2015 - October 20th - Experiencing LA and finishing at Katella Deli

Sandra & Ray have had a copy of Carrie's "100 Things To Do In Los Angeles Before You Die" since it was published, so today we designated as our Los Angeles day to see some of the sites in the book. We started out by going to the Los Angeles Science Museum to see the Endeavour Space Shuttle and then look around the museum a little. In the Space area, we saw The Apollo Capsule plus the predecessors Gemini and Mercury.
               
After the space exhibit, we stopped by the Science Center café for coffee and treats. From deep outer space to deep under our oceans, we explored the Science Center. We visited the Kelp Forest where we viewed huge aquariums and many fish. This is spectacular to walk through and be inside the glass walls, almost like being inside the tanks themselves.
After a full morning at the Science Center we headed off to Downtown Los Angeles for our next stop from the book, Cole's Restaurant .. home of the Original French Dip Sandwich. Both Cole's and Philippe's claim to be the originators of the French Dip and are both in the book. We have gone to both, and we like Cole's the best. Cole's gives a container of Au Jus to dip the sandwich while Philippe's brushes the Au Jus on the bun then adds the meat. I believe Cole's has better tasting beef as well. Cole's is a sit-down and be served place while Philippe's is stand in line, order at the counter, then seat yourself. Both places should be experienced for their individual uniqueness. We wanted the classier and best tasting Cole's for Ray & Sandra.
               
                       
Lunch was outstanding and enjoyed by all! Cole's is on the border of LA's skid row, so Ray & Sandra got to experience a little of that as well. We parked at a street meter on the same street as the Police Station, but there were still street people sleeping in the doorways and sidewalks. When we returned from lunch, I told Sandra who had been a little skeptical when we parked, "Look, the car's still here and has all four tires yet!". Now to take them out of skid row in LA to the cultural center of LA, The Music Center District. Talk about two polar opposites within just a few minutes of each other!

Again, Carrie has listed the various buildings in the complex in her book. We parked and first approached The Broad, Los Angeles' newest museum which just opened within the last month. We could not get in, even to see the lobby, as there was a long line with reservations to enter. But we took-in the architectural beauty of the building before going next door to The Walt Disney Concert Hall. We again took in the beauty of the gorgeous line movements of this spectacular building and entered to be amazed by it's interior sculptured look. We made a visit exploring the gift shop before leaving to continue to the other buildings of the complex.
               
Crossing the street we walked the plaza connecting the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Mark Tabor Forum, and The Ahmanson Theatre. Culture flows through these buildings with spectacular performances on a nightly basis.

After taking in all that we could, we crossed the street and walked around some of The Grand Park, another site in the 100 Things book! It's a beautiful park in the heart of metropolitan Los Angeles ... a nice place to stroll and relax for awhile. The weekends always have something fascinating happening at the Grand Park!
               
               
We pretty well wrapped up downtown and what we wanted to do, so headed to the old West-side, 3rd & Fairfax, to explore LA Original Farmer's Market and The Grove. Historically, Farmer's Market is just neat, starting business in 1934! And the shopping is always fun, even if just "window shopping". No better place to grab a coffee and some sweet-treat with all of the various shops available!
               
The Grove located behind The Original Farmers Market has many stores and beautiful landscape. It was nice to walk the shopping area and take in the sights and the people.
It was a pretty full day with lots of experiences and newly made memories. If it were a little later, we would have gone the five blocks to Canter's Deli, but we were not at the hunger stage for all that Canter's serves up! The unofficial 101st Thing To Do In Los Angeles Before You Die (well, it's mine, not the authors!) is to drive the Los Angeles Freeways. Ray wouldn't drive, but we hit the freeways anyway for our journey home after a fabulous LA day!

We had to take Sandra and Ray to our Deli of choice which is located in Cypress, Katella Deli. It's closer than Canter's and I say rivals the food one-to-one. Never a bad meal or sandwich at Katella Deli!

               
                                 
And to finish the day off, for Ray & Larry, we took home a couple of Swans full of whipped cream and delicious custard and for the girls, a couple of scones ... all for breakfast tomorrow!
You will find more pictures for today's adventures at this photo book link.