it takes to buy a parcel of beachfront land.
Depending upon weather and other acts of God (like the fires and mudslides that frequently strike this beautiful stretch of coastline), Malibu is about a 45-minute trip from downtown LA, or approximately 35 miles. The best thing about Malibu is definitely its isolation. You feel as though you’ve left LA and gone somewhere else. The worst thing about Malibu is…its isolation. You feel as though you’ve left LA and gone somewhere else. Somewhere very far away.
The Beaches
Beaches are the main attraction in Malibu, and you have a number from which to choose. Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on any public beach—though Angelenos are not known for following rules—and parking is a big challenge. Though many stretches of Malibu beach may seem privately owned due to their inaccessibility, you have every right to frolic on any acre of sand. There are three options: 1) Pay whatever the day’s going rate is at parking lots conveniently located at each Malibu beach. 2) Find street parking in Malibu’s residential areas—which then requires hiking down to the beach, often with the added challenge of crossing the PCH (Malibu’s answer to the video game Frogger). 3) Get all of the planets to align just so, allowing you to score that perfect parking spot on the beach side of the PCH, right outside the entrance to your chosen beach. We grudgingly admit that option #1 may be your best bet.
Many of Malibu’s private beaches are accessible to the public via causeways or public gates. Some of Malibu’s more popular public beaches are:
• Topanga State Beach • Located along the PCH at Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Popular for surfing. Call 310-457-9701 for the northern surf report. Good luck finding parking.
• Malibu Lagoon State Beach • Located just west of the Malibu Pier. Features a bird sanctuary as well as the Malibu Lagoon Museum.
• Malibu Surfrider Beach • Home of the Malibu Pier, located along the 23000 block of the PCH. This is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world.
• Dan Blocker Beach • Named for the actor who played “Hoss” on the TV series Bonanza. He was one of the original owners of this stretch of beach, along with his co-stars, Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, who donated it to the state after Blocker’s death. This beach is on the PCH between Puerco Canyon and Corral Canyon.
• Point Dume State Beach • This state-owned beach is accessed from Westward Beach Road. One of the area’s most beautiful beaches, it features nearby hiking trails, reefs for scuba diving, and tide pools.
• Zuma Beach • This very popular beach is located on the PCH, just west of Heathercliff Drive. It’s expansive, is home to a number of volleyball courts, and tends to be very crowded in the summer.
• Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach • This is actually a grouping of three small beaches—El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador. They are located about 10 miles west of Malibu proper. Lots of rocky cliffs, sand dunes, and picturesque sunsets.
• Nicholas Canyon Beach • Located at 33850 Pacific Coast Highway. Lots of room for lying out in the sun or tossing a Frisbee.
The Adamson House
Located at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, the Adamson House was the home of Merritt Huntley Adamson and his wife Rhoda Rindge Adamson, whose family, the Rindges, once owned the Malibu Spanish Land Grant (as the area was originally known). The house features liberal use of the ceramic tile manufactured by the then-famous Malibu Potteries. The Adamson House and the adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum are open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, while the grounds are open daily from 8 am until sunset. Admission to the adjoining Malibu Lagoon Museum is free while tours of the Adamson House cost $7 for adults, $2 for children aged 6–16 years, and nothing for children 5 years and under. (Cash only, thanks.) The property is also available for weddings and other special events, though weekend wedding season requires a year-and-a-half wait, so be prepared for a long engagement. 310-456-8432; www.adamsonhouse.org.
Malibu Creek State Park
What is now a 7,000-acre state park once belonged to motion picture studio Twentieth Century Fox, which used the park as a double for Korea in the TV series M*A*S*H. The park is home to some 30 miles of hiking and riding trails, as well as a campground featuring sixty campsites, with barbecues, showers, and bathroom facilities. Campsites can be booked online. The park’s entrance is located along Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road, just south of Mulholland Highway. 818-880-0367; www.parks.ca.gov/.
Pepperdine University
It’s hard to imagine getting any studying done on a campus just a few hundred yards from the ocean, but Pepperdine students manage to pull it off (well…sometimes; we guess the curfew helps). Visible from PCH with its enormous thin cross stretching toward the heavens that created Malibu, Pepperdine sprawls across some of the greenest acreage in the land. The campus may be best known as the location for the 1970s TV spectacular The Battle of the Network Stars, but Pepperdine is represented by 15 NCAA Division I athletic teams in sports ranging from men’s water polo to women’s golf. The university’s Center for the Arts hosts an eclectic slate of events including piano recitals, modern dance, and children’s theater. 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, 310-506-4000; www.pepperdine.edu.
Where to Eat
Malibu relies upon the PCH as its Main Street and most of the town’s dining establishments are located along either side. Dining experiences in Malibu tend to be one extreme or the other—either ultra-casual or ultra-pricey. Here are some restaurants that we recommend at both ends of the spectrum:
• Coogies, Malibu Colony Plaza, 23755 Malibu Rd, 310-317-1444. Upscale diner fare. This unpretentious restaurant is healthier than the typical diner and is a great bet for breakfast by the beach.
• Neptune’s Net, 42505 PCH, 310-457-3095. Seafood. Though it’s almost at the Ventura county line, this place is worth the drive. Very “beachy,” Neptune’s Net serves up a variety of seafood either steamed or fried.
• Duke’s Malibu, 21150 PCH, 310-317-0777. California-Hawaiian. Lots of seafood dishes served amidst a fun, surfer theme dedicated to famed surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Avoid the Sunday brunch—the bar menu is always better—and try to snag a table at the barefoot bar.
• Marmalade Café, 3894 Cross Creek Rd, 310-317-4242. California-style sandwiches and salads. If you want a nice lunch in a nice setting, this is the place to go. Their food also travels well as take-out, and they have a great catering business too.
• Taverna Tony, Malibu Country Mart, 23410 Civic Center Wy, 310-317-9667. Greek. Delicious food in a fun, festive setting with live music.
• Geoffrey’s, 27400 PCH, 310-457-1519. California-eclectic. Pronounced “Joffrey’s,” this restaurant serves delicious food that merits the snooty attitude you may occasionally encounter here. This is one of the most beautiful and romantic restaurants in LA.
• Reel Inn, 18661 PCH, 310 – 456-8221. An old Malibu holdover, the Reel Inn has been a reliable and casual seafood outpost for decades. Fresh snapper, shrimp, and calamari are on the picnic table menu, with requisite cold beer in abundance.
• Moonshadows, 20356 PCH, 310-456-3010. The fancy-ish restaurant’s food hardly compares to its ocean views, but it’s not terrible. The highlight is the outdoor patio with cabanas and futons. A giant spotlight shines on the ocean like moonlight, hence the establishment’s name.
How to Get There
With few exceptions, it’s difficult to go anywhere in Malibu without encountering the Pacific Coast Highway for at least some of the trip. From the southern half of LA, the easiest option is to take the 10 Freeway to the PCH and head north. On summer weekends, the PCH becomes a virtual parking lot, but at least you can enjoy the smell and view of the ocean.
From the Valley and points north, your best bet is to hop on the 101 Freeway and head north toward Ventura. Exit at Las Virgenes and follow the signs for Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Canyon; then take Malibu Canyon Road to the PCH. If you’re planning on going even farther north into Malibu, you can also exit the 101 at Kanan Road, which becomes Kanan Dume Road and terminates at the PCH.
| Parks & Places • Long Beach |
General Information
City of Long Beach: www.longbeach.gov or @LongBeachCity
Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau: www.visitlongbeach.com or @VisitLB
Overview
The birthplace of the silent film industry, Snoop Dogg, and Sublime, Long Beach holds the distinction of being one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States. The first silent movie studio—Balboa Studios—was located here, and today numerous television shows and feature films continue to be shot in the area. These days, perhaps the city’s biggest claim to fame is the Port of Long Beach, the second busiest port in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Despite the great earthquake of 1933 destroying many buildings, Long Beach has managed to successfully retain much of its charm, as evidenced in the Art Deco architecture along Ocean Boulevard. A massive downtown revitalization aimed at attracting a young, artsy crowd with new lofts, cafes, and theaters has also helped to develop the city.
The city is divided into pocket neighborhoods, each as different as the next. Belmont Shore is the quintessential beach community, with narrow streets and open-minded residents. Belmont Heights and Bluff Park are where the former residents of Belmont Shore go once they have kids and want a yard. North Long Beach is a residential working-class neighborhood near the 405 Freeway. Bixby Knolls is suburbia near the beach, with the usual lineup of ranch homes and minivans. Shoreline Village is a tourist’s paradise, with shops and restaurants on the north end of the 11-mile beach.
How to Get There
Although it sits only 21 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, the roads to Long Beach are often congested and fraught with delays. Find your way to the 405 or the 5 and head south, taking either freeway to the 710 S. The 10 also intersects with the 710 east of Downtown LA, so that’s a viable option as well.
You can also take the Metro Blue Line to downtown Long Beach from either the 7th Street/Metro Center stop or the Pico Boulevard stop (near the Los Angeles Convention Center) for a round-trip fare of $3.50. The train makes several stops in Long Beach, including one at the Transit Mall on 1st Street, between Pine and Pacific. 800-COMMUTE; www.mta.net or @metrolosangeles.
Once you’ve arrived, Long Beach Transit (562-591-2301, www.lbtransit.com or @lbtransit) offers several services, such as the Pine Avenue Link and the Passport, that shuttle visitors all over town from the Queen Mary to Pine Avenue and Belmont Shore. Fares are reasonable at $1.25, $65 for a monthly pass, with discounted rates for seniors, disabled riders, and children. In the warmer months, another transportation alternative is the AquaBus. This 40-foot-long water taxi costs just $1 and will ferry you to a number of Long Beach’s coastal attractions. There are stops at the Aquarium, the Queen Mary, Catalina Landing, Shoreline Village, Pine Avenue Circle at Dock 7, and the Hotel Maya. The AquaLink water taxi is another option for nautical travel, but while it’s faster and bigger than the AquaBus, this boat costs $5 to ride and only makes stops at Alamitos Bay Landing, the Queen Mary, the Aquarium, and Belmont Pier. 800-481-3470; www.lbtransit.com/Services/Aqualink.aspx.
Landmarks
• Adelaide A. Tichenor House • 852 E Ocean Blvd
• Alexander House • 5281 E El Roble St
• Aquarium of the Pacific • 100 Aquarium Way
• Art Theater • 2025 E 4th St
• California State University at Long Beach •
1250 N Bellflower Blvd
• Catalina Landing • 320 Golden Shore
• Edison Theater • 213 E Broadway
• Long Beach Convention & Visitor’s Bureau •
301 E Ocean Blvd
• Long Beach Museum of Art • 2300 E Ocean Blvd
• Matlock House • 1560 Ramillo Ave
• Museum of Latin-American Art • 628 Alamitos Ave
• The Pike at Rainbow Harbor • S Pine Ave & W Shoreline Dr
• The Queen Mary • 1126 Queens Hwy
• Seashell House • 4325 E 6th St
• Shoreline Village • 419 Shoreline Village Dr
• The Skinny House • 708 Gladys Ave
• Villa Riviera • 800 E Ocean Blvd
Nightlife
• 49rs Tavern • 5660 E Pacific Coast Hwy
• Belmont Brewing Co. • 25 39th Pl
• The Blind Donkey • 149 Linden Ave
• Congregation Ale House • 201 E Broadway Ave
• District Wine • 144 Linden Ave
• Murphy’s Pub • 4918 E 2nd St
• Portfolio Coffeehouse • 2300 E 4th St
• Rock Bottom Brewery • 1 Pine Ave
• The Sky Room • 40 S Locust Ave
Restaurants
• 555 East • 555 E Ocean Blvd
• Alegria • 115 Pine Ave
• Angelo’s Italian Deli • 190 La Verne Ave
• The Breakfast Bar • 70 Atlantic Ave
• Chen’s Chinese Restaurant • 2131 E Broadway
• Chuck’s Coffee Shop • 4120 E Ocean Blvd
• Enriques • 6210 E Pacific Coast Hwy
• Gladstone’s • 330 S Pine Ave
• King’s Fish House • 100 W Broadway
• L’Opera • 101 Pine Ave
• La Traviata • 301 N Cedar Ave
• Long Beach Café • 615 E Ocean Blvd
• Michael’s Pizzeria • 5616 E 2nd St
• Ocean Market Grill • 6332 E 2nd St
• Open Sesame • 5215 E 2nd St
• Park Pantry • 2104 E Broadway
• Parkers’ Lighthouse • 435 Shoreline Village Dr
• Phnom Penh Noodle Restaurant • 1644 Cherry Ave
• Pier 76 Fish Grill • 95 Pine Ave
• Sushi Kinoya • 5521 E Stearns St
• Sweet Dixie Kitchen • 401 E 3rd St
• Utopia • 445 E 1st St
• Yard House • 401 Shoreline Village Dr
Shopping
• Buffalo Exchange • 4608 E 2nd St
• City Place • 151 E 5th St
• ELEV8 • 132 Linden Ave
• Fingerprints Music • 420 E 4th St
• Le Bijou Boutique • 455 E Ocean Blvd
• Lil Devils Boutique • 2218 E 4th St
• Long Beach Antique Market • 4901 E Conant St
• The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse • 320 Elm Ave
• Make Collectives • 430 E 1st St
• Olives Gourmet Grocer • 3510 E Broadway
• The Pike at Rainbow Harbor • 95 S Pine Ave
• Songbird • 2240 E 4th St
• Vintage Emporium • 3423 Orange Ave
Attractions
Catalina
The Catalina Express ferry service currently monopolizes the seaways in the 22 mile stretch between mainland California and Catalina Island. The boats leave Long Beach for Catalina from a variety of ports and on a variety of schedules depending on the season; the best thing to do is check times and locations directly with the Catalina Express by calling 800-481-3470 or going online at www.catalinaexpress.com. Tickets cost $74.50 for a roundtrip, or you can go for free on your birthday. Take sunscreen, a beach towel, and Dramamine—the ride is often a rough one. Reservations are recommended.
You can also opt for a quicker route (15 minutes) via the Island Express Helicopter Service for $250 round trip per person (but if it’s the off season, you might be able to snag a discounted rate). For just a little bit more, Island Express offers daily packages at $280 per person that include flight, taxi, and two Santa Catalina Island Company Discovery tours. 800-AVALON; www.islandexpress.com or at @islandexpress1.
Whether by air or by sea, once you land you can take advantage of all the leisure activities the island has to offer, from renting a golf cart to snorkeling and parasailing—all with that kitschy ski resort town feel...minus the skiing.
There’s camping available on both sides of the island: Avalon has restaurants within walking distance or a trolley shuttle ride away, while sites at Two Harbors come with fewer tourists, but also less running water, for the more rugged camper. www.catalina.com or @catalinadotcom.
Queen Mary
Once a vessel that ferried WWII troops, movie stars, and heads of state across the Atlantic Ocean, the Queen Mary has since retired and is now a floating hotel and museum available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and rubber stamp conventions—for real. In all seriousness, the ship is awesome in scope and historical significance. The Queen Mary offers something for the tourist in you—from brunch and hotel stays to ghost tours and comedy shows. A popular filming location, the liner boasts cameos in Arrested Development and Pearl Harbor, reminding us that Hollywood is just a hop, skip, and a freeway away. 562-435-3511; www.queenmary.com or @TheQueenMary. Check the site for special offers, particularly off season.
Ticket prices vary depending on what package you want; there are a variety of options including historical tours and special exhibits, but tickets start at $25 for adults and $14 for kids.
Directions: The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway, at the south end of the 710 Freeway.
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific opened with much fanfare—and a massive PR campaign—in 1998. Don’t expect to see Atlantic salmon or Maine lobsters here—this aquarium lives up to its name by focusing solely on the Pacific Ocean’s three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific, emphasizing interactive education over entertainment. 562-590-3100; www.aquariumofpacific.org or @AquariumPacific.
Admission: Prices start at $28.95 for grown folks, $14.95 for kids, and $25.95 for seniors. (Online booking sometimes entails a discounted fare.) Additional options include a Behind-the-Scenes tour and an Ocean Experience tour for a few extra bucks. The aquarium is open every day from 9 am until 6 pm. It’s closed on Christmas and for the entire weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, which is usually in April.
Directions: Take the 405 S to the 710 S, and follow the signs to Downtown Long Beach and the Aquarium. The Aquarium is located at 100 Aquarium Way, off Shoreline Drive. Parking is available at a municipal lot located just a few feet from the Aquarium. The cost is $8 if you scan your parking ticket at the Aquarium or pre-pay at a ticket window.
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Located at 300 East Ocean Boulevard, this complex is home to an eclectic assortment of events. The Terrace Theater hosts a variety of plays and musical performances, the Convention Center includes a large ballroom that serves as the site for many a senior prom, and of course, there are conferences, expos, and competitions galore. 562-436-3636; www.longbeachcc.com or @LBConventionCtr.
Directions: Take the 405 S to the 710 S and head for the Downtown exits. The 710 turns into Shoreline Drive. Follow this to Linden and turn into the parking lot.
Shoreline Village
Designed to look like an old-fashioned fishing village, Shoreline Village is a collection of shops, restaurants, and amusements that might best be described as “quaint.” Don’t get us wrong—there’s great stuff here (cough cough Skee-ball). The area also caters to more athletic pursuits such as rollerblading, bike riding, and sailing, as well as offering a number of great restaurants and tasty snack shops. 562-435-2668; www.shorelinevillage.com or @ShorelineVillag.
Directions: Take the 710 S and follow signs for the Aquarium. Continue past the Aquarium and Pine Avenue, and turn right onto Shoreline Village Drive. Make sure to get your parking validated.
Hours: Shoreline Village is open seven days a week from 10 am until 9 pm, closing an hour later during the summer months.
The Pike at Rainbow Harbor
Today’s Pike at Rainbow Harbor is in many ways reminiscent of the celebrated Pike of yore. Over 100 years ago, the Pike was one of the most famous beachside amusement parks on the west coast with rides, a pier, movie houses, shops, and cafes. The new Pike at Rainbow Harbor includes modern-day incarnations of commercialized fun, including dining options such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Smoothie King, a 14-screen multiplex, and an antique carousel. The Pike, covering 18 acres of downtown waterfront, is located smack-dab between the Convention Center and the Aquarium. www.thepikeatlongbeach.com.
Directions: Take the 405 S to the 710 S and head for the Downtown exits. The 710 turns into Shoreline Drive. Park anywhere between Pine and Chestnut Avenues, or in Shoreline Village, and then walk a few steps north. There’s limited free parking with validation, but beware of the sizable lost-ticket fee.
Toyota Grand Prix
For one weekend every April, Long Beach turns into Daytona Beach and the sound of revving car engines echoes throughout the usually subdued downtown area. The real draw of the Grand Prix is the Pro/Celebrity Race, where the likes of Patrick Dempsey, William Shatner, Martina Navratilova, and Frankie Muniz get fast and furious with the best of the pros. Tickets are available online at www.gplb.com, or by calling 888-82-SPEED.
| Parks & Places • Elysian Park |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 5, 36 & 37 |
| Address: | 835 Academy Rd Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Phone: | 213-485-5054 |
| Website: | www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/elysianPk.htm |
Overview
When Los Angeles was founded in 1781, more than 600 acres of parkland was set aside for public use. That allotted land, today known as Elysian Park, is the oldest and second-largest park in the LA area. The majority of the park, crisscrossed with hiking trails, has been maintained in its original state since it opened. In 1965, the “Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park” formed to organize public support to preserve the parkland as public open space. Over 40 years later, the park has seen no redevelopment, but the committee continues to “arouse public and official awareness of the value of saving the last of these Pueblo lands set aside two centuries ago.” (The park actually includes the last large piece of Pueblo land granted to the city by Carlos III, King of Spain, in 1781.) Despite the fact that the park is also home to the Los Angeles Police Academy headquarters (and their shooting range), one can still get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing respite from the city. But don’t wander too far while alone. Even with the high occupancy of officers-in-training, the more isolated sections of the park are just that—and not always the safest, especially when it gets dark. Use the buddy system—in daylight—and aside from the fault line running underneath the park, you should be fine.
Practicalities
The central picnic area on Stadium Way has several barbecue pits, a small human-made lake, and a children’s play area. The Recreation Center has basketball and volleyball courts. A café at the Police Academy is open to the public on weekdays from 6 am until 3 pm. The annual Chinatown Firecracker 10K Run passes through the park every February.
Admission to the park and arboretum is free. Elysian Park is located next to Dodger Stadium and the Police Academy and can be reached from the 5 or 110 Freeways (exit Stadium Way). The Chavez Ravine Arboretum is on the west side of Stadium Way near the Grace E. Simon Lodge.
FYI: If you’re headed to a game at Dodger Stadium, park near Elysian Park (on Douglas Street or Stadium Way), then cut along the park and up to the stadium. Nature and a parking alternative—you gotta love it.
Chavez Ravine Arboretum
In 1893, the Los Angeles Horticultural Society established the arboretum and extensive botanical gardens in Elysian Park. The Chavez Ravine Arboretum was declared “City Historical-Cultural Monument Number 48” in 1967, and today Los Angeles Beautiful sponsors the arboretum. Many of the trees are the oldest and largest of their kind in California—some even in the United States—and there are over 1,000 tree species from around the world that can be grown in the arboretum’s moderate climate. The Los Angeles Beautiful Arbor Day is held annually at the Chavez Ravine Arboretum. 213-485-5054; www.laparks.com/dos/horticulture/chavez.htm.
| Parks & Places • Griffith Park |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 3, 4, 5, 50, 51 & 57 |
| Address: | 4730 Crystal Springs Dr Los Angeles, CA 90027 |
| Phone: | 323-913-4688 |
| Website: | www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/griffithPk.htm |
| Hours: | 6 am–10 pm, daily (bridle trails, hiking paths, and mountain roads close at sunset) |
Overview
It’s one of LA’s great tragedies that we Angelenos do not make better or more frequent use of Griffith Park. It’s the largest municipal park in the United States, far larger than New York’s Central Park, yet not nearly as convenient. Sure, it’s easily accessible from both the 5 and the 134 freeways, but Griffith Park is still a hike (pun intended) from the Westside, a slow crawl from the West Valley, and might as well be a world away from the South Bay. Most park-goers come to Griffith Park for its museums and attractions (the Zoo, the Greek Theatre, etc.), but these are just the beginning of the wide variety of activities the park has to offer.
Unfortunately, brush fires hit Griffith Park hard in 2007. Dante’s View and Captain’s Roost, both scenic respites for weary hikers, were both destroyed, and the bird sanctuary suffered heavy damage as well. Hydromulching has spurred regrowth, but burned areas will remain closed until further notice, and barbecues and fires of any kind are now prohibited as well (but locals don’t seem to know that). And if it’s not the fire, it’s the rain—flooding is easier in the convalescence. For updated information about repair status, openings, and closings, check www.lagriffithpark.org before making your trip to the park. And watch out for rattlesnakes!
Practicalities
Located northwest of downtown LA, Griffith Park is easily reached from either I-5 or the 134. From I-5, get off at Los Feliz Boulevard, Griffith Park (direct entry), or Zoo Drive. From 134 eastbound, take either the Forest Lawn Drive or Victory Boulevard exits. From 134 westbound, take Zoo Drive or Forest Lawn Drive. Speed at your own risk: the 25 mph speed limit on all park roads is strictly enforced.
Activities
Located within the park are facilities for golf (Harding, Los Feliz, Roosevelt, and Wilson Municipal golf courses); swimming (the Plunge Pool is open in summer months); hiking; jogging; horseback riding; tennis (Griffith-Riverside Pay, Vermont Pay, and the free Griffith Park Drive Courts); soccer (John Ferraro Athletic Fields at the northeast corner of the park); and camping and picnicking at one of the five main picnic areas.
Several playgrounds are located throughout the park, usually near picnic areas. The newest among them, Shane’s Inspiration, is a “boundless playground” designed to allow children with disabilities to play alongside their able-bodied peers. Bicycles, including tandems, can be rented from Crystal Springs Bike and Skate Rental, located in a shack behind the Crystal Springs Ranger Station.
Young park-goers also enjoy the pony and train rides located near the Los Feliz Boulevard entrance to the park. The Griffith Park Southern Railroad takes riders on a one-mile-plus ride over a meadow, through an old Western town, and past a Native American village. The hours of operation are 10 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays, and the train runs until 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $2 for adults and $1.50 for kids ages 1–13. The pony rides come in three speeds—slow, slower, and barely breathing—but neither the kids nor the horses ever seem to mind. There is also a surprisingly peppy merry-go-round located between the Zoo and the Los Feliz entrance to the park that’s always worth a spin. The Fern Dell “hike” is an easy walk for a parent with a stroller or even a more mobile small child. This nature walk is located at the Fern Dell Drive entrance and features waterfalls, tunnels, and a picnic area for snacking.
From Thanksgiving until New Year’s, Griffith Park hosts the annual LADWP Holiday Light Festival from 5 pm until 10 pm nightly. Music plays over twinkling light displays intended both to dazzle and to celebrate the history of LA. However, because the program is free, you might argue that there are finer light shows to be seen at some of the nearby mansions of Toluca Lake and Los Feliz. But a wiser, more polite person would argue that this is the LADWP’s gift to the City of Los Angeles and we should appreciate it for the kind holiday gesture that it is. And, of course, for its considerable kitsch value. The light show really does draw the crowds, so you might consider parking at the zoo and going through the mile-long display on foot.
Griffith Park Museums
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, 323-664-1181; www.griffithobservatory.org
After closing its doors and shutting down its telescopes in January 2002 for a much-needed renovation, the observatory reopened in 2007, just in time for its 71st anniversary. At first glance, you might not even notice many of the multi-million-dollar improvements, since so much care went into retaining the observatory’s Art Deco style, and because a majority of the expansion is hidden beneath the front lawn. But the Hall of Science is bigger, there’s a 200-seat presentation theater (called the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, for all the Trekkies in the house), classrooms, conference rooms, an expanded book store, and just about anything else a stargazer could hope to find. Admission is free if you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, but the Observatory now follows a Getty-like system that forces visitors to reserve parking and shuttle services in advance. Parking is available at Hollywood & Highland or the Observatory Satellite (near the zoo), and a shuttle reservation is $8 for adults, $4 for children. Visit the above website to reserve your spot.
The Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Wy, 323-667-2000; theautry.org
Part museum of history, part art gallery, the Autry is devoted to the stories, the people, the cultures, and the events that have shaped the legacy of the region. Learn about Spanish explorers, discover how the genre of the western evolved through radio, movies, and television, and see paintings by Remington and Russell. Grab a bite at the museum’s Autry Café (open for breakfast and lunch). Hours: Tues-Fri, 10 am–4 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am-5pm. Admission costs $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $4 for children ages 3–12. The museum is free for kids under 3 and is free for all on the second Tuesday of every month.
Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Canyon Rd, 323-665-5857; www.greektheatrela.com
Built with funds left to the city by affluent psycho Griffith J. Griffith, LA’s outdoor theater has been hosting live music under the stars since 1930. In recent years, the 6,100-seat venue has hosted Sir Paul McCartney, The White Stripes, Tina Turner, Elton John, and the Russian National Ballet, just to name a few. At the ripe old age of 75, the theater recently underwent a multi-million-dollar facelift that has improved the acoustics and comfort of the outdoor arena. Tickets to performances can be purchased in person at the box office, or through Ticketmaster.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr, 323-644-4200; www.lazoo.org
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) Freeways. The most popular attractions are the Red Ape Rain Forest, the Treetops Terrace, and the newly renovated Sea Lion Cliffs. The zoo is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm (except on Christmas Day). Note that the zoo puts animals in for the night an hour before closing time. Admission costs $13, $10 for seniors over 62, and $8 for children 2-12. Children under two and parking are both free. Annual memberships are a smart move for families with children. Packages start at $45.
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Dr, 323-662-5874; www.traveltown.org
Travel Town Museum is an outdoor museum that spotlights the railroad heritage of the western US. The collection includes locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and a couple of cabooses, as well as a miniature train ride for kids (one of three in the park). Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 am–4 pm; Sat–Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Admission and parking are free, and a ride on the miniature train costs just $2.50.
| Parks & Places • Disneyland |
General Information
| Address: | 1313 S Harbor Blvd Anaheim, CA 92803-3232 |
| Disneyland Info (recorded): | 714-781-4565 |
| Disneyland Info (operator): | 714-781-7290 |
| Disneyland Travel Packages: | 714-520-5060 |
| Disneyland Resort Hotels: | 714-956-6425 |
| Disneyland Ticketing: | 714-781-4400 |
| Website: | disneyland.disney.go.com |
Overview
Sure, you can walk around all day with a chip on your shoulder blaming “The Happiest Place on Earth” for sucking your pocketbook dry at every turn. And, yes, the crowds can be a total pain. But there’s something so pleasantly surreal about a visit to the Magic Kingdom. The staff is almost militant about being kind; there’s usually some childhood memory running through your head, whether you like it or not; and the second there’s a chill in the air—whammo!—the hot chocolate carts arrive at your service. It’s like…magic!
Disneyland recently souped up and promoted its after-sundown “Nighttastic!” fare, including the rightly famous fireworks displays, California Adventure’s Electrical Parade, and Fantasmic!, a rococo night show in which Mickey Mouse (whose pan-Disneyland ubiquity makes him almost a religious figure) uses magic to battle the eye-catching forces of darkness. There’s still plenty to do during the day, natch. If there’s even a smidgen of the Force within you, take your inner Jedi to Tomorrowland Terrace to enroll in the Jedi Training Academy, where adolescent boys’ heads implode as they defend the galaxy against a living, breathing Darth Vader. For updates on construction, parades and promotions, www.mouseplanet.com is invaluable.
If you’re heading to Disneyland with a group of adults, cruise in during the evening (at least during the summer, when the park is open late) or ditch work for shorter lines and more breathing room. For popular rides, always look for the Fastpass kiosks near the ride entrances. These allow you to take a ticket and return at an appointed time to join the less congested Fastpass queue.
The Downtown Disney district, just outside the park’s gates, is a loose collection of shops and restaurants, most of which appeal to kids ranging from youngster (Build-A-Bear, Lego) to tween (Club Libby Lu) to Jeff Spicoli (Quiksilver). The restaurants generally offer wider menus and better food than you’ll find inside the park, though with few exceptions (Jamba Juice, Wetzel’s Pretzels), they won’t necessarily save you any money. The World of Disney store is conveniently located next to the parking-lot trams, guaranteeing that you give Disney the last dollar in your wallet before returning to your car at the end of the day.
The California Adventure Park has never quite lived up to the Disney standard. Annual passport holders may park-hop, and can thus experience rides like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (which is really quite frightening) and the Soarin’ Over California motion ride. Take a little girl to the Princess Celebration (lunch or dinner) at Ariel’s Grotto and you will be a rock star, at least until you tell them it’s time to leave the park and go home. A Bug’s Land, scattered with oversized food, will make you glad you’re not on acid. California Adventure has been revamped to look more like the Los Angeles of the 1920s, when Disney arrived.
Hours of Operation
The park’s hours change depending on the season. During the summer months, school vacations, and holidays, Disneyland is usually open from 9 am until 9 pm, and California Adventure Park is open from 10 am until 7 pm. In the off-season, Disneyland is open from 10 am until 8 pm, and California Adventure Park is open from 10 am until 6 pm. Call the park, or check their website, for more accurate times before heading down. The website is also useful for finding out what rides may be closed for maintenance on any given day. (After all, there’s nothing more disappointing than having your Pirates of the Caribbean dreams squashed due to renovations.) The website also lists daily, weekly, and monthly special entertainment events.
Entrance Fees
There are not many places you’ll visit where the child admission fee cuts off at 9 years of age—but Disneyland is one of them. One-day, one-park tickets for Disneyland or California Adventure are now $96 for adults, $90 for children. The two-day Park Hopper is $217 for adults and $204 for children. You can sign up online for free admission on your birthday. Disney sometimes posts special deals on their website, so make sure you check it before you buy tickets—it also saves time waiting in the entrance line. Disneyland typically offers reduced rates to Southern California residents for Park Hopper tickets and annual passports, so if you plan on visiting the park twice or more during the year, this may be a wise investment.
Lockers
For tourists on the move, or for visitors who inexplicably brought along valuables to the park, there are lockers located outside the main entrances to Disneyland and California Adventure. Locker rentals cost between $7 and $15 per day.
Package Check
If you purchase more mouse ears than you can carry while inside the park, you may leave your packages at the Newsstand (Main Entrance), Star Trader (Tomorrowland), or Pioneer Mercantile (Frontierland) and pick them up on your way out.
Kennels
Traveling with your pooch can create problems, and orchestrating a trip to Disneyland is no exception to this rule. Hotels in the Disneyland Resort do not allow pets, but if you’re passing through and plan on staying elsewhere overnight, indoor day kennel facilities, located to the right of the Main Entrance of Disneyland, are available for $20 a day.
How to Get There—Driving
Traveling southbound on I-5 (Golden State/Santa Ana Freeway), exit at Disneyland Drive and turn left (south). Follow the signs to the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure. If you’re traveling northbound on I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway), exit on Katella Avenue and turn left (west). Proceed across Katella Avenue and merge onto Disney Way (on the left). Follow the signs to the most convenient parking area. The same goes for if you’re traveling eastbound or westbound on the 22 (Garden Grove Freeway).
Parking
Once in the Mickey & Friends parking lot, head to the escalators, which take you directly to the Mickey & Friends Loading Zone. Trams collect visitors and drop them off at the Mickey & Friends Tram Station, located within walking distance of both theme parks. Parking costs $17 a day for cars, $22 for oversized vehicles, and $27 for buses.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
All of the LA area airports provide shuttle services to the Disneyland Resort. Bus 460 goes somewhere near the park, but we recommend driving a car or taking a shuttle if you can.
| Parks & Places • Exposition Park |
Overview
NFT Map: 11
Exposition Park is bounded by Figueroa Street to the east, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the south, Menlo Avenue to the west, and Exposition Boulevard to the north. The grounds face the University of Southern California’s (USC) campus, tying the two into a blend of extensive education and learning. Originally called Agricultural Park, the area was developed in 1876 as a showground for agricultural and horticultural fairs. In June 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, named in honor of those who died in World War I, was completed. The stadium was enlarged for the 1932 Olympics and also hosted the 1984 Olympics. Today Exposition Park houses the Natural History Museum, IMAX Theater, Rose Garden, California Science Center, California African American Museum, LA Memorial Coliseum, and the indoor Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
The history of the Coliseum/Sports Arena complex spans eight decades. It is the only arena in the world to play host to two Olympiads (10th and 23rd), two Super Bowls (1st and 7th), and one World Series (1959). In the past, the complex has played host to the Rams, the Dodgers, and the Lakers, and was the expansion home of the San Diego Chargers and the Kings. Today, the Coliseum is home to USC’s juggernaut Trojan football team (call 213-740-GOSC for tickets) and various other special events. Autumn is particularly vibrant during home games–if you’re trying to visit the park then, traffic and parking will be double nightmares. Check the website (www.lacoliseum.com) for event details. The main box office switchboard is open from 10 am to 6 pm and can be reached at 213-747-7111.
Rose Garden
The 7.5-acre Rose Garden was completed in 1928, and there were 15,793 roses in full bloom for the opening. Today the sunken garden contains more than 20,000 rose bushes representing 190-plus varieties. It’s the perfect place for an afternoon stroll and a nearby retreat when the screaming at the Coliseum during USC football season starts to become a headache. In Southern California, roses bloom from March to November. The garden is open daily, free to the public, and located within Exposition Park at 701 State Drive (213-765-0114). While beautiful during the day, it’s awfully sketchy at night—like much of its neighborhood.
Natural History Museum of LA County
The Natural History Museum houses many California-specific exhibits not found at other natural museums. Its Marine Hall highlights Californian ocean life, and its California history section shows a chronological progression since the 1500s. The museum is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard in Exposition Park, across from USC between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street. Parking is available off Menlo Avenue. The fee for parking will run between $8 and $10, depending on events in the Exposition Park area. The museum is open 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Adults can expect to pay $12 for entry, seniors, students, and youth (13-17) are $9, kids 3–12 are $5, and ages 2 and under are free. If you schedule your visit on the first Tuesday of the month, it won’t cost you a cent! Although the museum is open during USC football games, we highly recommend that you avoid the Exposition Park area at all costs on those days unless you’re attending the game. 213-763-DINO; www.nhm.org.
California Science Center & IMAX
You can’t miss the giant jet airplane sitting out front. The Science Center is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm, and admission to Science Center exhibition halls is free. The IMAX is open daily; admission is $8.25 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for children (without the member discount). Check the website (www.californiasciencecenter.org) or call 213-744-7400 for show information. Parking is $10 for cars and “yellow” school buses and $25 for charter buses and oversized vehicles (cash only). The entrance to the visitor parking lot is on Figueroa at 39th Street.
California African American Museum
The California African American Museum researches, collects, preserves, and interprets the art, history, and culture of African Americans, with emphasis on California and the western United States. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 am until 5 pm. Admission is free. 213-744-7432; www.caamuseum.org.
How to Get There—Driving
From the north, take 101 S to 110 S, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard W, and enter on Hoover Street. From the south, take 405 N to 110 N, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard W, and enter on Hoover Street. From the west, take 10 E to the 110 S and follow the above directions. From the east, take 10 W to 110 S and follow the above directions.
Parking
There are parking spaces located at various places within the park. Parking rates and availability will vary for special events. Four-hour and two-hour metered parking is available on Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard. There are a number of lots on the streets surrounding the park, and the usual weekday rate is $3. Rates vary when special events are in progress, and the average cost of parking in a lot is $10. You can also park at any of the USC lots for $7 a day, except on game days and special events where parking may not be available to non-Trojans, in which case the price of a parking spot escalates and locals rent out their driveways and yards for a considerable bargain.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
If you’re taking public transport, take the Metro Rail Expo Line to Expo Park/USC.
| Parks & Places • Farmers Market |
General Information
| NFT Map: | 2 |
| Address: | 6333 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90036 |
| Phone: | 323-933-9211 |
| Website: | www.farmersmarketla.com |
| Hours: | Mon–Fri: 9 am–9 pm; Sat: 9 am–8 pm; Sun: 10 am–7 pm (merchant hours may vary) |
Overview
The Farmers Market opened in the 1930s as a humble dirt lot where farmers parked their trucks and sold their produce right off their tailgates. Over the years, it’s slowly morphed into an occasional motley crew of souvenir shops and food stalls. And even though it was scaled back a few years ago to make way for the fancy, schmancy Grove shopping mall, it’s still one of the best melting-pot LA experiences around. Old timers are eating the same Sunday brunch they’ve been looking forward to for years; there’s always a young, semi-recognizable Hollywood type from TV’s latest teen drama or cash-cow horror to point and gawk at; and hipsters are drawn to it for the kitsch, good grub, seasonal festivals, and, during the right time of year, live music. Patrons can keep abreast of updates and soirées via the Farmers Market Bugle, available at the market or online. Plus, when you’re with a group of friends that can’t decide on what to eat, this place is a godsend.
Where to Shop
There are two kinds of shops at the Farmers Market—the kinds that sell food and the kinds that don’t. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the food-sellers. Mr. Marcel Gourmet Market has an extensive selection of imported cheese, and you can watch the whole candy-making process at Littlejohn’s English Toffee House. Magee’s House of Nuts has been in operation at the Farmers Market since it began and will open your eyes to a world of nut butters that goes far beyond peanuts. The Fruit Company always offers a wide variety of fruits that are consistently fresher and more reasonably priced than any local supermarket.
The Farmers Market’s other businesses are a bit more eclectic and can be somewhat hit-or-miss. By Candlelight has an impressive selection of candles and Light My Fire sells bottled hot sauce that ranges from mild to downright combustible. There are also many shops that cater to the tourist crowd and sell cheap, Hollywood-themed souvenirs. If you’re hoping to do some serious shopping of the mainstream variety, hop on the trolley (or take a short walk) and head over to The Grove.
Where to Eat
There may be no better place for breakfast in all of LA than Kokomo Café, one of the Farmers Market’s few sit-down dining establishments. This casual café serves up an eclectic breakfast and lunch menu and, best of all, their egg dishes come with coffeecake. Even with its new fancy remodel, Du-par’s has an old-school feel that tourists and locals can’t resist. Then, there’s always the food court. If you can handle the wait, the French Crepe Company serves ‘em up sweet and savory. The Gumbo Pot dishes the tastiest Gumbo YaYa this side of the Mississippi and is tucked away in a courtyard corner with a bar to help wash down the spicy stuff. And no matter how much you’ve gorged, you must try at least one of Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts’ doughy delights—they’re considered by many to have the best donuts in town. Some of the finest Mexican dishes west of Alvarado are found at ¡Lotería! Grill. For a more elegant Farmers Market experience, check out the wine bar at Mr. Marcel Pain Vin et Fromage. In other words, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong here.
How to Get There—Driving
To drive to the Farmers Market from almost anywhere south of the Valley or north of LAX, your best bet is to take surface streets. The Grove’s opening has made 3rd Street slower going than it used to be, and Beverly Boulevard isn’t much better. Take whichever east-west thoroughfare you choose until you hit Fairfax Avenue, and head north. You can’t miss the Farmers Market at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax. If you’re coming from the Westside or South Bay, you might hop on the 10 Freeway, exit at Fairfax, and head north. Valley residents can hop on the 101 and exit at Highland. Take Highland to 3rd Street and turn right. Continue on 3rd until you reach Fairfax, and the Farmers Market will be on your right.
Parking
Before the opening of The Grove, parking at the Farmers Market was a challenge, but at least it was free. To discourage mall patrons from hogging the smallish parking lot, however, the Farmers Market now charges for parking. With validation, you get two hours of free parking and the third hour is $4. If you find that the lot more resembles a war zone, street parking may be your best bet.
A10. Gilmore Bank, 549-2100*
A11. Farmers Market Postal Center, 933-2322
A12. Chipotle, 857-0608
A14. Unique Tan, 933-2826
A15. Elements Spa & Salon, 933-0212
A16. Beauty Collection Apothecary, 930-0300
A17. The Children’s Place, 939-1813
CT1. Tashen, 933-9211
E10. Cost Plus World Market, 935-5530
E11. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 857-0461
E12. Francesca’s Collection, 935-2474
E16. Zara, 935-5041
E17. Marmalade Café, 954-0088
P10. Sur La Table, 954-9190
P11. Designer Details, 931-9632
010. Bath & Body Works, 965-1724
112. Starbucks, 965-9594
116, 818. Lottery Booth, 934-0318
122. Singapore’s Banana Leaf, 933-4627
126,130. Pinkberry, 933-9211
138. Tusquellas Seafoods, 938-1919
150. Mr. Marcel Gourmet Market, 935-9451
210. Du-par’s Restaurant, 933-8446
211. Du-par’s Pie Shop, 933-8446
212. T (Tea Shop), 930-0076
216. Farmers Market Poultry, 936-8158
218. Magee’s House of Nuts, 938-4127
220. Sticker Planet, 939-6933
222. Tbilisi & Yerevan Bakery, 930-2355
226. Puritan Poultry, 938-0312
230. Light My Fire, 930-2484
236, 144. Mr. Marcel Pain Vin et Fromage, 939-7792
310. Deano’s Gourmet Pizza, 935-6373
312. The Gumbo Pot, 933-0358
316. Thee’s Continental Pastries, 937-1968
318. The French Crepe Company, 934-3113
322. ¡Lotería! Grill, 930-2211
326. 326 Beer & Wine, 549-2156
328. Treasures of the Pacific, 936-9208
330. Breadworks, 936-0785
334. The Village, 936-9340
336. Moishe’s Restaurant, 936-4998
350. Huntington Meats & Sausages, 938-5383
408. E.B.’s Beer & Wine, 549-2157
412. Charlie’s Coffee Shop, 933-0616
416. Gill’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, 936-7986
424. The Salad Bar, 933-3204
426. By Candlelight, 549-0458
430. Gift & Gadget Nook, 933-1898
432. Littlejohn’s English Toffee House, 936-5379
434. Sushi a Go Go, 930-7874
436. Tusquellas Fish & Oyster Bar, 939-2078
448. Patsy D’Amore’s Pizza, 938-4938
450. Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts, 933-8929
508. Peking Kitchen, 936-1949
510. La Korea, 936-3930
514. Marconda’s Meats, 938-5131
522, 418. The Magic Nut & Candy Company, 938-1555
524. Essence of Nature, 931-9593
528. Gadget Nook Gourmet, 933-1898
530. Country Bakery, 937-1968
540. Phil’s Deli & Grill, 936-3704
542. Coffee Corner, 938-0278
548. Bennett’s Ice Cream, 939-6786
612, 518. Farm Boy, 936-6363
614. Lustre, 933-6449
616. Farmers Market Variety Store, 933-1086
618. Pampas Grill, 931-1928
622. The Refresher, 939-6786
624. Magee’s Kitchen, 938-4127
706. Johnny Rockets, 937-2093
708. Market Optometrix, 936-5140
710. Three Dog Bakery, 935-7512
712. Farmers Market Shoe Repair/Shine, 939-5622
718. Sporte Fashion, 932-6454
720. Kip’s Toyland, 939-8334
738. Weiss Jewelry, 934-1623
740. Bryan’s Pit Barbecue, 931-2869
742. Market Grill, 934-0424
744. China Depot, 937-6868
750. Ulysses Voyage Greek Restaurant, 939-9728
816. Farm Fresh Produce, 931-3773
818. Farmers Market Newsstand, 934-0318
*All area codes 323 unless noted
| Parks & Places • The Huntington |
General Information
| NFT Map: | 35 |
| Address: | 1151 Oxford Rd San Marino, CA 91108 |
| Phone: | 626-405-2100 |
| Website: | www.huntington.org |
| Hours: | Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 12 pm–4:30 pm; Sat–Sun: 10:30 am–4:30 pm Closed Tuesdays |
| Admission: | adults $20 on weekdays and $23 on weekends, seniors $15, students $12, youth (ages 5–11) $8; Free first Thursday of each month, and always free for members and children under five. |
Overview
Part library, part research center, part art gallery, part botanical garden, the Huntington’s diverse collection of art and flora is a retreat for researchers or families simply looking to get away from it all. The 150 acres of gardens, covered with 14,000 varieties of plants, has the look of a picturesque college campus on steroids, with plenty of room to stretch out, run around with the kids, or simply doze off in the sun. The best way to see the gardens is by joining up with a free group tour—otherwise you risk missing out on the Desert Garden’s menacing cacti or the lush canopy of the Jungle Garden. Kids go crazy over the Children’s Garden, where you’ll see groups of them running through and squealing over the fog grotto and the prism tunnel, while tired parents rest their weary feet. For a Zen experience, stroll the winding path in the Japanese Garden past the bonsai trees and rock garden and through the bamboo grove. Well-informed docents are permanently stationed in the herb and rose gardens to answer any horticulture questions. After a lot of conspicuous construction, Liu Fang Yaun (literally “the garden of flowing fragrance”), the largest classical Chinese garden outside China, is now open for tranquil enchantment.
Art Collections
The majestic Huntington is best-known for its collection of British and French art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Highlights include Thomas Gainsborough’s celebrated The Blue Boy and Sir Thomas Lawrence’s Pinkie. The Virginia Steele Scott Gallery showcases the works of American painters from the 1730s to the 1930s. This intimate gallery is the perfect place to contemplate masterworks by Sargent, Bellows, and Hopper. In the Library building, the Arabella Huntington Memorial Collection contains 18th-century French furniture, sculpture, and Renaissance paintings.
The Library
The library includes some of the world’s most famous rare books—including a Gutenberg Bible and a world-class edition of Shakespeare’s complete works. These pieces are on display for the general public, but only professional researchers can gain access to the library’s entire collection, which specializes in 15th-century European books, maritime and scientific history, and Renaissance cartography, among other things. Yeah…we knew we’d scare you back out into the gardens.
Dining & Shopping
Treat your favorite aunt to afternoon tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room for an all-you-can-eat buffet of scones, tea sandwiches, and petit fours. Reservations are required (626-683-8131). For a more casual snack or sandwich, try the adjoining café (although it’ll cost you about as much as lunch at the Tea Room). If you’re harboring romantic (or thrifty) fantasies of picnicking in the gardens, we will crush them for you right now: the Huntington has a strict “no picnics” policy.
The Huntington’s spacious gift shop stocks coffee-table books and scholarly titles relating to its varied collections—it’s the perfect place to score Mother’s Day presents.
How to Get There—Driving
The Huntington is adjacent to Pasadena in the city of San Marino, about 12 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Huntington has two entrance gates: one on Oxford Road and one at Allen Avenue, just south of California Boulevard.
From the Harbor or Pasadena Freeways (110): Take the 110 N towards Pasadena where it turns into Arroyo Parkway. Turn right on California Boulevard and continue for about three miles. At Allen Avenue, turn right and proceed two blocks to the Huntington’s gates.
Foothill Freeway (210): Traveling westbound on the 210, exit at the Allen Avenue off-ramp in Pasadena. Turn left and drive south for two miles to the Huntington’s gates. Traveling eastbound on the 210, exit at Hill Avenue and drive alongside the freeway for about three blocks. Turn right at Allen Avenue and head south for two miles to the Huntington’s gates.
Santa Monica Monica Freeway (10): Take the 10 E to the 110 N and follow the above directions for the 110.
From San Bernardino Freeway (10): Exit at San Gabriel Boulevard and go north for three miles. Turn left on Huntington Drive and continue for one mile, then make a right on Monterey Road. Bear right onto Oxford Road and continue to the Huntington’s gates.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
The Metro Gold Line (Allen Avenue stop) and a few MTA bus routes (the 79 and the 379) stop between one to 1.5 miles from the Huntington. For the most updated routes visit www.mta.net or www.foothilltransit.org.
| Parks & Places • LA Convention Center |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 8 & 9 |
| Address: | 1201 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90015 |
| Phone: | 213-741-1151 |
| Website: | www.lacclink.com |
Overview
Yes, it’s ugly and, yes, the parking is outrageously overpriced, but sooner or later you’ll probably find yourself wandering through the large, airy halls with a glazed look in your eyes. And you’ll probably drop a bundle on some home improvement gewgaw, car, cruise, or brand-new personality. (They sometimes rent out their meeting rooms for EST-like marathon weekends.) Recent shows have included the 50th Annual LA Boat Show, Wizard World, and Erotica LA. For years the LACC was home to the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo, but E3 has since undergone restructuring that will diffuse the rabidly popular annual trade show. Not to worry—the calendar of events never goes slack: cue Baby Celebration LA, Star Wars Celebration VII, and the Women of Destiny and Purpose Conference!
The Convention Center is impossible to miss from the street, and its glass-and-girder exterior is clearly visible from both the 10 and 110 Freeways. That doesn’t mean you can actually get to it, but it will appear comfortingly close as you pass a pleasant hour cruising through the downtown one-way street system. The building’s design allows for a maximum amount of natural light to flood the lobbies and concourses, in stark contrast to the windowless exhibit halls and meeting rooms, where it’s easy to lose track of time—especially if you keep your eyes on the floor; thanks to an art installation in the ‘90s, a map of the world flanks the floor of the main lobby, while a constellation map blankets the floor of the upstairs lobby. The Convention Center has three major exhibit halls, West Hall, South Hall, and Kentia Hall (located beneath South Hall), as well as fifty-four meeting rooms. It’s possible to book anything from a small, intimate gathering for less than twenty people to a large-scale event for over 20,000. The really big exhibitions, like the Auto Show, tend to be held in either the South or West Halls—sometimes even both.
How to Get There—Driving
Located just a stone’s throw from STAPLES Center at the intersection of the Santa Monica Freeway (10) and the Harbor Freeway (110), the Los Angeles Convention Center is (theoretically) easily accessible from any part of LA. The simplest option is to exit the 110 at Pico Boulevard and head north. But if you’re coming from the West Side or Central Los Angeles area, you may be better off skipping the freeways altogether and using either Olympic or Pico Boulevards to get downtown. The Convention Center’s cross street is Figueroa Street.
Parking
There are five parking structures available to patrons of the Convention Center that all charge $12 per day. Parking for the West Hall is located just north of Pico Boulevard. Make a right turn at the intersection of Cherry Street and 12th Street into the parking garage. To park near the South Hall, look for Convention Center Drive just off Venice Boulevard on the center’s south side.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
Mass transit. Great concept. The Metro Blue Line stops on Pico Boulevard for both the Convention Center and STAPLES Center. This is a convenient alternative from the Valley, as well as the South Bay.
Buses 30, 31, 81, 381, 439, 442, 444, 445, 446, 447, 460, LX422, LX423, LX448, and LX419 also stop near the Convention Center.
Where to Eat
Pack a lunch. If you must eat-in, the Galaxy Café located in the lobby of the West Building is probably the center’s nicest. (Bear in mind this is a relative recommendation. You don’t go to the Convention Center to eat. You go to buy cars, Jacuzzis, or all-inclusive package deals. Consider, then, that you’re actually dining at your local car dealership or travel agent.) It offers the option of outdoor seating and boasts a full bar (should you be at the Center against your will and need a power hour), though it’s only open for breakfast and lunch. Inside the South Building is the more casual Compass Café, which offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, and beverages. Do not, under any circumstances, patronize the concession stands inside both the West and South exhibit halls. We’re talking airport prices and sad-looking food. If it’s all too depressing, you can always head for Gordon Biersch, a full bar famous for its microbrews.
Better to get some fresh air and take a stroll to some of the local landmarks surrounding the center. Here are some nearby eateries that are worth a visit:
• Philippe’s the Original,
1001 N Alameda St, 213-628-3781.
Fabulous deli. They supposedly invented the French Dip sandwich. Would you even think of ordering anything else?
• Original Pantry Café,
877 S Figueroa St, 213-972-9279.
American/comfort food. The restaurant never closes. It’s a LA landmark, known for heaping helpings of American classics cooked from scratch.
• Langer’s,
704 S Alvarado St, 213-483-8050.
Deli menu. Their pastrami sandwich is legendary.
• Pacific Dining Car,
1310 W Sixth St, 213-483-6000.
Steaks and chops. This meat-and-potatoes restaurant is a LA institution that leaves the engine running 24 hours.
| Parks & Places • Magic Mountain |
General Information
| Address: | 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy Valencia, CA 91355 |
| Phone: | 661-255-4100 or 818-367-5965 |
| Website: | www.sixflags.com/magicmountain |
| Hours: | Open year-round. Hours are generally 10 am–10 pm, but vary daily. See website for specific hours and dates. |
| Entry: | $64.99 adult fare, $39.99 for kids under 48” free for kids 2 and under for Magic Mountain; $37.99 adult fare, $29.99 for kids under 48”, free for kids 2 and under for Hurricane Harbor |
Overview
The more viable option for those who prefer thrill rides to the G-rated fairy fare over in Anaheim. Though Six Flags, who acquired Magic Mountain in 1979, toyed with selling the park in 2006, a recent Q1 announcement showed that the Mountain would prevail. With the debut of the flying coaster Tatsu in 2006, Magic Mountain officially set the record (beating out Cedar Point in Ohio) for most roller coasters at a theme park with a whopping 17 rides; however, Cedar Point has since regained the title and, for the time being, locked it up. Meanwhile, recent additions include Terminator: Salvation and a kiddie land devoted to Thomas the Tank Engine. So maybe the mighty Mountain has to forfeit its title—for now—but it unequivocally holds the record for the highest concentration of obnoxious preteens in any given place. The motley equation of hormones, sunburn, and skewed centers of gravity combine to effect a navigational free-for-all. Be prepared to swim upstream, and if you’re bringing small children, consider leashes.
Tickets
Reduced rates are available for advance purchase through the website and via promotions throughout the season. You can also look for discounted deals at Ralphs supermarkets, as well as on specially marked cans of Coke. For those who live within 300 miles of the park, Season Passes are undoubtedly the best deal—a one-time cost of $69.99 will buy you a year’s worth of long lines and overpriced, greasy food. Individual tickets and season passes can be purchased online at www.sixflagsticketing.com.
For the Kiddies
Bugs Bunny World offers easy-going rides and games for kids 48 inches and under, while Bugs, Yosemite Sam, et al. amble around for photo ops. Goliath Jr., the choo-choo train version of the popular full-sized Goliath, offers mini-thrills for tykes and tired-but-not-to-be-outdone parents alike.
Thrill Rides
The longstanding rival competition with Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, has upped the ante for Magic Mountain, which now houses 17 coasters and boasts 11 world records. The jewel of the park is X, a “four-dimensional” thrill ride that loops and twists riders strapped to 360-degree rotating chairs—it’s the only ride in the park worth the sometimes three-hour wait (what’s a wait, really, to those inured to Southern California freeways?). Park-goers can count on the same long lines at Déjà Vu and Tatsu, Magic Mountain’s newest “flying” rollercoaster. Goliath and Scream, both solid steel coasters, are always worth checking out if the wait at the other three becomes unbearable.
Hurricane Harbor Water Park
With the exception of a six-story blue-and-yellow funnel slide known as Tornado, Hurricane Harbor typically offers the same water slides and kiddie pools as most water parks. Expect speed slides, wave pools, and a “scenic” inner-tube river.
Insider Tips
To avoid the extremely long lines and young crowds, we suggest you visit on a weekday during the school year. The theme park is also sprawled across a mountain (hence the oh-so-creative name), so expect to give your thighs a solid workout while climbing up and down the park’s hills. Comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity, as is sneaking in your own bottled water—unless you don’t mind dropping $15 on a day’s worth of H20.
Make a Night of It
Where to stay in or near Valencia:
• Country Side Inn, 14955 Roxford St, Sylmar,
866-427-3219
• Holiday Inn Express, 27513 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia,
661-284-2101
• Rodeway Inn, 31558 Castaic Rd, Castaic, 661-295-1100
• Hilton Garden Inn, 27710 The Old Road, Valencia,
661-254-8800
• Best Western Valencia, 27413 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia, 661-255-0555
How to Get There
Take I-5 north to the Magic Mountain Parkway exit. 2008 brought a plan to widen the Magic Mountain Parkway and the erection of a new retaining wall, which means an ongoing detour is in place for the northbound I-5 off-ramp. But with a little magic you’ll get there just fine. Parking costs $15 per day.
| Parks & Places • The Studios |
Overview
Depending upon whom you ask, LA is many things: a fashion capital of the US, the modern purveyor of the raw food diet, or the center of the real estate universe. But with the past century of its history and the most current Census Bureau report at hand, we’re pretty sure it’s safe to say that LA is the mecca of the film and television industries. In the city that coined the word “tourism,” those industries are primed to cart and prod you through the mazes of their studios; but don’t be fooled, as all Tinsel Town tours are not created equal.
Be you resident, tourist, or the next Martin Scorsese, knowing what you’re in for could save you hours of frustration. The studios aren’t what they used to be, as anyone who survived the strike with payroll intact can tell you. The studios are sliding ever more toward operating as giant service providers to production companies. Post – 9/11, the days when Steven Spielberg stole away from his tour at Universal and faked employment there until he was officially hired are long gone. Many tours were cancelled or have changed since then, and security is tighter at some studios than it is at LAX. So expect to bring photo ID to all tours and make reservations. But there is still some good stuff out there and plenty of tourist-y fun to be had. Just keep your ears to the ground: changes are afoot. The WB and UPN have joined forces to form the CW (CBS Warner Bros.) in Burbank (much to the chagrin of UPN employees who were accustomed to staying on the proper side of the hill). CBS is looking to move its operations over to the Valley completely, making it a regular bastion of network television and film production. So take our suggestions below and keep alert. LA’s entertainment industry redefines itself more frequently than the Madonna of yesteryear.
Warner Bros. Studio
4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, 818-977-8687; vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com
The Warner Bros. Studios tour is the créme de la créme of studio tours. The Warner Bros. lots in Burbank are like a miniature Disneyland. The buildings look like decorative castles with towering posters of the popular shows taped at the studio, and its renowned WB emblem looms over the gates of its main building. When the average person pictures a California studio with row upon row of cream-colored square buildings lined with crisscrossing little roads and palm trees, this is it. On their 2 1/4-hour VIP Tour (this is the basic tour, but for $52 per person, you’d better be a VIP), you’ll be driven about the 100-acre facility on a small tram to see things like the New York Street, the raised El train platform from ER, or The Jungle. Scoff though a skeptical know-it-all may, many of these simple things are quite a surreal sight to be had and you’ll recognize more than you’d think. The tour also includes glimpses of current productions, a stop at the gift shop, and potential star sightings. Tours are given weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm and until 4 pm in the summer months. There’s also an even more involved 5-hour Deluxe Tour that departs weekdays at 10:30 am and costs $150 per person. They only take 12 people per tour and it includes lunch at the commissary as well as an in-depth look at the craft of filmmaking. We’re not quite sure what that means, but we’re awfully curious. If you’ve got a mint to drop, they also rent out their back lots for special events. The tour office is located at 3400 Riverside Drive, just outside of the studio gates. Children under eight are not allowed. Current shows: The Ellen Degeneres Show, and Conan Tonight.
Paramount Pictures Studio
5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, 323-956-1777;
The magnificent Paramount Studios is a reminder of everything that the Hollywood studio used to be: magical, beautiful, and powerful. A romantic Spanish villa that sits ever so gracefully off Melrose and Gower, it’s the last movie studio to remain in Hollywood and its eye-popping splendor sprawls over a mass nearly the size of Disneyland. From the main gate immortalized in Sunset Boulevard, to the iconic Paramount water tower, the studio is as classic as old Hollywood itself. The Paramount Studio’s walking tour has been reinstated after a post-9/11 hiatus and, for the film enthusiast, just the chance to walk in the same steps as Gary Cooper, Claudette Colbert, and Audrey Hepburn is enough in itself, as is the chance to have lunch at the studio’s famous Commissary. But sadly, the studio tour is a letdown, owing largely to an uninspired itinerary and guides that seem passively interested at best in the studio’s rich history. For the $35 ticket price, the tour should definitely allow you to see more than just soundstage exteriors. Our advice? Save your money (and your feet) and take in a TV show taping where you’re guaranteed to see the inside of a soundstage—not to mention a famous face or two. Current shows: Girlfriends, Dr. Phil, Judge Judy.
Sony Pictures Studios
10202 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, 323-520-TOUR; www.sonypicturesstudios.com
The design and main gate of Sony Pictures Studios are a little too clean and corporate, and their Main Street really does feel like a facade. It’s all very Disney-esque, and not in a good way. Though this is the old MGM studio where The Wizard of Oz was shot, Sony seems more interested in billing it as the home of Men in Black and Spiderman. They also have some lots up their sleeve that aren’t on the tour, over where Hayden Place deadends. Sony has a series of lots that have been used for shows like Las Vegas, but you’d never know from the distribution-warehouse-looks of the place that make it just as nondescript as the other surrounding office complexes. Still, there is much more to see here than at some of the other options in this city. Also, it’s only $25 per person, parking is free in the Sony Pictures Plaza, and children under twelve are not allowed. Tours are held Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Group tours are also available. Current shows: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!
CBS Studio Center
4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, 818-655-5000;
Tucked behind Ventura Boulevard on Radford, this facility seems almost hidden behind sushi restaurants and strip malls, until you accidentally head down Radford or drive down Colfax to Ventura—then it doesn’t seem so hidden at all. That blissful, naive moment of discovery makes this studio center seem pretty sweet. Too bad they don’t offer tours. So that just leaves attending the taping of a show. But kudos to you for finding it! Shows: ET, Big Brother, Parks and Recreation. FYI: Seinfeld was also shot here back in the day.
CBS Television City
7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, 323-575-2458;
Not to be confused with CBS Studio Center, Television City films such gems as The Price is Right and The Late Late Show. If you want to see a taping and you don’t care which show it is, you can walk up to the studio’s ticket office (near the corner of Beverly & Fairfax) and pick up tickets. If you’re after tickets for a specific show, you’ll need to call 323-575-2458 (live) or 323-575-2449 (The Price is Right recorded hotline) in advance.
NBC Studios
3000 W Alameda Ave (at Bob Hope Dr), Burbank, 818-840-3537; www.nbc.com
NBC is the only television studio in LA to offer tours. From the outside it looks like a bland corporate office building, and it’s not exactly in a lively section of Burbank. To top that off, it’s only a 70-minute walking tour and—sorry to spoil the surprise–it’s basically just a visit to The Tonight Show set. However, entry can be gained for the bargain price of $7.50 for adults, $6.75 for seniors, $4 for children ages 5–12, and free for kids under 5. They do take you deep into the belly of NBC (even if it’s just a lot of viewing-from-afar and standing-behind-the-velvet-rope kind of deal). Maybe empty sets, display cases, and seeing Jay Leno’s parking space is your thing – meaning you weren’t a Conan fan. If not, you can always just go to see a taping of The Tonight Show, and lining up for free tickets to shows with a live studio audience might even be more fun. If you do plan on seeing The Tonight Show, tickets are available in person the day of taping or in advance by mail. We suggest you phone ahead for availability if you plan on lining up, otherwise you might just get a good view of the corporate building with no glimpse at Leno’s parking space to soften the blow.
ABC TV
2300 Riverside Dr, Burbank, 818-460-7477; www.abc.com
The ABC TV Studios have been recently relocated to the Disney Studio lot in Burbank. The studios still do not offer public tours, but tickets to some shows can be obtained. For more information, visit the network’s website to find out which ticket agents provide free tickets to shows such as America’s Funniest Home Videos and Dancing with the Stars.
Disney Studios
500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, 818-560-1000;
If there’s one thing Disney can do better than anyone else, its set up a great photo op. And that’s pretty much all you can do at the Walt Disney Studios: take a picture of the elaborate stone and glass building and the 160-foot stone statues of the Seven Dwarfs seemingly holding up the front of its roof. The studio is closed to the public, which really is a pity because it’s a Disney fan’s dream. You can wander through the hugely impressive prop warehouse where a good deal of the stuff is quite recognizable (like Madonna’s Evita portrait), you can ogle at an original Multiplane camera on display (the pioneering technology that made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs possible), there are trailers belonging to people like, say, Jennifer Garner, and the studio also hosts a lovely miniature museum with everything from Mary Poppins’ iconic blue dress to vintage Mickey memorabilia and an impressive art archive. The back lot’s manicured lanes and lawns are typical, formulaic Disney: homogenous and sterile, but it’s a formula we’re all suckers for, admit it. The studio would make for a killer tour and also make a lot of fans happy—but you’ll just have to make do with snapping a picture at the main gate.
KCET Studio
4401 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, 323-953-5238; www.kcet.org
KCET, the local public television (PBS) station Channel 28, is a historic studio where classics like The Jazz Singer were filmed. Sadly, they have temporarily suspended free walking tours for security reasons.
Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plz, Universal City, 800-UNIVERSAL; www.universalstudios.com
If this studio tour feels like a theme park ride, that’s because it is. Universal Studios is really more like 60% theme park, 40% studio, and the theme park features are certainly more famous. The studio itself is part of the Universal City experience, which includes the CityWalk, a mini Las Vegas of restaurants, shops, stores, and a movie theater. As you ride their tram tour, you’ll suffer the onslaught of Jaws and King Kong. There are several rides and shows within the park for favorite spectacle blockbusters like Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Terminator, and War of the Worlds. There are TV shows taped here as well, and film production is always in full swing, but the theme park experience—standing in the extremely long lines after the $61 ticket price—can become somewhat trying. Nevertheless, Universal Studios remains a tour favorite—you just can’t get attacked by a shark and a giant ape on the same day anywhere else. If you do decide to take this wild ride, try visiting their website before you go as they often have special reduced rate offers and deals that allow free entry for the rest of the year with the purchase of a full price ticket.
20th Century Fox
10201 W Pico Blvd, Century City; www.fox.com
You can see this studio by heading south down Avenue of the Stars (though this is a misnomer of a street, really), and it’ll be on your right just before Pico. Much of what used to be this studio’s back lots were sold off to make room for the Century City shopping centers. The facilities that have remained or relocated continue to shoot movies and television. Most of these television shows do not require live audiences, but you can get tickets for the few shows, like Reba, by contacting Audiences Unlimited (see below).
Audiences Unlimited
Audiences Unlimited is an agency that distributes free tickets to the tapings of television shows. Call 818-753-3470, visit www.tvtickets.com, or get tickets through the mail (include an SASE) by writing to Audiences Unlimited, 100 Universal City Plz, Bldg 153, Universal City, CA 91608. Be sure to specify the name of the show, date, and number of people in your party. However, we suggest visiting the website or calling the company directly. The tickets are free, so they don’t exactly have trouble handing them out.
| Parks & Places • Universal Studios Hollywood |
General Information
| NFT Map: | 57 |
| Address: | 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608 |
| Park Information: | 800-UNIVERSAL |
| Special Events: | 818-622-3036 |
| Lost & Found: | 818-622-3522 |
| Group Sales: | 800-959-9688 x2 |
| Website: | www.universalstudioshollywood.com |
Overview
If you live in Hollywood, you’ve probably a) seen a movie being filmed during your daily commute, b) been to a show taping, c) worked as an extra, or d) all of the above. Universal Studios, with its hissing animatronic Jaws and silly stunt shows, doesn’t offer much of an escape from your daily grind.
However, if you’ve got out-of-town guests, send them to Universal immediately; it rivals Disneyland with its interactive attractions for both kids (Shrek 4-D) and adults (the new Fear Factor Live). Aunt Mary will flip when she sees Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane and Uncle Jerry can channel his inner Tom Cruise while viewing the actual set of War of the Worlds. The park is much more manageable than the Happiest Place on Earth, and rides, like Revenge of the Mummy, are always improving. Plus, now that the much-hyped Simpsons ride is completed, you can expect a correlative increase in pandemonium.
Just outside the theme park gates, CityWalk truly embraces the concept of Hollywood hype. Garish storefronts beckon you into knick-knack shops and the restaurant roster reads like a condensed sampling of LA’s most popular eateries: Saddle Ranch Chop House, Wolfgang Puck Café, and Daily Grill all have locations here. Even locals come out to appreciate movies at the 19-screen CityWalk Cinemas, (call 818-508-0711 for movie times), music at B.B. King’s Blues Club, and seasonal treats like a wintertime outdoor skating rink. The new VIP Party Pass gives you access to all CityWalk clubs with a couple of free drinks and a ride on Saddle Ranch’s mechanical bull thrown in. (You’ll pay for it the morning after.)
Hours of Operation
Universal Studios is open all year (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), but operating hours are subject to change without notice, so call the park or check the website before you plan your visit. Typically the park is open from 9 am until 9 pm on weekends during peak times, and 9 am until 8 pm during busy weekdays. During the slower months, it’s open from 10 am until 6 pm. But again, check before you go.
Entrance Fees
One-day tickets cost $80 for adults and $72 for those under 48 inches tall. Children 2 and under—regardless of height—are free. Book tickets online using Universal’s Print@Home option to avoid the lines. If money is no object, consider purchasing the Front of Line Pass for $139-$159, which allows you to cut to the front of the line for rides and snag the best seats in the house for any performance.
Check the website for packages and deals like the Southern California CityPass which allows you to visit multiple parks in SoCal at a flat rate. Promotions are abundant during high season and vary wildly, so be sure to check everything from the supermarket to your empty Coke can for special coupons.
Lockers
Cash – and credit card–operated rental lockers are located just inside the park at varying costs depending on size. And since they’re inside the park, you can keep adding junk as the day goes by.
Package Delivery
If you buy merchandise within the park and you don’t feel like schlepping it around, there’s a handy delivery service that will have your parcels waiting for you as you leave. The pickup point is located near the exit at Universal Film Co.
Kennels
If you can’t bear to leave your pet at home or if you’re passing through on a longer journey, Universal provides a complimentary kennel service for park guests. Go to the Guest Services window at the entrance to the park, and your pet will be escorted to the facilities by one of the guest service representatives.
How to Get There—Driving
Universal Studios Hollywood is located between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, just off the 101 Hollywood/Ventura Freeway. Exit at Universal Center Drive or Lankershim Boulevard and follow the signs to the parking areas.
Parking
Preferred Parking ($20) is located in the Rocky & Bullwinkle Lot and is one of the closest parking lots to the theme park. If you would prefer to park your car yourself, general parking is located in the Curious George Garage, Jurassic Parking Garage, and the Frankenstein and Woody Woodpecker Lots. All are within walking distance to any Universal destination and cost $11 for the day. If you simply must save your cash for that Jurassic Park T-shirt, park at the bottom of the hill and take the free tram to the park.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
Universal Studios is the only Southern Californian theme park accessible by subway. Take the Metro Red Line to Universal City. MTA Buses 96, 150, 152, 156, 163, 166, 240, and 750 also run to Universal City Station. Shuttles, airport, and charter services are available to and from Universal Studios Hollywood with SuperShuttle. A free tram will take you to the top of the hill upon arrival. 800-258-3826; www.supershuttle.com.
| Parks & Places • Topanga State Park |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 15, 16, 52 & 53 |
| Address: | 20825 Entrada Rd Topanga, CA 90290 |
| Phone: | 310-455-2465 |
| California State Parks Website: | www.parks.ca.gov |
Overview
Depending on which translation you accept, topanga means “the place above,” or “the place where the mountains meet the sea,” or “the place of green water” (and we just thought it meant “really big”). Located entirely within Los Angeles’s city limits (although you wouldn’t know it by visiting), Topanga State Park’s 11,000 acres make it the largest wilderness located within the boundaries of a major city in the entire world. It feels more like New Mexico than Los Angeles. It also has its own community complete with homes, local artists, churches, restaurants, and a historical society—secluded far away from the LA bustle.
Bottom line—it’s beautiful. It’s the place to hit the trails (they’ve got over 36 miles worth of those) enjoy some nature (take two antihistamines and check out the spring blooms), or bring a book and read trailside. Topanga offers breathtaking views of the ocean and plenty of fresh air—which you’ll need once you actually get out of your car and witness just what Mother Nature has in store for you.
Practicalities
The park is open daily from 8 am until dusk. Entry into the park is free, but parking costs $4 per vehicle. Depending on where you hit the trails, street parking is close and free. From Pacific Coast Highway (1), travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, past the post office at the center of the village, then turn right onto Entrada Road. Keep to the left until you reach the park’s main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left. Follow the above directions from here.
Activities
Topanga is ideal for uninterrupted walking, running, cycling, and horseback riding (although horse rentals are not available at the park). Mountain bikers are supposedly restricted to the fire roads, but they often fly down the pedestrian-only paths anyway. Dogs are not allowed on back-country trails, partly due to the free-roamin’ mountain lions. There are many marked trails for hikers, most of which can be accessed from Trippet Ranch (off Entrada Road), a former “gentleman’s ranch” used as a weekend escape from the city back in the day. In addition to the Park Office, Trippet Ranch provides parking facilities, picnic areas, and a great little Visitor’s Center that offers guided walking tours on Sunday mornings. If it’s relaxation, not activity, that you’re after, you might want to try the self-guided nature trail (the trail map costs a quarter and is available at the parking lot) or join one of the Sunday guided walks with experts well-versed in the flora and fauna of the area. Call the park for more information about walk schedules.
Topanga’s restaurants are worth visiting. Writers, poets, and city people looking to escape bring their laptops, books, and blankets to spend a day by the giant fireplace at Froggy’s Fish Market & Restaurant (1105 N Topanga Canyon Blvd). In tune with its surroundings, Froggy’s serves healthier items on its menu as well as burgers and quesadillas. Inn of the Seventh Ray (128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd) is a wildly romantic restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options, but the restaurant’s mouth-melting rack of lamb would make anyone eat meat again.
Another visual highlight of the park is the blooming flowers that attract thousands of avid gardeners and photographers each year. For information on the different varieties of flowers that grow in the park, call 818-768-3533.
Hiking Trails
Many of the park’s trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Eagle Springs loop begins at the Eagle Junction, just under two miles from Trippet. A climb up the northern section of the loop will afford you a nice panoramic view of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Springs loop, you’ll come to the Hub Junction, from where you can take the Temescal Ridge Trail south or the fire road north, or simply circle back and complete the Eagle Springs loop to Trippet Ranch.
To reach the unpaved Mullholland Drive, hike north from Hub Junction, and follow the fire road for two miles through chaparral. Heading south on the Temescal Ridge Trail leads you high above the canyons to gorgeous views of sycamore and oak riparian forests below.
Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Ynez Trail. As you descend into the Santa Ynez Canyon, look out for the crumbly sandstone formations with pockets where moisture collects—there are tiny cliff gardens in these areas. Near the bottom of the trail is a short 0.8-mile trail leading to a lovely waterfall (assuming there’s been any rainfall, that is) that’s definitely worth a look.
Shorter hikes can be taken from other parking lots in Topanga State Park. From the Los Liones Drive parking lot, you can complete a 1.7-mile loop hike on the Los Liones Trail. For a longer hike, take the East Topanga Fire Road to the Parker Mesa Overlook for stunning views of the canyon. The Overlook can also be accessed from Paseo Miramar. From PCH, take Sunset Blvd north and a left onto Paseo Miramar to the top, then park on the street. The nearly 90-degree climb makes for a great workout with incredible ocean views.
If you park in the first lot on Entrada Road (if you hit Trippet Ranch, you’ve gone too far), you can take the 1.1-mile Dead Horse Trail to Trippet Ranch.
To access the Caballero Canyon Trail or the Bent Arrow Trail, take Reseda Boulevard into the Caballero Canyon Park lot and head out from there.
Camping
Camping facilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Your best bet is to follow the Musch Trail to the Musch Trail Campground, but we recommend contacting the park directly for more information before heading out.
| Parks & Places • UCLA |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 17 & 20 |
| Address: | 405 Hilgard Ave Los Angeles, CA 90095 |
| Phone: | 310-825-4321 |
| Website: | www.ucla.edu |
Overview
Located on a picturesque campus in Westwood, UCLA is a behemoth public research university that offers 127 undergraduate degree programs and 200 graduate degree programs. Its faculty of Nobel prize laureates, MacArthur grant winners, and National Medal of Science winners has earned UCLA an international reputation for academic excellence. The school has also consistently produced champion sports teams and athletes since it was founded in 1919.
UCLA’s Extension Program is extremely popular and offers continuing education for adults in topics ranging from architecture to screenwriting to wine tasting. The courses, offered quarterly, are popular among locals debating career changes, as well as those merely interested in bettering themselves.
Tuition
Tuition estimates for the 2013-14 academic year: $23-32K for California residents, $46-52K for non-residents.
Facilities
The UCLA campus is like a small city – indeed, during the 1984 Olympics, parts of the campus comprised the Olympic Village. UCLA has its own police department and fire marshal, and a range of services including shops, restaurants, post offices, and banks. Eleven parking and information booths located across the campus will aid visitors in their confusion about where to park. UCLA’s circular drive loops around the entire campus and is easy to navigate. If you’re just popping in, metered parking is available for 25¢ per eight minutes (go heavy on the quarters) or $8 for the entire day. Student parking (granted quarterly through application) is assigned on a need-based point system, which takes into consideration class standing, employment/academic obligations, and commuter distance. An evening van service, which stops every fifteen minutes and traverses the campus starting at Ackerman Union, is available during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Culture on Campus
UCLA also provides the community with a variety of cultural programs. The university is affiliated with the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood (10886 Le Conte Ave, 310-208-5454), which has been the LA stop for Broadway plays such as The Weir and Wit. On campus, UCLA LIVE! at Royce Hall (cap.ucla.edu, 310-825-2101) has hosted a wide variety of music, literary, and dance programs, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to jazz legend Alice Coltrane to French actress Isabelle Huppert. The Fowler Museum of Cultural History holds an impressive collection of art from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific (fowler.ucla.edu, 310-825-4361). The Hammer Museum hosts cutting-edge readings, screenings, and music and art celebrations throughout the year (www.hammer.ucla.edu, 310-443-7000). The annual student talent show, Spring Sing, doubles as a convocation for recipients of the George and Ira Gershwin Award, which honors music industry magnates (James Taylor and Burt Bacharach are recent awardees). And each April, UCLA is home to the Los Angeles Times’s Festival of Books—the literary event of the year.
Sports
You don’t need to be affiliated with the university to appreciate the talents of UCLA’s athletes, though you’ll want to curb any lurking support of the cross-town Trojans. UCLA’s top-ten nationally ranked teams include men’s water polo, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s basketball. For up-to-date information, scores, and schedules, check out the official athletics website at uclabruins.cstv.com. Ticket prices for football and men’s basketball games depend on the event. All other sporting events cost $4 with a student ID and $6 without. For tickets, call 310-825-2101.
Department Contact Information
| College of Letters & Science | 310-825-9009 |
| Graduate Admissions | 310-825-7290 |
| Undergraduate Admissions | 310-825-3101 |
| Anderson School of Management | 310-825-7982 |
| Graduate School of Education and Information Studies | 310-825-8326 |
| UCLA Extension (UNEX) | 310-826-9971 or 818-784-7006 |
| School of the Arts & Architecture | 310-206-6465 |
| The Henry Samueli School of Engineering & Applied Science | 310-825-8162 |
| School of Dentistry | 310-825-2337 |
| School of Law | 310-207-4736 |
| School of Medicine | 310-825-6373 |
| School of Nursing | 310-825-7181 |
| School of Public Health | 310-825-6381 |
| School of Public Affairs | 310-206-7568 |
| School of Theater, Film and TV | 310-825-5761 |
| Parks & Places • USC |
General Information
| NFT Maps: | 11,12 & 40 |
| Mailing Address: | University Park Campus University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90089 |
| Location: | University Park, b/w Figueroa St, Exposition Park, Vermont Ave & Jefferson Blvd |
| Phone: | 213-740-2311 |
| Website: | www.usc.edu |
Overview
The University of Southern California opened its doors with 53 students in 1880, when the city of Los Angeles was still in its frontier, beta version. Four years later, three of the original 53—one woman, two men—became the first class to graduate from the private school. Enrollment has since jumped to more than 33,000, and the school now straddles two main campuses.
The University Park Campus, home to USC’s College of Letters, Arts & Sciences and 15 professional schools, is located three miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Seven miles from the University Park Campus, the 50-acre Health Sciences Campus houses the medical and pharmaceutical schools, as well as programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing. A shuttle bus runs between the two campuses approximately every hour throughout the week.
USC’s film school boasts an impressive pedigree. Its founding faculty included Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith, and it has churned out equally famous alumni, including George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis. USC rejected filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s application (oops!); he has since sucked up his pride and now sits on the USC Board of Trustees. At least one USC alumnus has been nominated for an Academy Award every year since 1973. Talk about hegemony.
Tuition
For the 2013-14 academic year, annual undergraduate tuition and fees will, based on 12-18 units for two semesters, total in excess of $45K. Add in room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and the rest, and your education will approach $62K per year.
Parking
Parking on campus costs $7. There are also a smattering of one-hour metered parking spaces available, and a couple of lots inside campus offer two-hour parking for $4. Four-hour and two-hour metered parking is available on Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard. $3 – to $5-a-day lots are available Monday through Friday across the street from the campus on Figueroa Street (next to the Sizzler restaurant) and on Jefferson Boulevard (next to the Shrine Auditorium). Parking rates for these lots may vary for special events. Daily rates for parking are $5 in the Parking Center and $8 in all other structures/lots; hourly parking spots are also up for grabs right in front of the Vermont Avenue Parking Plaza (aka PSA).
Culture on Campus
USC hosts a plethora of academic and arts events, from concerts and theater performances to exhibits and public lectures. Many events are inexpensive (if not free) and can be found on the USC website at www.usc.edu/calendar. Throughout the academic year, USC’s prestigious Thornton School of Music, USC Fisher Gallery, and the KUSC classical radio station are among the many campus cultural institutions that stage full schedules of arts-related events. For a schedule of performances by the Thornton’s symphony, chamber orchestra, wind ensemble, and choir, check out www.usc.edu/music. The USC orchestra also performs regularly at Disney Hall, home of the LA Philharmonic. (Frank Gehry, the architect of the famous performance hall, was a USC man himself!)
Sports
USC’s top-ten nationally ranked teams include men’s water polo, women’s water polo, women’s swimming, and women’s golf. The USC Trojan football team was the back-to-back 2003 and 2004 National Championship winner and played for the 2005 National Championship, but to the cheer of a particular Westwood rival, lost to the Texas Longhorns at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, despite having two Heisman trophy winners—Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart—on board. For up-to-date information, scores, and schedules, check out the official athletics website at www.usctrojans.com. For tickets, call 213-740-4672.
Department Contact Information
| Admissions | 213-740-1111 |
| College of Letters, Arts & Sciences | 213-740-2531 |
| Leventhal School of Accounting | 213-740-4838 |
| School of Architecture | 213-740-2723 |
| Marshall School of Business | 213-740-6422 |
| School of Cinematic Arts | 213-740-2804 |
| Annenberg School for Communication | 213-740-6180 |
| School of Dentistry | 213-740-2800 |
| Rossier School of Education | 213-740-0224 |
| Viterbi School of Engineering | 213-740-4530 |
| School of Fine Arts | 213-740-2787 |
| Leonard Davis School of Gerontology | 213-740-6060 |
| Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy | 323-442-2850 |
| Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy | 332-442-2900 |
| The Law School | 213-740-7331 |
| Keck School of Medicine | 323-442-1900 |
| Thornton School of Music | 213-740-6935 |
| School of Pharmacy | 323-442-1369 |
| School of Policy, Planning & Development | 213-740-6842 |
| School of Social Work | 213-740-2711 |
| School of Theatre | 213-821-2744 |