Full Moon Rising

The Woodland Hills White House

Okay okay, so it doesn't look that much like the White House, but when I was a kid I was convinced Bill Clinton lived down the block. It's actually an office building. An office building set between a retirement home and a Target. We'd be in big trouble if this is where our president resided.

Views from the Griffith Park Observatory

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

handmade turkey - cute? home cooked turkey - yum!

405 N. Mulholland Drive Exit

Decisions, decisions.

Los Angeles City Hall

This 1928 building is only 454 ft. tall (32 floors) and it was illegal to construct a building taller until the 1960's. This is part of the reason Los Angeles has a lot of stumpy office buildings. They claim it was for "seismic concerns," but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see the symbolism behind all buildings bowing towards city hall.

Hollywood Hightower Drive Elevator

People gawk at how Italian it is. They might instead complain this structure solidifies the fact that nobody walks in LA. Others feel creeped out reflecting upon the "The Long Goodbye." No matter how you feel about it, don't you wish you had your own private elevator?

Echo Park

Over 110 years old, this park has gone through many transformations. But, these days, its just a lovely place to stroll, fish, or feed the birds. For more about its history check here: http://www.historicechopark.org/id99.html

Heritage Square

As far as many of us are concerned, Los Angeles didn't exist before cars. But, Heritage Square proves us wrong. This cultural museum has gathered several Victorian buildings from all around the city together in a strange, but neat little time warp. They even have the 1887 Palms Depot (top picture), the train station that connected Downtown residents to their Santa Monica weekend homes. For more about the square check here: http://www.heritagesquare.org/online_tour.htm

Brand Park Memory Garden

This park is part of the original land grant of the San Fernando Mission. It was given to the city in 1920, but the city has kept its adobe flare.

Urban Lights

Chris Burden might be best known for nailing his hands to the back of a Volkswagon or the performance work "Shoot" where he has 8 seconds of footage of his friend shooting him in the arm. But, he also designed this sculpture from over 200 cast-iron lampposts from around Los Angeles County as a new LACMA centerpiece.

Angels Flight

The world's shortest railway closed in 2001 due to a "serious accident."

Ennis Brown House

Frank Lloyd Wright's largest textile block home in Los Angeles was "finished" in 1924. But, due to a number of structural damages, the house still requires an estimated $10 million in repairs. A small non-profit tried to restore the house. Unfortunately, their pocket was too small and the house has been put up for sale for private ownership at a mere $15 million. For more about the house check here: http://www.ennishouse.org/index.htm

Encino Oak Tree

Encino means oak tree in Spanish. There are several of the California Live Oaks around the neighborhood, but this one was over 1000 years old before it fell over in a 1998 el nino rainstorm :(

Forest Lawn

Even though it was founded in 1906, there's way more than a century's worth of history here -from Michelangelo reproductions and a stained glass recreation of DaVinci's "Last Supper" to Michael Jackson's grave. For more about the famous peoples' graves to hunt down, the largest wrought iron gates in the world, the world's largest framed canvas painting, the list goes on... check here: http://www.forestlawn.com/About-Forest-Lawn/Locations-and-Directions-Glendale.asp

4th Annual Canstruction LA

A bunch of architecture firms designed sculptures out of cans. All the cans will then be donated to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. They're on display in the lobby of an office building across the street from LACMA. Pretty random, but pretty neat. For more info check here: http://www.canstructionla.com/

Exposition Park Rose Garden

I have become a garden fiend. This garden is particularly desirable because a) 20,000 rose bushes b) 4 gazebos c) 3 bordering museums d) 1 fountain e) 0 dollars to enter

Spider Man

When I have guests in town I always inform them that if I take them to Hollywood and Highland it is a ginormous act of love. Quite frankly, that intersection makes me want to shoot myself in the foot. However, I can appreciate those who dress to impress. Like our dear Spider Man. Especially because today Spidey got arrested for an outstanding criminal warrant. Oh Hollywood! Anyway, if you want to read a more detailed account: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/spidey-senses-arrest-of-spiderman.html

Fall

Who says LA doesn't have seasons?

Topanga Cactus Garden

I have been curious about this place forever. Does the city own it? Is it private? When I googled the address, all I found was something called Planet Muscle Magazine and I can't for the life of me figure out what body builders and a cactus garden have to do with one another.

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens

I know, I know, it's a zoo and it's bad and the animals are all cooped up in spaces too small. But, all that aside... yay, it's a zoo! So many animals to stare at in wonder, you can't help but ponder the unbelievable amount of time it must've taken for us to become humans. For more about evolution you can find your own info, but for more about the zoo check here: http://www.lazoo.org/

Chinatown's Central Plaza

The "Gate of Filial Piety" (top picture) marks the entrance of this bright colored pagoda-style plaza that opened in 1938 as America's first ever Chinatown.

Huntington Library

Every month, the first Thursday is free. We make our way to San Marino (a stop at the Golden Deli en route). "Do you have your tickets?" asks the guard at the parking lot entrance. "We need tickets?!" Hearts broken, we pull away. Refusing to be refused, we find another gate. "Do you have your tickets?" "We need tickets?!" "Oh! Your poor hearts that long to wander through our magical landscapes. I'll give you tickets. But, next time, reserve them in advance." "We love you, sir. You saved the day." For more about the Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens check here: http://www.huntington.org/