Fodor's upCLOSE Los Angeles, 2nd Edition: The Guide that Gets You to the Heart and Soul of the City [Paperback]

Fodor's (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fodor's upCLOSE | Publication Date: March 14, 2000

Fodor's upCLOSE Los Angeles 2ed."Good writing and a sassy attitude." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"Takes you places locals love and tourists don't know about." -- American Way magazine

"Perfect for finding bargains." -- Shape magazine

Designed for people who want to travel well and spend less: With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take you away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.

Great places to stay that don't cost a fortune -- From hip new spots to retro motels and Art Deco classics.The best places to eat, drink, and play with the locals -- From burger shacks and cafés to funky bars and Latin jams.On-the-money insights into local culture, history, and sightsGreat side trips and adventures beyond the obviousPacked with savvy tips and practical information -- From airfare deals to tips on losing the crowds.
Clear, readable maps

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Fodor's upCLOSE Los Angeles 2ed."Good writing and a sassy attitude." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"Takes you places locals love and tourists don't know about." -- American Way magazine

"Perfect for finding bargains." -- Shape magazine

Designed for people who want to travel well and spend less: With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take you away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.

Great places to stay that don't cost a fortune -- From hip new spots to retro motels and Art Deco classics.The best places to eat, drink, and play with the locals -- From burger shacks and cafés to funky bars and Latin jams.On-the-money insights into local culture, history, and sightsGreat side trips and adventures beyond the obviousPacked with savvy tips and practical information -- From airfare deals to tips on losing the crowds.
Clear, readable maps

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Traveling upCLOSE

Stroll up the Venice Boardwalk. Swoop along the freeways. Bask on the beach. Culture-vulture your way along the Miracle Mile and take in the Getty. Shop for a picnic at a farmer's market. Catch a flick at a restored movie palace. In other words, if you want to experience the heart and soul of Los Angeles, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.

The deep and rich experience of Los Angeles that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. By traveling lavishly you risk turning into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect enchilada. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Düsseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.

If you want to see Los Angeles up close and savor the essence of the city and its people in all their stylish and sometimes outlandish glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.

Our Gang

Who are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for Los Angeles, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of Los Angeles to the fullest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fodor's; 2 edition (March 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679003908
• ISBN-13: 978-0679003908
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,456,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For the past dozen years, I've worked full-time as a freelance writer, editor, photojournalist, bicycle messenger and adventure travel planning consultant.

I've contributed text and images to two dozen Fodor's and Lonely Planet travel guidebooks, and my writing has been translated into a dozen languages. For 2+ years, I was a regular contributor to the syndicated newspaper column, Travels with Lonely Planet. My main area of interest and expertise is adventure and responsible/sustainable travel with a purpose in the Americas.

I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Geography and Education. Prior to launching my freelance writing career, I was the senior writer/producer of the Webby Award-winning travel site LonelyPlanet.com.

If I'm not scribbling or shooting photos, I'm probably out scouting new hiking trails, biking to a farmers' market, hunting sublime tacos, cooking up a storm or foraging for wild edibles.

When not out rambling, I advise the National Geographic Society's Sustainable Tourism Initiative and edit and produce the Los Angeles Times Travel website (http://travel.latimes.com), for Tribune Co. and Los Angeles Times Interactive.

I'm based just the other side of Dodger Stadium from Downtown LA, where I garden and inhabit a wild urban pocket with my wife and young son.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars L.A. on the Cheap, but the Good., July 19, 2000

By 

Rosalind Alexander (Leucadia, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fodor's upCLOSE Los Angeles, 2nd Edition: The Guide that Gets You to the Heart and Soul of the City (Paperback)

When we moved to North San Diego County two years ago, we bought a handful of guides to Los Angeles. This is the only one we still consistently use. It listed the closest hotel to UCLA, turned us on to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, gave us enough SoCal history so we didn't feel like out-of-town geeks dropped on cosmo-ville. I like the readable, matter-of-fact, and yes, entertaining entries; my husband (who relies on the other side of his brain more than I do) likes and uses the maps. It's the size, shape, and format of a trade paperback, not the odd vertical oversize that won't fit easily in a book- or handbag. UpClose is also realistic about LA price tags, and honest about the value of trendy eateries with good food. It even identifies the roofs with character worth bedding down under for a night ot two.