Frank Gehry Does It To Me...Again!
by tpal
If you enjoy tracking down "trophy architecture" like Carol and I, then sooner or later you either get your socks knocked off or end up saying "What were they thinking?". The former Chiat/Day building designed by Frank Gehry certainly had me scratching my head in bewilderment.
The strange assemblage of building styles, combined with the four story tall black binoculars which you walk under the enter the building, made me curious to learn more about the project. What I discovered seemed pretty interesting me...although unless you are interested in architectural minutia, my ramblings might bore you as much as another Gehry stainless steel ribbon...apologies to all of Frank's fans.
In any event, if you can put up my some of my "blog-like" writing, check out my "More Frank Gehry I Love to Hate" travelogue.
As a side note, when I tried to take a picture from under the giant binocular, a security guard raced out informed us that picture taking was not allowed from within the building property at the request of the architect. We could, of course, go across the street...
Be a total tourist!! See...
by CAPPYCJ
Be a total tourist!! See Hollywood, take guided tours of some very interesting areas of the city, visit the J. Paul Getty Museum (call ahead and make reservations, though!) and spend at least one day just driving up the Pacific Coast Highway. Dinner at sunset on the Pacific Coast Highway...awesome!!
Don't stop at just L.A.
by Buzzcoffee
Southern California boasts a lot to do around L.A. as well. Great parks, beaches and camping, all of which are not too far away. Depending on the direction you head, a couple of hours from the city can take you to serene beaches, old missions, desserts and lakes. Below are some of my favorites in order of distance from the city.
(Key SB=State Beach, SP=State Park)
Los Angeles
1. Leo Carrillo SB, 818-880-0350 (Malibu)
San Diego (South of L.A.)
1. San Onofre SB, 949-492-4872 (San Clemente)
2. Torrey Pines SB, 858-755-2063
(Camping at San Elijo SB, 760-753-5091)
Central Coastal (North of L.A.)
1. McGrath SB, 805-968-1033 (Oxnard, South of Santa Barbara)
2. Carpinteria SB, 805-968-1033 (South of Santa Barbara)
3. El Capitan SB, 805-968-1033 (North of Santa Barbara)
4. Refugio SB, 805-968-1033 (North of Santa Barbara)
5. Gaviota SP 805-968-1033, 805-899-1400 (North of Santa Barbara)
Channel Islands
(Boat to islands-Island Packers 805-642-1393)
1. Santa Rosa Island Campground, 800-365-2267, 805-658-5730
2. Santa Barbara Island
Catalina
(Boat to island-Catalina Express)
1. Avalon
2. Two Harbors
High Sierras (a little farther out of L.A.)
1. Red Rock Canyon
2. Mammoth
3. Yosemite (a must if you’ve never been there!)
4. Death Valley
For State Parks/Beaches: www.parks.ca.gov/
· click on Find a Park
· click on Regions
· click on name of place to get more info
Disneyland
by KaiM
Go to Disneyland at Anaheim. It´s not only for kids. The peaceful, beautiful world of World Disney fascinates everybody. Beside the cartoon characters you should check out the thrilling rides, the rollercoastes, the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and a submarine ride. Go to the park early in the morning and stay for the whole day. The first view I caught of the city while I was sitting in the plane getting ready to land at Los Angeles International Airport. To see the skyline and the world-famous Hollywood sign in the hills north of the city was awesome.
The Rose Parade
by malianrob
The Rose Parade is actually held in Pasadena, County of Los Angeles. It is probably the most famous parade around. Thousands od people come from all over the country to see the New Years Day Rose Parade.
2010 was the first time I had gone to see it. I usually watch it on tv every year choosing to stay in my warm bed and not fight traffic and freeze outside. This year (2010) a good friend of mine said that we should go because we life in Southern California and had never seen it. So we made a plan to do it. We left the house at 5am so that we can attempt to get a decent spot. Luckily we had another friend who comes every year, rents a hotel room right on the parade route and he managed to save us a few spots.
The parade starts promptly at 8am but people are sitting out there from the day before. Concidering the amount of people out everything goes pretty smoothly most of the time. The parade last for a few hours then good luck getting out of Pasadena. The traffic is horrible. Watching the Rose Parade is something you have to go to at least once in a lifetime.
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Venice beach boardwalk.
Hollywood Star
Dia de los Muertos figurines
kiss me darling!
