How to Find Old Los Angeles: A Travel Guide

by Kim Cooper

An expanded and revised version of our guide How To Find Old LA, this book delves deep into the City Of Angels’ best-preserved treasures – from a racetrack frequented by Charles Bukowski to old-time Hollywood hangouts. Every one of the 153 carefully selected places in this book is open to visitors. There are bars, delis, book stores, bowling alleys, and burger joints, each of which retains the classic character of another era while being a vital part of the 21st-century city. To make navigation clear, the chapters focus on different areas, and vivid photography brings the entries to life. This is an essential guide for anyone with an interest in 20th-century architecture and pop culture, or a yearning to visit a more glamorous Los Angeles.

104 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2017

About the author

Kim Cooper is the creator of 1947project, the crime-a-day time travel blog that spawned Esotouric's popular crime bus tours, including Pasadena Confidential, the Real Black Dahlia and Weird West Adams. Her collaborative L.A. history blogs include  On Bunker Hill  and In SRO Land. With husband Richard Schave, Kim curates the Salons of LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association. When the third generation Angeleno isn't combing old newspapers for forgotten scandals, she is a passionate advocate for historic preservation of signage, vernacular architecture and writer's homes. Kim was for many years the editrix of  Scram,  a journal of unpopular culture. Her books include Fall in Love For Life, Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth, Lost in the Grooves and an oral history of the cult band Neutral Milk Hotel. Her debut literary map is The Raymond Chandler Map of Los Angeles: A Guide to the Usual and Unusual, illustrated by Paul Rogers. The Kept Girl is her first novel.

Reviews

[Jay Hinman]

Really entertaining guide to LA's diners, donut shops, weirdo architecture and other oddities. The book actually makes me a little jealous that I haven't spent enough of my 50+ years on the planet exploring greater LA the way the author has; I certainly could take several weeks off, drive down there, and not get to experience a third of what's detailed in this book. The book's almost a better fit for the LA local, who actually might be able to check the box on the 100+ places listed here. Great photos as well.

[David Allen]

Good mix of better- and lesser-known spots, organized by area and with handy capsule descriptions. A slim book that can be tucked in a coat pocket. Many of the listings were unknown to me. As I read I kept a running list of places I'd like to check out!

[Deanna Detchemendy]

Great book for travellers who want to do a deeper dive into L.A. rather than just hitting the usual suspects.