The Great Big Wonder

I was thinking recently about how most people are afraid to take the Metro/Subway to Los Angeles. If they’re brave enough to take public transport most are clueless as to what is at each stop. As a result, I’ve taken it upon myself to create a new series where I roam around metro stops and discover those nearby Los Angeles gems. This first installment is somewhat of a cheat since the intended purpose of this particular trip was to have lunch with a friend, but I’m still going to use it!

For this stop hop onto the Metro Red line (accessed best at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles) and get off on the Pershing Square stop. Feel free to roam about each of these suggestions as you please.

Grand Central Market

The first thing on the list is Grand Central Market. GCM is about a two-minute walk from the Pershing Square 4th street exit. I’ve discussed Grand Central Market before (I’m kind of in love with it), so I’ll spare you my musings and give you the facts.  Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and was mostly a marketplace were butchers, farmers, bakers, and cheese guru’s sold their goods.

Now GCM is a temple of food and goods. The market is home to around 40 different vendors selling just about anything you can think of.  With eateries that specialize in foods from around the world including Germany, China, Mexico, Thailand, America, Japan, and the Mediterranean, it’s nearly guaranteed that you’ll find something to devour.

If you are just in the mood to take something home you can pick up anything including fancy cheeses, fresh meats, and fish, produce, juices, flowers, or even some discount goods.

Grand Central Market is a beautiful example of the mosaic of cultures in Los Angeles. Take a chance and eat ethnic food you’ve never tried before or just sit and people watch.

Central Libray: Los Angeles Public Library

The Central Library: Los Angeles Public Library is HUGE! I’m honestly shocked that it counts as a library and not a museum. Needless to say, it’s worth exploring. The Central Library is on Fifth Street, about two (short) blocks up from the subway station. The library consists of 8 floors, 4 above ground and 4 below.

Inside you can find art, among the thousands of books. The library does give tours (I haven’t been on one but I assume they would be wonderful) at various times throughout the week. If you can’t make a tour print out a self-guided tour packet. There are different art collections housed in the library that change periodically and are worth checking out. The art sprinkled around the library is worthy of its own visit. The Rotunda on the second floor is home to a beautiful Chandelier made up of a globe and planets with beautifully painted ceilings behind it. The art in the rotunda was completed in 1932 and the Chandelier in the 1980’s.

Located in the Rotunda are art galleries and the children’s room. Go to the children’s room and look up, the view is remarkable. Also, note the paintings on the walls completed in 1928. Be sure to take a ride in the elevators in the Tom Bradly wing where you’ll find 7 million catalog cards along the walls of the elevators and the elevator shafts. Lastly, check out the Mcguire Gardens.

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art):

Museum of Contemporary Art: I’ve never been to the Museum of Contemporary Art, but I thought it would be wrong of me to not include it in this list. Located at the Top of Angels Knoll Park  (past the business area and fountains) you can find MOCA. If you love art or museums you should pay it a visit. Its pretty inexpensive to visit, and its free on Thursdays from 5-8. Either way, it’s a nice way to spend the day.

The Last Bookstore:

The Last Bookstore is fascinating so get ready to spend a little bit of money if you’re a reader like me. Located a block away from the Metro station on 5th and Spring street. It’s home to some interesting archways and installations constructed using books, a massive one dollar book room (be ready to spend time searching through the mess of books) and some very cool art galleries/ shops. It’s worth exploring. While I did enjoy the Last Bookstore don’t let the hipster hype get you overly excited.

Pershing Square

Located at the Pershing Square subway stop is Pershing Square. During the summer it’s mostly an over glorified homeless hangout. With the Friday night food trucks and farmers markets, and a late summer concert series swooping in to save its skin. However, during the winter months, it becomes home to an outdoor ice skating rink. It’s definitely something to check out in the colder months and perhaps bring a date or friend to the ice skating rink.

Angels Flight

Angels Knoll Park/ Angels Flight, the park, and Angels Flight are currently closed but I thought I would write a bit about it. Both of these places are located directly across the street from Grand Central Market. The park is home to the famous bench from ‘500 Days of Summer’ that overlooks the city.

Angels Flight is an incredibly short train ride that costs 50 cents and takes you to the top of the steep hill to get to Angels Knoll Park. It’s my understanding that the park is closed for clean up (to keep the homeless out) and because it’s going to be purchased by a new owner. Angels Flight is closed, from what I understand from a lack of funding. Either way, I thought it was important to share both of these places on this list because although at the time of this post there is no estimated opening date, it could be in the near future.

The area around the Pershing Square station is a popular homeless hangout. It can be startling if you are not used to seeing it. There is always a healthy supply of police and firemen around keeping everyone safe. I understand that there is an effort to clean up the area. Don’t let this scare you away. The reality of the situation is, remember that the homeless are people, not monsters or freaks so please, treat them as people. And do your part to help lessen the problem, donate or volunteer with organizations that help out men and women experiencing homelessness.