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Local Content from NileGuide
Things to See and Do
Farmer John Mural
Started in 1931, the Clougherty Packing company adopted the Farmer John brand name in 1953. Several years later, in 1957, work began on the audacious and now historic mural project around their slaughterhouse and meat packing plant just south of downtown. The first painter was Leslie Allen Grimes, who worked on site for 11 years until falling to his death from the scaffolding. Arno Jordan took ove... (read more)
Sears
This historic Art Deco Sears building (listed in the National Historical Register of Historic places in 2006) is still a functional Sears store. In fact Sears recently signed a new 99-year lease on the front of the building. However, it remains a mystery what the remainder of the massive 1.8 million square feet building will be used for.
Built in 1927 as a store and regional distribution center f... (read more)
Map of Things to See and Do
Suggested Trip Itineraries
Studio Tours
Please note the individual details in the entries. Advance tickets are required for the Paramount Tour and recommended for many of the rest. The KCET tour is for KCET members only (membership is $40 and you need to receive a membership card through the mail). The prices for the other tours vary from free for the Paramount Ranch (which is a park now) to $35 for the Paramount Tour.
Do not try to d... (read more - PDF guide)
Art Deco LA
During the golden years of Art Deco, Los Angeles was growing at a tremendous rate and construction in the area was booming. Accordingly, L.A. is a treasure trove of Art Deco architecture, with buildings in the zigzag, classic moderne, and streamline moderne styles. Downtown and the Mid-Wilshire area are especially rich in this respect, although there is Art Deco everywhere throughout L.A.
Day on... (read more - PDF guide)
Griffith Park Attractions
Perched between the Los Feliz and Hollywood neighborhood and the San Fernando Valley, Griffith Park is a destination with something for everyone. In this very large park are museums, a zoo, the famous Griffith Observatory, the Greek Theater, some golf course and much more.
Day 1 of this guide will help you to locate some of the sites in the park.
Day 2 lists some nearby destinations worth chec... (read more - PDF guide)
Low-key Los Angeles Bars
Here I have collected a number of Los Angeles dive and neighborhood bars. Not every night is the occasion for champagne, high heels and glitter! Sometimes you just want to find a no-frills place to have a beer or a stiff drink and maybe even meet some locals. There are a bunch of somewhat friendly hole-in-the-wall bars here in Los Angeles, this list is just to get you started on a low-key night ou... (read more - PDF guide)
Southern California AAA Five Diamonds (2011)
Day One -- Restaurants
Day Two -- Hotels
Please note:
-- The Four Seasons no longer manage the Four Seasons Aviara Resort, it is now run by Park Hyatt and the proper link is: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad
-- I included a listing for the Spa at the Island Hotel Newport Beach; the link to the hotel proper is: Island Hotel Newport Beach
-- The Montage Beverly Hills and Studio, Laguna Beach a... (read more - PDF guide)
Walking L.A.
Forget about hiking or even taking a steep uphill walk. That all is too much effort!
This list is about places where you can embark on a pleasant, civilized stroll and take in the local scene. The destinations include shopping areas, religious sites, parks, old mansions, and beaches. Get outta the car and experience L.A. by foot at these low-key places!
The walks below are more or less ordered ... (read more - PDF guide)
Budget Travel in Los Angeles
Los Angeles can be experienced on the cheap: there is memorable sight-seeing here and great affordable ethnic food. Generally speaking, prices rise as you head west in the city. (Don't let this keep you away from the ocean; the Pacific is a must see and no one can charge admission.) The Getty Center is included here as it's affordable–you just pay for parking–and it is a whole lotta museum!
M... (read more - PDF guide)
Gardens of Los Angeles
All the sunshine here does not go to waste! Given a little care and water, plants will thrive in Los Angeles. For a break from all that asphalt, here are some gardens worth checking.
Photo of peacock at Los Angeles Arboretum courtesy of Zabowski
read more about Gardens of Los Angeles (read more - PDF guide)
