Roving Around Los Angeles

MplsTodd · #1 Posted **Jul 3, 2026, 7:35 PM**

I enjoyed a week's stay in greater LA in April and made time to check out many areas I had never been to plus going to old favorites.

I started by enjoying the city overview from Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area near Baldwin Hills.

Downtown Skyline from Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Overlooking Koreatown from Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Overlooking Los Angeles from Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Heading Downtown on the I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway)

LA Traffic by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Although In&Out is much better known, my favorite burger place in LA is The Habit Grille.

Lunch at Habit Burger & Grill, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Cityscape from 8th & Grand, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

$25 All You Can Drink--Seventh Street, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

608 Olive Tower along Olive Street, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Pigeons in Pershing Square, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

While in LA, I went on a three-hour walking tour of downtown history & architecture led by Chris, who has a tour company called See LA in A Day. I highly recommend his tour.

Grand Central Market--Located in a former Department Store

Grand Central Market, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Broadway, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Million Dollar Theater--Built by Sid Grauman of Grauman's Chinese Theater fame.

Million Dollar Theater Building, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Million Dollar Theater Marquee, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Memorial To Biddy Mason: Born into Slavery, she became free in 1856 and became a successful real estate investor by owning much of what became downtown LA.

Biddy Mason Memorial Park, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Spring Street is lined with historic early 20th century highrise offices (many of which have been converted to apartments)

Continental Building, 408 Spring Street, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

CA26-WT-Spring St-Le Petit Paris 1 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Security Building, 510 S. Spring Street, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Thanks to Chris, our tourgroup got to briefly chat with Robert Vargas a locally famous artist who made a mural in honor of Dolores Huerta

Robert Vargas talking about his work in process on the final mural in his WeAre Human Series, Main Street, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Weller Court, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Little Tokyo was very busy

Japanese Village Plaza, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The below mural of LA Dodger superstar Shohei Ohtani was also created by Robert Vargas

Ohtani Mural, 1st Street, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

East 1st Street, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Little Tokyo Hotel, East 1st Street, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Along 1st Street, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

City Hall, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Walt Disney Hall, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Bunker Hill Towers, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Overlooking Downtown from California Plaza & Angel's Flight , Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Walking Tour Concluded at Angel's Flight

Angel's Flight Funicular, Connecting to Bunker Hill, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

I continued my walk around downtown, heading down Broadway with it's numerous historic theaters (in various conditions)

Broadway Arcade Building, 540 S Broadway, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Broadway in downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Marquee for the Los Angeles Theater, S Broadway, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Palace Theater (Formerly Orpheum Theater), 630 S Broadway, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Tower Theater, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Tower Theater, 800 Broadway, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Urban Outfitters, Rialto Theater, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Orpheum Theater, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Entrance to Eastern Columbia Building, 849 South Broadway, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Eastern Columbia Building, 849 South Broadway, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

At Olympic Boulevard, I was in The South park District, which has experienced substantial new Residential Development over the past 15-20 years.

Bike Parade along Olympic Blvd, Downtown LA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Olympic+Hill Apartment Tower, Olympic Boulevard, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Grand Avenue from Olympic Blvd, South Park District, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Grand Hope Park, South Park District, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Los Angeles in rearview mirror by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Much More To Come!

MplsTodd · #2 Posted **Jul 3, 2026, 8:52 PM**

SpaceX, Hawthorne, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Sunset from Toes Beach, Playa Del Rey, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Catalini's Italian Food, Salerno Beach, Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The next morning, I walked around Westwood. I was surprised at the amount of vacancy I saw in this district which is adjacent to UCLA. Both of the classic theaters (The Fox & The Bruin) were closed--although The Fox is being substantially renovated.

Retail For Lease, Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Westwood Blvd, Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Westwood Village & Wilshire Center, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Broxton Avenue, Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Broxton Building (aka Janss Dome), Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Broxton Building, Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Bruin Theater, Westwood Village, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Westwood Village Theater, Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Along Wilshire Boulevard which is lined with luxury condo towers

Looking to Wilshire Blvd Condo Towers from Ashton Avenue, Westwood, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Luxury Condos along Wilshire Blvd from Ashton Avenue, Westwood, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Luxury Condos along Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Looking to Century City from The Electric Fountain in Beverly Hills

Looking West along Santa Monica Blvd to Century City from Electric Fountain, Beverly Hills, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

A Sampling of Homes in Beverly Hills:

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[/url]Home, Beverly Hills, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Home, Beverly Hills, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Home, Beverly Hills, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Over the Mountains into the San Fernando valley: This is Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks

Along Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Village at Sherman Oaks, Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Shopping Center Sign--Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Great Wall of Los Angeles is located in North Hollywood and is a Series of Murals depicting the history of LA and California:

The Great Wall of Los Angeles, North Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Great Wall of Los Angeles, North Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

One House for Humans, Many homes for Birds:

CA26-SFV-Home w Birdhouse 1 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Back on Ventura Boulevard, now we're in Studio City:

Ventura Blvd, Studio City, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Many Branch Banks in Greater Los Angeles feature mosaics and murals, especially those originally built for Home Savings & Loan:

Chase Bank Mural, Ventura Boulevard at Laurel Canyon Blvd, Studio City, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Homes along Cantura Street, Studio City, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

People of a certain age might recognize this house (Hint: "Here's a story of a lovely lady...")

Brady Bunch Home, Dilling Street, North Hollywood, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

In contrast to Westwood, Downtown Glendale was very vibrant and active.

Brand Boulevard, downtown Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Brand & Harvard, downtown Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Bloomingdale's Department Store, Downtown Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Brand Boulevard, downtown Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Alex Theater, Brand Blvd, downtown Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Young Men's Christian Association, Glendale, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

United States Post Office, Broadway, downtown Glendale, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Seeley's Building, 1800 S. Brand Blvd, Glendale, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Heading Over to Silver Lake , Sunset, Hollywood & Echo Park Next:

badrunner · #3 Posted **Jul 3, 2026, 9:59 PM**

Nice photos. Looking forward to the rest.

April is a great time to visit. I can almost feel the breeze in those first few pics.

downtownpdx · #4 Posted **Jul 3, 2026, 10:39 PM**

Some seriously gorgeous old buildings, thanks for sharing!

MplsTodd · #5 Posted **Yesterday, 2:54 PM**

Silver Lake was pretty meh imo--ringed by an ugly fence and a narrow path. But the neighborhood itself was attractive. I especially like the stair passageways extending through the neighborhood.

The less than attractive path around Silver Lake, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Homes along Silver Lake, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Glendale from Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Homes at Music Box Steps, Vendome Street, Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Music Box Steps off N. Vendome Street, Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Home in Silver Lake Neighborhood, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

1965 Ford Mustang parked in Silver Lake Neighborhood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Headed over to Sunset Blvd near it's eastern end:

Along Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Robot Delivery along Sunset Boulevard, Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Black Cat, Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Drove over to Franklin Hills

Hillside Homes, Franklin Hills from Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Snow White Cottages, 2906 Griffith Park Blvd, Franklin Hills, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

A Common Sentiment, Cedarhurst Circle, Los Feliz, by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Tiny Homes with lots of style--Dwarf Homes in Burbank

Dwarf Homes, 300 Block of North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Dwarf Homes, 300 Block of North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Over to Hollywood:

Capitol Records Tower, 1750 Vine Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Beatles Stars, Vine Street in front of Capitol Records Tower, Hollywood, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Capitol Records Tower, 1750 Vine Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Hollywood Pacific Theater Building. 6433 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Former Kress Store, Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Rob Reiner Star along Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Over to Echo Park:

A Sunday Evening Walk through Echo Park, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Skyline from Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Echo Park Reflections, Los Angeles, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Back to Hawthorne:

(Former) Fosters Freeze, 11969 S. Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Hawthorne Hardware, Hawthorne Boulevard, Hawthorne, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Westchester District along Sepulveda near LAX

Sepulveda Boulevard, Westchester District, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Palos Verdes Peninsula:

Pacific Coastline at Palos Verdes Peninsula, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Balcony View, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Coastal Bluff View, Rancho Palos Verdes, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Over to San Pedro & Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach:

Korean Friendship Bell, San Pedro, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Overlooking Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach from San Pedro, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Warner Theater, West 6th Street, downtown San Pedro, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Entrance to The Arcade Building, West 6th Street, San Pedro, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Arcade Atrium, The Arcade Building, downtown San Pedro, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Villa Riviera, 800 East Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Jim's Burgers, East 7th Street, Long Beach, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Over to Anaheim and Fullerton in Orange County. Anaheim's downtown was one of the most non-descript of any I've seen in Southern California. But the Packing House was impressive--It has been converted to a food hall. I went there for happy hour & dinner. The place became very crowded after I took the picture below:

City National Grove of Anaheim, Katella Avenue, Anaheim, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Carnegie Plaza, Downtown Anaheim, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Former Packard Auto Dealership Building, Anaheim, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Anaheim Packing House, Anaheim, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Anaheim Packing House, Anaheim, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Fullerton had a pleasant downtown with several historic buildings and the requisite Fox Theater that so many Southern California cities seem to have.

Shops along Harbor Boulevard, downtown Fullerton, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Spring Field Banquet Center, Harbor Blvd, downtown Fullerton, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Fox Theater, Fullerton, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Joyce Apartments, Fullerton, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Chapman Building, 110 East Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, Orange County, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Fox Theater, Fullerton, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Whittier is another independant city that was enveloped by suburbia. It has its own downtown and was where Richard Nixon grew up and first practiced law

Whittier Village Cinemas, Greenleaf Avenue, downtown (aka Uptown) Whittier, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Seasons at the Hoover, 7035 Greenleaf Avenue, Uptown Whittier, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Nixon Plaza (Formerly National Bank of Whittier Building), Uptown Whittier, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Storefronts along Greenleaf Avenue, uptown Whittier, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Entrance to Whittier National Trust & Savings Building, 6754 Greenleaf Avenue, Uptown Whittier, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Heading Back to LA Proper:

Third Street Looking West to Downtown, Toy District, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

ChrisLA · #6 Posted **Today, 9:23 AM**

How did you know to visit all those places? LA takes years to understand this madness, I’m a native and spent all but 5 years of my 62 years alive living and exploring this great metro, yet there are still places I’ve yet to check out here.

You pretty much touch on communities I’ve either lived, have family or just explored in all my years living here. I didn’t even know the Foster Burgers in Hawthorne closed, my mom and aunt used to live just up the street from there. Who would think to visit uptown Whittier, or even downtown Fullerton, these are nice walkable neighborhoods that usually locals know about but typically not on a visitor radar.

I noticed you were in basically my backyard in the east valley, at the Wall of Los Angeles. I know that park well by LA Valley college, my son and I go walking around the campus and cross the bridge over to the park. All I can say is nice job covering so many spots that again the typical tourist wouldn’t even know to check out and what really makes living in LA magical.

Just an FYI, Westwood has been dead for a while, from way back when I was in my late twenties. It was the happening spot for young people but it was too successful for its own good and there were a few incidents with crime and a tourist was shot and killed. I believe that was the last straw and it just never recovered, this happened back in the late 1980’s. People moved on to other areas, Santa Monica 3rd Street promenade was taking off, Old Town Pasadena blew up, and then Melrose, The Grove. Hollywood, West Hollywood always had its own thing that catered to a different crowd, so they never attracted the same crowd. Glendale and Burbank also stole some of the thunder as well. There is a lot of money in Westwood and I think many of the residents don’t miss the crowds from the village hey day so I don’t think there’s been a huge effort to bring it back to life and make it party central with a bunch of loud and obnoxious UCLA students. Westwood itself is still a busy business district, it’s just no longer a spot for night life and big Hollywood movie premieres like it was in the past. I do suspect things will change for the better when the subway station opens up supposedly next year.

MplsTodd · #7 Posted **Today, 5:53 PM**

More Downtown LA Plus West Side, Santa Monica & Culver City:

Promenade Plaza, Looking across West 1st Street to Department of Water & Power Building, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Grand Avenue, Bunker Hill, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Department of Water & Power Building, 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Looking to Wilshire Center and Koreatown from Bunker Hill, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Towers along Hope Street, Bunker Hill, Downtown Los Angeles, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

US Bank Tower, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Bunker Hill Towers, Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Overlooking the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Looking West along Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Looking Up Hill Street, downtown Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Heading West Along Wilshire Blvd to MacArthur Park and Koreatown/Miracle Mile:

Downtown Skyline from MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Town House, 639 S Commonwealth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Wilshire Boulevard, Koretown, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Miracle Mile, Wilshire Noulevard Looking West, Los Angeles, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

El Rey Theater, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Santa Monica:

West LA Skylines from Santa Monica by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Downtown Santa Monica by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Looking East along Broadway, Santa Monica, california by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Third Street Promenade, Downtown Santa Monica, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Storefronts along Third Street Promenade, Downtown Santa Monica by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Palisades Park, Santa Monica, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Squirrel on Bluff, Santa Monica, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

The Georgian, Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Culver City: Home to Sony Studios (Previously 20th Century Fox)

Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Mayura Restaurant Interior, Culver City, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Mayura Indian Restaurant, Culver City, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Kirk Douglas Theater, Culver City, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Palm Trees at Night, Hannum Avenue, Culver City, California by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Aerial View of Palos Verdes Peninsula & Beach Cities (Redondo, Hermosa & Manhattan) by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Aerial View of Port of Los Angeles & Long Beach by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

MplsTodd · #8 Posted **Today, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisLA

How did you know to visit all those places? LA takes years to understand this madness, I’m a native and spent all but 5 years of my 62 years alive living and exploring this great metro, yet there are still places I’ve yet to check out here.

You pretty much touch on communities I’ve either lived, have family or just explored in all my years living here. I didn’t even know the Foster Burgers in Hawthorne closed, my mom and aunt used to live just up the street from there. Who would think to visit uptown Whittier, or even downtown Fullerton, these are nice walkable neighborhoods that usually locals know about but typically not on a visitor radar.

I noticed you were in basically my backyard in the east valley, at the Wall of Los Angeles. I know that park well by LA Valley college, my son and I go walking around the campus and cross the bridge over to the park. All I can say is nice job covering so many spots that again the typical tourist wouldn’t even know to check out and what really makes living in LA magical.

Just an FYI, Westwood has been dead for a while, from way back when I was in my late twenties. It was the happening spot for young people but it was too successful for its own good and there were a few incidents with crime and a tourist was shot and killed. I believe that was the last straw and it just never recovered, this happened back in the late 1980’s. People moved on to other areas, Santa Monica 3rd Street promenade was taking off, Old Town Pasadena blew up, and then Melrose, The Grove. Hollywood, West Hollywood always had its own thing that catered to a different crowd, so they never attracted the same crowd. Glendale and Burbank also stole some of the thunder as well. There is a lot of money in Westwood and I think many of the residents don’t miss the crowds from the village hey day so I don’t think there’s been a huge effort to bring it back to life and make it party central with a bunch of loud and obnoxious UCLA students. Westwood itself is still a busy business district, it’s just no longer a spot for night life and big Hollywood movie premieres like it was in the past. I do suspect things will change for the better when the subway station opens up supposedly next year.

Chris--Thanks for your comments. This was my 13th visit to LA starting when I was in junior high school in 1975 with my parents. I've had a lifelong interest in cities and have read much about them including LA. I always try to go somewhere new on each visit. Until this visit, I had never spent time in the San Fernando Valley, except on the freeway and going to Warner Brothers. So I really ejoyed driving around that area. Likewise, I knew that many communities had their own downtowns and had never been to DT Anaheim, Fullerton or Whittier so I made a point of visiting them on my way to various work meetings. I always love visiting LA--it really does have a bit of everything--the ocean, mountains, multiple downtowns, palm trees, art deco, glamour, walkable areas, famous sites (especially music history--Laurel Canyon, Sunset Strip, Beach Boys).

I hope Westwood comes back as it's such an attractive village.

sopas ej · #9 Posted **Today, 8:17 PM**

Great photos, MplsTodd! You really got around! And like ChrisLA, I'm glad you got to explore other areas that most tourists would consider to be off the beaten path. As a local, from a very young age, I've always liked traipsing around the metro area myself. Anywhere I travel, I always try to go where the locals go vs. always sticking to the touristy spots. Looking at your photos, I see you've made it to a lot of areas that I am familiar with and know.

I see that you made it to Mayura! I love that place. That's where I first had Kerala fish curry, I like that they specialize in Keralan cuisine.