I enjoy Old Town Pasadena, the flea market at The Rose Bowl, and there is a silent screen movie theratre where a live piano player performs in accompany to the movie.

It hasn't been called the First Interstate World Center for a few years, since First Interstate Bank was bought by Wells Fargo. For a couple of years it was Library Tower, as it is across the street from the downtown public library. Since last year it has been called the US Bank tower.

There is no observation deck, and neither of the restaurants you named above are in this building. The only restaurant in the building is McCormick and Schmick's, and it's only on the fourth floor, so not much of a view. They do have a good happy hour though, and the people watching is interesting.

Downtown has always been a pretty interesting part of town to explore, but now it is really emerging as an up-and-coming area to live too.

Wow, that sounds great... Next time I am in LA, I should try to find it.

The Stanford Theater in Palo Alto, CA used to have (and probably still has) live organ music preceding the showing of classic (but not silent) films. Quite nice.

Alex

Tell me about it. I lived downtown for the last year on Bunker Hill. You've got Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Disney concert hall, the Dorothy Chandler, several museums, the amazing central library, great restaurants and a few very good night clubs, the Staples Center, etc, etc.

I don't know about the one in Pasadena, but there is a Silent Movie Theatre in the Fairfax District, on Farifax I beleive just south of Melrose on the west side of the street. Been there once but had a great time!!

my question is this, is it safe to walk around in. Last time, I was in LA, last August, I drove through downtown LA and didn't see a single tourist, all ominous looking people. I was talking with a bell boy at the BHH and he said he was walking with his girlfriend and someone tried to steal her purse and came at him with a large knife. I will not be walking through downtown. however, has anyone heard of CLS limousine tours? I am taking that for downtown in a private S-Class Mercedes.

Has the Hollyhock (aka Barnsdale) House reopened to the public yet? Seems like it has been closed for restoration forever (or at least the last couple of times I have been in LA).

more thoughts
 

Hollyhock/Barnsdale is still closed. Still, many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture abound around town if that's your interest. Check out www.laconservancy.org for information about historical preservation in Los Angeles. Despite our relative youth, at least as compared to East Coast and international venues, Los Angeles is teeming with fascinating examples of architecture, from '50s Googie buildings to Bachelder tile to Art Deco. If you're downtown on a Saturday morning, the conservancy runs walking tours starting from the Olive Steet lobby of the Biltmore Hotel at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. A great view of the city most locals don't even experience. make rezzos on their website. Of particular reknown is the Broadway Theater district tour, showcasing the movie palaces of the 1920s, that are now largely used for retail stores. Some fascinating stuff on that tour.

Walking around certain parts of Los Angeles' downtown is extremely safe. I would stick west of Main Street and north of Third. Not so coincidentally, that's where most of the sites you'd want to see are located. Check out the Bradbury Building, made famous in Bladerunner and countless commercials on Third and Broadway, and as long as you're there, check out the LA Central Market across the street, which features a melange of LA's ethnic comunities selling foodstuffs and produce of all kinds. Then walk up the Angel's Flight Steps (a funicular used to run there but was stopped in 2002 after a man died on it) up to California Plaza which has dancing water gardens. From there, you can go north to the Music Center, and even further north to the new LA Cathedral.

For a wonderful ethnic experience, go even further north to the Empress Pavilion on North Broadway on a weekend morning for dim sum. It's Los Angeles' largest restaurant (seats 900) and every seat is filled and women walk by pushing trolley carts filled with the most delectable little morsels. You can eat really well for under $10.

Another great ethnic dining experience is shabu shabu. My favorite restaurant for that is the aptly named Shabu Shabu House on Second Street just east of Los Angeles in Little Tokyo. Usually a wait, but well worth it. Look at the locals eating before you sit down for tips on how to swirl your thinly sliced beef in the boiling vat of seasoned water in front of you.

More if it comes to me.

Wish I would have seen these great ideas a few weeks ago. I just got back from visiting my daughter who is on assignment and living in W Hollywood until Feb.

I second the Farmer's Market near the new Beverly shopping center. It's not really a farmer's market but lots of interesting ethnic restaurants, bakeries, and a couple of fruit places. I could have eaten there every day and been happy. The Mexican place in the center was outstanding.

For a better farmer's market, there is a nice one in downtown LA that is open most every day.

Another flyertalker had posted about the Sat and Sun food vendors at the Thai Temple in North Hollywood. This was off Coldwater Canyon Rd and ??? but a quicker way would be to take the freeway there. Can't remember the exit. The food is so good and extremely cheap. A lady I met there lives in Thailand for half the year but always comes to the LA Thai Temple to get the best Thai food. Don't miss the sticky rice w/mango and the papaya salad.

We enjoyed watching the dolphins play just off Malibu beach by entering the beach at a public access point on the west side of PCH.

There is also a peaceful and beautiful cemetery near UCLA/Armand Hammer museum in Westwood where Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Walter Mathau, Jack Lemmon, many others are buried.

Has anyone eaten at or heard of the following places: Sona in West Hollywood or A.O.C. on 3rd street?

Sona and AOC
 

All I've ever heard about Sona is that the chef is an up and comer. At some point, that probably stops being true, and the fact that I haven't heard much more about the restaurant hasn't persuaded me to try it.

I'd NEVER heard about A.O.C., but did a bit of research and was shocked to find that it is within two miles of my office. Check out this local restaurant blog.

http://www.ratearestaurant.blogspot.com/?NF=1

A.O.C. is covered about three restaurants down. Granted, this is one (other) person's opinion, but it will add to your knowledge about the restaurant. Further down in the blog, the writer covers the Edendale Grill. That is a phenomenal restaurant experience, a converted fire station serves as home to tremendous food. Tough to get to without a car, but worth it.

I just called the BHH to make my dinner reservations. After reading more about A.O.C., it didn't appeal to me. I did however make reservations with Sona, it looks like a very nice restaurant. I also made reservations with Valentino and the Farm, leaving one night open for the concierge to recommend something good.

This is my complete itinerary for my stay. You will notice, there are a few dining spots that are missing, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, they are mostly for breakfast. here is the itinerary:

Los Cabos and Los Angeles Itinerary

Day 1 Thursday, August 5, 2004- Check in at the Las Ventanas Al Paraiso for three nights
Lunch at the Sea Grill
Resort time, beach/pool
Spa treatments at 6:00 P.M.
Dinner at The Restaurant at 8:00 P.M.
Resort time, lounge

Day 2 Friday, August 6, 2004- Breakfast at the Sea Grill at 10:00 A.M.
Spend afternoon in town
Lunch at The Restaurant at 3:00 P.M.
Resort time, beach/pool
Sunset cruise in Sea or Cortez and Pacific Ocean
Dinner in suite at 8:00 P.M.

Day 3 Saturday, August 7, 2004- Breakfast at The Restaurant at 10:00 P.M.
11:00 A.M. private sailing and snorkeling. Half day.
3:00 P.M. lunch at the Sea Grill
Resort time, beach/pool
Dinner at The Restaurant at 8:00 P.M.

Day 4 Sunday, August 8, 2004- Breakfast in suite at Las Ventanas at 9:30 A.M.
Depart (2hrs early) for 1:09 flight to Los Angeles
Arrive at 2:31 P.M. and check in at Beverly Hills Hotel
Hotel time, pool/cabana
Packed lunch from Las Ventanas
Dinner at The Farm at 7:00 P.M.

Day 5 Monday, August 9, 2004- Breakfast at ---
Half day in Malibu
Lunch at John?s
Afternoon spent in Beverly Hills
Dinner ---

Day 6 Tuesday, August 10, 2004- Breakfast at Nate & Als
Day spent in Santa Monica and Venice
Lunch ---
Dinner at Sona at 7:30 P.M.

Day 7 Wednesday, August 11, 2004- Breakfast at ---
Tour of downtoun Los Angeles
Hotel time, pool/cabana
Dinner at Valentino at 7:30 P.M.

Day 8 Thursday, August 12, 2004- Breakfast at the Polo Lounge
Private car to LAX
Depart (2hrs early) for 12:41 departure to Newark

If you are a first class flyer you should do breakfast or lunch on Day 5 at Geoffreys in Malibu. I've heard Cher goes there as she lives just down the road. ;)

If you want to try a nice quality, yet laid back lunch right on the beach drive past the town of Malibu to Paradise Cove.

Do they have a web site? Also, Granita in Malibu, how casual is that restaurant?