Jaunted - Tag: downtown la

Los Angeles: We Are Genuinely Afraid for Downtown Los Angeles Tomorrow

juliana — 2009-07-06T18:19:26-05:00

In recent years, Downtown Los Angeles has made some serious efforts to make their area a place where Angelenos can live, work and play with varying degrees of success. However, it wasn't until the entertainment complex LA Live started to come together that we began to think downtown had a real shot at "making it."

But with at least a 100,000 people expected to flood the area surrounding the Staples Center and the Nokia Theater tomorrow, we're simply afraid of the one-gloved, fedora-wearing, Thriller-album holding masses that will descend on downtown. Not to mention the celebrity performers and their entourages.

And despite the new storefronts and restaurant that can be found in downtown these days as opposed to a decade ago, we're not sure they can handle the crowds. Blogdowntown Twittered earlier today:

The L.A. Live Starbucks is basically out of food at 10am. I'm guessing they've had a busy morning already.

The blog also reports that logistics for the memorial tomorrow have been published but a lot remains uncertain, specifically road closures. Several main streets will be closed starting at midnight tonight and a few more may close tomorrow. May we suggest that if you plan on being in Los Angeles tomorrow, do not attempt to drive anywhere tomorrow morning. The town and the traffic will be crazy.

Join the travel twitter conversation, follow us here.

Trader Vics Now Open For Lunch, Downtown Financing To Become A Lot More Drunk

Omri — 2009-06-25T16:47:17-05:00

Los Angelenos were bereft when Trader Vics closed its original Beverly Hills outpost, fearing that the establishment's four page cocktail menu was lost for good. There was obviously much rejoicing when it was announced that the restaurant was moving to the new LA Live complex, downtown LA's miniature Times Square.

Trader Vics made some changes during the transition, some cosmetic and a few less so. Of course the cocktail menu stayed largely stable. But the interior was changed from the old kitchy maritime Polynesian theme to the new very, very kitchy Tiki Room Polynesian theme. Hula dancers are involved.

Another change for the restaurant - at least as far as its LA Live location goes - is the introduction of a lunch menu. The menu will be available Monday-Friday 11am-3pm.

Los Angeles: Dodger Stadium Keeps It Old School

juliana — 2009-06-17T16:09:30-05:00

While Los Angeles is busy celebrating their NBA Champions, The Lakers, with a parade in downtown today, we've got our sights on the city's next hopeful champions-- The LA Dodgers. The Dodgers took a hit earlier in the season when superstar hitter Manny Ramirez was suspended for 60 games over questionable drug use but the team has actually held their own this season.

They are currently the best team in the baseball and the town's hoping they can keep it up all the way through November. Which is why a trip to Dodger Stadium will be worth your while this summer.

Dodger Stadium is a completely different pace from the new Yankee Stadium. It's currently the league's third oldest ballpark, having been first constructed in 1959. Despite its years, it doesn't feel run-down thanks to a bunch of recent small-scale renovations like replacing all the stadium seats in 2005.

And while Dodgertown is close to downtown Los Angeles, the ballpark sits on nearly 360 acres in Chavez Ravine. In overdeveloped Los Angeles, this huge an amount of space for a ballpark is both unusual and sacred. Plus, Dodger Stadium keeps it old school with its corporate-free name. No First Mutual Bank of North Washington Citi America bank name here.