How to explore Los Angeles without leaving home: week 5

Here we are still. This is week seven for those of us in Los Angeles. We just experienced our first heatwave. It is hard to not want to climb into the Pacific Ocean and jump the waves. Finding virtual opportunities for you to explore my city from home has been a welcome distraction. I have come to like my treasure hunting Sundays. So here are the fruits of that distraction, week five of how to explore Los Angeles from home.

Monday, April 27, 2020

Tour one of the houses that changed American architecture. The Gamble House was the winter home for Proctor & Gamble heir, David Gamble, and was designed by Charles and Henry Greene. It is a Craftsman House dream. As I am in interior design mode in my apartment, I am definitely getting some serious inspiration from this.

The Gamble House is located in Pasadena and will be available to tour again once Los Angeles is open for business again.

Thank you Curbed LA for sharing this masterpiece of architecture.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Have you been listening to “At Home With….”? It is a live podcast-like program featuring members of the LA Phil. The series started with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and continues this week with conductor emeritus Esa-Pekka Salonen. For an hour listen to music that means something to the host with commentary about the choices. Tune in weekly Tuesday-Friday starting 6: PM PST and ending at 7:PM

Tune in today: https://www.laphil.com/about/watch-and-listen/at-home

Hear the episodes hosted and curated by Gustavo Dudamel aquí en Español.

The LA Phil is bringing as much music as they can to you during this time. Follow their Facebook page. As I am writing this they are hosting a concert and I just found out about it only minutes before.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Do you need a little zen in the middle of your workweek? There is nothing more relaxing to me than watching jellyfish undulate or watching fish swim. I think that the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach understands that this is a common relaxation point for people. They have a list of live webcams for you to watch with sharks, penguins, and more. This can be a welcome break from the countless Zoom meetings.

Watch here.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

My L.A. vintage footage continues with the theme of architecture–today it is all things Googie. This video seems like it is from the late 70s or 80s and a few things need to be revised like Helen Liu Fong’s impact on Googie design.

For the Angelenos, Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, recently brought back its carhop service. For information and how to safely carhop, go to their website.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Jazz at LACMA is something I look forward to every year. Packing a picnic, dancing with friends, listening to world-class bands for FREE.

This series would have opened for the summer this past Friday the 24th with the Yellow Jackets, a prolific jazz-fusion band that over the course of their career has produced thirty albums and inspired countless other bands.

Instead of doing a virtual concert, there is an interview with LACMA music director, Mitch Glickman, and members of the band. Click here.

Missing out on live music Friday’s? The best way to find information is by following the Facebook pages of LACMA, The Natural History Museum, and the Autry. Sneaky sneaky NHM had their First Friday last week on the 24th.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

I am in the middle of a book called Sun Seekers: The Cure of California by Lyra Kilston. At the beginning of the 20th century, many people were lured to California due to what was marketed as the curing properties of the dry air (for tuberculosis), sunny weather (Melancholia), and the promise of long life. It is very well researched and is an interesting read. Los Angeles is featured quite a bit as a place for healing.

This book seems especially current as much of the country is looking at California and what it is doing to keep its residents healthy.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

One of my favorite Old Hollywood films about Los Angeles and the “industry” is Sunset Boulevard. Watch the trailer here:

So far I have given you thirty-five ways to explore Los Angeles. I hope you have enjoyed them and found a new way to enjoy my city. I hope that they have given you some ideas on places you want to see when #saferathome has eased, still TBD.

If you like what you are reading pass it on to those friends who feel stuck and/or those planning a visit to Los Angeles in the future. I am on Facebook and Instagram with additional content.

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