What to do in LA
 

I'm staying downtown, I may have the use of a production assistant/runner and his van but still have to stay within 45min or so of the hotel.

Visiting TRE would be awesome but it just seems weird to show up unannounced and expect Dave to say "Hi, have a look around and don't drool on anything"

I would love to do some hiking, or at least find some place with more plants than people.

And as I am typing this I get a call that another person on the crew has roped the runner into going some place, so now I'm stuck! Maybe I'll go watch bums across the street smoke crack. Yeah, another day off in this city.

- Griffith Park is a great place for a hike - not far from downtown
- You should be able to make Ottos in Venice in 45 minutes
- The Getty (Museum) Villa - Malbu: awesome antiquities and views of the ocean
- The (New) Getty - very close to downtown - Renaissance to Modern art

La Brea tarpits are right downtown, if you want the real history of LA. From humble beginnings...

Check out The Gene Autry Western Museum and The Peterson Auto Museum. Do you work in the entertainment biz?

+1 on the Peterson - how could I forget.

If you don't already know, Peterson was the publisher of Motor Trend from it's inception (and while it was worth reading). His collection was extensive, and at some point they bought an old 4 story department store and converted it into an auto museum. The cars are shown in great sets or settings, and there are rotating exhibits. Definitely worth it.

Tar pits are right up my alley, but 6 miles away. Peterson museum is something I've been wanting to see.

Any good collections of modern art or modern (not contemporary) architecture?

Yup, entertainment biz, freelance. This gig isn't hollywood though, LA Autoshow.

LACMA is having some good exhibitions right now. You missed the Tim Burton one, ended 10/31
California Design, 1930

MOCA it is. Just a few blocks away from me. Thanks guys!

For some real autentica Mexicano grub.....Manuel El Tepach on Greenleaf in East LA....be sure to order the Manuel Special...

Soto & Wabash.. 10 fwy East off ramp at Soto..straight through the lite and about 3/4 mile on the Right is Greenleaf and across from the Catholic Church is Manuels

Lots and lots of Gringos go there...famous, famous famous in LA...

I like the Machaca Dinner and or an order of Taquitos..

Another local hike is Runyon Canyon in Hollywood. Parking can be a little difficult in the residential neighborhood just north of Hollywood Blvd and west of La Brea. The hike takes you up to Mulholland. Good views of the city & the Hollywood sign.

If you've come all the way here, you've got to hit the beach at least once. Take the 10 fwy (not during rush hour) and you'll be there in 30 minutes.

Manuel's El Tepayac, home of the 5 pound burritto...


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There's also Philippe's in downtown. Supposedly where the French Dip sandwich was invented.

Chinatown in next to downtown, as well. Empress Pavilion is the standard for dim sum.

This place is at 3rd and Traction in downtown. Great sausages and German and Belgian beer selection..
Wurstküche Home

Just got back from MOCA. I enjoyed it but some bits were closed due to their upcoming gala, despite their website saying the closure is tomorrow.

I'm into gardens and architecture and was told by the MOCA staff that there was a hidden gem of a Japanese garden behind the Japanese American Cultural Center. It was a complete waste of a walk. The garden may have had eastern touches but it looked like some halfassed suburban backyard interpretation. And it was populated with homeless.

This is the most walking I've done in this city (not counting from the hotel to the venue) and I can't get over how considerate drivers are to pedestrians. And how inattentive and inconsiderate half of the pedestrians are to drivers. If this was Manhattan these folks would be getting squashed by cabs daily.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I wish I had transportation to get out to the coast today, the sun felt good on my walk. I haven't had much luck eating out here in the past but I've got a few new places to try, thanks!

If you are, an afternoon at the Getty Center is always good. Nothing better than strolling around looking at some really neat design work (Richard Meyer) and good artwork - there's a nice garden on the backside of the museum too looking down towards West LA and SMO too.

Sitting on the patio sipping a cold one watching the sun set off the the west in that setting - worth a million bucks.

Mudman

I don't know if it will fit this visit, but from what you say the Huntington Gardens and museum should be a good one for you to visit. I'd guess its about a half hour drive from downtown. Plus the neighborhoods surround the gardens are really spectacular.

What were the highlights of the auto show for you this year?

Cheers Richard

the contrast of the poverty in the streets, and the lavish wealth of the architecture in down town are eye opening for me.

+1 Huntington Library and Gardens - original Guutenberg Bbile, Pinky and Blue Boy, Awesome Architecture.

And the Arboretum is next door!

Plus there's a beautiful (and homeless-free) Japanese Garden at the Huntington.

LA, watch out for this one!!!

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