Damkier's Travels: Downtown Los Angeles

Street Art on Grand Avenue

Downtown Los Angeles has evolved into a real metropolitan area. I was able to snag some really cheap airfares flying into Burbank and decided to spend the day sightseeing in the downtown section of California's largest city. As a native of Northern California, I have a love-hate relationship with the area, but that relationship has becoming much more loving over the years. It is hard to argue with people wanting better weather and beaches, even with the smog and traffic!

Pico Light Rail System

Speaking of traffic, I had none! Los Angeles has built an impressive system of subways, light rail, and commuter trains that bypass all of the infamous clogged freeways and bumper to bumper traffic. After landing in Burbank, I crossed the street and boarded a train headed to Union Station in DTLA - that's short for Downtown Los Angeles. Union Station will eventually be a major destination for the California High Speed Rail with connections to San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Las Vegas, and eventually Phoenix. It is also connected to the subway and light rail for easy access.

Tesla Model 3 at Los Angeles Auto Show

Since my flight landed early in the day, I had some time to kill before most of DTLA woke up on a sunny and warm December Saturday. The Los Angeles Auto Show just opened with a lot of new and exciting vehicles. I was especially impressed to see a lot of electric vehicles coming out from nearly every manufacturer including SUV and minivans. Seeing kids just as excited about these vehicles that will help save the planet makes me feel really good about my job. Plus they are just plain cool!

Chicken Tikka Poutine at Badmaash

Los Angeles is home to a wide range of ethnic groups. You can find any number of restaurants focusing on even the most specific and unique parts of the planet. It is also home to many high end places perfect for a Hollywood expense account! I found a unique Indian-fusion place serving chicken tikka over Canadian poutine - French fries with cheese and gravy. My trip was also a chance to try cold brew coffee slowly dripped over ice and exquisite French pastries in their requisite little boxes. You can easily gain a lot of weight here, but hit the gym often to keep that beach body!

Exhibit at The Museum of Contemporary Art

Of course I had to check out some of the museums. On previous trips, I was able to explore the area and seek out some of the big museums. This trip was a bit more limited in time and geography, so I stuck to the two contemporary art museums in DTLA - The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Geffen. Both were rather small compared to their counterparts in San Francisco and New York, but I enjoyed them both, even the really bizarre Geffen with refrigerated display cases housing found ocean objects exhibited in near darkness. The museums are about a mile apart with Little Tokyo between them, so I was able to take a mini trip through this special neighborhood while working off my large lunch.

Angels Flight Railway

Upon recommendation of a friend, I was able to take a ride on the recently renovated Angels Flight Railway. This historic inclined railroad takes people up and down a steep hill, but only about a block in distance. It now connects the Grand Central Market with the museums and hotels at the top of the hill. DTLA is actually rather hilly like San Francisco in some places requiring a bit of a hike. The market was jumping in the afternoon with lots of gourmet food stalls and excellent people watching. Like San Francisco, DTLA goes from deserted to packed in a short walk.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

Just a quick subway ride from DTLA is Hollywood. You may have heard of it. Right around sunset, all the lights come on and the street turns into a real spectacle. The walk of fame is rightly famous with a very unique experience to walk while staring at the ground to see you favorite star. Most of the boulevard is somewhat seedy with lots of adult stores and cheesy souvenir shops, and apparently Hollywood smells like bacon hot dogs and marijuana. Several famous theaters line Hollywood Boulevard including Grauman's Chinese Theatre with the famous foot and hand prints in cement and the Pantages Theatre currently showing Hamilton. My childhood neighbor Jimmy Kimmel also films a show here too; you may have seen him on tv.

Walk Outside to the Plane in Burbank

Alas, all good things must end. After a long day walking around DTLA and Hollywood, it was time to head back to the airport. TSA Pre Check and no bags meant arriving and walking onto the plane like a cool businessman in the 1960's. Burbank has no jetways, so you actually walk under the wings and climb stairs to enter the 737. 55 minutes back to Sacramento meant I could easily sleep in my own bed that night. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday! Please enjoy the rest of my photos below.