Trip to Los Angeles for USC graduation...

[Huskybass]

I'm looking for advice on some things to do next week in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area. I fly in from CT next Wednesday and have half the day Wednesday and all day Thursday before my son's law school graduation ceremony on Friday morning. I'll be staying near Koreatown as it's only about 5 miles from the site of the ceremony.

I'm thinking of checking out some of the places that bands like the Doors and Van played many years ago, like the Whiskey A Go Go. Any other recommendations on great food or interesting things to see in that general area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Lafayette]

I'm looking for advice on some things to do next week in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area. I fly in from CT next Wednesday and have half the day Wednesday and all day Thursday before my son's law school graduation ceremony on Friday morning. I'll be staying near Koreatown as it's only about 5 miles from the site of the ceremony.

I'm thinking of checking out some of the places that bands like the Doors and Van played many years ago, like the Whiskey A Go Go. Any other recommendations on great food or interesting things to see in that general area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I worked in the music biz ~a decade and was in LA for the bulk of it.

• Dinner at Mr. Chow is fun
• Can drive on Sunset Blvd had just have fun seeing so many iconic places
• If in K-Town try Woo Lae Oak (should be reopened by now)
• Try to get to the pier in Santa Monica (borders Venice beach's Freak Show - nice place
• For Whisky A-Go-Go it was in a room above, Robert Lamm of Chicago was trying to figure the right time of day to see the sun start to rise - 3:34-3:35am but was called "25 or 6 to 4".
• Before you go check out Youtube for USC marching band performing Fleetwood Mac's Tusk - great video to get you primed for the graduation.
• If you can get to 7600 W Beverly that was the auditorium used to film Xanadu back in the early 80s.
• The Andaz hotel in W. Hollywood (8401 Sunset Blvd) used to be the Continental Hotel - that of when Led Zeppelin rode their motorcycles down the halls- see the movie Rock Stars for a depiction.

So just some suggestions for ya.

 

[Palatine]

A bit west on Sunset from the Whiskey is a great (expensive) steak House called BOA. I saw JLo in there one night. Sat a couple of tables over from Bon Jova guitarist Richie Sanbora another time. It's a very nice meal, definitely graduation material, whether you see anyone or not. The Whisky is also very close, walking distance, to the Viper Room where River Phoenix called it quits on the sidewalk out front.

 

[Waquoit]

Koreatown isn't very far from The Broad, a free museum of contemporary art. Don't let the free fool you, the place is packed with well-known artwork. Like Tulips. I read about it and thought it was stupid. But in person, I had to admit they look cool as hell. While free, you need to get tickets in advance. There's a neat installation inside that requires a separate ticket, you might want to check that out. Also the LA MoCA is across the street if you are up for even more art.

 

[Huskybass]

Koreatown isn't very far from The Broad, a free museum of contemporary art. Don't let the free fool you, the place is packed with well-known artwork. Like Tulips. I read about it and thought it was stupid. But in person, I had to admit they look cool as hell. While free, you need to get tickets in advance. There's a neat installation inside that requires a separate ticket, you might want to check that out. Also the LA MoCA is across the street if you are up for even more art.

I went to The Broad on your recommendation. Cool Warhol exhibit made it great. Thanks!

 

[Waquoit]

I went to The Broad on your recommendation. Cool Warhol exhibit made it great. Thanks!

Thank you for the report!

 

[Lafayette]

A bit west on Sunset from the Whiskey is a great (expensive) steak House called BOA. I saw JLo in there one night. Sat a couple of tables over from Bon Jova guitarist Richie Sanbora another time. It's a very nice meal, definitely graduation material, whether you see anyone or not. The Whisky is also very close, walking distance, to the Viper Room where River Phoenix called it quits on the sidewalk out front.

Boa Steakhouse - my one time there freakin' JayZ was dining there.