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Extension: Los Angeles Beyond the Facade

Program Number: 20161RJ
Start and End Dates:
1/2/2013 - 1/5/2013; 1/2/2014 - 1/5/2014;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Los Angeles, California
Price starting at: $599.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: History & Culture Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 8; 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Following the Tournament of Roses Parade, experience the fascinating cultural highlights of Los Angeles. In Hollywood, follow the legendary Walk of Fame, view impressions of stars at Grauman's Chinese Theater, glimpse the famous Hollywood sign and more. With a local historian, learn about the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall and Jose Rafael Moneo's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.




Highlights

• John Daugherty, longtime L.A. resident, shares his passion for the city.
• See how downtown L.A. has evolved from the first settlement at El Pueblo Historical Monument to today's modern urban center.
• View the distinguished collection of Roman, Greek and Etruscan antiquities at the fabulous Getty Villa in Malibu.



Activity Particulars

Walking, standing up to one hour, getting on/off bus. Walking distance at Getty Center determined by level of interest.



This program is an extension of “The Tournament of Roses Parade: A Heritage to Celebrate” (#10515).




Date Specific Information

1-2-2013

Program includes the LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC AT WDCH-Christoph Eschenbach, conductor; TAN DUN Percussion Concerto (U.S. premiere, LA Phil co commission); TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Los Angeles

The cosmopolitan heart of Southern California, L.A. shimmers with diverse cultures and unparalleled glamour, but the “City of Angels” indulges more than fantasy. Its cultural institutions are world-class, from the Getty Museum to the Philharmonic, and top-ranking schools like UCLA and USC contribute to its renown as a first-rate center of learning.
Accommodations
Hotel near famous destinations and transit options.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
John Daugherty
John Daugherty has keen insight into Los Angeles’ architectural, historic, educational and residential treasures. Born and raised in L.A., John has earned great popularity for his “Spectacular Downtown L.A.” walking explorations. He has been involved in a large number of volunteer activities in his many years with the L.A. Conservancy. John enjoys bike riding, meeting people, traveling, and speaking French — which he does fluently.
 
Anne Spackman
Anne Spackman is a graduate of the University of Colorado, where she majored in journalism, and she later pursued graduate studies in art history at UCLA. After working as a docent for three years at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Anne joined the museum staff and served 21 years as a gallery teacher in the education department. She has taught college art classes and has offered instruction to adults and children of all ages.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   The L.A. Downtown Hotel
  Los Angeles 3 nights
 The L.A. Downtown Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The L.A. Downtown Hotel (formerly the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown Hotel and soon to become a Hyatt Regency Hotel) is near LA Live, home of the Staples Center and NOKIA Theater LA Live. This spacious, downtown area hotel is within walking distance of landmark restaurants and lounges, LA's Music Center, shopping, sports and transportation options. This finely appointed, full-service hotel provides guests with luxurious accommodations; a first-class fitness center and beautiful, heated outdoor pool; world-class dining in one of the hotel's three restaurants, poolside or in their room; and close proximity to world-famous LA destinations and cultural landmarks including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Norton Simon Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Little Tokyo, So. Pasadena and many theatrical venues.
  Contact info: 333 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071 USA
phone: 213-617-1133
web: http://www.thelahotel.com/
  Room amenities: Guest rooms are furnished with an alarm clock, coffee maker/tea service, Internet browser/Web TV, iron/ironing board, luxurious bedding with Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses with foam or down pillows, hair dryer, separate tub and shower, premium cable TV, movies/videos, and pay-per-view. A rollaway bed is available in some rooms. There is no access charge when using the room phone for toll-free and credit-card calls. Daily newspaper delivery to the room may be requested. A room refrigerator is available, but not guaranteed, upon request.
  Facility amenities: This 13-story, 400-room, smoke-free hotel offers many amenities to its guests including a Concierge desk; cash machine/ATM; gift shop; foreign exchange; 24-hour Fitness Center; daily housekeeping service; complimentary newspaper delivered to the room, on request; room service from 6:00AM to 11:00PM; safe deposit boxes at the front desk; full-service business center; and a same-day laundry and valet dry-cleaning service. INTERNET ACCESS: High-speed wireless Internet service is available at the rate of $9.95/day per device (includes iPads, laptops and any device used to connect to the Internet). The service covers all guest rooms and public spaces in the hotel. Guests may sign up for Wi-Fi access at the front desk. A password is required. (This rate also includes unlimited local phone calls and unlimited long distance service within the country.)
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Based upon availability The L.A. Downtown Hotel offers Road Scholar guests a special rate based upon availability if you wish to stay before or after the program week. Please make your reservation directly with the hotel by calling (213) 617-6019 between 8:00AM–5:00PM, or faxing (213) 621-1510. If you call and reach a voice mail, please leave a message and someone from reservations will return your call.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Based upon availability The L.A. Downtown Hotel offers Road Scholar guests a special rate based upon availability if you wish to stay before or after the program week. Please make your reservation directly with the hotel by calling (213) 617-6019 between 8:00AM–5:00PM, or faxing (213) 621-1510. If you call and reach a voice mail, please leave a message and someone from reservations will return your call.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Program begins with lunch at the hotel after returning from the Post-Parade Viewing, the last activity of program #10515. The hotel will provide a late check-out if you are enrolled in program #20161. You will be staying at The L.A. Downtown Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Please arrange your transportation so you can join us on the guided walk of the art and architecture of the Central Library. The group will return to the hotel at approximately 11:30AM. You will be staying at The L.A. Downtown Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. On the enclosed Personal Information Form, please indicate to us the name of your roommate/traveling companion. Also let us know if you are traveling with other individuals and wish to be assigned a room near them. Photo ID
  Parking availability:
Program starts in Woodland Hills and ends in downtown Los Angeles. A chartered bus transports the group from Hilton Woodland Hills to Los Angeles, but guests are responsible for independent departures on Saturday. Valet parking at hotel costs $35/day.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Los Angeles
  Nearest city or town:  Los Angeles
  Nearest highway: Freeways 101, 10 and 110 run through LA
  Nearest airport:  Los Angeles International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Los Angeles
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

To LAX from LA Downtown Hotel

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
SuperShuttle
phone: 800-258-3826
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx. $16 p/p one-way
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 24 minutes, depending on traffic/time of day 
 

Distance:

 

18 miles
   

SuperShuttle provides door-to-door shared van service from the hotel to LAX. Advance reservations are required. Call for current rates as prices are subject to change without notice. Website: www.supershuttle.com // SuperShuttle local phone: (310) 782-6600 GOOD ALTERNATE: Prime Time Shuttle ~ For online reservations, call 800-733-8267, or go to www.primetimeshuttle.com
 

To Burbank (BUR) from LA Downtown Hotel

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Prime Time Shuttle
phone: 800-733-8267
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$23 p/p one-way
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

40-60 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day 
 

Distance:

 

16 miles
   

Prime Time Shuttle local phone: (310) 536-7922 Prime Time Shuttle website: www.primetimeshuttle.com They provide door-to-door shared van service between the hotel and airport. CALL FOR CURRENT FARE AS PRICE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Advance reservations are required. Burbank Airport website: www.burbankairport.com (for further transportation information) ALTERNATE passenger van service: SuperShuttle at 800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com
 

To Los Angeles Union Station (AMTRAK) from LA Downtown Hotel

 

To Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Yellow Cab
phone: 877-733-3305

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Around $10+ per ride one-way
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approx. 5 to 10 minutes depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

Less than 2 miles from the hotel to Union Station
   

The easiest way from the hotel to Union Station is by taxi. You may also use public transportation (DASH bus and Red Line train). Take the DASH F bus from the corner of 4th & Figueroa Sts. (near the hotel) to the Red Line train station at 7th & Figueroa Sts. From there take the Red Line train north to Union Station. The DASH F bus operates M-F from 6:30AM to 6:30PM, and Sat-Sun from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and runs every 10 minutes. DASH fare is $0.50; the Red Line fare is $1.50.
 

Los Angeles/LAX to Union Station LA Downtown

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
FlyAway Bus
phone: 866-435-9529

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$7 p/p one-way; $14 p/p round trip
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic/time of day 
 

Distance:

 

18 miles from LAX to the LA Downtown Hotel
   

LAX FlyAway nonstop bus service available between LAX and Union Station 24 hrs a day. LAX departures arrive for pick-up at Terminal 1, lower level, on the hour, and then stops are made at each terminal thereafter. From Union Station, travel by taxi or DASH bus to hotel. The one-way fare is around $10. If using the DASH (or Red Line train/DASH combo), please read instructions in the Amtrak train section for more details. DASH fare $0.35 one-way. Red Line fare $1.50/adult & $0.55/seniors.
 
Driving Directions
  DETAILED PARKING INSTRUCTIONS Valet parking is available at the hotel at the rate of $35/day. (See the concierge for further details.) ALTERNATE PARKING: Less costly overnight parking @ $18/day is available half a block away from the hotel in one particular section of the World Trade Center parking garage. To access this section, one must be careful to enter ONLY at the 3rd St. entrance to the garage. Upon entry, bear to the left and follow the signs marked MONTHLY/ VISITORS Parking. Note: The hotel is located at 333 S. Figueroa St., which is a one-way street going north. Participants may want to drop off their luggage first at the hotel’s front entrance before parking their cars. On exiting the hotel driveway onto S. Figueroa St., pull over to the far right lane and turn immediately onto 3rd St. going east. The garage entrance is on the right, less than halfway down the street. DO NOT ENTER the parking garage from either the Figueroa or Flower St. entrances because you may be charged up to $36/day or more for parking. PARKING RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Therefore, please read the garage parking rate sign carefully when entering to verify the maximum daily charge. There is a pedestrian walkway from the WTC parking garage to the hotel.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Hollywood
(Wednesday, January 2)

Note: One must be able to easily get on/off the chartered bus, climb stairs and stand/walk for 60-90 minutes on the guided Hollywood walk.
   
 Lunch: Lunch at Hilton Woodland Hills

HOTEL CHECK OUT: Please check out of the Hilton Woodland Hills Hotel at the end of the Tournament of Roses program. The group will depart by bus after lunch for Los Angeles.

 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Hollywood

After lunch, board the motorcoach for Hollywood where we'll meet our guide, John Daugherty. The first stop is Hollywood & Highland, the complex that houses the site of the Academy Awards. Walk along the Walk of Fame to Grauman's Chinese Theater, famous for its foot and hand prints of the stars.

On the way to the LA Downtown Hotel, view the 1930 Pantages Theater, a historical landmark and art deco masterpiece, and the Capitol Record Tower. Get a glimpse of the famous Hollywood sign

HOTEL GROUP CHECK-IN: Check into the LA Downtown Hotel after 3:00pm

 Dinner: Dinner at LA Downtown Hotel

Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants.

 Evening: ORIENTATION: Brief orientation begins after dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

CROSSING POINTS: Participants briefly introduce themselves to the rest of the group.

Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.
   
Accommodations: The L.A. Downtown Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Downtown Los Angeles
(Thursday, January 3)

Note: One must be able to easily get on/off the chartered bus, climb stairs and walk up to 0.5-1 mile at a time.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: CLASS: Historic Los Angeles

From the first settlement at El Pueblo Historical Monument to today's modern urban center with its world-class institutions, we'll see how the downtown area has evolved.

FIELD TRIP: Exploration of Downtown Los Angeles

After class, ride the motorcoach to the first destination to begin an all day exploration of downtown with John Daugherty, our guide. John has lived in LA for over 50 years, is passionate about the city and eager to share some of his favorite areas with us.

During the day, our stops will include the 1893 Bradbury Building, the oldest commercial office structure remaining in downtown LA and a popular film location; the facades of Vaudeville-era movie houses on Broadway; the Walt Disney Concert Hall gardens and Grand Ave. lobby; and the Spanish architect Jose Rafael Moneo's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels where we'll visit the sanctuary and mausoleum and admire John Nava's tapestries. Later we'll view LA City Hall and Union Station, the last of the nation's great train stations. Built in 1939, it features a grand combination of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco designs.

 Lunch: Lunch at Philippe's

Enjoy one of Los Angeles's original cuisines--the French Dip sandwich--at this historic restaurant.

 Dinner: Dinner at hotel
   
Accommodations: The L.A. Downtown Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Getty Center/Walt Disney Concert Hall performance
(Friday, January 4)

Note: One must be able to easily get on/off the chartered buses. Upon arrival at the Getty Center, computer-operated trams transport guests 3/4 of a mile uphill from the parking structure at a top speed of 10 miles per hour. You will have time to explore the Getty Center on your own. The amount of standing/walking at the Getty Center is based upon one's interest level. Walking between the buildings is on flat, paved surfaces but access to the bottom of the Central Gardens involves a slight incline.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: CLASS: J. Paul Getty and His Collection

This session introduces the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, which houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs.

FIELD TRIP: After class, the motorcoach departs the hotel for a day long visit to the Getty Center.

The Getty Center presents the Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.

Explore the museum and grounds on your own or join one of the public tours.

 Lunch: Lunch at the Getty Center will be on your own to give you an opportunity to view the art at your leisure.

The Garden Terrace Cafe offers coffee, lunch, and snacks in an outdoor setting overlooking the Central Garden.

The Cafe at the Getty Center is a self-service cafe and has indoor and outdoor dining areas. The extensive menu includes sandwiches, soups, salad, pizza, tacos and burritos, and grilled items. Wine and beer are also available.

Reservations are suggested for the Getty Center Restaurant, a full-service facility with views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Lunch is served Tuesday-Saturday 11:30AM-2:30PM. Make reservations for the restaurant by calling (310) 440-6810.

 Dinner: Dinner at hotel
 Evening: CLASS: Upbeat Live: Pre-concert talk in the BP Hall in the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Artists: Los Angeles Philharmonic under Christoph Eschenbach, conductor and Martin Grubinger, percussion

Program: Tan Dun: Percussion Concerto (U.S. premiere, LA Philharmonic co-commission)

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
   
Accommodations: The L.A. Downtown Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Richard J. Riordan Central Library/Independent Departures
(Saturday, January 5)

Note: One must be able to walk 2 blocks from the hotel to the Central Library for a 1-hour art and architecture guided walk.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Richard J. Riordan Central Library

The docent-led walk of the Central Library includes the art and architecture of both the historic 1926 Goodhue Building and the new Bradley Wing.

HOTEL CHECK OUT: This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our Los Angeles program and will join us for other rewarding adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!

   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Los Angeles Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Because Los Angeles offers the visitor a wide range of activites, we suggest you contact the the LACVB and request tourism information.

Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau

6801 Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood, CA 90028

(877) 506-3780 For additional information, visit www.discoverlosangeles.com

  Music Center
Information and performance schedules for the Music Center, home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall are available at the Music Center's website. For additional information, visit www.musiccenter.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Building the Getty


Author: Richard Meier


Description: This book provides a fascinating history of the planning, design, and construction of the six-building Getty Center in Los Angeles, one of the great cultural complexes to be built in our time. Writing with wit and passion, Richard Meier takes us behind the scenes of the thirteen-year-long, one-billion-dollar project.



The J. Paul Getty Museum Handbook of the Collections -- Fourth


Author: Mark Greenberg


Description: This revised and updated J. Paul Getty Museum Handbook of the Collections includes many major objects that recently have been added to the collections, as well as the more familiar masterpieces frequent visitors have become acquainted with over the years from the antiquities, drawings, manuscripts, paintings, photographs, and sculpture and decorative arts holdings. Among the notable new accessions is a major collection of modern and contemporary sculpture, a 2005 gift from the Fran and Ray Stark Trust. Moreover, the new edition of the Handbook marks the historic moment at which the Museum commences operating on two sites simultaneously--the dazzling Getty Center on a hilltop in Brentwood and the magnificently re-imagined Getty Villa in Malibu, devoted to Western antiquities.



Southern California: An Island on the Land


Author: Carey McWilliams


Description: Widely recognized as the best non-fiction book written about Southern California for the period 1920s through the 1940s. "Southern California: An Island on the Land" is packed with fascinating material on the region and its galaxy of personalities--from Helen Hunt Jackson to Aimee Semple McPherson, from Huntington the financier to Hatfield the rainmaker. Carey McWilliams provides insights into many subjects, ranging from the origins of Hollywood to the flowering of International Style architecture in Los Angeles. This book was originally published in 1946 and has been continuously in print since 1973.



Los Angeles, Portrait of a City


Author: David L. Ulin & Kevin Starr


Description: From the first known photograph taken in Los Angeles to its most recent sweeping vistas, this photographic tribute to the City of Angels provides a fascinating journey through the city's cultural, political, industrial, and sociological history. It traces the city's development from the 1880s' real estate boom, through the early days of Hollywood and the urban sprawl of the late 20th century, right up to the present day. With over 500 images, L.A. is shown emerging from a desert wasteland to become a vast palm-studded urban metropolis. These photos are given context and resonance through essays by renowned California historian Kevin Starr and Los Angeles literature expert David Ulin.





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