Category: Landmarks

Spending an afternoon and evening in Chinatown is one of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends. Chinatown is a colorful, cultural, architectural, dining and shopping experience. I just love to be so close to home but yet feel that I'm in another world.

I usually start my day in the original Chinatown area called Central Plaza on Gingling Way. Central Plaza has a fantastic variety of stores, buildings and an elaborate rock garden – inspired wishing well. The plaza is a great place to take a break on a bench and for people watching.

My favorite Restaurant for lunch is "Hop Louie". The Hop Louie Restaurant Pagoda is the focal point of Central Plaza. Formerly the Golden Pagoda Restaurant, it was originally constructed in 1941. The five tier pagoda is gorgeous and it's the last major built in today's New Chinatown Central Plaza. The food is descent and inexpensive.

Another fun and popular Restaurant for lunch is the Empress Pavilion. You have to try the Dim Sum Lunch on which you can feast on everything from pork dumplings to sesame sponge cake. The Chinese call the little delicacies "dim sum", which translates into "touching your heart".

After lunch explore the Art galleries and Antique stores on Chungking road in the west plaza.

Outside central plaza on north Broadway is Chinatown's largest store, Wing Hop Fung, where the medicinal aroma of ginseng and other Chinese herbs wafts through the lower floor. Upstairs is a colorful bazaar of paper dragons, lanterns and all types of bargains.

Bargains – that's part of the fun, finding a treasure you like and chasing down the best price – or staying to bargain with the shopkeeper.

Down the street at the corner of Ord Street and North Broadway is a group of colorful stalls offering everything from peacock feathers to those nifty ‘70s beaded curtains, tiny faux jade Buddhas {one each for health, wealth, fertility and other good fortunes}, and giant vases with chinese floral designs to create an eastern ambience on your patio.

A great place to find gifts for all occasions, and the perfect Chinese outfit for your next Asian theme party.

Chinatown has several Bars to explore in the evening. Enjoy a well deserved cocktail after a long hard day of shopping

Spanning across 4,107 acres, Griffith Park is the largest city park in the United States. In fact, the infamous Hollywood sign is actually located within the perimeters of Griffith Park.

There are numerous activities to engage in while visiting Griffith Park. The park is not only home to the Hollywood sign, but also houses the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Greek Theater, the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, the Travel Town Museum, the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, the Griffith Park Southern Railroad, and Pony Rides. Additionally, Griffith Park also features plentiful horseback riding, hiking trails, and bicycle rentals to enjoy the beautiful scenery first hand.

California’s rugged landscaping provides for a fantastic hiking experience. As you traverse through Griffith Park, you'll encounter many of the native California animals, such as quail, deer, and coyotes. Caution is advised however, since you may also cross paths with some rattlesnakes. In total, there are over 53 miles of trails and paths that are perfect for enjoying a short brisk walk, or a more strenuous hike. The trails are open from dawn until dusk and you can pick up trail maps at the Ranger Station.

In addition to hiking, many people enjoy horseback riding at Griffith Park. There are also pony rides available so families of all ages may enjoy the fun. There are specially designated trails for the riders, however, if riders choose to dismount, they must stay on the designated trails. Pony rides are available from Tuesday until Sunday between the hours of 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. There are also covered wagon rides that provide wonderful entertainment for young children. Whether you are on a date or enjoying the park with your family, you'll find plenty of activities to choose from while visiting Griffith Park.

When you think of Chinatown you may just think of one particular place. What you’ll find though is both Old Chinatown and New Chinatown, both with their different exotic sights, incredible smells of authentic Chinese food, and the many different shops and stores that hold treasures for everyone.

Walking the streets of Chinatown is by far the best way to get around. It is a simple trolley ride on the Gold line or you could take the Dash Minibus B from downtown Los Angeles. You can jump off right as you get to the base of Chinatown and you’re on your way.

With the many shops, restaurants, and décor of the architecture, the color and appearance makes it a popular tourist spot, as well as a place locals like to go to experience a culture that may be far from the norm in Los Angeles. You’ll know when you reach Chinatown by the landmark East Gate on N. Broadway. From there you can start your own self guided tour of Chinatown or you can take one of the many guided tours that lead you in to the most well sought after parts of Chinatown that few people know about.

You’ll most likely start with the Golden Pagoda which is about 50 feet high and one of the last newer buildings that was built in Chinatown. Although typically a tourist spot, it is a sight to behold. You can then make your way over to The Seven Star Cavern Wishing Well. With the magnificent architecture around this wishing well, it’ll be hard not to see the splendor of Chinatown in all of the old and new glory.

Meander your way through the alleys and you’ll find some of the most sought after Chinese herbs that have been used traditional Chinese medicine and teas for thousands of years. Fresh and ready to be bought, you’ll learn quite a bit about prolonging your life with the likes of ginseng root, pearl pills, and even gecko lizards.

For a little fun you should stop by the fortune cookie factory and see how they are really made. Sure, it’s a little self indulgent, but who doesn’t want to know how those tiny papers really get in those cookies? While you are being self indulgent, it may be time to eat by now. The Stockton Street food market is just the place to stop. Whether it’s Dim Sum you’re craving or a more exotic cuisine that you have yet to try, you’ll find it here. You may even pick up a few authentic foods to take home and try to make yourself.

For the art and history lover, Chung King Road is a must. They will do art openings in the evening that give you a chance to enjoy the beautiful and moving pieces of art. After you take in your fair share of culture you can hit the bars or more restaurants to talk late into the night with your friends. Chinatown is more than just a place to buy silk; it is a cornucopia of knowledge, food, culture, and fun.

When the Queen Mary first launched on September 26, 1934 it was considered to be the ship of the future. Weighing in at an impressive 81,237 tons it was larger than the Titanic and faster than any ship made previously. The maiden voyage set sail on May 27, 1936 and to all accounts was a major event.

John Brown and Company out of Scotland built the Queen Mary to be a weekly express from Southampton England to New York to be one of the fastest ships on the ocean at that time. It certainly held up to that name as it did indeed garner the record for the fastest North Atlantic crossing in 1937. For 3 years she traveled back and forth bringing the rich and elite across the Atlantic in luxury and style. In 1939 she was on a trip when World War II started and was ordered to become a troopship to carry soldiers from Australia and New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

After the war had completed, and Queen Mary narrowly escaped being sunk by the orders of Adolf Hitler and his U boats, the Queen Mary was used as a transatlantic passenger trade until 1958. Then the jets were starting to fly and it seemed that people wanted quicker ways to get across the Atlantic Ocean. Finally in 1966 it was put up for sale and bought by H.E. Ridings of Long Beach California where it still resides today.

Today, Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic places and serves as a hotel, entertainment venue, and a museum. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction that brings people in from all over the world. You can choose a self guided ship walk tour that takes you from the engine to the wheelhouse, or you can have a daily guided tour that explores the elegant bygone era. You can even go on the special tour called The Ghost and Legends tour that talks about the paranormal experiences of the Queen Mary which people swear have taken over the ships at certain times.

Many people come to the Queen Mary to stay in one of the 365 original staterooms, 8 of which are luxurious suites of their time. Each room is artfully appointed in the style of the 1930’s and 1940’s with original artwork and much of the art deco feel that it had in the past. The room rates are very reasonable depending on the season and you can buy packages that include dinner or show tickets. After checking in you can experience award winning dining in many of the waterfront restaurants such as the Sir Winston restaurant or you can just grab a quick bite to eat at The Promenade Café if you are in a rush to get back to your self guided tour of the Queen Mary.

Visiting and staying on the Queen Mary is like taking a step back in time to the more elegant and fascinating bygone years. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Located in the Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers State Historic Park is one of Los Angeles’s best kept secrets. One of the most popular and highest paid actors of his time, Will Rogers purchased this 186-acre property during the 1920’s as a retreat for his friends and family. An avid rider and horse fanatic, Will Rogers built an expansive ranch which included a 31-room ranch house, stable, corrals, riding ring, and a polo field. In 1935, Will Rogers was the victim of a tragic plane crash, and following his wife’s death in 1944, the ranch was converted into a State Park.

One of the most popular activities to enjoy at Will Rogers State Historic Park is hiking. Take the easy/moderate 3-mile trail loop up to Inspiration Point where you’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the Pacific Coast. If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, head up along the Backbone Trail into the Santa Monica Mountain. The trail offers a fantastic opportunity for mountain biking, horseback riding (BYOH – Bring Your Own Horse), and hiking – leading you as far as Point Mugu State Park in Malibu.

Will Rogers State Park is also popular for picnicking – there is tons of green space available for you to set up and enjoy picnic (first picture below).

For something completely different, head up to the park on the weekends for an exciting polo match. The polo field (second picture below) is the only regulation size field in Los Angeles County; in fact, it’s the only polo field period. During the season (April through October), the Will Rogers Polo Club holds matches on Saturday – from 2pm to 5pm, and Sunday – from 10am to 1pm. The matches are absolutely free to the public, so if you’ve never seen a game of polo in person, make sure to come by and check it out.

Getting Here

Getting to the park is quite simple. Take Sunset Blvd westbound towards Pacific Palisades and make a right on Will Rogers State Park Rd. You’ll take the road for about half a mile until you reach the park entrance. Entrance to the park is free but there is a $7 fee for parking.

Located in Santa Monica, the Pier offers a plethora of activities that will keep you busy for hours.

Aquarium

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is located right below the Carousel. There are a total of 8 different exhibits to enjoy, including 3 touch tanks that will allow you to get up close and personal with over 30 different species of marine life.

Arcade

The Playland Arcade features over 200 different arcade games, from the newer titles to traditional favorites, such as Pac Man, Air Hockey and Pinball.

Fishing

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, grab your fishing supplies and head out to the Pier. It’s also a great activity to enjoy on a date, especially the first. While you probably won’t catch anything, you’ll have plenty of time to talk and get to know each other better. The best spots for fishing can be found towards the end of the Pier.

Theme Park

Located on the Pier, Pacific Park is a small amusement park with something for everyone. There are about a dozen rides in total, including a steel rollercoaster and the iconic ferris wheel – both providing a spectacular view of the Pacific Coast.

Getting There

The main entrance to the Santa Monica Pier is on Colorado Ave and Ocean Ave. You can park your car at the Pier lot, but if you want to save a little money and don’t mind the walk, park your car at the Santa Monica Mall structure (located 2 blocks away on Colorado & 2nd). If you arrive in the day (8am to 5pm), you can park for 3 hours at no cost; in the evening (5pm to 2am), there’s a $3 flat rate.

After undergoing a huge renovation, the Griffith Observatory reopened in late 2006. Located on the southern slope of Mt Hollywood, the Observatory first opened its doors to the public back in 1935; it was only the third Planetarium in the United States at the time. Since then, the Observatory has hosted tens of millions of visitors and has appeared in dozens of films - most notably, James Dean’s Rebel Without A Cause.

Closing for a long overdue renovation back in 2002 (67 years in the making), the Griffith Observatory reopened in November 2006. Four years and nearly $93 million dollars later, the Observatory was completely revamped and is now better than ever. Here are some of the changes/additions made:

Appearance: All elements of the building were completely renovated and restored to their original appearance.

Technology: The Observatory was fitted with state-of-the-art technology - including a new dome, star projector, digital laser projectors, and a sound system.

Size: Around 40,000 square feet of public space was added to the existing structure, including a multi-level exhibit, a new 200-seat theater, bookstore, and cafe.

Exhibits: The new program includes 60 brand new exhibits.

If you haven’t been to the Observatory for a while, well at least since the renovation began, you’ll notice that getting there has become a little more difficult.

Making Reservations / Purchasing Tickets:

With the overwhelming number of visitors coming to see the newly renovated Observatory, you will have to the make reservations on a timed-entry basis. You can make your reservation in one of three ways:

Make reservation online through the observatory website: Reservations

You can make your reservation over the phone with an operator by calling 1-888-695-0888. Lines are open from 8am to 6pm and you will need to provide them with your credit card information.

You can make your reservation in person at the Griffith Observatory Satellite Parking Lot (we’ll be discussing parking next).

Getting To The Observatory

You can no longer drive up to the Observatory so you'll have to park in a designated area and take a shuttle up there. Here are the locations:

Hollywood & Highland

You can enter the structure from either Orange Ave or Highland Blvd and the cost of parking is $2 for up to 4 hours (this cost is not included in the admission). All shuttles to the Observatory leave from the Orange Court – the far west side of the complex on Level 2.

Griffith Observatory Satellite Parking Lot

The lot is located just south of the Los Angeles Zoo in eastern Griffith Park. The address is 4800 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90027.

Cost

Admission to the Griffith Observatory has always been free, but in order to cover the cost of the new reservation and shuttle system, a small fee will be charged temporarily.

General Admission: $8
Children (5-12): $4
Children (4 years and under): Free
Seniors: $4