A Patchwork of Cities

Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods and attractions in Robin Rauzi’s roundup (Page 2).

Angels Flight (Corner of 4th and Hill streets, Los Angeles). A short funicular railway that runs up to California Plaza from the corner of 4th and Hill streets. Open daily, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m., 25 cents each way.

Angelino Heights (1300 block of Carroll Avenue between Glendale and Sunset boulevards, Los Angeles). The neighborhood has some of the best examples of Victorian architecture in Los Angeles.

Canter’s Deli (419 Fairfax Ave. at Oakwood Avenue, Los Angeles, [323] 651-2030).

Chinatown (North Broadway Boulevard, between Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Bernard Street, downtown Los Angeles).

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument-Olvera Street (Bounded by Arcadia, Alameda, Spring and Macy streets, Los Angeles). Celebrated as the birthplace of Los Angeles, home to some of the only pre-1900 buildings in the city. Olvera Street, created in the 1930s, is a living replica of a Mexican village market street and has a variety of restaurants, stalls and shops.

Farmer’s Market (West 3rd Street at Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles). More than 100 choices in this large indoor-outdoor market of produce stands, restaurants and food vendors.

Ft. MacArthur Museum at Angels Gate Park (Angels Gate Park, 3601 Gaffey St., San Pedro [310] 548-2631). Military museum on grounds of original U.S. Army post that guarded the Los Angeles Harbor from 1914 to 1974. Noon-5 p.m. Tues., Thurs. and weekends. Free. Park open daily.

Griffith Park (Entrances at top of Western and Vermont Avenues, Los Angeles). Largest city park in the U.S. Picnic areas, tennis courts, hiking, horseback riding and biking trails. Open daily until 10 p.m.

Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium Theater (2800 E. Observatory Road, Griffith Park, [323] 664-1191). A laserium, science exhibits and one of the largest telescopes in the world. The 1935 copper-domed observatory is a Los Angeles landmark, and the site boasts a spectacular view of the city. Daily 12:30-10 p.m. Admission to Hall of Science and telescope is free; planetarium, $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 ages 5-12. Call [818] 997-3624 for Laserium prices and schedules.

Hollywood Sign (Mt. Lee in the Hollywood Hills). It is illegal to hike to the sign, but one can get closer by driving up Beachwood Drive, north of Hollywood Boulevard.

Koreatown (bounded by Vermont, Pico, Eighth and Western Streets, Los Angeles).

Leimert Park (bounded by Leimert and Crenshaw boulevards, Vernon Avenue and Leimert Place, Los Angeles).

Little Tokyo (bounded by 1st and 3rd streets, from Main to Alameda streets, Los Angeles).

MacArthur Park (Wilshire Boulevard between Alvarado and Park View streets, Los Angeles). One of L.A.’s first public parks, complete with band shell, lake and paddle boats for rent.

Mann’s Chinese Theater (6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, [323] 464-8186). Preserved movie theater with the famous courtyard of celebrity hand and footprints in the cement.

Mariachi Plaza (Intersection of 1st Street and Boyle Avenue, Los Angeles).

Miracle Mile (Wilshire Boulevard between La Brea and Fairfax avenues, Los Angeles).

North Hollywood (NoHo) (at Magnolia and Lankershim boulevards). Neighborhood has many small theaters, plus shops, restaurants and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Plaza de la Raza (3501 Valley Blvd., between Soto Street and Mission Road, Lincoln Heights). A cultural and educational center.

Point Fermin Park (Gaffey Street and Paseo del Mar, San Pedro). Park overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles Harbor.

Queen Mary (1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, [562] 435-3511). Take a self-guided walking tour or visit “Ghosts and Legends,” a special-effects experience that dramatizes actual paranormal and historic events that have been reported on the Queen Mary. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. $17; seniors and military, $15; ages 3-11, $13.

Santa Monica Pier (Colorado and Ocean avenues, Santa Monica, [310] 260-8744). Historic pier built in 1908, an ocean-front family amusement park with carnival rides and a nine-story Ferris wheel. Also home to restaurants, gift shops and arcades. Summer twilight dance series with live music and dancing every Thursday evening, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free admission. Pier hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission is free, rides and games pay as you go.

Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade (3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica). Upscale outdoor pedestrian street mall. Many shops and restaurants stay open into the evening.

Self-Help Graphics (3802 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., East Los Angeles, [323] 881-6444). Community-based visual arts center. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Southern California Flower Market (700 block of Maple and Wall streets, downtown Los Angeles, [213] 627-2482). Taking up an entire city block, this wholesale flower market is also open for retail browsing and shopping. Hours open to the public: 8 a.m.-noon Mon., Wed. and Fri.; 6 a.m.-noon Tues., Thurs. and Sat. Closed Sun. Weekdays, $2 per adult, 16 and older. Sat., $1 per adult.

Sunset Strip (Sunset Boulevard from Crescent Heights Boulevard to Doheny Drive, Los Angeles).

Union Station (800 N. Alameda St. between Macy Street and the Santa Ana Freeway, Los Angeles). Completed in 1939, it is one of America’s great railroad terminals.

Universal City (north of Hollywood between the 101 Freeway and Barham Boulevard). Media center of Los Angeles, home to many of the area’s television and movie studios.

Ventura Boulevard. It runs east to west, most of it parallel to the Ventura Freeway. The most dense shopping areas are in Studio City and Sherman Oaks, from Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Van Nuys Boulevard.

Walk of Fame (Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, Hollywood). Stars in the sidewalk commemorate more than 1,000 entertainment celebrities.

Warner Bros. (Hollywood Way at Olive Avenue, Burbank). VIP Tours available hourly with reservations, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (818) 954-1744.

Watts Towers (1727 E. 107th St., between Graham and Wilmington avenues, Watts, [213] 847-4646). No tours of the Simon Rodia Towers, but the art gallery is open. “Fresh Cut Afros: Recent Works by Established and Emerging African American Artists.” Ends. Aug. 20. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. Free.