TRAVELPHOTOBOX

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles, California . The site is on the original location of Los Angeles' Chinatown , which was moved to make way for the station. Union Station  was the last of the great American rail stations that were built. Visitors can see a unique architectural combination of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco styles. In the waiting room, travelers stroll along the marble-floored main hall, with cathedral ceilings, original leather chairs and 3000-pound chandeliers. Its design make it seem large and open. 📺  This landmark is one of Los Angeles’ most iconic movie locations . All areas of the station have been backdrops for films.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is an impressive building in downtown Los Angeles . It has a really interesting modernist design and a great collection of relics. Our Lady of the Angels  replaces the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana . It served the archdiocese for over a hundred years until it was damaged in an earthquake in 1994. Rather than try to repair it, the archdiocese sold the church to the city and constructed a new cathedral in a different location. The new cathedral opened in 2002. The  Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels  was designed by Spanish architect, Rafael Moneo . He made minimal use of right angles and incorporated the latest techniques for earthquake safeguards.  The exterior is made of architectural concrete in an ocher hue reminiscent of California missions. The interior is an expansive space, brightly illuminated, with a high vaulted ceiling. At one end of the sanctuary are the main altar, the choir risers and a huge organ. ...

The Walt Disney Concert Hall , in downtown Los Angeles , is one of the city's premier cultural destinations. The stainless steel exterior forms, symbolizing musical movements, have now become iconic. It is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. There are free daily audio tours, as well as private group tours. The Concert Hall is situated on historic Bunker Hill at the intersection of First Street and Grand Avenue, adjacent to the existing Music Center of Los Angeles. In 1987, Lillian Disney donated $50 million to "build a world-class performance venue as a gift to the people of Los Angeles and a tribute to Walt Disney's devotion to the arts". The  following year,  Frank Gehry was selected from among several candidates during a design competition. A rose-shaped fountain made from Royal Delft porcelain is a tribute to Lillian Disney in the Level 3 garden. Frank Gehry  created a similarly building for the Guggenheim Museum ,...

The Battleship USS Iowa is the West Coast’s only battleship museum at the San Pedro waterfront, California . This huge battleship is a naval museum that honors and illustrates the contributions of the USS Iowa and its crew at important moments in American history. Built in 1940, the Iowa was an important part of the Navy fleet for five decades. The battleship, nicknamed “The Big Stick,” saw action for four decades in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Cold War. The ship was decommissioned in 1990 and then served as a training and reserve vessel until arriving in Los Angeles in 2012. Visitors follow a single route that passes through a wardroom, the vessels upper decks and the captain’s quarters.

Crystal Lake is the only natural lake in the San Gabriel Mountains , in northern Los Angeles County. The lake is settled in a bowl below the granite crags surrounding Mount Hawkins . Severe  drought  in California has nearly dried out Crystal Lake. Only snow and spring rain feds it and it has no other artificial means of being replenished. It is open year round. 🐟 Following a good rainy season, the lake may be stocked with fish, typically rainbow trout .

South Mount Hawkins is a 7,783 foot mountain peak in the San Gabriel Mountains , contained within the Angeles National Forest . The mountain was named for Nellie Hawkins , a popular waitress at a local cafe in the early 20th century. This route starts at the  Crystal Lake Recreation Area .  The Crystal Lake basin is flanked on three sides by towering mountains forming a giant horseshoe. From the trailhead, the Windy Gap Trail ascends and you will shortly encounter a road crossing ( Crystal Lake Road ). Pick up the marked trail on the other side. The path is well-designed and easy to follow. Soon you will find again the Crystal Lake Road . This intersection marks the start of our loop. Now we leave the Windy Gap Trail and continue along the zigzagging Crystal Lake Road that takes to the top of South Mount Hawkins . It has one of the finest views of the peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains .  ⚠  There are washouts along the way and it is strewn with r...

The Allison Gulch Falls  is a hidden place in the San Gabriel Mountains , near Los Angeles . Most people go to the Bridge to Nowhere , but they do not know the existence of this beautiful waterfall . The main reason is that there is no marked path. The route begins at the East Fork Parking Lot . Keep in mind that this is a popular spot. It is best to arrive early if you want to park here. The trail is mostly gradual and follows the West Fork of the San Gabriel River . Some sections of the trail require crossing the riverbed. 📌 Remnants of the partially built East Fork Road are still visible in some sections of the trail. San Gabriel River After walk about three miles, you will arrive at Allison Gulch . It's the next major tributary after Laurel Gulch.  Allison Gulch plunges steeply from mighty Iron Mountain before merging with the East Fork San Gabriel River .  Now, we leave the main road and go up along Allison Gulch . There is no trail...

We recently returned from a weekend hiking trip in the  Angeles National Forest . We camped for twoo nights in   Coldbrook campground . Is a 20-site campground, first-come first-serve, for $12 per night. Fire rings, picnic tables, toilets and drinking water are provided.  Coldbrook campground  it is open all year. We camp with our  Quechua ARPENAZ 4 family tent . It's easy mounting if there are two of you, a bit more difficult if just one person doing all the job. Certainly strong and waterproof . This tent is very comfy with a spacious sleeping area and a good size porch for sitting in. We find the Arpenaz is a great size for two but three people would probably be fine if you don't take too much stuff. In the next video you will see how we set up this tent: