FRANKLIN AVENUE EAST: Visiting the Statue of Liberty

The last time I visited the Statue of Liberty, it was the spring of 1992. A bunch of us had hit the road from Northwestern, driving to New York for what was (for most of us) our first experience in the Big Apple.

We didn’t have any firm plans back then. We just showed up at Castle Clinton at Battery Park, got our tix and hopped on the boat. A short ride later, we were climbing up the steps inside the statue, making our way to the crown.

View from the boat.

More than 16 years later, I was back for the first time during our recent trip. And yes, things have changed. It’s post-9/11, after all, and the Statue is obviously a prime target for nutsos. The security just to get on the boat was just as intense as flying. And we soon discovered that the closest we’d get to Lady Liberty would be the walkway surrounding the statue. Tickets to the statue pedestal (“monument access”) are available — but must be requested in advance (a limited number are available the day of, but I assume those go fast). And obviously, no one’s getting inside the statue these days.

Lady Liberty’s got back!

In the end, just making it to the island and looking at the statue from below was fine. We would have had to go through a second round of security screening just to get up to the pedestal… and really, the view both of Liberty and of Manhattan were just fine from down below.

Tix to get to Liberty Island are $12 for people over 13 (with a discount for seniors), while kids 4-12 are $5. Thankfully, that meant that the Blogger Preschooler was free.

I say thankfully, because ultimately we only stayed on the island for about half an hour. Really, once we took our photos, that was about all there was to do. With the BP eager to make it back to Manhattan, we cut our visit short. We didn’t go to Ellis Island (which I did visit in 1992) — sometimes, when traveling with a little kid, you gotta know your limits.

Ga-Ga For Googie

(Flickr pic by AgilityNut.)

With gas prices what they are and the cost of a plane ticket continuing to rise, the L.A. Times is smartly paying more attention to local trips and sightseeing in its Travel section.

This past Sunday, that included a brief primer on survivng Googie architecture in Los Angeles:

This whimsical, Space Age look grew out of the Midcentury Modern style — think LAX’s flying-saucer-like Theme Building — and became synonymous with Southern California’s fun-loving lifestyle.

Even the story of how Googie got its name is fanciful. Yale professor Douglas Haskell spotted the Googie coffee shop, the eponymous building that once sat at Crescent Heights and Sunset boulevards. He declared the style “Googie” in a 1952 House and Home magazine article.

Among the paper’s Googie examples:

BAHOOKA (4501 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead): ” Polynesian-style design, plant life.”
BEACH-LIN CAR WASH (126 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim): “Free-form design, steel beams and wires.”
BOB’S BIG BOY (4211 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank): “Streamline Moderne architecture, large glass windows, plant life.”
BRUNSWICK COVINA BOWL (1060 W. San Bernardino Road, Covina): “Free-form design, A-frame roof, large palm trees, angled marquee sign.”
CASA DE CADILLAC (14401 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks): “Large pane windows, neon roadside signage.”
CBS TELEVISION CITY (7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles): “Modern entranceway, lightweight-looking materials.”
CHIPS (11908 Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne): “Concrete walls, glass windows, jutting roof, plant life, steel-beam pylon sign.”
JACK COLKER UNION 76 (427 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills): “”Space Age-style sloped roof.”
LA HABRA 300 BOWL (70 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra): ” A-frame roof, pylon beams, neon starburst sign.”
ORIGINAL McDONALD’S (10207 Lakewood Blvd., Downey): “Iconic golden arches.”
NORMS (470 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles): “Concrete walls, glass windows, jutting roof, neon marquee.”
PANN’S RESTAURANT & COFFEE SHOP (6710 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles): “Tilted roof and sign, plants and exposed stone walls indoors and out, glass windows wrapping around the restaurant. Pann’s celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Watch for party information this fall.”
SIMPLY WHOLESOME (FORMERLY THE WICH STAND) (4508 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles): “Sloped concrete roof, stone walls, indoor-outdoor seating, Space Age-style antenna sign.”
STARBUCKS (FORMERLY SHIPS CULVER CITY) (9718 Washington Blvd., Culver City): “Glass window panes surrounding the restaurant, concrete siding.”

Ga-Ga For Googie

(Flickr pic by AgilityNut.)

With gas prices what they are and the cost of a plane ticket continuing to rise, the L.A. Times is smartly paying more attention to local trips and sightseeing in its Travel section.

This past Sunday, that included a brief primer on survivng Googie architecture in Los Angeles:

This whimsical, Space Age look grew out of the Midcentury Modern style — think LAX’s flying-saucer-like Theme Building — and became synonymous with Southern California’s fun-loving lifestyle.

Even the story of how Googie got its name is fanciful. Yale professor Douglas Haskell spotted the Googie coffee shop, the eponymous building that once sat at Crescent Heights and Sunset boulevards. He declared the style “Googie” in a 1952 House and Home magazine article.

Among the paper’s Googie examples:

BAHOOKA (4501 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead): ” Polynesian-style design, plant life.”
BEACH-LIN CAR WASH (126 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim): “Free-form design, steel beams and wires.”
BOB’S BIG BOY (4211 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank): “Streamline Moderne architecture, large glass windows, plant life.”
BRUNSWICK COVINA BOWL (1060 W. San Bernardino Road, Covina): “Free-form design, A-frame roof, large palm trees, angled marquee sign.”
CASA DE CADILLAC (14401 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks): “Large pane windows, neon roadside signage.”
CBS TELEVISION CITY (7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles): “Modern entranceway, lightweight-looking materials.”
CHIPS (11908 Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne): “Concrete walls, glass windows, jutting roof, plant life, steel-beam pylon sign.”
JACK COLKER UNION 76 (427 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills): “”Space Age-style sloped roof.”
LA HABRA 300 BOWL (70 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra): ” A-frame roof, pylon beams, neon starburst sign.”
ORIGINAL McDONALD’S (10207 Lakewood Blvd., Downey): “Iconic golden arches.”
NORMS (470 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles): “Concrete walls, glass windows, jutting roof, neon marquee.”
PANN’S RESTAURANT & COFFEE SHOP (6710 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles): “Tilted roof and sign, plants and exposed stone walls indoors and out, glass windows wrapping around the restaurant. Pann’s celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Watch for party information this fall.”
SIMPLY WHOLESOME (FORMERLY THE WICH STAND) (4508 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles): “Sloped concrete roof, stone walls, indoor-outdoor seating, Space Age-style antenna sign.”
STARBUCKS (FORMERLY SHIPS CULVER CITY) (9718 Washington Blvd., Culver City): “Glass window panes surrounding the restaurant, concrete siding.”

Rate-An-Airline: Virgin America

It’s no $1 bus ride to San Francisco, but we decided Virgin America’s recent $40 one-way fare between LAX and SFO was worth leaving the car at home.

Of course, that was sort of silly — by the time we paid round trip fares for the two of us; transportation to and from LAX (including a cab to Union Station, and then the Flyaway); and a rental car to drive north of San Francisco (where we attended a wedding), it was much more expensive to fly.

But so what. Part of the fun of the trip was checking out the new, buzzed-about Virgin America service (and Blogger Toddler gets such a kick out of flying and spending time at the airport, it was probably one of the highlights of the entire week).

At just over an hour, the flight between LAX and SFO is not nearly long enough to play around with Virgin America’s in-seat entertainment unit, dubbed “Red.”

From the moment you check in (above), it’s a treat. Flying in the main cabin, you still feel like you’re getting above average service. Employees were quick to help us and answer any questions as we grabbed our tix and gave them our luggage.

And the gate itself (above) was nothing too special in LAX, but at SFO was located in the quite modern (and new) international terminal. Guess being based there had its privileges.

Once you make it inside the cabin, the first thing you notice is the mood lighting. The purple and pink glow isn’t too overbearing during the day, but is rather odd when you’re boarding early in the morning or late at night, when it’s still dark outside.

And yes, Virgin America is trying its best to be hip. Maria and I cracked up at the safety folder, as the usual illustrations took on a rather hipster look. Check out Virgin America’s representative passenger: Sideburns, trucker cap… and a seatbelt. See, hipsters can be safety concious!

Your safety… in the hands of an American Apparel t-shirt wearing passenger!

Once we settled in, Maria and I quickly started playing around with “Red.” First off, the unique chat feature allows you to strike up a conversation with others anywhere on the plane (above). You can also enter chat rooms and discuss current events, sports, etc. with anyone on the plane.

For entertainment, it’s satellite TV from Dish — but like the DirecTV offerings on JetBlue, the selection is spotty (and frequently goes out when the plane goes out of satellite range). Much more reliable is the catalog of music videos (including recent clips from Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Foo Fighters and more) branded by VH1.

Movies are $8 — pointless on the flight to San Francisco — but the plane also offers a free selection of 5-minute-long student films (a few were decent, but most were pretty bad). Entertainment options also included plenty of audio options for the kids (music selections from Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street, and more) but sadly, no video clips, which would have made Evan more happy, as Disney Channel, the one satellite TV option for kids, was blacked out on our flights.

System also included several games, and an option where you could order your drinks from your seat.

One more disappointment: Snacks — which came from Target’s Archer Farms label — were not free. (A sad contrast to JetBlue, which not only offers up free chips/crackers/cookies, but they’re gourmet choices!) We brought enough goodies on board, and the flight was short enough, that it didn’t matter — but given all the other perks, it seemed like a strange feature to suddenly skimp.

The seats were black leather and comfy enough — but strangely, for a new plane, the guy sitting in front of Blogger Toddler on the ride home had one of those airplane chairs (you’ve either seen ’em or even ridden in one in the past) that keeps floating back no matter how many times you try to return it to the upright position (inevitably leading to the scolding you get from the flight attendant when the plane is about to land and your seat is still reclined).

Over all, I’m glad we tried Virgin America, and I’d gladly try it again, in order to play more with the entertainment system. It sure beat the usual tedious drive up the 5 (always a drag, particularly when you pass by that freeway-side slaughter house up north). But I’d still bring on board a portable DVD player for the kid.

Help Us Plan Our Summer Vacation

We’re heading up to the Bay Area in a few weeks to attend a wedding in Napa. (Actually, we’re flying up on the new Virgin America airline — review to come!) Now that the Blogger Toddler loves San Francisco (or, to be more exact, he loves the cable cars, the buses and the boat ride to Alcatraz), we’ll spend a few days there, and a few more in Napa.

But we were also thinking of renting a car and road trippin’. Our original idea, drive up to Crater Lake in Oregon, was dashed when we couldn’t find a room at the Crater Lake Lodge. Now, we’re pondering several possibilities: Ashland, Ore., a quaint small town with nice restaurants and the Shakespeare Festival; Eureka, just because I’m intrigued by the Northern California coast; or maybe even heading the opposite direction to Carmel and Monterey.

Any suggestions out there? Is the drive to Eureka worth it? Should we drive all the way up to Oregon, or stick closer to SF and Napa, considering we’ve got a toddler in tow? Is there another spot in the general vicinity we should take a side road trip to? Your thoughts are appreciated!

Hotwire Hates Me

That’s the only reason I figure Hotwire is sending me e-mails suggesting I book a “weekend getaway” at such hot spots as Downey or the area surrounding LAX. Think I’ll pass. (Sorry, Downeyians.)

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO: Visit Lucasfilm, We Did

Since we last visited SF in 2005, Lucasfilm has settled into its new, stunning home in the Presidio. Above, a statue of Yoda stands guard.

With the Palace of Fine Arts in the distance, here stands a statue pf Eadweard Muybridge — the English-born photographer and San Franciscan known as one of the grandfathers of motion picture (and, more notoriously, for killing his wife’s lover and getting off scott free for “justifiable homicide”). Muybridge is also most famous for answering California Gov. Stanford’s question: Is there ever a point in a horse’s gallop where all 4 legs are off the ground? (The answer, as Muybridge discovered, is yes).

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO: Rate-A-Hotel

Hotel: Hotel Carlton

Location: 1075 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA (South Nob Hill)

Type of hotel: Boutique hotel

We stipulated: For Maria’s birthday, I originally planned on taking her and Evan to Monterey or Carmel. But finding a nice but economical (even under $200 a night) hotel was proving impossible. At that moment, I received two separate emails that must have come from the travel gods. American was flying round trip to San Francisco for a little more than $80 round trip (with taxes, about $113 each). At the same time, Expedia sent out word that the Hotel Carlton was offering up rooms in early May for 50% off — about $79. I was sold. We’d leave the car at home and fly to the Bay Area.

They stipulated: For $10 more, we could upgrade to a king-sized bed, which we did, in order to get a slightly bigger room. The deal also required that we agree not to cancel — so it was SF or bust.

High point: The service was fantastic. When we arrived with Evan in tow, they immediately upgraded us (at no cost) for a bigger room with two beds. (Granted, they were doubles, and Maria and I barely fit.) We also took advantage of the nightly free wine gatherings (5:30 p.m., for half an hour) and enjoyed the lobby — spacious by boutique hotel standards.

Low point: The hotel says its adjacent to Union Square — but that’s a stretch. The walk to Union Square is kinda exhausting, especially while pushing a stroller up and down the hills. Also, what’s up with the tiny TVs?

Overall impression: Best hotel service I’ve had in a long time. I also liked the hotel’s global travel theme and overall environment.

Chance we will go back: At $89 a night, if we can get that bargain again, absolutely. Even if we can’t, the Hotel Carlton is definitely a contender for best hotel in SF.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO: License of the Day Edition

If Prince hadn’t made it as an artist, and wound up working in an HR department, he’d be approving literature on the company’s “pro2col.”

(As seen on the streets of San Francisco this weekend.)

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO: An Overdue Trip to Alcatraz

All these years we’ve been going to San Francisco, and Maria and I had never been to Alcatraz. We set out to finally fix it this past weekend, having flown (with Blogger Toddler) to the Bay Area to celebrate Maria’s birthday.

The boat to Alcatraz — there’s only one company that goes there, contracted to do so by the National Park Service — leaves from Pier 33. Make a reservation in advance, and print out your tix before going. That morning, buy some coffee or snacks — Pier 33 isn’t close to any food options (other than a Houston’s). The pier has an overpriced snack bar, but why waste your money?

Despite the sheer number of people, visitors are hauled on the boat rather quickly.

View of SF from the Alcatraz boat

Heading into Alcatraz island

Welcome to Alcatraz! Graffiti remains from the early 1970s, when Native Americans seized the island to protest the U.S. government.

The park rangers are stern but fair when it comes to treating the island with respect. Don’t disturb the animals or vegetation — such as this bird, keeping watch. (Below.)

But you want to see the cells. Here goes.

Perfect timing: Evan fell alseep in his stroller, right when we got to the main prison building. That allowed us to listen to the excellent self-guided audio tour without any problems. It explains everything you need to know about Alcatraz — told through the eyes of a former guard and a sprinkling of ex-prisoners.

That includes the story of the infamous — and deadly — 1946 attempt by several inmates to escape. They managed to grab a key like this one from above, and tried to leave — but ended up taking several guards as hostages. The situation got even more messy after that.

Entrance to the administrative building

For more than a thousand prisoners during Alzatraz’s relatively brief stint as a prison, this was home.