Customer Reviews

Peaceful Places: Los Angeles: 100+ Sites for Tranquility Across the City of Angels

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Laura Randall's "Peaceful Place: Los Angeles" identifies and describes "110 tranquil sites in the City of Angels and Neighboring Communities."

It's the perfect antidote to that rushed, crowded city feel that even most exciting cities provoke. And it's aimed at both the tourist and the Los Angelino.

Randall describes nine day and overnight trips, seven walks, seven historic sites, nine museums and galleries, eight outdoor habitats, sixteen parks and gardens, seventeen quiet tables, four reading rooms, eight scenic vistas, seven shops/services, seven spiritual stops, and eleven `urban surprises.'

Her peaceful places are also listed by category and area and helpful maps are provided.

My personal favorite is the Venice Canal walk, which Randall classes an `enchanting walk.' She provides a map, gives it a two star rating, and then goes on to explain what makes the walk interesting and to suggest the best time of day to visit.

This is not a coffee table book - the pictures are in black and white. But the trade off is that it's light weight and portable.

The bottom line: Five stars. This is a peaceful book to browse and a great guide to quiet places in a bustling metropolitan area.

Despite its unassuming appearance, this book is a real treasure trove. Los Angeles is a city where you are never the only person in the park, at the store, on the road. Despite our infamous sprawl, we always seem to be tripping over each other.

Peaceful Places: Los Angeles offers up 110 spots where you can catch your breath in the City of Angels. Laura Randall has found some famous sites (Greystone Mansion, the Bradbury Building Lobby) and plenty of lesser-known but equally tranquil retreats (Aroma Café, Los Angeles River & Gardens - yes, we have a river! Who knew?)

This is a great little guide for tourists and locals alike. We've already visited nine of these spots, and some of them have become regular and welcome parts of our lives. The book is eminently portable, small and light enough to stash in a purse or glove box. The cover is sturdier than usual, the better to handle repeated flip-throughs. When you're stuck on the 405, pull out Peaceful Places: Los Angeles and head for the nearest exit.

In Peaceful Places, Los Angeles, Laura Randall explores "110 Tranquil Sites in the City of Angles and Neighboring Communities," providing descriptions, photos, and useful information for those seeking serene respite in a megalopolis known for glitz and traffic.

The sites are organized alphabetically, from Amir's Garden in Griffith Park (Hollywood) to the Zona Rosa Caffe (Pasadena), and ranked with three stars ("heavenly anytime"), two stars ("almost always sublime"), or one star (peacefulness limited to certain designated times). Randall also offers two alternate "paths" for finding the sites - by category and by geographic area (sort of like a Zagat guide to tranquility).

The sites fall into several categories: enchanting walks, historic sites, museums and galleries, parks and gardens, quiet tables, reading rooms, spiritual enclaves and others. Randall' s descriptions are detailed and evocative. She has a breezy style that is like getting information from a well-informed friend.

This book is a treasure for Los Angeles residents looking to explore the quieter corners of their city. It is also a must-read guide for visitors who want a break from the hectic bustle of the typical trip to southern California.

(Also posted on Rose City Reader.)