A Second in LA

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A July 2008 trip to Los Angeles by SeenThat

Lounge Car at Amtraks Southwest Chief Photo - Los Angeles, California

Quote: My second visit to LA was longer and allowed a close look at its downtown

33 Photos

Amtrak's Southwest Chief

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Attraction

Quote:

The RationaleIn the past I traveled from New Mexico to California by plane and by bus. Greyhound was a doubtful experience, while traveling by air within the US has turned to be crash course on human rights violations. I was recently awed by the sight of American citizens standing in lines and waiting to be patted or scanned by the new humiliation: L-3 peepers allowing the guards to see below the passengers clothes. Having been called, I would probably have refused. If there are security doors within the planes and air marshals hiding in plainclothes during the flights and metal detect...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 21, 2008

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Union Station

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Attraction | "Los Angeles Union Station"

Los Angeles Union Station Photo - Union Station, Los Angeles, California

Quote:

The "Last of the American Great Railway Stations" was inaugurated in May 1939; however, it is considered small in comparison to other union stations, acting thus as an early sign of the decline of railways in America. The station originally served the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Southern Pacific Railroad, and Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and Los Angeles Railway (LARy).NameThe current owner, Catellus Development, changed its name from the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) to Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS).LocationUnion Station is located in downtown Los Angeles, opposite ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 21, 2008

Union Station
810 North Alameda St
Los Angeles, California 90012
No phone available

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Hollywood Sign

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Attraction | "Hollywood: Seeking for a Sign"

Babylon Gate Photo - Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California

Quote:

The SignTaking a look at the most famous sign in the world seemed to be a proper way of ending this visit to LA. I was moving around the city with a daily pass to the excellent Metrolink system, which includes subways and buses. The Red subway featured four stations with the name Hollywood in them and one called Universal City. No map I had positioned the Hollywood Sign, so I casually chose the Hollywood Vine Station as my first stop in the area. Once there I entered the first shopping mall I saw - it was next to the station - and immediately spotted the sign from the mall's backside.Disappointed from the effortless way the task had been accomplished, I asked five passer...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 22, 2008

Hollywood Sign
6342 Mulholland Highway
Hollywood, California 90068

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Little Tokyo

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Attraction

Little Tokyo's Entrance Gate Photo - Los Angeles, California

Quote:

Little Tokyo is one of three official Japantowns in the United States, it was founded by the beginning of the 20th century. The name is appropriated due to its humble size, the area occupies roughly four blocks.LocationThe area is bounded on the west by Los Angeles Street, on the east by Alameda Street, on the south by Third Street, and on the north by First Street and the Los Angeles Civic Center. The main landmarks surrounding it are the Los Angeles River to the east, downtown Los Angeles to the west, the LA City Hall and the Parker Center to the north, and the Arts District to the south.The original boundaries extended east and south of the present locatio...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 22, 2008

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Chinatown

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Attraction | "Chinatown LA"

El Pueblo de los Angeles Photo - Chinatown, Los Angeles, California

Quote:

LocationOriginally, Chinatown LA was at the actual site of the Union Station. When the station was constructed the denizens were evacuated; they settled a bit north of there - on the northern side of the Pueblo de los Angeles. Following the example given by the authorities, they settled on what was until then Little Italy. The area can be reached by foot from the Union Station, or by the Golden Metro Rail line; its first station is Chinatown, the structure has been designed as a pagoda.Timing and CombiningA visit to Chinatown LA should be combined with a visit to the adjacent "Pueblo de los Angeles" (the original downtown area of LA) and the Central St...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 22, 2008

Chinatown
N Broadway at North Hill St
Los Angeles, California 90012
213-680-0243

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Downtown Los Angeles

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Story/Tip

Quote:

Downtown Los Angeles is located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area, featuring many of the city's major arts institutions and sports facilities, skyscrapers, art works, shopping malls and transportation terminals.BoundariesDowntown LA is delimited by the Los Angeles River on the east, Route 101 to the north, Santa Monica Freeway on the south and the Harbor Freeway on the west. On the vertical axis, the US Bank Tower is the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River, reaching 310 m.RevivalDowntown Los Angeles is enjoying a fast transformation in recent years, with historic buildings being converte...Read More