Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [116]
One block further and you’re in Little Tokyo, home to great sushi parlors, the informative Japanese American National Museum (28; Click here) and the edgy Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (29; Click here). Just beyond, the Go for Broke monument (30; 160 N Central Ave) honors the Japanese-American soldiers fighting for America in WWII, even as their families were interned in camps.
Turn right on Temple St, left on Alameda St, walk past the snazzy new Metropolitan Detention Center (31; cnr Aliso & Alameda Sts), cross the freeway overpass and you’re back at Union Station.
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COURSES
Fred Segal Beauty (Map; 310-451-7260; www.fredsegalbeauty.com; 420 Broadway, Santa Monica; ) Intensive, pro-level workshops to get you up to speed with the latest tricks and trends in beauty, fashion and hair. Courses from $400.
Groove Riders DJ School (off Map; 818-981-3366; www.grooveriders.com; 14566 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks) Aspiring DJs can learn all about beat matching and beat juggling on turntables or CDs at this ‘institute of mixology’. Courses start at $295.
New York Film Academy (Map; 818-733-2600; www.nyfa.com; 100 Universal City Plaza; ) NYFA’s West Coast branch is located on the Universal Studios lot. Learn about acting, filmmaking, screenwriting, and music videos in full programs or workshops lasting from one to 12 weeks. Courses start at $1000.
Robert McKee’s Story Seminar ( 888-676-2533; www.mckeestory.com) Even seasoned writers come to pick up tips and inspiration from McKee’s three-day seminar featured in the movie Adaptation. Former students include the screenwriters of A Beautiful Mind and Lord of the Rings. Offered in LA several times a year for $545.
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LOS ANGELES FOR CHILDREN
Looking around Rodeo Dr, the Sunset Strip and Grand Ave, you might think that LA’s children have been banished to a gingerbread cottage in the woods. But the kids are here, trust me, you just gotta know where to look. Places listed in this section are specifically geared towards kids, but there’s plenty more to do in town. Have a look at Click here for more family-friendly ideas. A listing of shops catering to kids is on Click here.
Sights & Activities
Zimmer Children’s Museum (Map; 323-761-8989; www.zimmermuseum.org; 6505 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Mid-City; adult/child 5-12 $8/5; 10am-5pm Tue, 12:30-5pm Wed, Thu & Sun, 10am-12:30pm Fri; ) In the Jewish Federation Center, this charming museum brims with interactive exhibits that gently teach kids – Jewish or not – about tolerance, generosity, community spirit and other good values. Kids can ‘fly’ to exotic lands, fancy themselves an ambulance driver, work in a newsroom and take other fun journeys.
Kidspace Children’s Museum (Map; 626-449-9144; www.kidspacemuseum.org; 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena; admission $8; 9:30am-5pm; ) The single-digit set can get as creative, messy and interactive as they wish at this fun fantasy museum. They can build structures, dig up dino bones, even create an earthquake while their parents sip cappuccinos in the Wolfgang Puck-catered café. There’s also a great garden space the kids can use for rock climbing, trike-riding and general romping. A separate center addresses the needs of children under four.
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center (Map; 310-440-4500; 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd; adult/student & senior/child 2-12 $10/7/5, Thu free; noon-5pm Tue, Wed & Fri, noon-9pm Thu, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun; ) Noah’s Ark is an indoor playground like no other. Kids get to board a giant wooden ark where an entire menagerie of wondrously imaginative creatures waits for them. All are made from recycled materials – there’s a pair of foam penguins, tortoises made from basketball hide and an elephant with car mats for ears. Kids get to explore, climb, build, and interact with each other and the animals while subtly learning that there’s strength in diversity and that survival requires collaboration. Click here for more about the Skirball Cultural Center.
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TOP 10 TOT-FRIENDLY EATERIES
Bob’s Big Boy