SUNSET BLVD
Sunset Blvd is one of the most famous blvds in the world. Featured in countless movies and tv shows, Sunset Blvd is as synonymous with the LA landscape as the Hollywood sign. Begriming at Figeuroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles and winding over thirty miles through most of the cities eclectic and colorful neighborhoods where it terminates at the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
One of the best ways to take in the city by car is to spend a few hours on Sunset Blvd. Begriming in the downtown section of the city, the blvd winds itself through the Silverlake and Echo Park areas of the city. It is this neighborhood that has been up and coming for the past few years in the LA area. Filled with a hipster, yet hippie-liberal feel with a presence of a strong LGBT community, People familiar with New York will find many comparisons between Silverlake and the lower East Side. With its punk, edgy counter culture feel the neighborhood diversifies with the many colorful coffee shops, book stores and new age restaurants and bars that line Sunset Blvd in this neighborhood. Every August this section of Sunset Blvd is shut down for a street fair called Sunset Junction where indie bands, food stands and dozens of community booths converge amongst a sea of art and fashion vendors. Silverlake is a cool community to let go of your inner artists.
Making a sharp turn to the left as you leave Silverlake a section to the right continues on to become Hollywood Blvd and parallels Sunset as you both blvds proceed into Hollywood. Passing by Western Blvd and over the 101, this section of Hollywood is currently going through a major revitalization. Less than twenty years ago the area was laden with gangs, prostitutes and drug lords. Today it is home to the up and coming yuppie Hollywood crowd. On either side you'll notice quaint new cafes, restaurants and night clubs. After passing the 101 freeway you will see the studios of KTLA on the left. KTLA is the Los Angeles affiliate of the CW and it is from here that the nightly news at ten on Channel 5 broadcasts live. However a historical back lot remains to this studio dating back to 1919. It was here that the first "talkie" movie "The Jazz Singer" was produced. In addition the animation Looney Tunes was first produced here as well. This studio has had several ownership hands over the years including Gene Autrey.
As you proceed into the heart of Hollywood you will come up on the shopping center known as the Arc Light on the left hand side. The main feature to the Arc Light is the Arc Light Movie Theatre. A unique theatre going experience the theatre offers assigned seating, a bar and gourmet snacks and treats. Adjacent to the theatre is the Amoeba Music Store. Known as the world's largest independent music store, the store space in this retail location is huge. Housing over 100,000 CDs, tape cassettes and vinyl records, since its opening in 2001 it has become an instant Hollywood landmark.
The next point of interest along Sunset Blvd, again on the left hand side is the CNN building. Especially visible at night, the prominent CNN neon logo retraces the red lettering by lighting up. You can see this for about 2 miles out in either direction leading up to the building. This is CNN's flagship west coast headquarters and news bureau. Several times of year CNN's lead anchor, Anderson Cooper, anchors his 360 live news broadcast from the rooftop of this building. In addition, most evenings a week this is the location for the Larry King Live show. A full newsroom that rivals the New York, Washington and Atlanta operations, this CNN building is an integral part of the CNN news gathering organization.
Immediately after passing the CNN building you'll notice a variety of night clubs on either side of the Blvd. Most of these clubs go through various incarnations over the months if not years, premiering as one name, only to be sold or change ownership hands for which a new name develops. During these short periods many of these clubs host many high profile events and celebs before going through the customary shutdown and changing of hands to reemerge as a new look and feel again.
After passing the intersection of La Brea and Sunset you will proceed onto a straight stretch lined on either side of the Blvd by tall thin palm trees. From here you will observe all kinds of colorful and interesting sights, from cafes to music stores to night clubs. This area of Hollywood is very diverse. Although this stretch of Sunset Blvd retains the traditional crazy and colorful Hollywood feel, especially at night, the streets branching off of the Blvd to the right contain multi million dollar real estate.
As you come up to Fairfax and on the left hand side you will see the official headquarters to the DGA or Directors Guild of America. A labor union that represents the directors interests in the motion picture industry, this building is home to a several private screening theatres, events and charities throughout the year.
After crossing Fairfax you are now heading out of the LA city limits and into the City of West Hollywood. This is also the area that Sunset Blvd is now known as the "Sunset Strip". After passing Laurel Canyon and on the right hand side you will see The Laugh Factory. Dating back to 1979, the Laugh Factory has become one of the premier comedy clubs in the nation. Over the course of nearly 30 years, every major comedy act has passed through the doors of the Laugh Factory. Acts such as Richard Prior, Kathy Griffen, Bob Sagot, Jerry Sienfield, Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey and Rodney Dangerfield, to name just a few, have all made stand up appearances or longtime runs at The Laugh Factory.
After passing The Laugh Factory you will find yourself in the heart of the Sunset Strip. On the right hand side and going up into the hill you will see the Chateau Marmont. A Hollywood landmark in itself, the hotel has a long history of Hollywood connections, stories and events. To the left you'll see the Standard Hotel, which has also become a hip and fun attraction with an outdoor pool and lounge scene full of the hottest and hip people in LA. Around the corner from The Standard and back to the right you'll see Carnies, a hamburger and hotdog joint in an old 1920s yellow Amtrack train. A staple of the Sunset Strip for years, Carnie's is family owned a good place to stop to grab a quick and economical full meal.
After passing the Carnies , you'll also see the Saddle Ranch on the right hand side. If you are looking for a fun and exciting dining experience, Saddle Ranch is the place to go. A full on BBQ style menu with items ranging from baby back ribs to southern fried chicken, the atmosphere is loud and exciting with a southwest decor that includes a bull riding machine smack in the middle of the dining room. Every night a new brave soul gets on the bull and makes their effort to stay on as long as they can. Next to Saddle Ranch, still on the right hand side is Kings Road. By making a right onto Kings Road you will be taken high up into the Hollywood Hills where the houses are huge, sit on jaw dropping cliffs, many owned by celebrities and which have breathtaking views of all of Los Angeles. At the height of Paris Hilton's fame and during the in and out jail circus-Hilton maintained a residence just a short journey up this stretch of Kings Road.
On the right side adjacent to Kings Road is the new Andaz Hotel by Hyatt. During the 1970s this hotel became the mainstay for many huge rock bands during their LA stopover. Music legends abound from this hotel with names such as The Rolling Stone, Led Zeppelin and Lionel Richie. Continuing down the strip on the left hand side you'll find other known hotel properties with their own storied pasts including the Argyle and the Mondrian.
At the center of the Sunset Strip on the right hand side is Mel's Diner. Open 24 hours a day, Mel's diner is always hoping, whether its the shop till you drop types for the lunch crowd or the late night club goers looking for grub at 3AM. This Mel's diner location was featured in a variety of Hollywood movies and tv shows including the movie, "American Graffiti". Formerly known as a Ben Franks, this same diner back then used to be a regular hangout for The Rolling Stones and Andy Warhol. It is also along this stretch to the left you will find many tall glass high rise structures. Many of these structures are home to major advertising agencies,entertainment executives and attorneys.
