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The City of Stars smiled just for me on the day when I discovered marvellous architecture, relished exceptional food, and forged the most cherished memories.
Los Angeles (LA) holds a special place in my heart. However, planning a trip to the City of Stars can seem daunting, especially for someone like me who likes to occasionally seek respite from the streets of the bustling Hollywood Walk of Fame or Santa Monica Pier. During my recent visit, I enlisted the help of a local friend, Jane, to plan a memorable day in LA. We decided to opt for a leisurely stroll through the city. Although I had never explored Downtown LA before, I had heard a lot about it. So it didn’t take a lot to convince me into skipping the usual and trying something new. Jane's only condition was that we wear comfortable walking shoes.
Jane was well aware of my fondness for all things Broadway. So, we commenced with a walk at the Broadway Theatre District. With an iced latte in hand, the two of us began our exploration, starting at the Ace Hotel Theatre, formerly known as United Artists Theatre. Two elements left me utterly amazed. Firstly, the roster of its founders, which boasted names like Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and D.W. Griffith. As a fervent aficionado of arts and culture, I was taken aback to realise that the very films I had studied during my days as a Literature student were the brainchildren of this very theatre established by these luminaries from the film industry. And secondly, the opulent Spanish-Gothic facade. My phone stayed perpetually in camera mode as I eagerly captured the magnificence of the Grand Lobby, the resplendent chandeliers, and the mural painted by Anthony Heinsbergen. Our next stop was the Orpheum Theatre, whose exterior reminded me of old-school Hollywood films. Now a hub for diverse live entertainment, the threatre exudes timeless charm. We continued our stroll along South Broadway, walking past the glamorous Los Angeles Theatre where Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights had its grand premiere. Next, we marvelled at the Palace Theatre, the oldest in the district, and the legendary Million Dollar Theatre, whose facade was featured in notable films, such as Blade Runner, 500 Days of Summer, and The Artist. After the theatre walk, our souls were filled with inspiration but our stomachs growled with hunger. It was time to grab lunch at the Grand Central Market.
Jane knew me well, too well in fact. She foresaw that our walk would make me incredibly hungry, and so, strategically planned our walk to end at the Grand Central Market. It is a historic public market dating back to 1917, and is often known as the “Wonder Market”. The moment I stepped inside, I understood why. The market boasts an impressive array of arpproximately 40 food stalls, each adorned with vintage illuminated signage. As we explored the area, the irrestible aroma of food enveloped us. After surveying the space, Jane and I decided to go all out and get a little bit of everything. Soon enough, our table was laden with fried chicken from Lucky Bird, avocado toast from Ramen Hood, a big grilled cheese from DTLA Cheese, and a steaming bowl of Wonton soup from China Cafe. We also treated ourselves to some of the best tacos we've ever eaten from Tacos Tumbras a Tamos, and didn't forget to indulge in desserts from various vendors. As we polished off our meal and walked out, we were greeted by an architectural marvel—the Bradbury Building. Fortunately, the entry was free, which allowed us to explore the interiors. The central open-air Victorian atrium, caged elevators, intricate ironwork on the staircases, balconies and walkways, and the grand staircase are sure to delight any architecture lover. The entire experience felt so magical that I didn’t want to leave. But our walk had to continue. We turned to W 3rd St and then went onto S Hill St. I couldn’t contain my excitement as we found ourselves standing at the foot of Angels Flight. In an instant, I was transported into a scene from La La Land. Angels Flight—often hailed as the world’s shortest railway—consists of two cars, Olivet and Sinai, which are connected by a cable system. We took the ride up, allowing us to admire its architectural design and Beaux-Arts aesthetic.
It was time to hit a museum, and Jane made the perfect choice by taking me to The Broad, known for its modern contemporary art. As we approached, the first thing that struck me was its honeycomb exterior that immediately reminded me of The Louvre in Abu Dhabi. Stepping inside, we embarked on hours of exploration, marvelling at the works of Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Cindy Sherman. I couldn't resist picking up a few limited-edition notebooks at the musuem's gift shop. With our day drawing to a close, my phone's gallery was filled with a mix of shots of architectural marvels, theatres, mouthwatering food, and the glistening buildings of Downtown LA. For our final destination, we walked for a good 15 minutes to reach Tilt Coffee Bar. Here, I sampled their Cloud Mocha and Ice Cloud Latte—both of which were delicious. Finally, Jane took me to The Last Bookstore, a large independent bookshop with two floors. Needless to say, I spent the next couple of hours looking up books on the history of Los Angeles. I leisurely explored the upper floor known as "The Labyrinth”. This enchanting space was reminiscent of the fantasy stories I had read, with its magical libraries, featuring an intricate arrangement of bookshelves and passageways, creating a maze-like experience.
Los Angeles has garnered numerous monikers over time—the City of Angles, the Big Orange, La-La Land, among others. Nevertheless, to me, this place forever remains an urban hub adorned with arts, culture, diversity, and the most exquisite tacos imaginable!
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