California has a total of 21 Missions running from San Diego to Sonoma ranging in date of founding from 1769 until 1823. The intent with each mission location was historically to place each one approximately a days journey between each other. Greater Los Angeles and Orange County have three representatives of these, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Gabriel Archangel (the closest mission to downtown Los Angeles) and Mission San Fernando … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Arts District
Vineyards - lots of them, planted to Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grew on the north east fringes of what is now the Arts District along the edge of the Los Angeles River. The years were the 1830's and the 1840's and the man responsible for these vines was Jean Louis Vignes, a french immigrant who came to California in 1831. By the way, a street near downtown still carries his name. By 1849 his 'little' vineyard called El Aliso was … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Beverly Hills
Los Angeles, CA - Beverly Hills is a wealthy community much loved by locals and visitors. Drive around some of the local neighborhoods and into Bel Air. Whoooee. Fancy. You can see the homes in the flats, and each one has a clearly showing security sign on a stake driven into the ground somewhere in their front yard. Drive up into the hills and you are lucky if you can even see the homes - as often they are gated or protected in front by large … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Burbank
Burbank is often called the "Media Capital of the World" - and for good reason. Located within a short drive of Hollywood, a number of prominent studios and entertainment companies have their headquarters in town as well as production facilities. And a number of prominent films have been shot in Burbank both in studio and around the city including Apollo 13, Back to the Future, Casablanca, Jurassic Park and many other movies you know and … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood. Few locations in the world have the instant International recognition and exposure that Hollywood has. Hollywood is only a name that most movie goers associate with the Film and TV industry. However, most people have no idea that its only a cog in the wheel of the vast movie making business which is centered in Southern California. In fact, of the major studios, only Paramount Studios is still located within Hollywood … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Irvine
Irvine (current population over 230,000) takes its namesake from James Irvine, the founder of Irvine Ranch (along with two partners). This huge ranch was originally 185 square miles of land (about a 1/4 of the entire present day Orange County). Irvine's son, also named James - inherited the ranch and then founded The Irvine Company in 1894. After his death in 1947 the company was controlled by his Foundation and stock holders. Eventually it was … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Little Saigon
Little Saigon is located in the town of Westminster in Southern Orange County between the 405 and the 22 freeways (with good traffic about 45 minutes south of downtown LA). This is NOT a small town. It is predominately a Vietnamese community and is one of the largest Asian communities located anywhere in the USA. If you are not of Vietnamese heritage and you are in some of the stores and shopping districts in Little Saigon, chances are you will … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo (part of the fringes of downtown Los Angeles) is home to the largest Japanese-American population in North America. Markets, hotels, Japanese shops and plenty of little restaurants can keep one occupied for some time. Best to ditch the car and explore by foot as geographically Little Tokyo is fairly small. During World War II when the Japanese that lived here were forcibly moved to internment camps such as Manzaznar in … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Long Beach
Long Beach is located about 30-40 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles - note that the metro also runs down to Long Beach servicing several stops. Long Beach is also a departure point by ferry or helicopter to Catalina Island. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are among the world's busiest. From the end of the 110 Freeway in nearby San Pedro across the green Vincent Thomas Bridge (or blue at night lit up by hundreds of LED lights) and … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Pasadena
Pasadena is a sizable city located at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. You may have heard the popular 60's pop song, The Little Old Lady from Pasadena recorded by Jan and Dean...a classic that can still be enjoyed today especially with the windows rolled down driving down Colorado Blvd or part of the 210 or 134 Freeways! The city enjoys a high standard of living - it was founded when wealthy East Coaster's would build "winter" homes and … [Read more...]
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