Report - Culver City - The Original Hollywood - pre or post cruise stay

Culver City – The "Real" Hollywood Alternative

So here is a report and review of a new option for those of you looking for another pre or post cruise stay in the Los Angeles area.

I’ve been working around here for a while now and finally realized what a great location it would be for certain people.

Who would this be great for:

#1 People who are really interested in the true original Hollywood history. This is "Hollywood" before there was Hollywood.

#2 People who want to stay in an area of LA, where they don’t need a car, or who want a really charming historic area of the city filled with restored art deco and California Mission style restaurants and shops all within a 2 block radius.

#3 People who want an area with a lot of art and culture alternatives all within close walking distance.

So the main hub and focus here would be:

The Culver Hotel

http://www.culverhotel.com/

This is one of the most historic hotels in Los Angeles.

Once owned (supposedly) by Charlie Chaplin, then owned (definitely) by John Wayne.

The actors from "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" stayed here during filming.

It was infamously overrun by "the Munchkins" during filming and fictionalized in the movie "Under The Rainbow".

Celebrities who stayed here, or made it a semi-permanent home were:

Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks, The Rat Pack, Ronald Reagan, and obviously John Wayne.

You can actually stay in the suites that John Wayne, Clark Gable, and Judy Garland made their home.

This is one of the original "luxury" hotels (by 1920s and 1930s standards) that has been lovingly restored, but would be considered a "boutique" hotel by today’s standards.

So, why did this happen?

Because Culver Studios is right across the street!

http://www.theculverstudios.com/

See that building right across the street(?), well that is the building that was used as the opening/logo for all David O. Selznick films, and used for many angles of "Tara" from "Gone with the Wind"!

This area, studio, and hotel have been used for (and can still been seen in some) "Laurel and Hardy", "Our Gang/The Little Rascals", and "The Three Stooges".

Unfortunately (even though you can see "Tara") they don’t have any current tours of this studio.

But you may park here as one of the hotel "perks".

But right down the street if you are here on a Monday to Friday is…

Sony (MGM) Studios

http://www.sonypicturesstudios.com/tourssection/Tours.html

One of the best and most historic tours of all the studios.

Arts and Entertainment:

So other than that, all close and within walking distance are a few great artistic options…

#1 The Kirk Douglas Theater

http://www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/douglas/

For one of the most "intimate" and top notch theater experiences in Los Angeles…

#2 The Actor’s Gang

http://www.theactorsgang.com/

A bit of a walk, but an easy cab or bus ride…

In an old converted restored train/bus station…

#3 The Jazz Bakery

http://www.jazzbakery.com/

Some of the world’s most renowned jazz musicians 7 days a week.

Only a few minutes walk from the hotel, and most of them will probably be staying in the hotel with you!

#4 Pacific Theaters Culver Stadium 12

Really cool movie theater right across the street. Check in, choose your movie, buy your tickets all from the ATM like kiosks right in front. One of the best and easiest movies theaters to show up and see a movie on a whim or a last minute’s notice.

Art Galleries:

There are a lot, so I’ll just provide a few links here…

http://freshpaintart.com/editions/editions.html

http://www.greggfleishman.com/

http://www.hkfineartgallery.com/

http://www.western-project.com/

http://www.wonderfulworldofanimation.com/

Shopping:

There are tons of unique stores and boutiques in the immediate area, here are a few:

For men:

http://www.alandales.com/

For "unique" home products (bedding, etc.)

http://www.livingreen.com/

One of the best Thrift Vintage Stores in Los Angeles:

http://www.timelessthriftshop.com/index.html

These are just some examples, there are so many more right in the few block radius…

Spas:

Here’s a couple also right nearby…

http://www.themassagegarage.com/home.html

and

http://www.thewellnessspa.com

Food food and more food:

So, this area has some of the best restaurants in such a concentrated area in all of Los Angeles…

You could almost just close your eyes and point, and you’ll find a great place to eat…

In the meantime here are a few of my personal favorites…

So, first of all, not restaurants, but great in general:

Trader Joe’s

http://www.traderjoes.com/product_categories.html#Booze

Right across the street. Gourmet food and groceries, and a fantastic wine selection; including the LA famous Charles Shaw – "Two Buck Chuck" for good wine at a low price…

A native Los Angelino "staple"…

Then

Farmer’s Market (if you happen to be here on a Tuesday)

http://downtownculvercity.com/newpages/farmersmarket.shtml

Restaurants:

Just some random ones that I like…

http://www.cubbyscafe.com/

S & W Country Diner (Sam and Woody’s)

I can’t find an "official" website, so here’s the best I can do…

http://www.yelp.com/biz/UzzX8bf72ASujwZNjZoPkQ

Double Dutch

http://www.cooksdoubledutch.com/

Bistro Hermitage

http://www.bistrohermitage.com/

Yum and a yum…

Howdy’s Taqueria

http://howdys.net/

Some really amazing great and fresh local Mexican food!

Pacifico’s

http://www.pacificos.net/

Sushi/Mexican fusion!

Uhhmmm – here’s the deal in LA, we have a lot of totally original fusion restaurants that combine two totally different cultures and make it work. This is one of them.

Tender Greens

http://www.tendergreensfood.com/Tendergreens.html

Are you looking for some of the freshest and original small and entrée sized salads? Amazing soup (highly recommend the Tomato Basil)? Some Mesquite Grilled - Angus Steak, Free Range Chicken, or Ahi Tuna – sandwiches on fresh rustic bread with aoili and your choice of a salad or yukon gold mashed potatoes?

This is the place in the area that really sums up Southern California…

A modern hip restaurant, with great fresh healthy food, all somehow in a friendly homey feeling place.

Asian Restaurants:

http://www.k-zo.com/

http://www.kaizukarestaurant.com/

Thai Dishes

Great Thai food, they don’t have a website yet, but here is the address…

(310) 559-0987

9901 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA

Summary:

This is about a 10 or 15 minute shuttle or cab ride from LAX (just go north on Sepulveda Blvd., then left/east on Culver Blvd.)

So, then probably a 30 or 45 minute drive to San Pedro or Long Beach (all in the best non-rush hour scenarios)

5 or 10 minutes to Venice Beach (right down Washington Blvd.)

20 to 30 minutes to Hollywood.

Who would this be good for?

People who are very interested in the true original Hollywood history.

People who don’t have a car and want a day or two before or after the cruise to have a lot of amenities in a close walking distance.

People who have a car, and want a good "home base" that is a hub to a lot of LA activities (Beach, Studios, Hollywood).

I hope that this all makes sense, and helps some possible cruisers in the future!

CJW:D

Hi CJW

Thanks for that excellent information. I read in an earlier thread that someone thanked you for the great directions to get a really good view of the Hollywood sign. I'll be in LA after the Sapphire Sydney - LA in May and I would love to have those same directions if that is possible. :)

Maurice

That's great info! Thanks so much for taking the time to post it.

I read in an earlier thread that someone thanked you for the great directions to get a really good view of the Hollywood sign. I'll be in LA after the Sapphire Sydney - LA in May and I would love to have those same directions if that is possible.

No problem - glad to help...

Here's the earlier thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=404640

CJW;)

Thanks so much for that link CJW. Will print it and bring it along with us. :)

Maurice