The VDL Research House photographed by Lyudmila Zotova from 111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss
I admit it: I love living in LA. As a native New Englander, I’m a bit shocked to hear myself say those words aloud, but it’s true. I didn’t move to the city knowing that I would fall in love with all the hidden treasures here, but over time, I’ve discovered a few of them. Many are among the fun list in this book: 111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss.
The paperback is part of a series of books covering cities worldwide, including Venice, New York, Rome, Cape Town, and London. This installment is written by Angelenos Laurel Moglen and Julie Posey and photographed by Lyudmila Zotova, giving 111 Places a hometown feel. Moglen and Posey have LA street cred as producers for NPR affiliates KPCC and KCRW, working on shows including AirTalk and Which Way LA?
Places are listed in alphabetical order; each one has descriptive text and full-page images. They cover quintessential LA, such as Runyon Canyon (I’ve been to Runyon), and tell you where to find the two beaches that allow bonfires in designated cement rings (Dockweiler, anyone?). Discover other secrets like kayaking on the Los Angeles River, where to walk a labyrinth, and the location for playing rooftop tennis with a view.
The Machine Project photographed by Lyudmila Zotova from 111 Places in Los Angeles that You Must Not Miss
Fitting for LA, there are famous film locations, such as the 2nd Street Tunnel shown in Blade Runner or where you can drive by the fictional home of Fast and Furious hero Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel). They give you the intel on It’s a Wrap (in Burbank and West LA), the retail stores where clothes used in TV shows are sold on consignment and what to see at the Quentin Tarantino-owned New Beverly Cinema. They don’t include yoga studios, but we know those already, so pick up a copy to find other fabulous treasures of the Southland.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.