Excerpts from the book: 100 THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES Before You Die

From the beaches to the boulevards, Los Angeles is a sprawling city full of incredible food, culture, and places to explore. But whether you’re visiting L.A. or a longtime local, all of those exciting possibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help you make the most of L.A. and find out what makes the city special, authors Danny Jensen and Carrie Kim tracked down the essential L.A. experiences in the new edition of 100 Things to Do in Los Angeles Before You Die.
Available for purchase online and in bookstores throughout Los Angeles, the book is designed to help you find the hidden secrets that L.A. has to offer and will take you beyond the typical tourist traps to exciting new destinations. You’ll also find tips and tricks to help navigate each experience, highlight which ones are family friendly, and what you can do seasonally or year-round. To get a glimpse at what the book offers, here are some highlights to get you started.

Celebrate the Holidays Aboard the Queen Mary
Head to Long Beach to explore the historic Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner that sailed the seas from 1936 to 1967. Considered one of the most haunted places in the U.S., the stylish vessel carried celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty during its heyday, and also transported troops during WWII. These days the Queen Mary is a popular destination for everything from paranormal and historic tours to live music and seasonal festivities, including their old-fashioned Christmas celebration and New Year’s eve extravaganza.
1126 Queens Hwy • Long Beach 90802
www.queenmary.com

Soar Back in Time On a Vintage Pan Am Flight
Revel in the style and class of the Golden Age of air travel without ever leaving the ground. The Pan Am Experience invites you to climb aboard an exact replica of the pioneering airline’s Boeing 747 that’s been painstakingly restored to the last retro flourish. Sip cocktails while Sinatra croons, order up a Chateaubriand steak carved seat-side, and admire the impressive attention to detail. The “flight” makes for a one-of-a-kind experience, especially around the holidays.
13240 Weidner St. • Pacoima 91331
www.panamexperience.com

Cruise the Neon Jungle
Hop on a double-decker bus to admire the dazzling neon lights of L.A. Most Saturday nights from June to September, the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale leads Neon Cruises, bus tours that showcase the coolest neon signs and the most obscure neon artwork that can be found throughout the city. They also host special tours throughout the year, including a Holiday Lights Cruise, a Valentine’s Day Cruise, and a Neon Noir Cruise. You should also definitely visit the museum to get an up-close look at spectacular neon art that once lit up the night in L.A. and beyond.
216 S. Brand Blvd. • Glendale 91204
www.neonmona.org

Jiggle Jell-O and Sip Cocktails at Clifton’s in Downtown L.A.
Towering redwood trees, taxidermied wildlife, hidden bars, and colorful Jell-O: just some of what’s in store at the iconic Clifton’s, a decades-old L.A. institution that recently received a spectacular facelift. Opened in 1931, Clifton’s cafeteria has fed Angelenos for generations and its elaborate California-themed décor is said to have even inspired Walt Disney. Grab a bite at the cafeteria for improved renditions of comfort classics (think prime rib, mac and cheese, and Jell-O). Then make your way to one of numerous stylish bars, including the Gothic Bar, The Monarch, and the hidden, Tiki-themed Pacific Seas.
648 S. Broadway • Los Angeles 90014
 www.cliftonsla.com

Camp Out Before the Rose Parade
Camping out on Colorado Boulevard on the night before the Tournament of Roses Parade is one heck of a way to spend New Year’s Eve. Not only will you secure a prime spot along the route, but you’ll be participating in a long-standing tradition. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, sleeping bags or anything else that will keep you cozy and prepare to not sleep all night (silly string and party hats optional).  As you enjoy the view of all the floats passing by right in front of your eyes, you’ll be glad that you partook in the festivities at least once.
Colorado Blvd. (between Orange Grove Blvd. and Sierra Madre Blvd.)

These excerpts are taken from 100 Things to Do in Los Angeles Before You Die, 2nd Edition by Danny Jensen and Carrie Kim.

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