#262: Peddler's Creamery

(NOTE: I originally wrote this post about trying Kopi Luwak coffee (a ridiculously priced coffee made from fermented beans that a Luwak poops out), but then I was informed by a reader, Ben, that the Kopi Luwak business has gotten so lucrative that nowadays Kopi Luwak is made from caged Luwaks who are treated cruelly! :( So I changed the post to something more palatable: ice cream! )

Ever wish someone would invent great tasting guiltless ice cream? Well at Peddler's Creamery in Downtown LA, you can burn off calories and then feel guilt free eating ice cream afterwards.  As part of their Peddler's Club, if you're able to peddle for 15-20 minutes at a rate of 15 mph, you get a free scoop of ice cream!

Here are the club rewards from their website:

The Peddler’s Club is open to Peddlers on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings with slots at: 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:15 pm, and 9:00pm. Be ready to pedal for 15-20 minutes at a pace of 15 mph in order to make one batch of ice cream.

The Sweet Rewards
•  For each batch you churn, you get a free scoop from one of the flavors we have out in the case, or you can donate your scoop to charity; 
•  After churning 3 batches, you get to play rock, paper, scissors with one of our employees and if you win you get another scoop free; 
•  After churning 5 batches, you get your insta pic on our Peddler’s Wall; 
•  After riding 45 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Creamery Peddle Club button or sticker;
•  After pedaling 75 miles, you get a pint of ice cream to enjoy;
•  After riding 100 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Creamery T-Shirt (organic cotton, of course);
•  After pedaling 125 miles, you get to play stump the founder, ask him a question about ice cream. If he can’t answer it then you get to take home a pint; 
•  After riding150 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Hat (100% wool, made in San Diego County);
•  After pedaling 175 miles, you get a flavor named in your honor for a week; 
•  After riding 200 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Jersey (100% recycled fiber);
•  The leader at the end of each year will earn the unique Peddler's Creamery Yellow Jersey!

Thank you Jesse for recommending this place! 

#256: L.A. City Hall Observation Deck

Downtown's City Hall is not just a place to sue someone. The Observation Deck on the 27th floor is the perfect place to take in a 360 degree view of the city and some cool architecture too. Best part: it's free!

I brought my family here on their recent trip out to LA. After having lunch in Little Tokyo, we drove over to City Hall looking for parking. Note to Self: Next time just park in Little Tokyo and walk over because street parking around City Hall is hard to find! 

The ceiling

On the observation deck

When you first enter the building (the entrance on Main Street is the only one open to the public), there's an X Ray machine that you have to put your bags through. Then you sign in (one person in your group shows their ID) and get visitor stickers. The guard gives you directions to take two sets of elevators to the 27th floor. Along the way, you get to walk around and admire the building's architecture and art. 

The view from the top on a clear day is outstanding. See if you can spot familiar Downtown landmarks in these pictures:

I spy the Disney Concert Hall!

I spy Union Station!

The brand new Grand Park is right across the street from City Hall

A bell on the observation deck

The Observation Deck is open on weekdays during regular business hours. 

Have you been to City Hall's Observation Deck? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Los Angeles City Hall

#239: FIDM Museum

Game of Thrones Costumes

photo from Huffington Post

 "Do you want to check out the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum this weekend?" I asked Brad. I think he just heard the word "fashion" and replied with a half-hearted "Eh". This is a man who owns five identical plain grey t-shirts and still says he needs to get more, so perhaps fashion isn't a big draw for him.

"The current exhibit has the costumes from Emmy nominated costume designers."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, like Game of Thrones."

I said the magic words. Brad has read five of the novels (no small feat, since they are enormous!), and is hooked on the TV series. We were soon out the door with our little adventurer in tow.

 Boardwalk Empire Costumes

photo from Huffington Post

The FIDM museum is located on the corner of Grand and 9th in Downtown L.A.. After grabbing a quick bite to eat at Bottega Louie two blocks away, we met up with a couple of friends to check out the museum.

The exhibit is in a large room and features costumes from Boardwalk Empire, The New Girl, Pan Am, Once Upon a Time, Smash, Pretty Little Liars, Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story and more.

Downtown Abbey Costumes

photo from Huffington Post

There is a mini exhibit in an attached room that showcases women's hats from the 1820's to the 1920's, and a fragrance archive which features cosmetics and perfumes from the house of Lucien Lelong. (Unfortunately, we didn't realize there was a fragrance archive until after we left. Be sure to ask someone who works there to show you the way.) There's also a museum shop which sells everything from PanAm bags to the latest Game Of Thrones book.

The current exhibit runs until October 20th. There is no photography or cell phone use allowed in the museum.  When we went on a Saturday afternoon, the underground parking was free (normally it's paid parking, but there was no attendant when we went). The museum admission is free as well and they even had some candy and pink lemonade in the lobby for visitors.



There's a beautiful park adjacent to the museum. Pack a picnic and you're all set for a fun adventure!

dog statues

Have you been to the FIDM museum? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#217: Take a Tour of the L.A Central Library

There's lots of crazies here. But don't worry, I don't let the crazies mess with the people on my tour, joked our tour guide. Brad and I were at the Central Public Library in Downtown for their 2 pm tour. It was our first time at the Central Library and we were in awe at all the library had to offer--there was a gift shop, a cafe, art galleries, and even a kids area for shows!  The 1.5 hour tour focused on the art and architecture of the library, while also introducing us to the library's layout. 

Our guide talked a lot about the strange people at the library. When we were about to go into the elevators, he told us we wouldn't go in the elevator if there was a sketchy person in it. We laughed, thinking it was another one of his jokes.

To our surprise, the door opened and there was a man scratching himself vigorously in the corner with a neurotic look in his eye. Our guide gave us the "I told you so" eye and we let the door close. The next door opened and there was another guy vigorously punching the buttons and talking to himself. We let that one go as well. Thankfully, the third one was empty and we hopped in.

If you ever get a chance to ride the elevator (sans sketchy people), check out the walls of the elevator--they're made of old library cards. In one part of the elevator wall, as you go from floor to floor, the topics of the library cards change to the floor you're on. So for example, if you're going to the floor which has all the history books, the library cards that show up will all be for history books!

 Beautiful ceiling

 Another gorgeous ceiling

Brad and I love our local public library, and we check books out there every week, but it's pretty small and sometimes we don't feel like waiting for their library-to-library transfer service. Before visiting the Central Library, I made a list of a bunch of books I wanted to borrow that were only available at the Central Library and I checked them out at the end of our tour. The great thing is that once I finish them, I can simply return them to my own library. Easy! 

I really enjoyed our tour of the library and felt that I had a good idea of where everything was at the end of the tour. Tours are given Tuesday to Friday at 12:30 pm, and Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm. On Saturdays there's also a garden tour at 12:30.  There is ample parking in the underground garage, and with validation from the library, parking is only $1.

 You can take the escalators if you don't want to take the elevator

Have you been to the L.A. Central Public Library? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!


L.A. Central Library Tours

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#210: L.A. Conservancy Historic Walking Tours

"Out with the old and in with the new" is probably not the Los Angeles Conservancy's favorite saying, at least when buildings are concerned.  The Conservancy is a nonprofit group that works to preserve historic architecture in L.A.. Thanks to their efforts, L.A. treasures such as the Wiltern Theater, the Cinerama Dome, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House have been saved and revitalized.

The Los Angeles Conservancy offers eight walking tours of L.A.'s historic buildings, including Angelino Heights, Downtown's Modern Skyline, Broadway's Commercial and Theater District, Union Station, Spring & Main, and Art Deco architecture. 

While all of the tours sounded fascinating, the one that caught my eye was the tour of the elegant Biltmore Hotel.  

For just $10 per person, we were treated to an educational tour of the Biltmore Hotel's history and design.  The tour was supposed to be 1 3/4 hours, but it was more like 2 1/2 hours since everyone in our 8 person group had lots of questions which our tour guide was happy to answer.  

view from Pershing Square

The tour started in the center of Pershing Square. Parking under the square was only $5 with validation. After giving us a brief timeline of the 1,500 room hotel, our guide led us across the street and into the hotel lobby.  

the original lobby of the hotel, now an afternoon tea dining area

The hotel was built in the Renaissance style with a heavy Mediterranean influence.  It opened in 1923 and became the place to see and be seen throughout the decades.  It was also one of the first venues to host the Academy Awards.

The front of the Hotel. A portrait of Ceres on the left and Neptune on the right.

One part of the Biltmore which has remained intact through all the renovations is the ceilings.  Wherever you go in the hotel, you'll find yourself always looking up.

The Biltmore walking tour is a bargain. It's much more affordable than spending a night at the hotel, and you even get to see parts of the hotel that might otherwise be inaccessible or occupied.

Some tips for your visit:

• Wear comfortable shoes since you will be on your feet most of the time
• Photos are allowed, so bring your camera!
• Take advantage of the $5 parking and explore the area after the tour. We had a fantastic early dinner at Bottega Louie, which is just a block away. 
• The Biltmore Hotel, Angelino Heights and Broadway Tours require reservations. The other five tours allow walk-ins. 

the grand ballroom

Have you been on one of the L.A. Conservancy Historic Tours?  Which one? Leave me a comment below!

Los Angeles Conservancy Historic Tours

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#202: Metro Art Tours

Let's take a poll: Have you ever ridden the L.A. Metro Rail System? I'm gonna place my bets on "No, never" and "Wha? We have a Metro?!" Being part of the "No, never" group, I was curious to see how our system stacks up to other cities' rails. I got my chance this past weekend on the Metro Art Tour which runs every first Thursday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. Each tour lasts 2 hours and takes you on a walking and riding exploration of 4 or 5 stations. Best part: it's free!

Last Saturday Brad and I took the 10 am tour that starts at the Hollywood/Highland station. There were about 30 people who showed up, and we split up into two groups. I was amazed to discover that each station is designed by a different artist, and each has a unique theme that reflects its neighborhood. Since the Hollywood/Highland station is right on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it pays homage to the cinematic and theatrical side of Hollywood.

Our tour leader began by showing us light projections at the entrance to the station, which were meant to represent the eyes of a glamorous Hollywood starlet looking out at her audience. We then descended into the "belly" of the starlet, represented by steel structures that look like vertebrae, and light fixtures which were modeled after fallopian tubes.

The "belly" is meant to show the human side of the Hollywood starlet

Next we headed to the Vermont/Sunset Station. Since the station is surrounded by three major hospitals and has a great view of the Griffith Observatory, the artist designed it with a futuristic space theme.

The star filled ceiling at the Vermont/Sunset station

Our next stop was the Hollywood/Vine Station which is across from Pantages Theater. Fittingly, the station features old cameras from Paramount and a ceiling covered in 19,000 film reels!

The station also has a Wizard of Oz theme. The artist wanted to have a yellow tiled "road" that led all the way through the station. Unfortunately, the people who implemented his design scattered the tiles around instead of laying them out in a neat path:

oops

Our last stop was the Universal City Station which is next to the historic Campo de Cahuenga where the 1847 treaty was signed in which Mexico relinquished control of California to the U.S.. This station features the Trees of Califas. Each tree trunk is covered with vibrant tiles that chronicle the events leading up to the Capitulation of Cahuenga.

a tree

The party doesn't end once the tour stops. As a parting gift, you get to keep your fancy little Metro pass which lets you ride the Metro for the rest of the day, free of charge!

With 5 lines servicing 70 stations, the Metro Rail is a quick and reliable way to get around the city. Day passes cost only $5. Check it out!

Have you been on the Metro Art Tour? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Metro Art Tour

Subscribe to 365 LA