November 2004--Okay, so Shaq and Phil Jackson have split town and the Lakers' era of invincibility is over, but for a city constantly reinventing itself that's yesterday's news. In fact, it's a full-time job just keeping up with all the changes and new additions to one of the country's most vibrant cities. Here's just a sample of what's new to see and do.
Museums & Zoos
If you think all museums are boring, then you obviously haven't been to the new Erotic Museum, 6741 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood (tel. 323/463-7684; www.theeroticmuseum.com), in mid-town Los Angeles. The swelling collection of fine art, folk art, and multimedia works are the first of the genre to open on the West Coast. Exhibits such as "Sex and Technology" and "Body Image: Shaping our Sense of Self" are among the educative and intellectually-focused themes the museum offers. Where else but L.A. will you find a tasteful tribute to John Holmes?
The Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park (tel. 323/644-4200; www.lazoo.org), rated among the top 10 zoos in the U.S. with more than 1,200 animals on the 80-acre expanse, is now showing off its new nine-acre complex that hosts the Sea Lion cliffs, a saltwater habitat with underwater viewing, a Children's Discovery Center, and a cool California-themed plaza.
Thrill Rides
The world's first psychological thrill ride, the Revenge of the Mummy, is now terrifying tourists at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Center Dr., Universal City (tel. 818/662-3801; www.universalstudioshollywood.com). Based on the hugely popular Mummy movie franchise, the ride is a multi-sensory, total immersion trip into the tombs of Imhotep in ancient Egypt. All indoors, it's the latest in thrill ride design with forward and back motion, pyrotechnics (a ceiling of 2000¿ F flames burning just inches above riders' heads), and the most advanced animatronics and projected CGI animation. Riders will experience different details depending on the car they are in, so the ride will be new each time.
On the north side of the city at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia (tel. 661/255-4500; www.sixflags.com), is another extreme experience: The Tornado. The water park's new ride looks like a giant household funnel that's been turned on its side. You (if you're crazy enough) jump into it at 75 feet in the air and plunge downward through a 132-foot-long dark, winding cylinder into an open-mouthed waterfall and pool (don't wet yourself).
South of the city are two more new thrill rides: Disney's Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Knott's Silver Bullet. The Tower of Terror at Disneyland in Anaheim (tel. 714/781-4565; www.disneyland.com), is a 13 story drop into the 5th dimension based on "The Twilight Zone" series. Visitors explore what happened to a group of hotel guests who disappeared in this luxury high rise that's crammed with exhilarating drops and special effects. The Silver Bullet at Knott's Berry Farm, 6601 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (tel. 800/541-3953; www.knotts.com), is a new western-themed rollercoaster that sends riders up 146 feet before soaring downward 109 feet. Riders roll, spiral, corkscrew, and fly into a cobra curl in chrome-plated, floorless seating compartments.
Concert Halls and Waterfronts
The strikingly beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave. (tel. 213/972-4399; www.musiccenter.org) has finally finished tuning its 6,134-pipe organ designed by Frank Gehry (it took a full year). The focal point of the concert hall, the organ's pipes range in size from a pencil to a telephone pole. Among the newly scheduled organ programs are organ soloist Todd Wilson performing Lou Harrison's Organ Concerto and Copland's Organ Symphony.
Over in San Pedro there's a new Waterfront Pedestrian Promenade (www.sanpedrowaterfront.com), which offers plenty of on-shore activities at one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. The promenade is the launch site for cruise ships, recreational boating, and whale-watching tours. Along the promenade is the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen White Dr., San Pedro (tel. 310/548-7562; www.cabrilloaq.org), which just opened a multi-million-dollar Exploratorium Center for children and an aquatic nursery.
Restaurants and Hotels
The talk around town is about the newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood (tel. 800/950-7667; www.hollywoodroosevelt.com). The 12-story Hollywood landmark is nearly done with a $30 million renovation to the ever-so-cool tower guest rooms, the historic public areas, and the dig-me pool area (the pool-side cabana rooms are the best place to stay on hot summer days) -- including a new pool bar offering refreshing cocktails and great brick-oven pizzas. Also here is Feinstein's at the Cinegrill, a groovy, dark, tier-leveled supper club hosted by celebrity performer Michael Feinstein.
As for L.A.'s dining scene, the trend toward Asian-fusion dishes continues at L.A.'s hot new restaurants such as Kai, 101 Broadway Ave., Santa Monica (tel. 310/434-1511), where Chef Nobu Hamazaki serves small plates of Pacific Rim-style dishes such as garlic tiger shrimp skewered on sugarcane and carpaccio of Kobe beef. The glass-enclosed patio complete with open fire pit is ideal for enjoying the seaside views while sipping on a passion fruit martini.
Another popular Asian-fusion newcomer is Rika Restaurant, 8590 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood (tel. 310/657-9500). This ultra-modern-looking restaurant offers a 180-degree view of the Sunset Strip, but even more impressive is the non-traditional, French-influenced sushi and sashimi, such as their Ruby Roll lined with lobster tempura, avocado, and salmon caviar.
If all this fusion stuff is too trendy for your simple American palate, an excellent alternative is Nook Neighborhood Bistro, 11628 Santa Monica Blvd. #9, Los Angeles (tel. 310/207-5160). Featuring simple, moderately priced American comfort food that's presented artistically and in a friendly and inviting atmosphere, Nook is earning kudos for such dishes as roasted squash and chickpea stew with golden raisins, minted couscous and yogurt sauce ($9), and their blackened catfish burritos with Meyer lemon aioli, Napa cabbage slaw, charred green onion, and oven dried tomato ($8).