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Old 08-04-2015, 10:02 AM
 
25 posts, read 64,643 times
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Hi everybody, so I'm going to be in LA for a few days this fall and of course I want to bring some mementos back for my family in Chicago. I don't want to get the typical touristy souvenirs like a Santa Monica mug or a fake Oscar statue. I want to get something more normal but also maybe something that LA is known for. Like when I went to Prague, pashmina scarves were really popular there so I got one for my sister. Or if I was going to Georgia I might bring back a bag of peaches (lol not really, but you get the idea). I was thinking maybe some fancy chocolates from Beverly Hills might be nice, but I'm worried they'd melt or airport security would make me throw them out or something. lol Also, I should mention that the people I'm buying for aren't huge fans of LA, so they're not going to want like a poster of the LA skyline or something. Any cool affordable ideas would be greatly appreciated - thanks!
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Old 08-04-2015, 10:58 AM
 
Location: Los Angeles (Native)
25,303 posts, read 21,443,353 times
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I can't think of when I ever bought souveniers from L.A for someone. I guess since I always lived here.
But here are some ideas

Eight Stylish LA Spots for Scoring Non-Cheesy Local Souvenirs - Racked LA

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/...-and-souvenirs


Best Locally Made Jams - Los Angeles Magazine
This would be cool too..Jam would be easier to travel with as long as you don't try to bring it on as a carryon
I've been to E Waldo Ward (mentioned in the article) it's a cool place.

Another thing that I just thought of might be beer produced by some of the new local breweries in L.A
Golden Road Brewing, Angel City Brewing are a couple ..but there are others too.
If they like beer of course.

Since the people you are buying gifts from aren't huge fans of L.A..hopefully your gift is something that could give them a new appreciation for the city.

Are they not fans of L.A based on media perception or actually spent time in L.A and had a bad experience?
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Old 08-04-2015, 09:32 PM
 
Location: SoCal
559 posts, read 1,378,939 times
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I can't see jm1982's links because my computer is ancient and full of script blockers, so I apologize if these are redundant.

There was a similar thread about two years ago: Looking for nice gifts from LA for Canadian friends

I did contribute to that thread but wanted to update some info about Skeletons in the Closet, the LA Coroner's gift shop. The new leadership thinks it's bad taste to have a jokey souvenir shop where grieving families arrive to check out the deceased (it also seems to be losing money), so there is a possibility that it may be closed:

L.A. County coroner might revamp Skeletons in the Closet gift shop - Los Angeles Daily News

Some others:

Monastery of the Angels in the Hollywood Hills used to make a legendary fruit cake but are now famous for their pumpkin bread and other sweets.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Museum of Death (seems that they've opened a branch in New Orleans)

There are a gazillion other museums in the area and most probably have a gift store. Of course, most also have an online store, so your family could order souvenirs more easily with a mouse than having you schlep it on a plane.

Something you can't get online is a tarball at the beach from some of our recent pipeline leaks/seepages. Just walk on the sand and scrape off the bottom of your feet. Seriously, this is a nostalgic childhood memory for many of us who grew up here.

Have fun.

Last edited by drunk on kool aid; 08-04-2015 at 09:45 PM..
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Old 08-05-2015, 11:17 AM
 
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Thanks so much for the ideas!! I guess another way to word this would be... if you lived in LA and loved it, and then moved to NY, and then had one of your LA friends come visit you in NY, what would you want them to bring you that you'd miss and could only get in LA or would remind you of home? lol
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Old 08-05-2015, 11:19 AM
 
25 posts, read 64,643 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jm1982 View Post
Are they not fans of L.A based on media perception or actually spent time in L.A and had a bad experience?
Based on the media perception.. smog, traffic, socialism, lol the usual suspects
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Old 08-05-2015, 11:20 AM
 
25 posts, read 64,643 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drunk on kool aid View Post
Something you can't get online is a tarball at the beach from some of our recent pipeline leaks/seepages. Just walk on the sand and scrape off the bottom of your feet. Seriously, this is a nostalgic childhood memory for many of us who grew up here.
Yikes, are there certain beaches that've had recent leaks that I should avoid?
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Old 08-05-2015, 12:06 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles (Native)
25,303 posts, read 21,443,353 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ellebelle801 View Post
Based on the media perception.. smog, traffic, socialism, lol the usual suspects
Smog used to be worse than it it now. Traffic because a lot of people actually WANT to be here, socialism is a funny one considering the economy of L.A

OEBP - Los Angeles Economy

About 40% of all containerized goods entering the U.S. pass through L.A., the largest seaport in the Western Hemisphere.
L.A. County is the largest manufacturing center in the U.S., with more manufacturing jobs than the state of Michigan.
L.A. is a world leader in aerospace, clean technology, entertainment, fashion, healthcare and tourism.

People that say L.A is socialist of that America has turned socialist must not know about other countries that actually are socialist.
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Old 08-05-2015, 01:13 PM
 
25 posts, read 64,643 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jm1982 View Post
Smog used to be worse than it it now. Traffic because a lot of people actually WANT to be here, socialism is a funny one considering the economy of L.A

OEBP - Los Angeles Economy

About 40% of all containerized goods entering the U.S. pass through L.A., the largest seaport in the Western Hemisphere.
L.A. County is the largest manufacturing center in the U.S., with more manufacturing jobs than the state of Michigan.
L.A. is a world leader in aerospace, clean technology, entertainment, fashion, healthcare and tourism.

People that say L.A is socialist of that America has turned socialist must not know about other countries that actually are socialist.
lol I appreciate your LA pride! Don't worry, I'm not so biased as them. I see both the good and bad sides of LA, and I personally feel that the good outweighs the bad. And as far as the socialism comment, it was an exaggeration - just referring to the high income taxes etc.
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Old 08-05-2015, 01:23 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles (Native)
25,303 posts, read 21,443,353 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ellebelle801 View Post
lol I appreciate your LA pride! Don't worry, I'm not so biased as them. I see both the good and bad sides of LA, and I personally feel that the good outweighs the bad. And as far as the socialism comment, it was an exaggeration - just referring to the high income taxes etc.
I'm not worried , you wouldn't be visiting or buying souvenirs if you didn't like L.A .

I think I am the same as you ,about the good outweighing the bad. It would be crazy to think L.A has no problems , but there are good and bad parts to every city.

Hope you have a nice trip this fall in L.A!
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Old 08-05-2015, 01:39 PM
 
25 posts, read 64,643 times
Reputation: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by jm1982 View Post
I'm not worried , you wouldn't be visiting or buying souvenirs if you didn't like L.A .

I think I am the same as you ,about the good outweighing the bad. It would be crazy to think L.A has no problems , but there are good and bad parts to every city.

Hope you have a nice trip this fall in L.A!
Thank you - I'm looking forward to it!
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