Sunday, 10 November 2024

Los Angeles--Part 2

Another day has passed in Tucson, but LFLatSea goes back to continue with Sunday in Los Angeles

Just one block north of the Disney Music Hall is the more traditional Music Center's collection of theatres. Jerry Moss Plaza, a 35,000 square foot outdoor space, connects the three major buildings:  the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (the first theatre, completed in 1964), the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Mark Taper Forum. The plaza is centered by a low-level fountain and the Jacques Lipchitz-designed sculpture, “Peace on Earth.” 

Low-Level Fountain in Front of Lipchitz's "Peace on Earth"

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

View of LA's Iconic City Hall Tower from the Music Center

From the Music Center it is a downhill walk to visit the sights of the second tour:  "El Pueblo," starting at Los Angeles Plaza, the center of this historic district and the birthplace of the city. On the south side of the plaza stands Pico House, a hotel built in 1870.

The Old Plaza Firehouse (1884), is next door.

On the north side of the plaza is La Plaza Methodist Church (1926), 

which houses the Museum of Social Justice.

Olvera Street, a pedestrianized passage that is the commercial center of the barrio, starts to the left of the Methodist Church and stretches for several blocks. Popular with locals and tourists, the street offers many opportunities for drinking and dining, as well as myriad souvenirs.

And finally, just down the street is historic Union Station. Like the station in San Diego this one has also been restored to its original grandeur and serves Amtrak, local trains, and the Metro which will take me back to my hotel.

The Metro Center station is just a few blocks from the Westin Hotel. Across the street from the station is a multi-level shopping mall where I see, in spite of the sunshine and warm temperature, a small reminder that the holiday season is upon us.

Tomorrow's blog will take me to the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum on my last day in LA.