| “The City of Angels,” “Tinseltown,” “La La Land.” Los Angeles’ worldwide reputation is one of beaches full of beautiful people, movie stars strolling the sidewalks and working-class barrios on the East Side. People come to L.A. from all over the world looking to change the world, become a star, or just start over. With such a long, lofty and perhaps exaggerated history, L.A. has acquired a unique set of urban myths and legends. On this new and unique tour with professional L.A. guide, Curt, we’ll focus on a few of the myths and legends and search for the truth behind them. We begin in Griffith Park and the Travel Town Museum, which focuses on the history of U.S. railroads with an emphasis on railroads in Southern California. We’ll find out if it’s true that a miniature train owned by a Hollywood cowboy once took passengers on a ride around the museum. We’ll continue through Griffith Park and visit the William Mulholland Memorial Fountain, a grand monument to a man and water. A circular slice of the original Los Angeles Aqueduct is part of this beautiful fountain that sits within a 90-foot reflecting pool of brilliant turquoise tiles. Enjoy lunch on your own at Philippe The Original, the L.A. icon that is believed to have invented the French dip sandwich. Whether it’s urban myth or not, this deli-style restaurant is a legendary Los Angeles tradition. This afternoon we’ll visit the 6th Street Viaduct which recently reopened after a complete, $588-million renovation. This true Los Angeles icon is 3,500-feet-long, features ten pairs of tilted arches and is the largest and most expensive bridge the city has ever erected. Crossing the bridge, we’ll arrive in L.A.’s historic East Side and drive past the infamous Evergreen Memorial Park where we’ll hear stories of carnival workers, or “carnies,” that are buried in the cemetery. Among them Emily Bailey, known as the ‘300-pound fat lady,’ and Hugo Zacchini, the first ‘human cannonball.’ Visit the Bradbury Building, home to a one-of-a-kind interior featuring a five-story atrium finished with glazed bricks and a staggeringly complex wrought-iron grillwork beneath spectacular skylights. Perhaps Los Angeles’ most beautiful building interior, it was built during the reign of Queen Victoria with inner workings that were top-of-the-line high technology for the late 1800s. The urban legend related to the construction of this historic building will have you enthralled. We’ll enjoy an included ice cream treat from Grand Central Market, the legendary landmark that brings together the eclectic cuisines and cultures of L.A. We’ll top off a memorable tour with a ride on the historic Angels Flight Railway, the world’s shortest railway. This L.A. Historic-Cultural Landmark since 1962 originally opened in 1901. It’s estimated that this recently-restored 122-year-old funicular has given more than 100 million rides to the top of Bunker Hill on its hillside track. This tour involves moderate walking. All sights subject to change. |