Tag Archives: architecture

culture, L.A. Life, New Experience, Sight Seeing

Architecture Guide to Los Angeles

By Yume Nishi

As an architecture student, I love exploring Los Angeles and all the various landmarks it has to offer! Here are a few of my favorites:

Photo from Wikipedia

Griffith Observatory: Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory is a must see, especially at night. They offer telescopes for star-gazing in the evening, or you can enjoy the view of the Hollywood sign during the day. You may have to park below and walk uphill, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Walt Disney Concert Hall: Perhaps one of the most iconic buildings in all of Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, by Frank Gehry, is one you can’t miss. Take advantage of their free tour, or go enjoy a night of philharmonic music. Fun fact: there are hidden fish all throughout the design scheme; try and find them during your visit. Also, be sure to check out the Broad Museum next door while you are here!

Photo by Prayitno on Flickr

Getty Museum: You’ll enjoy a beautiful view of Los Angeles at the Getty Museum, located in mountains above Sherman Oaks. The limestone architecture, designed by Richard Meier, can be enjoyed on a beautiful sunny day, and you can have a nice picnic on their grounds. Head inside for an eclectic collection of art, like the Iris by Van Gogh. Admission is free but parking is $15 (or $10 after 3pm).

Photo by Wayne Hsieh on Flickr

Bradbury Building: This one is a hidden gem and a quick stop on Broadway! You’ve seen it in the movies Blade Runner and (500) Days of Summer. You’ll be transported back to the late 1800’s, surrounded by ornate iron work, marble staircases, and caged elevators. Walk across the street and grab a bite at the Grand Central Market afterwards. There is an amazing variety of cultural foods but my favorite is a breakfast joint called Eggslut (yum!).

Happy Exploring!

Featured image by tiarescott on Flickr

Yume is a USC graduate from the School of Architecture. She was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. when she was 5 years old, and has lived in Orange County, CA since. Yume studied abroad in Barcelona and enjoyed learning about the cultures and languages of the various countries she traveled to during her weekends. In her free time, she loves to explore new places, cook (or attempt to!), hang out with friends and family, and cheer on the USC Trojans at football games.

Travel

Finding my Roots in Guadalajara, Mexico

By Haley Sydney Sanchez

Last summer I had the opportunity to visit my family in Guadalajara, Mexico. I had been there a few times before when I was younger, but unfortunately I do not remember much from those trips. This time, we stayed at my aunt’s house on the outskirts of the city. I was excited to see my large extended family and to revisit the beautiful city with more mature eyes. The trip was given to me by my wonderful abuelos (grandparents in Spanish) who wanted to bring me back to my cultural roots.

Me with my family

It was an unbelievable trip. The city was full of people and happiness radiated throughout. Vendors had cold ice cream (perfect for those hot summer days) and the markets teamed with the most vibrant fruit that had been picked earlier that day. The architecture of the city is mainly neoclassical with influences from indigenous contributions and later modern European influences. The city has beautiful churches, markets, plazas, and theaters, in one of which, the Teatro Degollado,  I got to see my uncle perform.  He plays the classical piano and, on this occasion, he played with a Russian violinist.

My uncle at the piano

In the big Mexican cities, houses are wall to wall with each other and, more often than not, do not have backyards. Because the people tend to be very cramped, the city makes up for it with a lot of parks around the city with basketball hoops, slides, and jungle gyms.

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