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Archive for the ‘Tours of Los Angeles’ Category
H’wood by helo
Some showbiz hopefuls arrive by bus and others by helicopter.
Fly Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease
Be a daring thrillseeker on the flying trapeze. You wonder if you have tried all the things to do in Los Angeles, well I doubt you have swayed from a thin bar suspended over a safety net. At Rich Gaona’s Trapeze Workshop you can enjoy a single lesson or train to join the circus (or, more likely in Hollywood, perform in a movie about the circus). It’s fun, it’s athletic, it’s exciting. No experience is necessary and you can start any time. Learn from the best. Richie Gaona is a 4th generation circus performer and truly knows his trade. He has trained athletes and actors as well as regular folks interested in doing something a little bit out of the ordinary. That could be you. Give it a whirl, or rather, a swing.
Gaonas Trapeze Workshop
5702 Lubao Avenue, Woodland Hills
(818) 710-8191
richiegaona.com
Secret Stairway to Heaven (Shhhh!)
Los Angeles is famous for its gym culture. But if you’re intimidated by all the hard bods at Gold’s — or if you just want to take the jogging path less traveled — the city’s network of historic staircases is an ideal way to stay fit.
Not going anywhere but enjoying the walk
City planners originally installed the public staircases in the 1920s as direct routes for hillside residents to get down to urban areas and transit lines. They fell out of use once the motor car came along, but the stairs still serve as direct paths into stately L.A. neighborhoods unseen by many Angelenos. Stairstreets they are called. Great ways to work up an appetite before chowing down in a neighborhood cafe. When you are looking for things to do in Hollywood you should find the nearest stairway going up. Who says Los Angeles isn’t a walkable city?
Hollywood’s Own Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Established in 1862, Congregation B’nai B’rith is the oldest reform synagogue in Los Angeles. Its home is the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, a striking, stately structure on the edge of what’s now a congested stretch in Koreatown. Built in 1929, the temple was designed by A.M. Edelman, son of the congregation’s first rabbi, Abraham Edelman. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, the temple was the go-to place of worship for scores of movie-industry professionals who wanted to assimilate into American culture without sacrificing their Jewish identity. The building’s enormous Byzantine revival-style dome was funded by Hollywood producer Irving Thalberg, while Louis B. Mayer donated funds for the temple’s art glass windows. Carl Laemmle donated spice box chandeliers, and the temple’s biblical murals were commissioned by Jack, Harry and Albert Warner, aka the Warner Bros. The Wilshire Boulevard Temple is in the midst of an ambitious $150 million overhaul, but with such a dazzling history, its future looks just as bright as its starry past. Places of worship and cemeteries are popular sightseeing themes when you create your own best Los Angeles tour.
3663 Wilshire Boulevard, Koreatown
(213) 388-2401
wilshireboulevardtemple.org
The Straight on Skinny’s
Skinny’s Lounge is everything you’d want in a NoHo nightspot — equal parts cool, slick, comfortable and dark, like, say, a Hollywood bar/lounge, except, being over the hill, just a bit more laid-back. There’s comfortably plush seating; dark, earthy, off-reddish tones in the décor; and an interesting L-shaped configuration with an ample curved bar and an outstanding, classic-lounge-y recessed and curtained stage area where live acts include Metalachi (heavy metal/mariachi fusion), Polesque (artistic pole-dancing revue) and Lookin’ for Trouble (classic blues). The dance floor gets pumpin’, especially on weekend DJ nights, when dance-oriented disc spinners take over, and midweek nights have witnessed live rock & roll karaoke, with a crack cover band accompanying daring would-be lead vocalists. Drinks are praised and reasonably priced, special group reservations (parties/events) are welcome, and food trucks often park outside. Oh, and they feature “reverse happy hours” with $2 off drinks from midnight until close! What better way to finish a busy day visiting Los Angeles and taking a Hollywood tour.
4923 Lankershim Boulevard, N. Hollywood
(818) 763-6581
skinnyslounge.com
Angels Flight Out of Commission
The historic Angels Flight railway, “the shortest railway in the world,” in downtown Los Angeles is grounded for several weeks for routine maintenance and will likely reopen with a slightly higher ticket fare.
Starting Tuesday, January 10th, the railway was closed to replace worn rails and complete some carpentry and paint work on the 110-year-old rail cars, authorities said.
After the improvements, the fare likely will rise from a quarter to 50 cents.
Metro pass holders will receive a half-off discount if the nonprofit increases the cost for the one-minute trip up and down Bunker Hill, Angels Flight Railway President John Welborne told City News Service.
Angels Flight, dubbed “the shortest railway in the world,”‘ was closed in 2001 following an accident that killed one person and seriously injured seven. It reopened in 2010. When you are on one of the fantastic sightseeing tours of Los Angeles be sure to have your guide take you for a ride on Angels Flight (when it reopens, of course).
World's Shortest Railway
Believe it or not – Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena
Pasadena will be hosting a “Cheeseburger Week” starting on January 15th and going until the 20th. It will feature various renditions of the cheesy meat sandwich by a handful of popular places, even a sushi restaurant.
Invented in Pasadena, CA
According to the press release (and Wikipedia), the cheeseburger was actually invented in the good ‘ol North East L.A. community at “The Rite Spot,” a popular sandwich shop in the mid 1920′s.
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week is sponsored by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Pasadena and is a California Restaurant Month event.
Other eateries in town that will offer deals and assorted specials include the recently opened Kings Row Gastropub, Vertical Wine Bistro, and possibly a Yucatan rendition by El Portal. Also, Noir Food and Wine, CREPEstudio, Lovebirds Cafe and Magnolia Lounge.
Cheeseburger eaters are encouraged to go eat them all and vote for their favorite ones on the event’s website. For a complete list of places featured and their accompanying menu’s, check out the Pasadena Restaurant Week website.
Pasadena is part of the Los Angeles scene and a perfect place to eat during or after an amazing Los Angeles sightseeing tour.
Wine Tasting Overlooking Beautiful Malibu
Amazing southern California sunset at Malibu Family Winery
Not only a popular wine tasting destination but garnering accolades and commendations from important gastronomic and wine reviews, the Malibu Family Winery is a mainstay of the Los Angeles wine loving community. This 65-acre vineyard is only a small part of the 200,000 acre Saddlerock Ranch and much of it is available to enjoy when you visit. The facility hosts weddings, events and is a regular filming location.
Drive up when you can or, even better, plan a private Los Angeles helicopter tour to really enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Wolfgang Puck Lands at Hotel Bel-Air
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air serves up California cuisine with European and Mediterranean influences. Dishes such as a comice pear salad with fuyu persimmons and Shropshire blue cheese, Parmesan risotto with white Alban truffles, and grilled prime sirloin steak with braised Wagyu beef cheeks are composed of fresh produce from Chino Farms and local farmers markets, hormone- and antibiotic-free poultry and sustainably raised seafood. Wolfgang puck in a lavish hotel, can't beat that while touring LA. The Rockwell Group is responsible for the old Hollywood-inspired dining room redesign, incorporating multiple transparent glass wine cellars that showcase more than 2,400 bottles.
701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.909.1644. www.hotelbelair.com/wolfgang-puck-bel-air