Category

Places to Explore

Tourist traps, museums, neon, places to grab a bite to eat, and rest your head.

Myself holding one of the candy canes.

The Lost Art of Candy Cane Making at Logan’s Candies

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In a world of mass produced everything, hand-made goods are becoming unicorns, but in the little town of Ontario, where they still put up various scenes of the life of Jesus in the heart of their downtown during Christmas, Logan’s Candies is like a beacon of glistening sugar. Since 1933 Logan’s Candies has become borderline…

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Myself standing in front of the Palomino sign, wearing a blue jean jacket, white t-shirt reading "Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels" and a dark brown cowboy hat.

The One Night Revival of Hollywood’s Favorite Honky Tonk, the Palomino Club

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When people think of Hollywood, they think of searchlights rocking back and forth, glittering movie stars, and flash bulbs popping on a red carpet. But just on the other side of the Hollywood sign is North Hollywood, and the further out you go, it turns heavily industrial, and you begin to feel a long way…

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Exterior of Pizza Show. Squares spell out "Pizza Show" with "Pizza" edged in red, and "Show" edged in green. A tall sign to the left also reads "Pizza Show" with a small sun image below. Below the sun it reads "Dining Room Food to Go"

A Slice of Beach Boys History at Pizza Show

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When you think about the Beach Boys, you likely think of surfing, hot rods, and perhaps plaid. What you probably don’t think about is pizza. But in the 1960s the original surfing crooners could be found at Pizza Show, a local Italian restaurant in their hometown of Hawthorne. Pizza plus rock-n-roll history? I’m sold! Pizza…

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The sign to The Warehouse, made of wide pylons, the text is in a stencil style, and yellow reading "The World Famous Warehouse Restaurant Since 1969 Lunch Dinner Cocktails Weekend Brunch Great Entertainment"

Marina Del Rey’s World Famous Warehouse Restaurant

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Situated right on the shore of Marina Del Rey looking out upon the variety of boats moored on the water, is the Warehouse Restaurant. This weatherbeaten warehouse looks like it has stood on the beach since at least the 1920s, but turns out, it was built to look like that…in the 1960s. In 1969 former…

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To the left, the Babylonian arch/bridge, over six stories in height. A white elephant sits atop a pillar to the right, also towering over five stories tall.

The Shopping Mall Based on the Set of a Silent Movie Flop

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Located at what is considered to be the center of Hollywood, among grand old movie palaces and tourist traps is the Hollywood and Highland shopping center, with a Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, and more. But this isn’t just any ol’ shopping center, it’s attached to the Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak), the home of…

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Inside the Redondo Fun Factory - wearing a vintage red shirt reading "Have a Coke and a smile" and wide leg blue jeans. In the background a variety of 80s arcade games, behind them a ton of vintage signs.

A Revisit to the Enigmatic Fun Factory

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Last year we visited the Redondo Fun Factory located on the Redondo Beach Pier after hearing news it would be closing. Over a year later the bizarre Fun Factory, with its eclectic variety of games and collection of odd signs, is still operating, but now has a large banner reading “Open Until December 2019.” With…

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The building - two tall golden arches flank a slanted flat roof, and red and white tile wrap around the bottom. Walls of glass allow guests to walk up to the window and place their orders. The Speedee sign to the left.

The World’s Oldest McDonald’s

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Right here in Southern California, in the LA suburb of Downey (a place my father lived during part of his childhood), is the world’s oldest operating McDonald’s. It’s a unique claim to fame, and one some may pay no attention to, but, like it or not, fast food is an invention of America, and thus,…

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The building, with its white low pitch roof, peeked in the middle, walls of glass, and flagstone at either end.

Mel’s Resurrects a Googie Masterpiece in Santa Monica

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Imagine traveling Route 66 in 1959, perhaps in a brand new stunning Chevy Impala. After days on the road you finally roll up to the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic (the true end of the Mother Road) in the beach city of Santa Monica, and you are greeted by a dapper looking penguin in a…

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Dumbo ride vehicle, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride ride vehicle, with a devil in the background.

Forgotten Disneyland Attractions at the Van Eaton Pop-Up Exhibit

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Last week I was invited to a preview party of the That’s From Disneyland pop-up exhibit that just opened to the public yesterday, and it was all sorts of amazing. The pop-up exhibit showcases items from Richard Kraft’s collection, including vintage souvenirs, posters, ride vehicles and more. All of which will be going to auction…

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