My first REAL trip to LA (Los Angeles, Highland: hotel, home, neighborhoods)

[matt_sfl]

I finally went on that trip to LA I’ve been talking about forever and I liked it. I wasn’t scared like I thought I’d be. Probably because I’m much older this time and I’ve worked jobs that have toughened me up. I was really able to explore the city with confidence, which is pretty much how I spent my trip. I traveled nearly 400 miles there in 6 days. I traveled every major road in LA from Porter Ranch all the way down to Watts.

Somebody in this forum told me when I leave the airport just go north on La Cienega till you reach the Hollywood area and that’s exactly what I did. Maybe a little passed Slauson, after that bend I could already see the glimmering lights. I didn’t realize how Hollywood itself is so elevated, making it visible throughout much of the city. We drove down Sunset, then Hollywood Blvd, Finally settling for the Saharan Motor Hotel. I Had a pleasant stay there by the way. It’s right next to the Seventh Veil, just like the Motley Crue song. I actually learned of the motel from this article:
40 Bucks and a Dream - Page 1 - News - Los Angeles - LA Weekly
The article goes, “Here, travelers don’t simply stop to sleep, they come to dream, to chase the ambitions their hometowns can’t accommodate or won’t tolerate. Their stays are prompted by desire and desperation — for salvation and escape, for the ultimate arena in which to re-create themselves” I think I could kind of relate.

As I said I drove a lot. I really wanted wanted to learn the city of LA. For 3 years I’ve been Google Mapping those roads. With a gas sipping Hyundai and a week to kill, I felt like a caged animal set free. I didn’t use a GPS either, I did it the old fashioned way with a paper map. One day I drove all over the San Fernando Valley, what a gorgeous suburban setting, all bordered by mountains, and streets lined with palm trees. I had a Double Double in Panaroma City. I kind of overate out there. Roscoe’s (Scoe’s #2), Canter’s Deli, TOI on Sunset, Manna Korean barbecue. I was walking down Cesar Chavez Blvd in Boyle Heights and some Mexican lady made me the tastiest little mini-tacos right out of her truck. Hey, I’m not sick yet.

I drove down to South LA and saw the Watts Towers and Nickerson Gardens. We were looking for the Towers and I look up to a street sign that reads “Grape Street” I saw the Great Western Forum, the LA Coliseum and Memorial Sports Arena. I hung out at Echo Park, then MacArthur Park. I walked right through that graffiti tunnel just like Michael Douglas did in Falling Down. I drove up Alvarado St. through Westlake at night. It’s so neat how the different neighborhoods tie into one another. Sunset will take you through East LA, Chinatown, Silverlake, and Hollywood. And that 101 freeway just winds itself gracefully through the heart of the city. I spent a lot of time driving around Hollywood and Koreatown. It was the most urban experience I ever had. I like those Korean L-shaped plazas, I ate a bowl of Pho at one of them. I drove through the Hollywood Hills. Mullholland Drive, Sepulveda Canyon, Coldwater Canyon and Laurel Canyon. I even drove past Charlie Sheen’s gated community. I went to Venice Beach. I always tried to take different roads. If I took Highland down I’d take Western up, and so on.We went to the Farmers Market one day and right next door at The Grove they were filming that show, Extra. I'm not kidding you all, I wound up on camera briefly, on national TV. My mom saved it on her DVR.


Staying right on Sunset Blvd really made the trip though. To walk out of my motel room and immediately be confronted by the sound of cars, buses and sirens was music to my ears. And I don’t know if it’s the low humidity or what, but at night you can see the car headlights and taillights just extend down the road forever, to the point where there just a twinkle.


It was the best trip of my life. I actually turned 37 while I was out there. I'm glad I didn't tell them that at Manna though. They soaked the guy at the next table with champagne for celebration.

[disgruntled la native]

well good, you sure made proper use of your brief time here

[matt_sfl]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

well good, you sure made proper use of your brief time here

I sense sarcasm, and that's anger's ugly cousin.

[disgruntled la native]

no, it was sincere, you did as much as you could in those days. my typing style is just dry and unemotional

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by matt_sfl

I sense sarcasm

I didn't. You're back home and already uptight. Chillax.

[pacific2]

Nice (no sarcasm). I really enjoyed reading about your trip.

[Agnapostate]

Originally Posted by matt_sfl

I drove down to South LA and saw the Watts Towers and Nickerson Gardens. We were looking for the Towers and I look up to a street sign that reads “Grape Street”

Grape Street is probably the only place where a man dressed in purple and pink can seem tough and intimidating.

[eastontracks]

i just moved to LA. sounds like you had a great time. maybe ill experience some of things you posted.

[truth&love]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

no, it was sincere, you did as much as you could in those days. My typing style is just dry and unemotional

haha!

[Jay100]

lol