20 Things to Love About Downtown Los Angeles

This article originally appeared on EventTeam.Com: 
 
Our 20 year anniversary party is non-stop!  Today we will take a look at the 20 things we love about Downtown Los Angeles.  While it has not always been at the top of L.A. visitors’ attraction lists, an extensive renovation over the last decade has transformed downtown into a thriving cultural center.  From history to shopping to food and entertainment, you will find it all in downtown L.A.!

1. L.A. Live:  L.A. Live is downtown’s new $2.5 billion entertainment complex consisting of apartments, ballrooms, bars, concert theatres, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, and the Grammy Museum. The state-of-the-art 7,100 seat Nokia Theatre hosts music superstars, several award shows, and American Idol finales.  The complex also houses ESPN’s broadcasting studio as well as an ESPN Zone restaurant.  In the evening L.A. Live lights up like a mini Times Square at Nokia Plaza with giant synchronized LED screens at this red carpet special event site.

2. Olvera Street:  Part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, Olvera Street is Los Angeles’s oldest historic site and now home to a vibrant old world Mexican marketplace.  One can tour the many historical structures, barter for souvenirs, and dine in authentic (and historic) Mexican restaurants.  The block becomes an exciting fiesta of music and dance during Mexican-style festivals and holidays.

3. Restaurants:  Meeting the needs of a rising and youthful residential community, downtown L.A. has become one of the country’s hippest dining scenes.  Celestino Drago, John Rivera Sedlar, and  Wolfgang Puck are only a few of the celebrity chefs who’s establishments are found here.  Ultra popular choices are Bottega Louie for Italian, Church & State for French, and Wurstkuche for gourmet sausages.  A diverse population has led to infinite varieties of international cuisine.  For the traditionalists, Cole’s Pacific Electric Buffet, Philippe The Original, birthplace of the French dip sandwich, and The Original Pantry Café have been serving Angelinos since the early days of the city.

4. Walt Disney Concert Hall:  With a breathtaking architectural design by Frank Gehry and exceptional acoustics, the multi-purpose Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale.   One can experience a guided tour of the complex before enjoying the world class music inside.  Patina, the world- famous restaurant by Joachim Splichal, serves up French and California cuisine at the hall.

5. Nightlife:  There is no shortage of bars, lounges, and nightclubs downtown offering high-energy to low-key evenings.  From the exotic Latin celebration of The Mayan to the retro-chic glam of The Edison (built inside a 100-year-old power plant), there is surely something for everyone.  Villains Tavern, Icon LA Ultra Lounge, Trader Vics, The Standard Rooftop Bar, and Library Bar are only a handful of the many popular watering holes.

6. Los Angeles State Historic Park:  Run, walk, bike, picnic, kite, and watch for urban wildlife in the 32 acre Los Angeles State Historic Park.  Fun and creative community events celebrate the city’s diverse culture and history in this space that was once the rail maintenance area for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company.

7. Hotels:  You can stay right in the center of the action at one of downtown’s many fabulous hotels.  Bask in Asian opulence at Miyako Hotel or enjoy modern luxury at the recently renovated Omni Hotel atop historic Bunker Hill.  Be immersed in nightlight at L.A. Live’s two-hotel hybrid skyscraper that contains a JW Marriott on floors 4-21 and a Ritz-Carlton on floors 22-26!

8.  Exposition Park:  Sports, history, nature, and science converge at Exposition Park across from the University of Southern California.  This attractive public space houses the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center, Exposition Park Rose Garden, the EXPO Center, and the California African American History Museum.  Once the site of an agricultural park and racetrack, it is now a scenic escape of grand museums and natural greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle.

9. Jewelry, Fashion, Flowers, & Toy Districts: The jewelry, fashion, flower, and toy districts offer a variety of products in a unique shopping atmosphere.  Hundreds of blocks of wholesale prices and amazing deals are found in these specialty areas dedicated entirely to shopping!  If you still cannot find that perfect item, perhaps one of three retail shopping centers will provide: Macy’s Plaza, 7+Fig, and the Bonaventure Galleria.

10. MOCA:  The Museum of Contemporary Art’s permanent collection of over 6,000 works primarily features American and European artists, post-1940.  Established in 1979, the museum takes a multi-disciplinary approach to modern art and showcases artists’ retrospectives and art historical investigations.  Here you will find contemporary masterpieces as well as new works by emerging local artists.

11. ArtWalk:  Once a month, people from all over Los Angeles venture downtown to experience ArtWalk, a showcase of the best galleries, artists, photography, restaurants, bars, and shops.  This hip local festival has become the happenin’ place for souveniring, people watching, and exploring with friends.  This is also a great event for experiencing one of L.A.’s many famous food trucks.

12. Chinatown/Little Tokyo:  Although not as large or dense as San Francisco and New York’s counterparts, Los Angeles’s Chinatown still welcomes with a serpent gateway and lights up with neon pagoda lights and lanterns.  This is the place for authentic Chinese cuisine and specialty products from the Far East.  Just next door you will find Little Tokyo, home of the Japanese-American National Museum.  Its gardens, restaurants, and shops will give you a true taste of Asia.

13. The Staples Center:  The Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings are all tenants of the 950,000 square foot Staples Center.  This multi-purpose sports arena also hosts the world’s biggest musical acts including Beyonce, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen.  Outside at Star Plaza you can pose with statues of L.A. sports heroes like Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Chick Hearn, and Jerry West.

14. The Orpheum Theatre:  Originally opened in 1926, The Orpheum Theatre is the most restored of Los Angeles’s historic downtown movie palaces.  Some of history’s most legendary performers have entertained inside these walls including the Marx Brothers, Will Rogers, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin and Little Richard.  Today it is still a popular venue for live concerts, but movie shoots, premiers, and television broadcasts have been added to its schedule of programming.  A Beaux Arts façade and Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ are a few remainders from the theatre’s Vaudeville days.

15. Pershing Square:  Pershing Square is a one square block park in the center of downtown whose history dates back to the 1800’s.  Renovated in 1992, the small park now contains a 10-story purple bell tower, fountains, public artworks, a concert stage, a seasonal ice rink, and small plazas with seating.  It is a popular landmark seen in many movies and video games.

16. The Downtown Independent:  The Downtown Independent is the community’s premiere venue for independent features, local music acts, comedy shows, and special programming.  They often host boisterous movie drink-alongs and many free events!   This is THE place to come for off-the-beaten path arts and entertainment!  Their facilities can also be rented out as a unique event space.

17. Los Angeles Convention Center:  The Los Angeles Convention Center is L.A.’s major event and trade show facility.  A leader of sustainability, the convention center was the first ever of its age and size to be awarded The United States Green Building Council’s certification in Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings.  It is well-known for being the site of the world’s biggest annual video games expo, E3.

18. California Plaza:  Grand Performances present free concerts and performing arts shows at California Plaza, a beautiful complex made up of several eateries and an outside stage.  This cultural venue situated just above Angel Knoll’s Park celebrates the diversity and community of Los Angeles in a lively atmosphere…and you can also bring your own alcohol! During weekdays it is a peaceful spot for lunch.

19. Union Station: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the grand Los Angeles Union Station is known as the “Last of the Great Railway Stations”.  Designed by John and Donald B. Parkinson, the complex combines elements of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival, and Streamline Moderne style.  Completed in 1939, it now serves as L.A.’s main transportation center and services Amtrak, Metrolink, and bus lines.  It is planned to be a future hub for the much-anticipated California High-Speed Rail System.  From here you can reach almost anywhere in Southern California!

20. Unique Event Venues: At night, downtown Los Angeles comes alive! Towering buildings with glowing lights pressed against the backdrop of a starry black sky make for jaw-dropping views and amazing event locations. From sky-high indoor/outdoor venues like the Oviatt Penthouse and LoftSEVEN, to historical landmarks like Los Angeles Union Station, there are no shortage of unique options for your next downtown LA event!

Follow @RealBrianRudlof on Twitter for travel news, tips, and reviews.

20 Things to Love About San Diego's Gaslamp District

This article originally appeared on EventTeam.Com:

What better way is there to continue The Event Team’s 20 year anniversary than exploring San Diego’s most famed entertainment district, The Gaslamp Quarter!  These historic 16 blocks are brimming with shops, art galleries, trendy restaurants, lively bars, and exciting nightclubs.  Whether you are a tourist or a local, there is always something new and fun to explore here.  Let’s check out 20 things we love about The Gaslamp Quarter!

1. Live Music:  The Gaslamp Quarter is the center of San Diego’s live music scene.  Representing a wide range of musical genres, you will surely find a melody that moves you!  Check out the House of Blues for big name acts, Croce’s Restaurant and Bar for jazz, The Field Irish Pub for lively drinking music, Sevilla for South-of-the-border musical flair, or Dick’s Last Resort for classic rock on their entertainment stage every night of the week. Jimmy Love’s, Patrick’s II, and Gaslamp Tavern are also popular venues for a diverse group of local music.

2. Hotels:  Elegance and comfort combine in Gaslamp’s many luxury hotels.  From classic to modern and historic to brand-new, this is the place to stay for full immersion into San Diego’s most famous entertainment district.  Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel with quaint charm, or a luxurious resort and spa with all the amenities, The Event Team can help match your group to the perfect property.

3. Shopping:  One could spend days browsing unique boutiques and specialty shops along the Gaslamp Quarter’s 16 blocks.  Visit G-Star to fulfill your denim dreams or Eyes on Fifth for a new pair of shades.  Two floors of specialty wines are available at The Wine Bank Inc. and there are travel bags galore at Le Travel Store.  Quicksilver Boardriders Club, Puma, and Oakley provide San Diego with all our sporting good needs.

4. Nightclubs:  Unleash your inner dance god at one of the district’s many incendiary nightclubs!  From local fav Stingaree to the ever changing interior of FLUXX to the underground electricity of Belo or Red C, the Gaslamp District is the ideal place to let loose and party the night away.

5. Festivals/Block Parties:  Gaslamp Quarter is home to many popular festivals throughout the year including Mardi Gras, ShamROCK, Halloween Time, and the San Diego Film Festival.  Locals look forward to June when the Taste of Gaslamp festival allows participants to explore and sample food from several restaurants in the district. The Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade is not to be missed in December! The Event Team can even arrange for your company to have their very own block party, smack dab in the streets of The Gaslamp!

6. History: This National Historic District was founded in 1867 when Alonzo Horton bought the land for $256.  It contains many Victorian-era buildings and a rich history, some of which is of a less-than-wholesome nature.  After becoming a red light and gambling district for sailors in the early 1900’s, a massive preservation and redevelopment effort in the 70’s and 80’s transformed the area into the internationally renowned destination that it is today. The Event Team offers walking tours of the Gaslamp, featuring local historians and reflections of its diverse past are seen throughout the area’s architecture.

7. Horton Plaza:  A five-level architectural marvel, Horton Plaza is downtown San Diego’s retail sanctuary.  Macy’s and Nordstrom’s are the massive complex’s featured department stores. With a movie theater, event space, diverse dining options, a gym, the Lyceum Theater, and even a dog park, this is much more than just a mall!

8. Petco Park:  Located at 19 Tony Gwynn Way, the beautiful Petco Park is one of San Diego’s newest traditions.  Opened in 2004, this uniquely-designed home of the Padres offers state-of-the-art fan amenities and spectacular views of San Diego Bay, the San Diego skyline, and Balboa Park.  Integration of the historic Western Supply Co. building and the grassy “Park at the Park” that slopes above the outfield are only a few of the features that distinguish this spectacular baseball stadium.

Did you know The Event Team can organize your next event on the field fo Petco Park? Fireworks, batting cages, player meet and greets - the works!

9. Searsucker:  Celebrity Chef Brian Malarky has opened 5 ultra-popular restaurants throughout San Diego including his the mega-hit, Searsucker, which is located in the heart of the Gaslamp District. Time Magazine named it America’s #2 hottest restaurant!  Featuring an open kitchen and airy design, Searsucker serves local seafood with local lagers and ales.

10.San Diego Convention Center and San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau:  The San Diego Convention Center is the city’s premiere, award-winning facility for major conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events. Situated along the harbor just a short walk from the main Gaslamp area, the attractive complex is a steward of San Diego with a commitment to sustainable practice and community leadership. In the same vein, The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau works extremely hard to bring “happiness” to locals and visitors alike, highlighting all the places to stay and things to do in the city’s popular neighborhoods, like the Gaslamp! Our partnership with both of these organizations allows us to offer the very best San Diego has to offer!

 11. Harbor Cruises:  The many cruises around San Diego Harbor offer scenic escapes away from the bustle of the city.  You can eat and drink in style aboard a pleasure ship while enjoying the freedom of the water.  For the more audacious, Pirate Ship Adventures provides the opportunity to join a buccaneer crew and participate in swashbuckling activities while exploring the Harbor.

The Event Team offers public mix-in harbor cruises, or we can even arrange for your group to charter a private dinner cruise!

12. The Culy Warehouse:  The Culy Trucking Warehouse is a 4,400 square foot multi-purpose event center located in the Gaslamp’s East Village.  Once the base of the Culy Trucking Company, founded in 1914, the venue now consists of a completely blank interior, perfect for flexing the creative muscle and designing inspired event spaces.  When combined with the adjacent entertainment venue, Block No. 16, the complex has the ability to accommodate a capacity of over 1,500!
13. Civic Theater:  Catch a Broadway show, an opera, or a ballet at the San Diego Civic Theater, the region’s largest performing arts and community gathering center.  Opened in 1965, the theater contains 2,967 seats and a chic interior.

14. The New Children’s Museum:  Visitors and locals with children can think, play, and create at the innovative New Children’s Museum.  This dynamic educational environment celebrates kids and the language of art, providing a safe space to learn and grow.  The environmentally sustainable facility consists of galleries, interactive exhibits, open studio space, and an Arts Education Center.

15. Lucky’s Lunch Counter:  Though new to the scene, Lucky’s Lunch Counter has quickly become a San Diego favorite.  Themed like a retro Chicago lunch counter, the eatery serves traditional, high quality diner fare all day long.  Located just across from Petco Park, Lucky’s is the perfect place to catch a meal before or after the big game!

16. The Trolley:  Cars and taxis are not necessary here.  The Gaslamp Quarter is conveniently located along the San Diego Trolley Orange Line.  From San Ysidro to Santee, downtown’s entertainment district is easily accessible via an efficient and comfortable trolley from all over San Diego.

17. Copley Symphony Hall:  Home to the San Diego Symphony, this multi-functional facility was originally The Fox Theater movie palace, built in 1929.  State-of-the-art digital sound and lighting capabilities have been installed in this continually updated venue, but, rest assured, the original look of the lobbies and performance chamber have been preserved.  A full-sized Robert Morton pneumatic pipe organ and two carbon-arc film projectors are featured within the performance chamber.  This symphony hall is not just for music though, it can accommodate comedy shows, corporate and civic events, and film screenings.

18. The San Diego-Coronado Bridge:  Though not directly in the Gaslamp, this stunning structure provides an amazing backdrop to the neighborhood. Majestically arching over the bay and linking downtown San Diego with the resort city of Coronado, The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is a local landmark. Its two mile length is uniquely designed as a 200-foot high curve to accommodate the large Naval ships that pass underneath. The bridge’s eastern support pillars are located in Chicano Park and feature the largest collection of Chicano art murals in the world.

19. Segways:  Explore the Gaslamp Quarter aboard the latest in electric, two-wheeled personal transportation technology, the Segway! History and culinary tours can be experienced aboard these fun and quirky vehicles. Quickly maneuvering down the sidewalk by leaning back and forth is the best way to navigate Gaslamp’s many blocks.

20. Seaport Village: Just a short walk from the Gaslamp, along the scenic San Diego Bay, sits the waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment complex of Seaport Village.  Cobblestone pathways, ponds, lakes, fountains, and tropical landscape wind through a plethora of architectural styles housing a variety of boutique shops.  Everything from San Diego souvenirs to high-end apparel and art galleries can be found in Seaport Village’s 54 shops, 13 casual eateries, and 4 fine dining restaurants.  Musicians and street artists inhabit this nostalgic seaside village year-round and an 1895 antique Charles Loof carousel is another major attraction!

Follow @RealBrianRudlof on Twitter for travel news, tips, and reviews.

20 Things To Love About Santa Monica

This article originally appeared on EventTeam.Com:

The Event Team’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration continues with a look at one of our favorite Los Angeles suburbs, Santa Monica! This laid-back beach community is the perfect place to catch some rays and experience the softer, sunnier side of Los Angeles! Check it out:

1.  Santa Monica Pier:  Recently celebrating its 100^th birthday, Santa Monica Pier combines the nostalgic charm of a turn-of-the-century seaside pleasure park with many modern attractions.  Whether it is the carnival rides, midway and arcade games, souvenir shops, fishing, artists and entertainers, dining, the aquarium, or trapeze school, there is surely something for everyone at this historic Los Angeles landmark.  After dark, the pier lights up in a brilliant display of multi-colored lights.  The pier’s Seaside Pavilion is an incomparable venue that can accommodate groups from 25 to 300.

2. Commitment to Sustainability:  Santa Monica has its own intensive Green Business Certification Program that encourages resource conservation and waste reduction.  It is also the first city to buy 100 percent renewable energy.  With green building incentives, hybrid transportation fleets, reduced dry weather pollution, “A” rated clean beaches, and free charging stations for electric vehicles, Santa Monica ranks among the top green cities in the country.  The pier’s LED light-clad Ferris wheel is even solar-powered, a world’s first!

3. Third Street Promenade:  A variety of stores, restaurants, bars, theaters, art galleries, and entertainers line Santa Monica’s famous 3-block, pedestrian-only shopping district, the Third Street Promenade.  This lively outdoor mall is the perfect place to shop, eat, and people watch. Find a variety of organic California-grown produce at the certified farmers market here on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

4. The Beach:  Santa Monica’s world-famous beaches offer a bevy of recreation opportunities from surfing to sunbathing.  Bicycling, volleyball, and yoga are also popular along this pristine shoreline frequently seen in film and television.

5. Healthy Dining:  Home to innumerable innovative and world class eateries, Santa Monica’s wealth of healthy dining options is unequaled.  Assemble custom salads at Greens Up!, devour vegan versions of food favorites at Euphoria Loves RAWvolution, and sample whole bean brews at Urth Caffe, the country’s first all-organic coffee company.  An array of tasty and nutritious eateries will fulfill all your fresh, seasonal, and organic desires.

6. Beachside Hotels:  Dine, meet, and relax at a collection of luxury and boutique hotels lining the Santa Monica coast.  Business and pleasure travelers are bathed in beach-side elegance at Shutters, Casa Del Mar, Viceroy, Shore Hotel, Sheraton Delfina, Lowes, and JW Marriott, among many others.

7. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:  Hike up to glorious views of the mountains, ocean, and city at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the world’s largest urban national park.  Miles of trails stretching from the beach to the mountains showcase California’s biodiversity in this unique coastal ecosystem.  Just outside the city, Will Rogers State Historic Park offers opportunities to hike, bike, horseback ride, and tour the legendary singing cowboy’s historic ranch house.

8. Pubs:  While there is no shortage of fantastic drinking establishments in Santa Monica, it is the traditional (and not so traditional!) English pub scene that is deeply rooted in the city’s culture.  Anglophiles can enjoy soccer, darts, and English ales at The Daily Pint, Cock ‘n’ Bull Pub, Britannia Pub, and the atmospheric Ye Olde King’s Head (home of world-famous fish and chips!).

9. Aero Theater:  A restored 1940’s-era movie house, Aero Theater is home to the American Cinematheque, a non-profit, viewer-supported organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture.  Everything from classics to abstract art films not generally available to the public are screened and often followed by Q&A sessions with cast, crew, or film historians.  Celebrity sightings are not uncommon at this cinema-lover’s haven.

 10. Bergamot Station:  Formerly a historic Red Line trolley depot, Bergamot Station has been transformed into Southern California’s largest art gallery complex and cultural center.  Home to the Santa Monica Museum of Art and over 30 galleries, it is a true artist’s paradise.  For a break from gallery hopping, the Bergamot Café offers a creative menu and eclectic lunch crowd.  It doubles as a unique event venue as well!

11. Museum of Flying:  The newly remodeled and expanded Museum of Flying honors the history of air travel and aviation traditions.  The nearly two dozen aircraft, a flight simulator, and ride-film experiences are popular attractions at this museum that highlights the history of Santa Monica’s famed Douglas Aircraft.  A 40-seat screening room and the well-known Donald Douglas Boardroom make this a special venue for events of all kinds.

12. McCabe’s Guitar Shop:  Opened in 1958, McCabe’s is Los Angeles’s largest and most famous stringed-instrument shop.  They offer rentals, lessons, repairs, and world-famous concerts.  The sound waves of musicians ranging from the extremely famous to local prodigies have rocked the walls of McCabe’s.

13. Annenberg Community Beach House:  This five-acre public beach club was originally built as a 100-room mansion by William Randolph Hearst and became a popular Hollywood A-lister hangout.  Awarded the 2010 “Best New Venue” award in the BizBash L.A. Event Style Awards, the beach house features courtyards, a pool, beach courts and fields, children’s play area, splash pad, historic Marion Davies Guest House, gallery, and a viewing deck.

14.  Spas:  Pampering a who’s-who of Hollywood celebrities and star athletes, Santa Monica’s huge selection of luxurious day spas is sure to excite even the most experienced relaxation seekers.  The variety of wellness treatments are limitless and include massages, manicures, facials, peels, waxes, tannings, steam rooms, and deep-heating Japanese enzyme baths!!

15. Burgers:  For the less health conscious, Santa Monica has become a renowned burger mecca.  Design your own burger at The Counter, indulge in the Wagyu beef burger at Cora’s, or try the extravagant $28 bison-meat burger at Josie.  While Chef Sang Yoon’s “no substitutions” Guyere and Maytag blue cheese burger at Father’s Office may be the most famous, it is the creative burger innovations at newcomer Umami Burger that have become the local favorite and burgeoning burger champions.  The truffle burger and secret menu cheesy tots are a perfect pairing!

 
16. Palisades Park:  13 blocks of palms and greenery perched on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean is the romantic Palisades Park.  Rose gardens, cobblestone gates, and an Arts and Crafts pergola give this city escape an old-world feel.  A crushed asphalt running path traverses the charming 1.6 mile park.

17. Santa Monica History Museum:  The Santa Monica History Museum houses a treasure trove of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia celebrating the rich culture of this famous city.  The museum is one of the largest in the country for a city of its size.

18. Santa Monica Playhouse:  A local tradition for over 50 years, Santa Monica Playhouse is an intimate professional theater that has played an important role in the California theater community.  With children’s programs ranking among the top in the world, the playhouse also offers year-round Main Stage productions, Family Theatre musicals, workshops for adults, classes in private and public schools, and birthday parties.

19. Automobile Alternatives:  Unlike most of Los Angeles, cars are not a necessity for exploring Santa Monica.  With a total 8.3 square mileage and primary tourist districts in close proximity, the city is easily navigable by foot or bicycle.  In fact, well-marked lanes, routes, paths, and bike racks give Santa Monica the distinction of being one of America’s most bike-friendly cities.  Santa Monica’s Mini Blue Buses, small and eco-friendly, provide quick and cheap transport around the neighborhood for the less fitness inclined.  For a more unconventional mode of travel, Segway tours and rentals are readily available.

20. Santa Monica Place:  Santa Monica Place is the city’s newest state-of-the-art shopping destination.  A roof-top dining deck offering spectacular 360 degree views of the area tops this A-list retail complex.  The open-air mall, with a one-of-a-kind design inspired by the city itself, features a brand new Nordstrom’s and a custom-built Bloomingdales.

Follow @RealBrianRudlof on Twitter for travel news, tips, and reviews.