The Readers Have Spoken
Some of the answers we received when we asked, 'What is your favorite, secret treasure of Los Angele
1. Lisa Rhodes The Grove, L.A.
"There are so many romantic and secret getaways. Never a dull moment. Plenty of action. There is Pacific Coast Highway, just driving through Venice to Santa Monica to Malibu and up the coast to Solvang and the great bed-and-breakfasts. But my favorite Los Angeles pastime is the Grove at 3rd and Fairfax. I feel like I'm at Disneyland with the trolley that runs through it, and the magical waterfall that dances to the music. This place makes you feel happy and puts a smile on your face." (At Farmers Market, near Fairfax and 3rd; 888-315-8883)
2. Dorothy Beffman The Bunny Museum, Pasadena
"10,000 bunnies in a private home - you really have to see it to believe it - every room in the house. It is listed in the Guinness World Records book. You walk on them, and they are utilized in many different ways. They also have four or five live bunnies - which is a treat, let me tell you. Anything that has a bunny motif is in there. Even the couches have bunny legs on them. Cards, napkins, everything, all sizes. They never charge admission. During the week it is open by appointment, but every major holiday they are open. Sometimes school and Girl Scout groups go. They have lots of visitors from Asia - which is nice, I suppose. All ages will enjoy this most unusual point of interest. I want to go again." (1933 Jefferson Dr., Pasadena; 626-798-8848, Thebunnymuseum.com)
3. Connie Craig Little Tokyo, L.A.
"I grew up in the Crenshaw District, and a lot of my friends were Japanese-American. Growing up in the culture, and knowing their parents and grandparents and their history, it just reminds me of home. Usually, I eat and shop, and I like the Tofu Festival. I'm a vegetarian. They have ice cream, they have spaghetti, they've got salads, soy-chi sandwiches ... and the chefs have demonstrations. It's usually pretty hot, but it's a lot of fun. Nissei Week has the parade. I like the Cultural Center, too." (The L.A. Tofu Festival is Aug. 12-13; Tofufestival.com)
4. Gregory A. Dobie Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood
"In the 1920s, Aline Barnsdall lived in a residence designed for her by Frank Lloyd Wright on a 36-acre site known as Olive Hill. Hollyhock House remains the crown jewel of the property, now called Barnsdall Art Park. Operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the location is at a busy intersection [Hollywood and Vermont] but seemingly worlds away from the bustle of the streets below. I have been frequenting the space since I moved to Los Angeles in 1987, and I have seen it and its users change over the years. At various periods a cruising spot, a homeless gathering place, a subway construction zone, and an earthquake-damaged landmark, the area has continued to suffer from commercial encroachment, lack of funding, and the ravages of nature. But when I sit on the lawn or walk around Hollyhock House, looking at the art glass of its nursery porch, I escape through time, imagining what it would have been like to be a single mother gazing out over Hollywood from a terrace of a Mayan temple almost a hundred years ago. It is my favorite place in all of Los Angeles." (4800 Hollywood Blvd.; 323-644-6269)
5. Robin Rosenzweig Koi Pond, West L.A.
"My favorite secret thing is located in West Los Angeles, nestled between some imposing tall office buildings and a green lawn in between, and with a lineup of tall, transplanted palm trees. If you look carefully, you will notice two very long, identical rectangular pools of water. Shimmering and darting in the sunlight are hundreds of very large, brightly colored koi fish. Koi are one of the most intelligent fish in the world and they can live to be even 100 years old. They can be taught to come when you call them and to take food from your hand. They also like to eat cheese. But, no, I have not fed anything to these koi. It is far better to let their keeper feed them." (At the corner of Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards)
6. Ilana Weiner Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Pool
"It is open year-round and used to cost $1.50 to swim there, although now if you show your L.A. Library card you can get in for free! There are typically plenty of lap lanes to swim in, although you do have to split the lanes. The staff is really nice and friendly. Most people in L.A. would rather belong to expensive gyms or have pools already in their houses, or they have a fear of public pools. I grew up in the Midwest where most people don't have pools and aren't afraid of public pools, so I think the VNSO pool is awesome. It's heated and it's just a great experience. The one thing I find funny is the snobbery I get when I tell people I go to a public pool. It's a very 'community' place to be. I've started to recognize people when I go to the pool. It's a different crowd of people versus the people who go to a fitness club - and I like that." (14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks; 818-783-6721)
Published: 08/03/2006
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT
