Cruising with MONA, Pt. 3

On our last MONA (Museum of Neon Art) Neon Cruise post, I left you at the Chapman Market near Koreatown. Disneyland fans might find this building a bit familiar, especially if they compare it to Off the Page in Disney California Adventure:



The drive-in Chapman Park Market opened in 1929 and was one of the first markets in the western U.S. designed for the automobile. Today it thrives with chic Korean shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and clubs.







OK readers...let's bring it on home! A few more shots as the double decker bus made its way through Saturday night traffic to show us what's left of the glorious vintage neon that once burned brightly throughout Los Angeles. The Gaylord Building (I'm not touching that one).





The Bryson, made famous by author Raymond Chandler:



Park Wilshire:



What's left of the Westlake Theatre sign. Please fix!!



Those beautiful light standards of Wilshire Boulevard:



And what better place to stop after your Neon Cruise than Clifton's Cafeteria, which looks even more splendid at night!



I HIGHLY recommend you check out the MONA (Museum of Neon Art) Neon Cruise for yourself!

See more MONA Neon Cruise photos at my main website.

Cruising with MONA, Pt. 2

Hop back on the bus with me after our Chinatown interlude to continue the MONA (Museum of Neon Art) Neon Cruise. How about this evening view of the Los Angeles City Hall? No neon, but it's still a great view one gets from the top level of our double-decker cruise bus!

Here we see the historic KRKD radio tower, which has been around since 1932 atop the Spring Arcade (R-KD; get it?) Building near Broadway and 5th. A 2014 demolition application to remove the towers was rejected since they are a historic landmark. Another win for preservation!



There are lots of vintage movie house signs in LA, such as the Los Angeles Theatre:



The Palace:





and the Pantages:



I don't remember what this Aztec façade is from, but boy is it cool!



Jesus has lost his “s,” which points out how important it is to keep neon working properly. As Eric pointed out, would you buy your gas from a SHELL Station if the “h” was burned out?



Your typical no-tell motels:





The legendary Tommy's, where you get unparalleled chili burgers:



Our bus has pulled up in front of the Chapman Park Market near Koreatown for another interlude, where I will leave you until we continue.



More vintage neon wonders in my next post!

See more MONA Neon Cruise photos at my main website.

Clifton's Neon

On my last trip to LA, I stopped by one of my favorite places for lunch, Clifton's Cafeteria! While waiting for my friend Tony to show up, I went downstairs to use the restroom. For the first time I noticed this display:



It's the historic neon I had read about. Installed in the 1930's by Clifford Clinton himself, it was discovered hidden in a wall during the restoration/renovation in 2012. STILL GLOWING!!! According to the accompanying sign, the only time it was off was during blackout drills during World War II and when the City electrical grid field. INCREDIBLE! I think this calls for another photo:



I also discovered this tiki bench downstairs:



Some of the Christmas decor was still up:





The highlight of the lunch? The rainbow jello.



...which deserves a closeup:



See more Clifton's photos at my main website.

Union Station in LA

It had been almost five years since my last visit to Union Station in Los Angeles. A camera change and hopefully some wisdom along the way helped create some better photos this time around!



It opened in May 1939, and as far as I'm concerned, it's still an architectural wow!







Here are three of the reasons I love visiting this place. Vintage tile:



Cool light fixtures:



An art deco clock:



Last one for today is a view of Union Station shot from the Avila Adobe on Olvera Street:



See more Los Angeles Union Station photos at my main website.

Back to Clifton's

Last month marked my third time to Clifton's Cafeteria since it's very successful restoration/overhaul. Each time I struggle between taking photos of new details versus enjoying the delicious food. Always a battle. Take a gander at this beautifully sculpted watermelon!





And the signage...so vintage...so well done...it boggles this type-lover's heart.



Organic chicken tenders?!? Why go to McDonald's when you get so much more at Clifton's!



I'm a sucker for Clifton's meatloaf; one of my favorites to dine on here.



Who else makes jello look this cool?



And then of course the decor; like this huge-ass tree in the middle of the restaurant:



The little framed wonders:



And of course the taxidermy:



Silent film siren Louise Brooks was playing on a wall nearby:



One of these days I need to sample Clifton's at night when it REALLY comes alive.

More goodies from Clifton's at my main website.