Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Overview
One of the largest and most famous metropolitan areas in the country, if not the planet, Los Angeles holds a special allure for natives and visitors alike. Situated in a large valley with the Pacific Ocean to the west and mountains to the north, this sprawling collection of communities is one of a kind.
There’s a real natural beauty to the area, once you get past the never ending traffic and resulting smog. The climate is quite pleasant year around, and although summers can be quite hot inland, proximity to the ocean moderates heat and humidity.
You can spend weeks here and never run out of things to see and do. The coastal communities like Santa Monica, Malibu, and others offer spectacular oceanfront scenery and related attractions. Historic inland cities like Pasadena offer unique old California charms. Mountains are just an hour or so away, and it’s possible to sunbathe in the morning and snow ski in the afternoon. Nightlife options are plentiful, and the movie star and glamor scene is in full force in L.A.
It pays to research and know where you’re going if you plan to explore Los Angeles. Not unlike any big city, there are areas you’ll want to avoid, particularly in south central Los Angeles and a few neighboring communities. But for the most part, the area is safe if you follow normal precautions.
The Neighborhood – Dodger Stadium
Built into Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium is adjacent to the 101 Freeway, a primary north-south artery in the area. The stadium itself is situated in the midst of a sea of parking lots, each of which sits at a different elevation and corresponds to a seating level. The stadium sits within the ravine, so for the most part you’re walking down from the lots to the ballpark.
Beyond the parking lots is Elysian Park, a mass expanse of rolling green space that surrounds Dodger Stadium to the north and west. The 110 takes you directly to downtown Los Angeles, a mere 10 minutes away, along with Chinatown and the historic Spanish area along Alameda Street. About 15 minutes west of Dodger Stadium off the 101 Hollywood Freeway are Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. These two byways intersect Hollywood, West Hollywood, and continue to Santa Monica alongside the Pacific Ocean.
The Ballpark
When it was built in 1962, Dodger Stadium was one of baseball’s crown jewels and it still is today. The ballpark is immaculately maintained and the view of the Los Angeles skyline to the south and the San Gabriel mountains to the north never loses its appeal.
No matter where you sit, you’ll enjoy a great vantage point. Dodger fans are knowledgeable and sometimes rabid, but it is true what’s said … a fair portion of the stadium empties out after the 7th inning.
One experience not to miss at Dodger Stadium is biting into a Dodger Dog, a foot long hot dog that is made especially for the Dodger franchise.
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Dodger Stadium are offered during May, June, and July on limited days and select times. It is absolutely necessary to reserve in advance through the Dodger’s website, as tours are limited to the first 25 paid participants. The tour itself lasts about 90 minutes and costs $15.
Historic Baseball Sites
Not so much an historic baseball site per se, but more a slice of American sports history is 3 exits south on the 101, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This mammoth structure was constructed for the 1932 Olympics and hosted them again in 1984. Football has been a mainstay at the Coliseum, but it’s worth noting it was also the home of the Dodgers from 1958 to 1961, before Dodger Stadium was built.
Dodger Tickets
Without question, secure tickets in advance. The Dodgers are always among the leaders in baseball attendance, and although you will find tickets available in the parking lots and often at ticket windows on game day, it is much more practical to secure tickets ahead of time.
Public Transportation
None to speak of. Your only real options are to drive to the game or find a restaurant or bar that’s running a bus or shuttle to the game.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
We’ll stick to a discussion of brewpubs that are within reasonable distance of Dodger Stadium. That said, you’ll find plenty of bars in historic Old Town Pasadena to the north and West Hollywood and Santa Monica to the west.
Gordon Biersch Brewing: One in the well known Gordon Biersch brewpub chain, this location in Old Town Pasadena is well worth visiting. You’re right in the midst of Colorado Boulevard here, the same throroughfare you see during the January 1st Rose Bowl Parade. Linger here or at any number of other places in the area. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. 41 Hugus Alley at One Colorado, Pasadena. Phone: 626-449-0052.
Brix 42: Open at 4 p.m. every day, this brand new establishment is housed in a handsome all brick space and serves sophisticated yet unpretentious food. As for their house beers, they are “must try”. They serve a Blonde, Hefeweizen, Munich Dunkel, Red, and Amber. So, pretty much something for everyone! 42 South De Lacey Ave., Pasadena. Phone: 626-405-9114.
Barney’s Beanery: Not a brewpub, but it’s a place you absolutely must visit if you like beer and rock ‘n roll history. Most of the musical greats of the 60′s and 70′s (and later) have spent many a night at this ramshackle looking restaurant/bar on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Opened in 1920 as a Route 66 travelers stop, the personality of Barney’s Beanery changed in the 1960′s when it became the bar of choice for many rock music legends. Soak in the history and the 125+ beers. 8447 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. Phone: 323-654-2287.
