These questions are for the natives (Los Angeles, Orange: homes, to buy, theater)

[theraven24]

Speaking for myself, growing up in Los Angeles was a lot of fun. My parents took me and my siblings to all different sorts of places. My questions to the natives are, what were your favorite places to visit as a kid, and do you still enjoy those places as an adult? Here are a few of the favorite places we consistently visited as Angeleno kids.

The beach- I really loved the beach as a kid, but as I got older, the interest began rubbing off. I'm not really a beach person, but I do enjoy going once in a while and visiting the Pier.

Disneyland- Loved it then and love it now.

El Capitan Theatre- Every time my mom took us to see a Disney movie, we always went to the El Capitan. Although the theater is nice, I usually never consider going there to see a movie.

CityWalk- Again, loved it then and love it now.

Knott's and Six Flags Magic Mountain- These two are classics, and I still enjoy them.

In-N-Out- My favorite fast food joint...need say no more.

[genjy]

Chinatown. Lived in the area for a few years when I was a teen. There's practically nothing of interest in Chinatown anymore except for a couple decent restaurants.

But still every other month or so, I find myself walking around its streets for fun like back in the olden days. Chinatown is very, very walkable if you know how to walk it.

Kind of the same with Little Tokyo... but Little Tokyo nowadays is a bit of a tourist trap. I just go there to eat and shop at the couple small Japanese supermarkets--then I am outta there.

[LuvSouthOC]

Those mentioned plus a few more off the top of my head:

Since I grew up in Hollywood, previewing and rating tv shows and commercials before others saw them (that was exciting).

Going to the Greek Theatre.

La Brea Tar Pits, sure it stinks, but what kid doesn't like goo and old bones?

Jewish delis and bakeries.

Riding to Ventura for fried fish.

Clearman's in La Mirada.

Going to Little Tokyo to buy anime stuff I saw on tv.

Griffith Observatory - I think we went to a couple field trips there.

And when I was really small, Santa's Village up around Crestline.

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by genjy

Chinatown. Lived in the area for a few years when I was a teen. There's practically nothing of interest in Chinatown anymore except for a couple decent restaurants.

But still every other month or so, I find myself walking around its streets for fun like back in the olden days. Chinatown is very, very walkable if you know how to walk it.

Kind of the same with Little Tokyo... but Little Tokyo nowadays is a bit of a tourist trap. I just go there to eat and shop at the couple small Japanese supermarkets--then I am outta there.

We only went to Chinatown a few times. I'm going to try and visit one day before I go back to school this fall.

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Those mentioned plus a few more off the top of my head:

Since I grew up in Hollywood, previewing and rating tv shows and commercials before others saw them (that was exciting).

Going to the Greek Theatre.

La Brea Tar Pits, sure it stinks, but what kid doesn't like goo and old bones?

Jewish delis and bakeries.

Riding to Ventura for fried fish.

Clearman's in La Mirada.

Going to Little Tokyo to buy anime stuff I saw on tv.

Griffith Observatory - I think we went to a couple field trips there.

And when I was really small, Santa's Village up around Crestline.

I went to Hancock Park Elementary, right down the street from the Tar Pits and LACMA. I don't know how many times we walked there for field trips. It got annoying quick, but I did enjoy the Tar Pits. I also enjoyed the pillow room that used to be in LACMA. I'm looking forward to the Academy Award section of the museum.

[LuvSouthOC]

You sound awfully young to be reminiscing.

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

You sound awfully young to be reminiscing.

I'm in my twenties.

[TheOldBear]

Born in 90026 before it was a zip code . . . grew up and went to school east of LA . . . Grandparents lived in So Central until 1966 when they evacuated to the OC . . . I've owned homes in Whittier, Diamond Bar, and San Dimas and rented in Orange County and the SGV.


The best single thing growing up was the music scene, especially in the 60's through the 80's. Being able to see Led Zep a half dozen times at several different venues in a month was epic. Watched amazing shows at small venues like the Troubadour, Roxy, The Palace, The Whiskey, Golden Bear. Springsteen, Ronstadt, Browne, Dave Mason, Sinatra, yeah they all played LA.


Next best was proximity to the beach, (HB was a half hour away), the mountains, the desert, and boating at the Colorado River and Salton Sea (yucky, yeah, but when you are in the 5th grade, water skiing is water skiing). Knott's was free when I was a kid, not many rides but for 25 cents you could feed the seals frozen sardines. Disneyland was a bargain but you always ended up with extra A, B, and C tickets (look it up).


Worst by far was the air pollution. Many days in the 60's we would be literally kept inside at school since the smog was so thick. Guess that's why the Gabrielinos called the basin the valley of the smoke.

[TheOldBear]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Those mentioned plus a few more off the top of my head:

Since I grew up in Hollywood, previewing and rating tv shows and commercials before others saw them (that was exciting).

Going to the Greek Theatre.

La Brea Tar Pits, sure it stinks, but what kid doesn't like goo and old bones?

Jewish delis and bakeries.

Riding to Ventura for fried fish.

Clearman's in La Mirada.

Going to Little Tokyo to buy anime stuff I saw on tv.

Griffith Observatory - I think we went to a couple field trips there.

And when I was really small, Santa's Village up around Crestline.

Those mentioned plus a few more off the top of my head: (great memories, here are some of mine) -



Going to the Greek Theatre. Love the Greek.


La Brea Tar Pits, sure it stinks, but what kid doesn't like goo and old bones? Love the museums too.


Jewish delis and bakeries. Langer's Pastrami on corn rye bread, still the best.


Riding to Ventura for fried fish. San Pedro for the same thing.


Clearman's in La Mirada. Steak 'N' Stein in Pico Rivera.


Going to Little Tokyo to buy anime stuff I saw on tv. Eating Dim Sum in Chinatown.


Griffith Observatory - I think we went to a couple field trips there. Epic. Later, Lazerium.


And when I was really small, Santa's Village up around Crestline. Even better, taking my own kids.

[Phil306]

Being 50 yrs old, Disneyland yes. The rest of your list is pretty much worthless.