More Santa Monica Pics

These pics are from the 3rd Street Promenade which is a nice shopping area close to the pier. I thought I got some pics of the shopping area itself, but I guess not..oops.

The Silver Street Performer:









A little outdoor ice rink, how cute...

Black Friday fun

I started Friday as a pseudo shopping day. I bought a little LA guide book Wednesday night that mentioned the boutique district in Santa Monica. I decided to check that out in the morning and while on my way there, I realized that another Frank Gehry building, the Chiat/Day Office, was a few street away. Compared to the Disney Concert Hall it was a little disappointing. Here are a couple pics...



It's not a public building, so I was afraid to go snooping too close. When I saw the building online before I left San Diego, I thought the binoculars was the building, but I guess the building is behind them and the binoculars are a giant facade. Still kinda cool considering Chiat/Day is an advertising firm and a binocular building makes a strong impression.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Promenade and Getty Museum and the rest of my trip.

Thanksgiving in LA..pics coming soon

I was supposed to go to SF for Thanksgiving (sorry Dave and Judy), but I have to move to a new place Saturday, so I decided at the last minute to venture to Los Angeles for good ole turkey day. I left Oceanside Thursday morning and drove directly to downtown LA. What is usually a 90 min to 2 hour drive due to LA traffic, only took an hour. I didn't have long to plan this trip, so I was literally picking stuff to do and places to go Wednesday night.

My first stop was the Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. I didn't pick it because it was Disney, I chose it because it was designed by architect Frank Gehry, who is one of my favorites. It's a really cool building. It made the whole trip whole it right from the start.

















The view of the LA times building from the steps of the Disney Concert Hall.


I then went to Santa Monica Pier and the Promenade shopping district. Both areas were fairly busy for a holiday.







I then walked to Venice Beach which was a way less weird place than I imagined. Still pretty weird, but fun and touristy at the same time.

This is one way of getting away with claiming to have the World's Best Funnel Cake


All in all, it was a good way to spend ole Turkey Day. I of course, had a nice steak lunch ;)