Los Angeles Things to Do Tips by gilescorey

The Observatory Reopens! I got in line, got my reservation, got on the shuttle bus and saw the wonder! The four year, 93 million dollar rehab has transformed the Observatory from an aging, sentimental hulk into a world class museum. Whether you're fascinated by the heavens or looking for LA panoramas a trip to the observatory grounds and a hike through this massive urban wilderness park is a must for any visitor. Don't miss the bizarre sculpture of James Dean(commemorating the knife-fight scene from "Rebel Without a Cause" filmed at Griffith). It's frightening & hilarious. And, if you hike nearby, watch for rattlesnakes. They are EVERYWHERE.

The views are phenomenal if the smog is not too thick. One caveat: The delayed opening created a flurry of interest, and the Observatory has limited parking. Initially, you had to reserve and use a shuttle bus, but this restriction has been lifted...for now. So, you can drive up at will, but don't be surprised if during peak visiting hours/season you need to reserve ahead of time and use a shuttle.

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Phone: (323) 664-1181
Address: 2800 East Observatory Road
Directions: Access north of Los Feliz Blvd. via Fern Dell or Vermont Ave.
Website: http://www.griffithobs.org

I love Chinatown. I do. Best of both worlds. There is the old, Pagoda-laden, failed-tourist district; and the newer, bargain basement shopping warehouses. What's not to love?!

People talk about Japantown/Little Tokyo. LAME. Skip that kee-rap and come to Chinatown! Where else can you get a Hollywood ashtray for fifty cents?

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Address: around 930 North Broadway
Directions: just northeast of downtown Los Angeles and south of Dodger Stadium

In 1921, Simon Rodia, an incredibly short Italian immigrant, began construction on his "towers"., in the tiny farming community of Watts. Thirty-four years later, the nine sculptures adjacent to his tiny farmhouse would rise nearly a hundred feet over his newly suburbanized neighborhood.

"Watts" is a name more commonly associated with "urban decay" and "riots" than great works of art. But, there are only four sites in LA listed on the National Historic Register - the Rodia towers is one of them. Often considered the "Gaudi" of America, Rodia constructed these whimsical structures with no blueprints and no formal education. They are a beautiful oasis in a neighborhood that has seen better days.

I'll tell ya - we had a devil of a time finding the towers. Approach from the 105Fwy and carry detailed directions. Rodia's towers don't garner the respect they deserve. Signage is lacking and locals had no idea of exactly where they were located.

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Address: 1765 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA
Directions: 110Fwy to 105 Fwy
Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=613

Pardon my yard sale camera, but here is another, longer shot of the towers. Rodia used improvised mortar and decoration in construction of the tower - soda bottle tops, broken glass, and bathroom tile. So, you see, a Watts Towers picture, from a camera purchased at a yard sale...kinda fitting.

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Address: See prior tip.
Directions: The Metro Blue Line also passes quite close to the Towers.
Website: www.mta.net

There is an antique carousel, still running, inside the Santa Monica pier. It is easily missed if you walk along the top boardwalk - the carousel is "inside" the pier, close to the beach, through the entrance across from "Hot Dog On A Stick"(holy moly). The carousel, naturally, has been in countless Hollywood films(yawn). Now, best thing? There is an antique "slide show" machine next to the carousel with black and white stills from The Great San Francisco Earthquake. Awesome!

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Address: PCH in Santa Monica
Directions: Ocean and Colorado Blvds.

Caltrans, the gigantic entity that runs California's roads and transportation system, just completed a new headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. The result is a sneak attack on the movers, shakers, and elite of LA. Bold, beautiful and environmentally friendly, Caltrans' new homebase is an archictectural wonder stealing the spotlight from the nearby Disney Hall. Designed by Morphosis Architects, the building was featured on the History Channel's show "Modern Marvels". The metal skin of the building is motorized, and constantly moves and changes with the weather, protecting its tenants from the midday sun. It's truly mesmerizing. A friend of mine is considering buying a loft, Downtown. She was demanding a view of Disney Hall, until she saw Caltrans. Now, she's demanding a view of Caltrans. Sorry, Mr. Gehry.

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Address: 100 S. Main St. Los Angeles
Directions: Downtown, just West of City Hall. Accessible from the Alameda or Broadway exits off the 101 Freeway.
Website: http://www.pritzkerprize.com/164/pritzker2005/caltrans.htm

Los Angeles's city hall is one of those random monolithic high rises that leaves people wondering..."why"?

Why a "skyscraper" for City Hall? Seems rather imperialistic, no? Well, relax, LA's city hall is not America's tallest(that title belongs to the lovely city of Philadelphia), and is, in fact, a gem.

Complete restoration was completed in 2004 at a cost of more than 30 million dollars - a figure that enrages many Angelenos. However, I know an assistant to a council member(can't release names), who gave me a backstage tour that was fascinating. The staid facade belies gorgeous details, and architectural notes inside. And, for those who decry the pricetag - justifiably - don't forget that such restoration was unavoidable after the 1994 Northridge Quake that effectively condemned City Hall until proper retrofitting could be completed.

If you're interested in Art Deco architecture or a view into LA noir, then take a tour. Otherwise, take a picture and move along.

Side note: City Hall was "The Daily Planet" building of Superman comics.

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Phone: 213.485.2121
Address: 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles 90012
Directions: Metro Red Line to "Civic Center", or a leisurely stroll West of Olvera St., via Spring St.
Website: www.lacityhall.org

Built between 1889 and 1893, the Bradbury building is a true bragging point for Los Angeles architecture.However, it's the details of her birth that really set The Bradbury apart.

Lewis Bradbury, a man who made his millions in the mining industry, fired his original architect and hired a mere draftsman, George Wyman, to design the unique, grand edifice he envisioned. At first, Wyman was wary of such a large undertaking, but legend has it that the draftsman's dead brother contacted George through a "planchette board"(precursor to the "Quija board") and convinced him to take the job.

The finished product, largely influenced by Utopian literature, is a serene work of art. Vaulted skylights filter on a central courtyard served by cast-iron birdcage elevators. The intricate iron work, glazed brick and imported marble spun costs out of control. The edifice was finished at a cost of $500,000 - far in excess of the original $175K estimate.

Many remember The Bradbury as immortalized in "The Blade Runner", but a visit in person is highly recommended. In keeping with the occult-origins, I must mention that, upon my last visit, the security guard pointed out how some of the decorative ironwork, when seen at the right time of day, indeed resembles The Devil. He also shared his fear of night shifts in the famous building, saying he "never felt alone"..

Now, you 're not gonna get those details in a guidebook.

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Address: 304 S. Broadway St. Los Angeles, CA
Directions: Three blocks West of the metro red line "Civic Center Station", across from Grand Central Market.
Website: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Bradbury_Building.html
Other Contact: U.S. National Historic Landmarks

I endeavour to offer tips and advice that are unique and can't be found on other pages. In keeping with that credo, I've copied my Getty Center tip that I rack under "Nightlife":
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Friday and Saturday nights, the Getty Museum, perched above Brentwood, stays open until 9:PM. Few know of the late hours, and, as a result, you'll largely have the institution to yourself. Furthermore, it's one of the few times you can park without reserving well in advance. In fact, if you're a real cheapass, you can park on local streets off Sepulveda for free, after 6:PM, and hike up to the tram area.

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Phone: 310.440.7330
Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, LA, CA 90049
Directions: Exit the 405 onto Getty Center Drive. Follow the signs.
Website: www.getty.edu

Others on VT disparage Venice Beach, and I can't understand how they came to such a low opinion of the Los Angeles icon. Perhaps they bought some cheap sunglasses, ate some bad pizza, got buzzed by a skateboarder limped back to their car, the sunglasses broke, clouded their vision, and they ended up sinking their Mercedes into the Canals. That's all I've come up with.

Okay, so yeah, don't go on the beach at night. Head inland to the fabulous Abbot Kinney neighborhood, nearby. But, Venice is a wonder during the day, filled with an amazing diversity of people and shops to browse. All races and nationalities are welcome, and everybody seems to get along!

There are tourists, to be sure, but this famous hippie enclave still retains loving locals, loonies and surfers who call Venice home.

I like to walk the sand, watch the roller disco(astounding!), and then decamp to Sidewalk for beer and fries. It helps me remember I'm alive...

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Address: Venice Blvd West until it ends, then go north
Directions: Take Washington the beach... walk north up the boardwalk
Website: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/photography/la-streetscenes-20080602,0,937217.htmlstory