EXCURSIONS FROM THE SQUARE
CULTURAL TOURS SINCE 1992 [email protected]t 215 732 8487
LOS ANGELES
FEBRUARY 7-13, 2023
Travel with us to the City of Angels founded by missionary farmers in 1781. It's an incredible sprawling metropolis, from its most popular landmarks in HOLLYWOOD and BEVERLY HILLS to its remarkable museums and diversity of architectural styles. Visit the GETTY CENTER, set on a dramatic hilltop site in the Santa Monica Mountains, and spend a day enjoying the spectacular art and architecture in PASADENA. Highlights are a visit to THE BROAD, LA’s new contemporary art museum, and an optional concert at the WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL with GUSTAVO DUDAMEL conducting the LA PHILHARMONIC.

photo: A view of downtown Los Angeles with Frank Gehry's
WALT DISNEY MUSIC CENTER in the foreground
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 – Depart Philadelphia or your home city this morning for LOS ANGELES.
Transfer to the LOS ANGELES ATHLETIC CLUB HOTEL, located in downtown LA (DTLA). An early dinner is included this evening. (B, D)
 
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 – On our tour this morning, we will look at some of the stunning post-modern development in DTLA. Historic OLIVERA STREET, classical CITY HALL, and the Spanish Mission-style UNION STATION are also on our itinerary. Then enjoy a special private tour of the iconic landmarks of Hollywood such as the WALK OF FAME, GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER, and the ROOSEVELT HOTEL. Lunch is included before our afternoon tour in BEVERLY HILLS at the FREDERICK R. WEISMAN ART FOUNDATION a spectacular venue for modern art. An optional dinner will be planned this evening in KOREATOWN. Or take your pick from LA’s extraordinary culinary offerings. (B, L)

 PHOTO: Painting of Frederick R. Weisman by Arnold Mesches
 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 – This morning's walking tour includes such historic buildings as the BRADBURY BUILDING, the BILTMORE HOTEL, the art-deco EDISON BUILDING, and the LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY. Lunch is on your own at LA’s GRAND CENTRAL MARKET. This afternoon we will see OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS CATHEDRAL by Rafael Moneo and Frank Gehry’s masterpiece, the WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL Enjoy a private tour at THE BROAD, housing the extensive contemporary collection of philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Suggestions will be provided for dinner on your own. OPTIONAL EVENING PROGRAM: Concert at the WALT DISNEY MUSIC CENTER, GUSTAVO DUDAMEL conducting and JUGA WANG performing Rachmaninoff. (B)

PHOTO: Los Angeles' fantastic Grand Central Mark
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 – Visit the GETTY CENTER, the fabulous art complex designed by architect Richard Meier. We will take a train up the mountainside to the museum where we will have the opportunity to take an architectural tour and see the vast art collection of billionaire John Paul Getty. The adjacent gardens, designed by Robert Irwin, provide splendid views of Los Angeles. OPTIONAL: Join me later in the neighborhood of HANCOCK PARK for a visit to the newly opened ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES (open late on Fridays) and dinner in the neighborhood. The LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART (LACMA) and LA BREA TAR PITS are also nearby. (B)
PHOTO: The Getty Center by Richard Meier
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 – We will spend the day in PASADENA, known for its beautiful residential architecture. Visit the GAMBLE HOUSE, the Craftsman-style bungalow designed in 1908 by Charles and Henry Greene. Then spend a relaxing afternoon in the San Gabriel Valley at THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART MUSEUM, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, with lunch on your own on the grounds. A GUTENBERG BIBLE and Thomas Gainsborough’s masterpiece THE BLUE BOY are among the treasures we will find at the former home of railroad magnate Henry Huntington. Our last stop is the NORTON SIMON MUSEUM, housing one of America’s greatest European, East Indian, and Southeast Asian art collections. Dinner is included this evening in PASADENA. (B, D)
 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - Travel to MALIBU and visit the fabulous GETTY VILLA dedicated to Greek, Roman, and Etruscan arts and culture. Lunch is on your own in their café. The afternoon is for you to explore an area or a museum you might have missed. A tour and dinner are included this evening in Los Angeles' exciting ARTS DISTRICT.(B, D)
 
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 - Depart this morning for your home city. Additional nights at the LOS ANGELES ATHLETIC CLUB are available upon request.
PHOTO: Doorway to the GAMBLE HOUSE designed by Charles and Henry Green
PLEASE NOTE: In an earlier description of this trip, an optional extension to SANTA BARBARA was mentioned. The plan instead will be to head for the desert and PALM SPRINGS with its interesting art galleries, iconic modernist architecture, and a trip to JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT.
Details will be available shortly.
TOUR COST: The cost for land arrangements is $3175 per person based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $795. Costs are based on a minimum of fifteen participants. SAVE $200 IF YOU RESERVE BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 19.
 
THE LAND PACKAGE includes accommodations for six nights at the LA ATHLETIC CLUB including taxes; all transportation, guides, and entrance fees for included sightseeing and museums; full breakfast daily, one lunch, and three dinners. The trip will be escorted by a representative from EXCURSIONS FROM THE SQUARE. Airline tickets and airport transportation are additional.
 
SPACE IS LIMITED to 25 participants and can be reserved with a deposit of $750. You can request a special link to pay online with a credit card or bank transfer at no additional charge. Or, you can send a check made payable to EXCURSIONS FROM THE SQUARE, and mail it, to ELLEN KAY COLEMAN, 226 W. Rittenhouse Square, Apt. #1012, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Final payment is due no later than Friday, December 30, 2022. Your deposit is non-refundable ten days after our receiving it. Final payment is due no later than Friday, December 30, 2022. All land arrangements are non-refundable once the final payment has been made. Airline cancellations are subject to penalties imposed by the airline. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE, available from EXCURSIONS FROM THE SQUARE.