California Fool’s Gold — Playa del Rey

A few weeks ago, I was part of a transit discussion at Frank Radio called Alternate Paths (with Lisa Kwon, Maylin Tu, Julia Beach, Greg Ruben, and Hunter Baoengstrum -- check it out!). Afterward, one of the attendees, a woman named Xochitl, asked whether I was ever going to do any more neighborhood explorations. I … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Playa del Rey

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Mentryville

INTRODUCTION  The other day I found myself in Santa Clarita with a couple of hours to kill. I Googled "best restaurants in Santa Clarita" -- knowing full well that Google has been a mostly garbage search engine for years -- completely corrupted as it is by paid advertisements and SEO. I'm sure that there are … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Mentryville

DTLA Walk with John โ€” Bunker Hill Edition

On Saturday 20 January 2024, Iโ€™m going to co-lead a walk of Bunker Hill with State Assembly candidate, John Yi. We will meet at Metro's Civic Center/Grand Park Station in Gloria Molina Grand Park. To avoid confusion, make certain (if you come by train) that you exit in the Grand Park entrance/exit. Thereโ€™s also an … Continue reading DTLA Walk with John โ€” Bunker Hill Edition

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights

INTRODUCTION The other day I explored Elysian Heights, a small neighborhood in Mideast Los Angeles thatโ€™s usually characterized as being part of Echo Park โ€” despite its having been subdivided before Echo Park was even constructed. It wasnโ€™t exactly my typical California Foolโ€™s Gold exploration but rather part of a group walk that I led … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Torrance

I finally explored Torrance. I say โ€œfinallyโ€ because it occupied the top spot, based on reader votes, for the longest time โ€” maybe since 2019. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happenedโ€ฆ and Torrance is sort of far from me and not that easy to get to. So, in the meantime, when I explored, I stuck to … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Torrance

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Miracle Mile

INTRODUCTION The other day, Mike Morgan โ€” a frequent companion in my neighborhood explorations โ€” asked whether or not Iโ€™d like to explore a neighborhoodโ€ฆ or to maybe go to a museum. He asked, too, what community was currently topping the California Foolโ€™s Gold readersโ€™ poll. I informed him that Torrance still occupies the top … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Miracle Mile

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights

I was recently contacted by Dave Stoelk from Spectrum News. He originally wanted to do a segment on the Silver Lake Croquet League for his segment, "That's So L.A." After talking for a few minutes, though, he thought it might be fun to instead do a segment about my maps that I make, as Pendersleigh … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights

Happy 909, or, Pomona Valley Day!

INTRODUCTION Snapshot of the Communities of the Pomona Valley Readers are apparently loving these area code/valley posts. Last year's 818/San Fernando Valley Day post was my most-read piece in 2021. That unexpected response inspired me to write this year's 626/San Gabriel Valley Day post, which -- two month's after its publication -- has already climbed … Continue reading Happy 909, or, Pomona Valley Day!

California Fool’s Gold — The Best of Los Angeles

Last year, I think, I made a map of some of my favorite places -- and places I've still yet to visit but am eager to -- in Metro Los Angeles. I don't remember what the occasion was -- or even whether or not there was one. I think that I just wanted to visualize … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — The Best of Los Angeles

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Pioneertown

INTRODUCTION Penderersleigh & Sons Cartography's Map of Pioneertown, available in art prints and a variety of merchandise This entry into the California Fool's Gold series is about Pioneertown. Pioneertown has actually received zero votes or requests from readers, and that's usually how I determine which communities to cover. However, a friend's band was playing there, … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Pioneertown