California has a total of 21 Missions running from San Diego to Sonoma ranging in date of founding from 1769 until 1823. The intent with each mission location was historically to place each one approximately a days journey between each other. Greater Los Angeles and Orange County have three representatives of these, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Gabriel Archangel (the closest mission to downtown Los Angeles) and Mission San Fernando … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Arts District
Vineyards - lots of them, planted to Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grew on the north east fringes of what is now the Arts District along the edge of the Los Angeles River. The years were the 1830's and the 1840's and the man responsible for these vines was Jean Louis Vignes, a french immigrant who came to California in 1831. By the way, a street near downtown still carries his name. By 1849 his 'little' vineyard called El Aliso was … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Irvine
Irvine (current population over 230,000) takes its namesake from James Irvine, the founder of Irvine Ranch (along with two partners). This huge ranch was originally 185 square miles of land (about a 1/4 of the entire present day Orange County). Irvine's son, also named James - inherited the ranch and then founded The Irvine Company in 1894. After his death in 1947 the company was controlled by his Foundation and stock holders. Eventually it was … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Little Saigon
Little Saigon is located in the town of Westminster in Southern Orange County between the 405 and the 22 freeways (with good traffic about 45 minutes south of downtown LA). This is NOT a small town. It is predominately a Vietnamese community and is one of the largest Asian communities located anywhere in the USA. If you are not of Vietnamese heritage and you are in some of the stores and shopping districts in Little Saigon, chances are you will … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Long Beach
Long Beach is located about 30-40 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles - note that the metro also runs down to Long Beach servicing several stops. Long Beach is also a departure point by ferry or helicopter to Catalina Island. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are among the world's busiest. From the end of the 110 Freeway in nearby San Pedro across the green Vincent Thomas Bridge (or blue at night lit up by hundreds of LED lights) and … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Pasadena
Pasadena is a sizable city located at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. You may have heard the popular 60's pop song, The Little Old Lady from Pasadena recorded by Jan and Dean...a classic that can still be enjoyed today especially with the windows rolled down driving down Colorado Blvd or part of the 210 or 134 Freeways! The city enjoys a high standard of living - it was founded when wealthy East Coaster's would build "winter" homes and … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Annual Events
The following are annual events held in greater Los Angeles. If you know of an *annual* event not listed below please email dave to have it added. Additional daily events are listed here: www.laweekly.com/calendar LA Event Calendar January - Rose Parade (Pasadena) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) - LA Times Travel Show (Los Angeles) February - Academy Awards (Hollywood) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) March - … [Read more...]
The Land of Men with Flaming Orange Beards
As soon as we stepped out of the shiny terminal of Lahore International Airport in Lahore, Pakistan, my uncle Waheed and I were overcome by the smell of kerosene. I thought at first that there must be a spill nearby, because it was so strong. Eventually we found our ride among all the cabbies and rickshaw drivers, who were jostling among themselves for customers. It was a twenty or thirty minute slog to get into the city from the airport. It was … [Read more...]
The Safari
Marangu, Tanzania 9/9/2000 - Saturday At 9 am Bill, Carole and I left the Kibo Hotel in Marangu in a green Land Rover with our driver Fred to start our photo safari in the Tanzanian bush. We drove to a bank in Moshi where I obtained a VISA advance to buy a tanzanite gem and then to a jewelry store for ring sizing and setting. The stone I've selected is to be set into a ring while I'm on safari and will be delivered to me later. Then we … [Read more...]
Return to Ouvea
"Ouvea is everything you'd expect in a South Pacific island. Twenty kilometers of unbroken white sands border the lagoon on the west side of the island and extend far out from shore to give the water a turquoise hue. The wide western lagoon, protected by a string of coral islands and a barrier reef, is the only one of its kind in the Loyalties. On the ocean side are rocky cliffs, pounded by surf, but fine beaches may be found even here. At one … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- …
- 55
- Next Page »