Skywatch Friday - Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong

Sky Over Downtown Los Angeles

Sky Over The Palace Of Fine Arts San Francisco

Sky Over Lantau Peak In Hong Kong

Visit Skywatch Friday for more beautiful photography.

Los Angeles Sights

El Capitan Theatre Billboard Marquee Hollywood




El Capitan Theatre Hollywood



Downtown Los Angeles Skyscrapers View From Pershing Square Station




The Jimmy Kimmel Live Show Hollywood Boulevard



Wax Museum Hollywood.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre - Hollywood

Grauman's Chinese Theatre located on Hollywood Boulevard is the premier theatre and center of attraction on this busy street. It opened in May of 1927 and was THE spot for movie goers. It has been renovated since the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake and was declared and given historical landmark status in 1968.

The forecourt is a tourist friendly hub for shutterbugs. It is where the stars have their hand and footprints etched into the sidewalk along with drawings and notes. The theatre hosts inside tours during the day about every half hour. I did not take a tour during this visit but definitely will during the next visit.

The artwork and architecture of this theatre is just stunning. It is as authentic, colorful and rich in tradition as any of the temples I have seen in China yet with a more modern feel. I was just in awe of the intricate artwork as is obvious by all the photos I took. The photos you see below are just a small sampling and really do not do justice to the beauty of this theatre.

What struck me most about Hollywood and Los Angeles was all the rich history and flavor this city has to offer. While walking around downtown Los Angeles I found many a forgotten theatre and marquee tucked away amongst the city streets in desolate alley ways and forgotten corners. It was a walk through the past.

Walking along Hollywood Boulevard during the evenings means fighting the theatre going crowds along the streets. Movie lovers pack the boulevard for blocks on end to visit these theatres.

I know most of us think of Hollywood as a star studded fantasy land yet it offers so much more in tradition and history which are two aspects that I enjoy most. I hope you enjoy the photo montage. Remember to click the images to enlarge.



View from across the street on Hollywood Boulevard




Closeup of the theatre architecture




One of two stone lions outside the entrance




Forecourt artwork




Column artwork




Top side column view




Grauman's Chinese Theatre night view

For more information visit http://www.manntheatres.com/chinese/

Cole's Home of the French Dip

Before leaving Los Angeles, Sony and I decided to have lunch at a little spot in downtown LA's fashion district called Cole's that is famous for it's French Dip sandwich which originated in 1908. The restaurant is very charming, comfortable and cozy. It reminds me somewhat of John's Grill in San Francisco for it's ambiance and flavor. It is located within a historical landmark building and also houses a speakeasy in the back room. We wanted to get a glimpse of the room while there but they were so busy that afternoon that we just did not get a chance to see it.

The waitstaff was friendly and got our food to us very quickly. Because I was going to be flying back home to San Francisco shortly after our lunch I did not want to have a big meal. I don't like flying whether it be 45 minutes or 14 hours and I never like flying on a full stomach. So, we decided to split our order.

We had the Beef french dip sandwich, a side of bacon potato salad and a basket of garlic fries. The sandwich was very tasty on a crisp bun with the au jus on the side which I liked. So many other restaurants deliver the order with au jus already infused onto the sandwich which makes for a soggy mess. This was much more enjoyable. The potato salad had a distinct Mediterranean flavor. I'm not sure exactly what intensified this taste but whatever it was, it certainly made for a unique and scrumptious side dish. The garlic fries were delicious to say the least. Garlic roasted, crispy shoestring fries in a huge basket? You just can't get any better than that. It was truly a tasty afternoon treat and again, had I not been flying I would have had an order myself along with dessert. Next time I'll make sure to have lunch there again on the day I arrive rather than the day I leave.

We had a great time there and we'll definitely be going back again.

It is located on 6th and South Main street. It is very close to Pershing square and accessible public transportation. If you are in the Hollywood area, just take the Metro Red Line to Pershing square and walk a couple of blocks. It takes all of 15 minutes to get there. For more information visit Cole's Home of the French Dip.

Thanks Sone.