This med pot-supporting country boy is going to the BIG CITY (LA) -- need advice on what not to miss

[Fly by night]

Good evening, all. I'm up too late this evening because I am "fired up and ready to go". To Los Angeles, that is.

As some of you may remember, I have just finished a federal sentence for providing medical marijuana to four terminally ill people here in Tennessee. My story has made the rounds on the 'net, and has been promoted by most of the drug-reform groups. Here's one of the links:

http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Cover_Story/2007/04/26/Marijuana_Martyr/

One of them, the Marijuana Policy Project, is releasing a short film on four marijuana-related cases, one of them mine. The film will premiere at a $1,000 a ticket fundraiser at the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles on June 12. And this country boy has just been invited to be there.

To save money, I have arranged to stay in California from June 12-15. Unless I drive up to Santa Cruz to visit the Wo/men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana co-op (which grows medicine for hundreds of people), I will have three days of down-time in the LA area. For the Californicators on this board (and for those of you who've been there before), I'd love your ideas on what should not be missed in that gynormous city.

It will obviously be culture shock for this country boy. When I turn off my lights here on the farm, I am greeted by the darkness that comes from having no neighbors closer than a very long walk (or a longer drive). But I am definitely willing to sacrifice solitude for this experience.

So how about it, DUers. If you were dropped out of the deep-woods into LaLa land, where would you go and what would you do? Come on DUers, make my day.

[Rage for Order]

1. Dude, if you're getting to go to the Playboy mansion...

I don't think anything that someone else recommends you do in LA will be able to top that.

[robinlynne]

4. exactly.

But I live here in LA, so if you need any help with anything, just ask.

LA is huge, and you will probably want to rent a car, unless someone is taking you around. I really don't know what torecommend. it doesn't get any bigger than the playboy mansion. I only know of one person who was ever there, and he was working.

The most exciting thing we ever do is go to a farmer's market, or an anti-war demonstration....

There is a beautiful beach, santa monica and venice. there are some fun neighborhoods. You should see the beach for sure, although the water here is cold, so it's pretty hard to swim.

If I can help you somehow, would be glad to. I don't know what sort of thing you like.

[roody]

36. You will enjoy the city more if you use public transportation.

There is a great subway, and I take the bus from Wilshire business area to the beach when I visit. It is much more interesting than driving. Take an express bus. They don't stop at every corner.

[Fly by night]

7. Couldn't turn down THAT invitation. My dead Dad and my very-much-alive nephews wouldn't hear of it.

[bleever]

2. Don't be "carrying a couple of kees".

;) Best of luck. Have a good time.

[countmyvote4real]

3. You at least have to go to the beach.

I'm a New Yorker, so I can't tell which beach and why. I hope the locals will advise.

Still, you've got to go to the beach of the Pacific ocean.

[Kali]

6. I'd second that.

[Swamp Rat]

5. My two favorite places to visit in L.A.: The Getty Museum and La Brea Tar Pits

About the J. Paul Getty Museum:
http://www.getty.edu/museum/about.html

How to get there:
http://www.getty.edu/visit/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getty_Museum

-----------------------------------

La Brea Tar Pits:
http://www.tarpits.org

Directions:
http://www.tarpits.org/info/direction.html

[xfundy]

14. Tar pits, definitely.

Drive by hollywood & vine to kill the lie we've all been sold about LA & the 'glamor' of hollywood. Go to venice beach & see the sights you'll not likely see elsewhere. Walk in the surf--it's COOOOLD!

If you dare to go off the tour path, you'll see something totally unrelated to what you expect.

Me, I liked the h'wood cemetary, but i'm weird.

When you have more time, see the real CA in SF!

[Fly by night]

19. I love the SF Bay area. Been fortunate to do graduate school at Stanford and UC-Bezerkley.

I think the world of northern California. I wish they would just go ahead and secede from the rest of the state. When I drove through far northen California years ago before my "troubles" (after making a short seed-collecting trip to Vansterdam), I saw a road sign proclaiming that I was in the "State of Jefferson".

I had thought about driving north to see some SF friends on this trip. But it makes more sense to stay in LA and do what all y'all are recommending.

As for the surf being cold, I often bathe during the summer in my spring-fed creek, which is a bracing (and eye-opening) 55 degrees year-round. Glad that creek baths are optional these days -- it was my only option for the first 13 years on my farm.

[XemaSab]

18. Third the tar pits

:D

The OP should cross post this in teh longue and the California forum. Lots of locals with suggestions there.

[Fly by night]

20. Great idea. Done and done (soon)

[Fly by night]

8. These are great ideas. Keep 'em coming.

I would also enjoy sharing a meal with any DUers in LaLa land. I've admired all y'all from afar -- would be great to put some faces with some avatars and sig lines.

[Demobrat]

9. Go to Venice Beach.

You'll find something there to amuse you, I'm sure.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

29. Second that. Rent a bike and ride along the beach.

[LordJFT]

10. Disney Land!

[Fly by night]

12. Don't you have to win the Super Bowl (or something) to go there?

[LordJFT]

13. is that a joke?

it's open to the public

[xfundy]

15. Take a breath, dude. n/t

[LordJFT]

17. that wasn't an angry response

I just didn't get the joke apparently.

[xfundy]

23. Mine wasn't angry either.

The last 7+ years of 'up is down', inside-out manufactured 'reality' has us all questioning our own eyes.

thankfully that nightmare is nearly over.

Sorry if i was insensitive.

[Fly by night]

16. Yes. (I'm country but not that country.)

[Fly by night]

11. One self-kick before this country boy gets to bed (four hours late).

[BeHereNow]

21. Why don't we try to get a DU gathering together for your visit???

I've met DUers from all over the country while traveling.
It would be an honor to pull one together for you!

PM me with you cell # and I will send you mine.

BHN

[Fly by night]

22. I don't have a cellphone (don't work out here.) Where I live is not the end of the world, but ...

... you can see it from here.

I'll PM you my home phone. Would love to meet DUers while out there.

[BeHereNow]

26. Just sent you my cell number in a PM.

Call me when you get to LA.
I sent an email out to some fellow DUers with a link to this thread-
We'll see what we can pull together in honor of your visit.

BHN

[xfundy]

24. fantastic.

This is what real people are about.

And I expect you'll find plenty to argue over--try THAT with a fundy or FRump.

[driver8]

35. Please include me in the get together...

I would love to meet up with other DU'ers!!

[SoCalDemGrrl]

25. Don't forget Farmer's Market on 3rd street and Fairfax- Not The Grove which

they just annexed to the Farmer's market and includes all the usual suspects, but the original old Farmer's Market which is really cool and right next to the glitzy Grove. Also check out the Sunset Strip - alas, Tower Records has closed which was a touchstone for LA, but just driving the Strip is cool - it's Sunset Blvd from Fairfax Avenue west to the start of Beverly Hills which is the residential section- (you'll know it when you get there - all commercial bldgs stop and suddenly you'll see nothing but mansions). If you like Chinese food, eat at Chin Chin which is smack in the middle of Sunset Strip at 8618 Sunset Blvd, great chicken salad and other goodies and you can sit outside and people watch.

Don't forget to hit the beach - I recommend driving down Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica (The Incline) all the way to Malibu and stop at the Malibu Country Mart at Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon for a snack. From there you might want to take Malibu Canyon over to the San Fernando Valley since the drive has spectacular canyon views.

As you might be able to tell, I grew up in the area and I LOVE IT.. ask me anything, I'll be glad to help you.

[Fly by night]

34. Thanks so much for all your ideas. I may PM you before I leave.

I was already excited about the trip. You folks are amping up that excitement and anticipation.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

37. Cool, please do. I'll try and check back often, but I'm on jury duty this week

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. Dodger game. Olvera Street. Knotts Berry Farm. Whale Watching. Hollywood Blvd late at night.

[taught_me_patience]

28. Venice beach!!!

This is a must. Other options include:
Hollywood nightlife
Malibu
Getty
Korea Town BBQ
Long Beach

[Oeditpus Rex]

30. Well, the Dodgers are on the road then

so I can't imagine why anybody'd want to be there. :)



But, hey — if you do decide to bop up to Sanna Crooz, I'd be right proud to meet ya. I'm not in SC (yet), but I'm in the area.

[lonestarnot]

31. Watts. Take your heavy metal jacket.

:evilgrin:

[Pastiche423]

32. Only know about Northern Cal

But wanted to wish you a safe, happy and fun trip!

[nosmokes]

33. If you're an early riser (or up way too late) the flower market

is an incredible feast for the senses. The blooms, the colors and smells and the noises of the agents buying and selling for markets all over the world and the constant motion as pallets of flowers get moved to their destination. It all looks like chaos but it's more like a ballet of forklifts and trucks and pallet jacks golf-carts.Pretty wild stuff. you hafta check out Hollywood blvd around 10 pm on a fri or Sat night. Th LA county and the Getty museums and the Huntington gardens in Pasadena.Venice and muscle beach is probably still worth the effort.Do a lunch or dinner at Muzzo and Franks in Hollywood.Its an old time long established fave, since the thirties.Some of the waiters are prolly 2nd generation. The walls are covered with autographed photos of everyone.One of the few really authentic places left in Hollywood, even if the touristas do know about it.

[LibDemAlways]

38. My list:

Getty museum - It's free and the views from up there are great.
Olvera Street - Touristy, but fun "Faux Mexico" across the street from Union Station downtown. Walk a couple of blocks from there to Phillipes - home of the original Beef Dip sandwich. They actually have a diverse menu - cheap and good.
Venice Beach - You'll know you aren't in Tennessee anymore.
There's always Disneyland & Universal with adjacent shopping/people watching areas.
At Hollywood and Highland there's the Kodak Theatre as well as the extremely touristy Mann's Chinese Theatre with cheesy Michael Jackson and Johnny Depp impersonators out front. Near Sunset and Vine in Hollywood is Amoeba Records which is an attraction in itself.
If you want an old fashioned bite of LA - the motto is "Quality Forever" - eat at The Apple Pan on Pico in West LA. Fast counter service and delicious (if a bit pricy) burgers. An LA institution.

Enjoy your stay and be sure to report back on your Playboy Mansion experience.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

39. Off-topic, but, I'm sorry you had to do time for helping people..........

You're a do-er, most of us just sit around and talk about it. You're fortitude and beliefs are a testament to us all. Maybe one of these days this country will get its shit together and leave cannabis users in peace (especially those who use it as medicine), instead of filling the jails with them.

Oh, and have fun at the Mansion!

[Fly by night]

40. Thanks kindly for your comment. I try to live by two maxims:

A Navajo friend sent me the Hopi Elders prayer several years ago. The last line of the prayer, "We are the ones we've been waiting for", is so inspirational. I am very happy that soon-to-be President Obama is now using those words too.

The second maxim? "If God (and the feds) are watching, then let's give 'em a good show!!"

Frightening people into silence and inaction is how the anti-democratic forces in control of our country keep us down. If you talk AND act despite that fear-mongering effort, it scares THEM shitless. Particularly when you're speaking and acting on behalf of two very nonpartisan ideas: easing the pain and suffering of sick folk by returning cannabis to our medical pharmacoepia; and free, fair and verifiable elections. It's hard to feel fearful when you know that the vast majority of people agree with you and will say so because you opened your own mouth.

We are the ones ... so let's give 'em one hell of a show!

Fired up. Ready to go.

Thanks again.

[diva77]

41. TV Show Tapings - get tix free, be part of live studio audience

contact info. to get tix for tapings (it's always fun to watch a show being taped)

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/losangeles/0014021209.html