Los Angeles Travel Guide

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Why an LA Comedian Turned $4,000 into a Joke Written in the Sky

May 16, 2013 at 2:54 PM | by | Comments (0)

Thank to the crowd-funding website Kickstarter, the world is richer with many realized travel ideas. For example, there was the Capture Clip, aka the travel photographer's best friend, and the Ice Cream Travel Guide, but occasionally Kickstarters aim to have a little fun.

Case in point: LA comedian Kurt Braunohler raised nearly two times what he asked (he needed $4,000 and got $6,820 from 257 backers) in order to hire a skywriting airplane to print the phrase "HOW DO I LAND" in the sky over downtown.

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Why (Former) Gang Members May Be Cooking Your Food at LAX

April 19, 2013 at 1:09 PM | by | Comments (0)

We’re always quick to point out a solid option for airport eats, but more times than not we’re focused on the food. This time we’re looking at more of the story behind the restaurant, but don’t worry, they’ve still got some good grub to grab on the go.

Homeboy Industries is a non-profit organization looking to help those down on their luck work their way back into the community. The place does its best to help keep former gang member out of jail and on the straight and narrow. They do all kinds of good as well as plenty of warm and fuzzy, but what we’re most interested in is their latest venture over at the airport.

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Here's the Best Place to Watch the Sun Rise over Hollywood

April 19, 2013 at 10:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

Yesterday, while the rest of Hollywood slept, we were up at the crack of dawn, lacing our Merrell hiking shoes, filling up a bottle of water, and setting off along Los Feliz Boulevard towards Griffith Park, aka the Central Park of Los Angeles.

Griffith Park ranks as the second-largest city park in all of California (though that doesn't include much larger state parks like Yosemite and Joshua Tree), and it is incredibly easy to access from multiple LA neighborhoods, such as Los Feliz, Franklin Village, Atwater Village, Glendale, and, of course, Hollywood. Its attractions include the Greek Theatre, Griffith Observatory (which is best visited at night, for obvious reasons), and the LA Zoo.

Oh, and off to the south, on Mount Lee, there's a little thing called the Hollywood sign. Ever hear of it?

We set off at 6:15am from our friend's apartment, and in fifteen minutes, we had arrived at the park's western entrance, Ferndell Nature Center. Here, a woodsy hiking trail winds along a small babbling brook (complete with the little footbridges), under a canopy of California sycamores and over 50 different species of fern.

What struck us most was the tranquility of the place: though we had just come off a busy main road populated by impatient commuters trying to beat the morning traffic, we suddenly found ourselves in the midst of pure, noiseless nature.

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Why LAX Airport is Building a Team of Therapy Dogs

April 17, 2013 at 11:02 AM | by | Comments (2)

No matter how many times you’ve made your way through the airport security shuffle, the whole travel experience Is still a little bit stressful. That’s why we’re pretty excited to hear about Los Angeles International Airport’s plan to bring a little more relaxation to the airport. They’re not doing yoga within the terminal—at least not yet—but they are bringing some furry friends right into the airport.

Therapy dogs are now doing their thing in the boarding areas, near the baggage claim carrousels, and everywhere in between over at LAX. It’s part of a new program aimed to help people relax prior to takeoff or just after landing, and they’re calling it PUPs—Pets Unstressing Passengers.

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LAX Feels the Delta Love with $229 Million in Upgrades

April 8, 2013 at 9:22 AM | by | Comments (0)

Over the last few months we’ve seen several sneak peeks and first looks at what’s going on over at JFK Airport and Delta’s plan for the renovation at Terminal 4. From the SkyDeck to the SkyClub and everything in between the place looks like it’s going to be a hit when it debuts later this year, and that’s especially the case since what it’s replacing was so terrible—to put things lightly.

Anyway now that the bulldozers and construction crews are getting ready to pack up over in New York, it looks like they’re already getting their next assignment. Apparently Delta now has its eyes on mixing things up over at LAX, as they’re about to start spiffing things up as part of a $229 million upgrade and improvement.

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Qantas to Take Five Lucky Aussie Instagrammers to See Ellen in Los Angeles

March 25, 2013 at 1:48 PM | by | Comments (0)

Last week Ellen DeGeneres brought one very lucky American audience to Australia and now she's giving Aussies a chance to catch her show in America.

Qantas Airways, which just named a plane after the talk show queen, is giving five people the chance to take a friend on a trip to Los Angeles and be a part of The Ellen DeGeneres Show audience.

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All Aboard 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show Express' Qantas A380 at LAX

March 21, 2013 at 2:23 PM | by | Comment (1)

Yesterday, Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia De Rossi were spotted arriving at LAX to catch a Qantas flight to Sydney, Australia for their Oprah-esque Trip with one very lucky studio audience.

As Ellen boarded her flight she was given more than just first class treatment#&151;they actually named the plane after her.

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Celebrate 'Next Weekend' with Sundance in Los Angeles

March 8, 2013 at 5:34 PM | by | Comments (0)

The Sundance Institute is branching out again with Next Weekend, an extension of the popular Next section at the Sundance Film Festival, which showcases films that take a bold approach to storytelling.

Next Weekend will take place Aug. 8-11, 2013 at Sundance Sunset Cinema in Los Angeles. The program will include screenings, as well as panels, parties, and artist programs that "celebrate the renegade spirit of independent filmmaking."

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The Newbie Traveler Takes His First Flight on an A380: An Illustrated Journey

February 22, 2013 at 3:19 PM | by | Comments (2)

What would your life be like if you hadn't yet traveled? If you'd spent years reading travel novels and fantasizing over guidebooks, but hadn't made the big leap? This is the case for Andy Miles, who in his late twenties has just embarked on trips to hit cities for the first time. He's walking us through the emotions and observations of a true Newbie Traveler.

Contrary to what I learned as a youngster growing up in Texas, everything is not bigger there. Truth be told, everything is actually bigger in France—Toulouse, France to be exact. The reason for this is because that's where Airbus completes final assembly of their massive A380 airplanes.

After years of waiting, I finally got the chance to experience one of these incredibly beautiful planes myself, on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles nonstop to Sydney, Australia.

Seeing as how I booked my first A380 flight six full months before the day of departure, I had a lot of time to tell my friends about it, i.e. brag incessantly. The thing I forgot about bragging is that in order for it to work, you have to be doing something others care about. Unfortunately for me, I did not hang out with many #avgeeks during this time, so my brags usually fell upon deaf ears and I just came off as "nerdy" for caring about something as uniquely marvelous as a two-story airplane.

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Four Oscars Events Anyone Can Attend

February 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM | by | Comments (0)

Most Oscars events are invite-only, but there are still a few you can crash even if you don't have any connections or a nominated film.

Many celebs who can't get into the Dolby Theater for Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony will attend the Night of 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The event includes dinner and an open bar, but tickets are limited (and very expensive).

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Inside the Oneworld Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

February 7, 2013 at 4:20 PM | by | Comments (0)

You're at Los Angeles International AIrport and preparing to wing your way to another continent and you'll be spending those in-air hours in either Business or First Class. First off, that sounds like you planned an excellent trip—congratulations. Second, you'll want to hit up the lounge for a last-minute tipple or email check, and if you're traveling on a Oneworld alliance airline (like Qantas, LAN, Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Japan Airlines), then the lounge for you is on Level 5 of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

As it's a combined lounge, the amenities here are generic but plentiful. This means more than 10 shiny Mac desktops, a long buffet bar with both and hot and cold food options, two extensive self-serve beverage areas plus a full bar with bartender, private shower rooms, and plenty of modern, comfy chairs nearby power outlets. The design isn't exactly revolutionary or even notable, but it is clean, modern and spacious.

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'Harry Potter' is Headed for the High Seas

February 6, 2013 at 2:22 PM | by | Comments (0)

Harry Potter is hitting the high seas.

The first annual Wizard Cruise, which is being organized by the Los Angeles-based, Potter-themed store Whimsic Alley, will take 600 robe-clad fans on a four-might adventure straight out of Hogwarts aboard the Golden Princess this fall.

“For the entire time they’re with us, they become students at a wizarding academy, subject to the challenges and ordeals inherent in that experience,” said Stan Goldin, Whimsic Alley’s founder.

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