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Archive for September, 2009
The Comedy Store, formerly was…….
Ciro’s was a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip, that opened in1940. Ciro’s combined an overdone baroque interior and an unadorned exterior and became a famous hangout for movie people of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Among the list of celebrities who frequented Ciro’s were Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Sidney Poitier, Anita Ekberg, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Joan Crawford, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Ginger Rogers, Mickey Rooney, Cary Grant, George Raft, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Judy Garland, June Allyson and Dick Powell, Mamie Van Doren, Jimmy Stewart, Sammy Davis Jr., Jack Benny, Peter Lawford, and Lana Turner (who often said Ciro’s was her favorite nightspot) among many others. During his first visit to Hollywood in the late 1940s, future President John F. Kennedy dined at Ciro’s.
Today, among the many things to do in Hollywood, the site of Ciro’s is now the world famous Comedy Store, owned by Mitzi Shore ( Paulie Shore’s Mom) since 1979.
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Bona Vista Lounge
The famous Westin Bonaventure Hotel has been around since 1976, and if you have never visited it, chances are you have seen it featured in many movies and television series over the years including: Strange Days, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Blue Thunder, This is Spinal Tap, In the Line of Fire, Nick of Time, True Lies, Midnight Madness, Showtime, Hard to Kill, Chuck, and was destroyed (via special effects) in Escape from LA and Epicenter.
On the 34th floor of the Bonaventure Hotel is the Bona Vista Lounge and should be on your list of Los Angeles things to do. This revolving cocktail lounge, boasts soaring views of downtown LA. It’s the perfect location for a romantic date or high-powered business meeting, or a fun place to hang out before or after an LA sporting event. As an aside, the glass elevator ride up is fun in and of itself. Perhaps you remember the elevator scene with Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich in the 1993 Thriller “In the Line of Fire.” It is also hard to forget our very own Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger riding a horse into a Bonaventure elevator in 1994′s “True Lies.” Ahh the memories.
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LA Pizza – Off the Charts
How dare I Blog about pizza and showcase a Caprese Salad photo? Simply because the pizza is amazing at Pizzeria Mozza at 641 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, but I really want to influence your order even beyond that! I can not say enough about this this experience. I have heard all of the talk around town, and now I can confirm that they walk the pizza talk!
Owner, Nancy Silverton is an American chef and baker. Silverton trained at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in London, England and at the Ecole Le Notre in Plaiser, France. She is the co-founder and head baker at La Brea Bakery as well as the head pastry chef at Campanile Restaurant, both in Los Angeles. Pizza is not the reason people visit LA, yet on my Hollywood Tour, I practically insist that visitors eat at Pizzeria Mozza. Reservations are very hard to get; so if you can not get one, show up and put your name at the door and wait in line for a seat at the bar; it’s worth it! You can also take out!
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Fires from Space!
Seeing a California fire from space, really allows a person to to put enormity of the situation into perspective. The California Station fire that began in August 2009 seemed liked it would never get contained as it burned fiercely even at times when the wind was calm, destroying hundreds of structures and killing two people. Many of these wildfires continue to burn through the month of September. Although fires burned many different regions ofCalifornia in August, the month was especially notable for several very large fires which burned in Southern California, despite being outside of the normal fire season for that region.
Sporadic fires are normal throughout California in the summer and fall as temperatures rise and rainfall drops, causing vegetation to die off and provide fuel for combustion. Three years of drought amplified these effects, making already fire-prone California ripe for wildfires. Visitors on Tours of Los Angeles are always curious about the local fire updates. These fires may be ignited by natural sources like lightning, or through human activity.
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Copter Cops
I saw one blue jay so far this year, but I see the LAPD helicopters several times a day!
The Los Angeles Police department’s airborne law enforcement program began with one helicopter in 1956. This helicopter, a Hiller 12J was assigned primarily for traffic patrol of the City’s freeway system and was assigned to the traffic Enforcement Division. In 1957 after a full year in operation, the “Helicopter Unit” flew 775 hours.
It is hard not to see a Los Angeles helicopter of some kind when you peer into the sky’s of Southern California.
Today the LAPD fleet at full capacity, consists of:
- 12 Aerospatiale B-2 Astars
- 4 Bell 206 Jet Rangers
- 1 UH1H “Huey” helicopter
- 1 King Air 200 – Airplane
A study commissioned by NASA and conducted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) Space Technology Applications Office confirmed the study and report findings as follows:
- The number of Part 1 Property Crimes is reduced when an LAPD helicopter is overhead.
- The number of arrests associated with radio calls is three times higher with the involvement of LAPD aircrews.
- The citizens of Los Angeles accept helicopter patrols as a necessary part of the City’s police system and strongly favor their continuation.
- Department ground based officers universally support a strong airborne law enforcement program within the department.
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325 days of sunshine
Los Angeles can be so pleasantly overwhelming that often times I forget about some of the coolest aspects about living here and it always reinvigorating me when chatting with some of our visitors makes things resurface daily like a freash water spring!
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In & Out @ LAX
In & Out Burger has become legendary in the Southern California landscape. I am always encouraging people to visit a location while they are here, if they have never been. While it seems odd to suggest any one particular location out of countless identical locations, I ALWAYS recommend the In & Out near LAX on 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd because it is a fantastic place to watch the planes landing at LAX at very impressively low altitudes prior to their wheels hitting the runway.
When I recommend itineraries for Hollywood Adventure Tours, I often suggest that we can start a tour with a pick up at LAX, and an immediate visit to this In & Out to unwind after a long flight. In any case, bring a camera because a plane lands almost every 90 seconds or so.
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Over 80 Farmers Markets in LA County
Can you believe that there are over 80 Certified Farmers Markets in LA? So while the length of this blog may seem obnoxious, I wanted you to have the the “where” and “when” of it all! Farmers Markets are one of the best ways to enjoy California if you are visiting or positively add to your lifestyle if you are local!
Enjoy freshly picked, seasonal fruits and vegetables, juices, breads, specialty items that can found on almost any day, and seven days a week at the Original Farmers Market on Third & Fairfax. Some of LA’s top chefs shop LA’s Farmer’s Market looking for the freshest ingredients to to create their culinary masterpieces! On many of my Los Angeles Adventure Tours, I strongly suggest a visit, as a part of an amazing day.
| Alhambra CFM | Alhambra | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Atwater Village CFM | Atwater Village | Los Angeles | Sunday | 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Bellflower CFM | Bellflower | Los Angeles | Monday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Bellflower Summer CFM | Bellflower | Los Angeles | Thursday | 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Beverly Hills CFM | Beverly Hills | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Brentwood CFM | Brentwood | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Burbank CFM | Burbank | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Calabasas Old Town CFM | Calabasas | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Carson CFM | Carson | Los Angeles | Thursday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Central Avenue Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Century City CFM | Century City | Los Angeles | Thursday | 11:30 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Cerritos CFM | Cerritos | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Chatsworth / Porter Ranch CFM | Chatsworth | Los Angeles | Saturday | 4:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Chatsworth CFM | Chatsworth | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Claremont Farmers & Artisans Market | Claremont | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Covina CFM | Covina | Los Angeles | Friday | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Culver City CFM | Culver City | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Diamond Bar CFM | Walnut | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Duarte Farmers Market | Duarte | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Eagle Rock N Roll Farmers Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| East Los Angeles Farmers Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Echo Park Farmers’ Market | Echo Park | Los Angeles | Friday | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| El Segundo CFM | El Segundo | Los Angeles | Thursday | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Encino CFM | Encino | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Gardena Saturday Farmers’ Market | Gardena | Los Angeles | Saturday | 6:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Gardena Wednesday CFM | Gardena | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 7:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Glendale CFM | Glendale | Los Angeles | Thursday | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| HVP Certified Farmers Market | Woodland Hills | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Hawthorne Del Aire Certified Farmers Market | Hawthorne | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Hermosa Beach CFM | Hermosa Beach | Los Angeles | Friday | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Hollywood Farmers’ Market | Hollywood | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Hollywood Lemon Grove Farmers’ Market | Hollywood | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
| Huntington Park CFM | Huntington Park | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 9:30 AM | 1:30 PM |
| L.A. Adams/Vermont CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| L.A. Chinatown Farmers’ Market – CLOSED Temporarily | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Thursday | 4:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| L.A. Eagle Rock Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Friday | 5:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| L.A. Harambee CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Saturday | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| L.A. La Cienega Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Thursday | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| L.A. Seventh & Figueroa Friday Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Friday | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| L.A. Seventh & Figueroa Thursday Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Thursday | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| L.A. Silver Lake CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| La Canada Flintridge CFM | La Canada Flintridge | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| La Verne CFM | La Verne | Los Angeles | Thursday | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| La Verne Saturday Farmers’ Market | La Verne | Los Angeles | Saturday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Larchmont Village CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Sunday | 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Lawndale Farmers’ Market | Lawndale | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Leimert Park Village CFM | Leimert Park | Los Angeles | Saturday | 10:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Little Tokyo CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Thursday | 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Long Beach Downtown Farmers’ Market | Long Beach | Los Angeles | Friday | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Long Beach Southeast Farmers’ Market | Long Beach | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Long Beach Uptown Certified Farmers’ Market | Long Beach | Los Angeles | Thursday | 3:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| Los Angeles Medical Center Certified Farmers’ Market at Barnsdall Art Park | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 12:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Lynwood CFM | Lynwood | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 12:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| Manhattan Beach CFM | Manhattan Beach | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 12:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Mar Vista Farmers’ Market | Mar Vista | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Melrose Place CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Monrovia CFM | Monrovia | Los Angeles | Friday | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Monterey Park Farmers’ Market | Monterey Park | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Montrose Harvest Market | Montrose | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Northridge CFM | Northridge | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Norwalk CFM | Norwalk | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Old L.A. CFM | Highland Park | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Pacific Palisades CFM | Pacific Palisades | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:00 AM | 1:30 PM |
| Palos Verdes-Rolling Hills Estates Farmers’ Market | Rolling Hills Estates | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Pasadena Victory Park CFM | Pasadena | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Pasadena Villa Park CFM | Pasadena | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Pomona Valley CFM | Pomona | Los Angeles | Saturday | 7:30 AM | 11:30 AM |
| Redondo Beach CFM | Redondo Beach, | Los Angeles | Thursday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| San Dimas CFM | San Dimas | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 4:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| San Pedro CFM | San Pedro | Los Angeles | Friday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Santa Clarita CFM | Santa Clarita | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Santa Monica Pico Farmers’ Market | Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Santa Monica Saturday Organic Farmers’ Market | Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Santa Monica Sunday Farmers’ Market | Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Santa Monica Wednesday Farmers’ Market | Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Sierra Madre Certified Farmers Market | Sierra Madre | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| South Gate CFM | South Gate | Los Angeles | Monday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| South Park Farmers’ Market – CLOSED Temporarily | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Sunday | 11:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | South Pasadena | Los Angeles | Thursday | 4:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Studio City CFM | Studio City | Los Angeles | Sunday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Toluca Lake Certified Farmers’ Market | Toluca Lake | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
| Topanga Canyon Market | Woodland Hills | Los Angeles | Saturday | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Torrance Saturday Farmers’ Market | Torrance | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Torrance Tuesday CFM | Torrance | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Valinda / La Puente Farmers Market | La Puente | Los Angeles | Thursday | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Van Nuys CFM | Van Nuys | Los Angeles | Thursday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Venice CFM | Venice | Los Angeles | Friday | 7:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| Watts Healthy Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Saturday | 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| West Covina Farmers’ Market | West Covina | Los Angeles | Saturday | 8:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| West Hollywood Monday Farmers’ Market | West Hollywood | Los Angeles | Monday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| West L.A. CFM | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Sunday | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| West Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Certified Farmers’ Market | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM |
| Westchester CFM | Westchester | Los Angeles | Wednesday | 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Westwood Farmers’ Market | Westwood | Los Angeles | Thursday | 12:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Whittier CFM | Whittier | Los Angeles | Friday | 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Whittier Unincorporated Farmers Market | Whittier | Los Angeles | Friday | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Wilmington Farmers’ Market | Wilmington | Los Angeles | Thursday | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Woodman Avenue Market | Sherman Oaks, CA | Los Angeles | Tuesday | 3:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
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A Unique Thing to do in Los Angeles
I was recently asked by a client, “Tell me about a cool hangout spot, that involves a scenic drive, and something I will not hear about on any other tour.” So I told him about The Rock Store at 30354 Mulholland Hwy near Malibu.
Located in the scenic canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, this is one of the most famous stretch of back road in the world, and is about 35 miles from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Ed and Veronica Savko, have operated The Rock Store for over 45 years, and have turned their quiet little country store into the hottest biker destination in Southern California.
The Rock Store has always attracted celebrities, and it is not at all uncommon to spot Jay Leno somewhere in the parking lot checking out bikes. And yes, he almost always wears his trademark blue denim shirt! Leno often rides up on his Y2K jet-powered bike or one of his classic motorcycles. Among others, California’s “Governator” Arnold Schwarzenegger often comes by and “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc has also been spotted on the patio. In fact, you never know which celebs might be seen. I have diverted countless numbers of Los Angeles Luxury Tours to visit the hangout and experience something different. The best part about visiting The Rock Store is the “everybody” is welcome! Beyond celebs and traditional bikers, you will meet people from literally every walk of life! It is a place where Californians go to “get along” and enjoy life; a true California tradition!
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LA is HUGE!
Whether a visitor or a “home grown” Los Angelian, there are sure to be some facts below that you did not know.
* With a population of 10.3 million, LA County is the most populous in the United States
* If LA County were a state, it would be eighth largest in population
* The population of the five-county region of Los Angeles is larger than all of the states in the nation, except California, New York and Texas
* LA County is home to 88 cities
* LA is the largest city in LA County with 3,976,071 people
* 10,064-foot Mount San Antonio is the highest point in LA County
* LA County has 75 miles of coastline
* The longest street in LA City is Sepulveda Boulevard at 26.4 miles
* The enormous Walk of Fame began in 1960 with now more than 2,300 stars and the most visited place on Hollywood Celebrity Tours
* Sepulveda Boulevard continues through LA County for a total of 76 miles
* LA County’s land area is 4,752 square miles
* LA County has 79 certified farmers markets
* The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second largest school district in the nation
* La Opinión in the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States, with a circulation of 125,624