his original scores composed for the film series. Top off the
The Griffith Observatory
evening with a Butterbeer at Hog’s Head Pub or fish & chips and
shepherd’s pie at the Three Broomsticks Tavern.
BIKE RIDE FROM SANTA MONICA PIER
TO REDONDO ON THE STRAND
Traffic and parking are a constant cause of complaint in L.A., but one
way to avoid the stress is to rent a bike and cycle the strand from
Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades all the way south to
Redondo Beach. The 22-mile bike path — or any chunk of it you choose
— will take you past the arcades, Ferris wheel and aquarium at Santa
Monica Pier, the craziness of Venice Boardwalk and Muscle Beach (be
sure to duck down some alleyways and check out the colorful murals
and artistic graffiti), wind you inland through the peaceful Marina,
then onwards to Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches in the
South Bay. On the way, there are plenty of spots to stop and refuel
or lubricate, such as Big Dean’s at the bottom of the Santa Monica
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS WIZARDING
WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
L.A. itself often feels like a theme park, with no shortage of real
theme parks nearby including Disneyland, California Adventure,
Legoland and Six Flags Magic Mountain. The one that really
encompasses the spirit of Hollywood is Universal Studios, located
on the site of one of the oldest film studios still in use. Studio
tours began in 1915 and cost five cents (they’re a little more
expensive now, starting at $105), and it has since launched rides
based on the biggest blockbusters of the era such as Back to the
Future, Jaws, Terminator and Beetlejuice. The latest attraction is
the most magical, “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” launched
in April 2016 (the sequel to the Orlando park). Set around the
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry created by J.K.
Rowling, the park features rollercoasters like the Harry Potter
and the Forbidden Journey (a 4K-HD and ride film projecting
at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second), Flight of the
Hippogriff, Ollivander’s Wand Fitting Experience, Frog Choir and
the Triwizard Spirit Rally. New this season is the The Nighttime
Lights at Hogwarts Castle, which shine brightly with an awe-
inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts:
Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin and culminates
with beams of lights across the night sky. The spectacular is
accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by
Academy Award-winning composer John Williams based on
Beachwood Canyon
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 36 AUTUMN 2017
Pier (don’t be fooled by the small front patio — it’s like a mullet and
much bigger in the back), Venice Whaler (where there’s always a party
on the top floor) or enjoy the nostalgia of Old Tony’s on Redondo’s
Fisherman’s Wharf.
Venice Canals
BROAD MUSEUM
Since it opened in the September of 2015, Los Angeles residents have
been desperate to visit The Broad Museum so you’d be wise to book
a ticket as soon as your flight is confirmed. The city’s most dazzling
example of modern architecture is located on Bunker Hill downtown,
an area renowned for bursts of expensive urban renewal — some more
successful than others. The $140 million contemporary art museum
was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad and the most
prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide are
now free to the public, many of whom waited in line for hours when
it first opened. One of the museum’s most striking exterior features is
the “veil” created by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro covering a vault
of archives, coupled with a haphazard, mottled exoskeleton. Inside,
curving ceilings and escalators rise into smooth stone giving the museum
the feeling of an alien planet from “Star Trek,” while the exhibits take
visitors to another era altogether. Eagle-eyed guests will sneak a glimpse
into the vault to see what goes on behind-the-scenes. While downtown,
make a quick side trip to the Angels Flight Railway, a rebuilt historic
incline railway also featured in La La Land.