Downtown, Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Farmer's Market is much more than just a traditional farmer's market. The market first started in 1934 as a very modest affair that sprung from the hardships created by the depression. The origin of the Farmers Market goes back to the year 1934 when, at the height of the economic depression, eighteen farmers got together and set up stalls on a piece of open land near Wilshire Boulevard in order to sell their produce direct to the consumer. This experiment was so successful that Farmers Market kept on expanding. At that time it truly was a fruit and vegetable market. Over the years the market has expanded to accommodate more and more vendors. Today there are all kinds of fruit, vegetable, and other food stands, along with restaurants, and specialty shops. You can find everything from jewelry and candles to kitchen wear and kids toys to name just a few.The Farmer's Market attracts large number of visitors daily, both tourists and locals. There are often seasonal celebrations here so watch for special events. Some popular annual events held at the market are Mardi Gras Celebrations, the Summer Family Fun Series, and the Fall Festival. There are also many things happening around Christmas.

There are neither as many Chinese living in Los Angeles as in San Francisco, nor is their quarter (in Block 800 of North Broadway, north of Downtown, and in the side streets) as interesting or as old as Grant Avenue in San Francisco. The Chinese, who could be found in Los Angeles as long ago as the fifties and sixties of the previous century, were initially domiciled in the area where Union Station now stands. When construction of the station began the district forming the present-day Chinatown was made available to the community. Its 50-year jubilee was celebrated in September 1988.The center of Chinatown is the Plaza (951 N. Broadway) with restaurants, banks and numerous shops, some of which are built in the pagoda style. Many Vietnamese also live in Chinatown today and Vietnamese shop-signs are to be seen in many shopping centers. The youth of both peoples, judging by clothes and appearance, seem to have become better assimilated into the community than those in San Francisco.The prosperous Chinese from Taipei and Hong Kong have turned their backs on Chinatown and moved to the suburbs, particularly to Monterey Park and Alhambra (both to the north of the city center), where in the last few years Chinese enclaves, with typical supermarkets, restaurants, bookshops and newsagents, have grown up.

GeneralThe original cinemas of previous decades, several of which still serve their original purpose, have become places of entertainment for the growing Hispanic population (known in Los Angeles as "latinos"), with mainly Spanish and Mexican films. Today Broadway has become the main shopping street of the latinos. Consequently it is loud and lively here.Places of interestOn Broadway you will find the interesting and very reasonable Clifton Cafeteria (608 S.), as well as more cinemas, the oldest of which are the Cameo (528 S.) and the Arcade (534 S.), both built in 1919. The Palace (611 S.) dates from 1913, the Rialto (810 S.) from 1917, and the richly decorated Million Dollar, in which Sid Graumann began his career, from 1918. All the others were built in the twenties and early thirties and are mainly typical of the American film palaces of the time both internally and externally. Examples are Loew's State (1921; 703 S. Broadway), the Orpheum (842 S.) and the United Artists (933 S.) both dating from 1926, and the Tower (1927; 802 S.), the Los Angeles (1931; 615 S.) and the Roxie (1932; 518 S. Broadway).The whole cinema district is under a preservation order.

Located in downtown Los Angeles is the modern looking Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles. The cathedral was opened in 2002 following its relocation from a former 19th Century building which was condemned.The new building is indeed a stark contrast to the old. Designed by architect Professor José Rafael Moneo, this contemporary cathedral is 11 storeys high with sharp angels rather than traditional curves. Some of the unique features are the alabaster windows, and huge alabaster cross, both in keeping with the architects theme of "light and journey". Also of consequence are the bronze entrance doors, the altar, the Bishop's chair, and the baptismal font, among other details.From the exterior the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles is unique but somewhat austere looking while the inside is much more lavish. If you have the time and the building is open it is worth stepping inside to have a look.The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a massive building with seating for 3,000 and a sturdy quake-proof foundation. Items that are considered a must when touring include the 80-foot tall, 45-ton cherrywood pipe organ; the hydraulic doors decorated with Christian images; and the 17th C Baroque Spanish altarpiece.

The Bradbury Building is an exquisite historic landmark building in Los Angeles. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and is the oldest building of its kind in the Los Angeles city center. The unassuming exterior is a contrast to the beautiful interior with grand staircase, wrought-iron banisters, and wood features.The building was constructed in 1893 having been commissioned by Louis Bradbury. The buildings old lift is still functioning. The upper floors are today occupied and privately held but visitors can enter the lobby to see the grandeur of the time period. The Bradbury Building is part of some downtown walking tours. It may seem familiar to you as the building has been used in many movies and television shows.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a large organization with offices in the United States and other countries around the world. The center promotes Jewish human rights and teaches about the Holocaust through the Museum of Tolerance. The museum in Los Angeles offers temporary exhibits on a variety of themes with presentations by authors, artists, historians and more. There is of course much space devoted to the Holocaust.The overall intention of the Simon Wisenthal Center is to educate on tolerance confront discrimination. It has received much international acclaim from various organizations. The center is well laid out offering a very engaging and moving experience.

The Korean American Museum of Art and Cultural Center honors early Koreans who immigrated to America and their struggle to assimilate in a sometimes hostile country. The museum features a collection of replicas of Korea's most important artifacts, a gallery for fine art exhibition, and a 13,000 volume library with materials about Korea. It presents subtitled Korean films each month as well as lectures and exhibitions concerning Korean culture.

The park honors the "grandmother of Los Angeles". The timeline wall by artist Sheila deBretteville and visual artist Beyte Saar's assemblage takes visitors back to the way it was on the original site in 1866 when pioneering philanthropist Biddy Mason, a former slave, ran the city's first child care center out of her home and founded the city's First African Methodist Episcopal Church on this very ground.

The Grand Central Market in Los Angeles is the oldest concession market on the west coast. It was built in 1917 and was the first earthquake and fire proof building in Los Angeles. Visitors can buy a variety of ethnic foods. There are plenty of tasty places to eat.

The Skirball Cultural Center and Museum in Los Angeles is a Jewish cultural institution with galleries, a resource center and an auditorium. The museum has changing exhibits while music, theater, comedy, film, and literary programs highlight Jewish heritage.

The Beverly Center is a mall with almost 160 shops including Ann Taylor. Department stores include two Macy's locations and Bloomingdale's. There are 13 cinemas on level 8.

Staples Center is home to five professional sports teams - the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. It has also been the site of major concerts.

At 858ft/262m, the Aon Tower in Los Angeles is one of the world's 100 tallest buildings. It was completed in 1974.

The Citadel in Los Angeles is a former rubber factory which has been converted in to a shopping center. It features interesting Neo-Babylonian style details.

Laemmle Theater presents foreign films and American independent films to the general public.

The Los Angeles Mormon Temple is the second largest temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and features a 257 foot tower.

The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery is located in Barnsdall Art Park and showcases displays of artists from the region.

The Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles is a riot of colorful light with neon displays from movie theaters and animated signs.

The SITE Gallery (Seeking It Through Exhibitions) is no longer open to the public.