Los Angeles is one of the iconic places on earth. LA is the 2nd largest city in the United States. It is the only city where there are more cars than people. It has 2 professional sports teams in each of the professional sports and it is the home of Hollywood. So how on earth do you see LA in 24 hours?  Well, this is where my tale begins.

Randy’s Donuts

I left Orlando, FL at 6 AM on a non-stop flight to LA. The flight was just about 4 and a half hour. We landed at LAX and I grabbed my bag, my rental car and I headed to the first thing on my list.  No, it was not the hotel.  No, it was not to Disneyland it was to Jack in the Box. I am sure a lost a lot of you right there. Here is where I probably should clear up a couple of things to make all of this makes sense.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box

First why Jack in the Box. I grew up in St. Louis, MO. Jack in the Box was owned by Ralston Purina which is also a St. Louis-based company. I grew up eating their tacos and apple turnovers.  Back then I would wash all of that down with a chocolate shake. I have never lived anyplace else that had a Jack in the Box. So when I am in an area that has one. I usually race to get it. I hope you can understand that. If not, don’t judge me. Second, I am sure you are wondering why only 24 hours to see LA. Well, I actually went on a business trip for my job. I flew Sunday morning and have meetings in LA Monday morning and then I am leaving for Twenty-nine Palms, California for a presentation.

Lunch

Now that I have had a snack, I can start my quest to fit as much as I can into the day as possible before my body, which is still on East coast time shuts down. I pulled over to plot my course and use my GPS. That is when I discovered I was only a couple of minutes from my hotel along with the Sweetie Pies in Inglewood. I ran by to check into my hotel however my room was not ready even though I requested early check-in.

Oh well, I cannot let that ruin my trip and I am on the clock. So I head up to the Inglewood Sweetie Pies location. I arrive there only to find out that they do not open until 11:30 AM. The local time was around 10 AM. No problem because that allowed me to take pictures of the location without people around or cars. I took my time and photographed the outside of the building.

Inglewood

Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles

Then I remembered that I passed Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Inglewood on my way to Sweetie Pies. This would give me an opportunity to photograph another well know eating establishment. Chicken and Waffles have become a mainstay in American culture. They have been added to restaurants all over the country, from McDonald’s to fine dining establishments. If you have not tried the combinations of Chicken and Waffles I encourage you too. It does not matter if it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, chicken and waffles are a great treat.

Inglewood Form

The Fabulous Form in Inglewood, CA

My next stop was an iconic spot that was made famous in the 1980s and 1990s. I drove over to the Fabulous Form. The Form was about 5 minutes away also in Inglewood. The Form is where Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers won 5 NBA Championships in the 80s and 90s. This was the old Showtime Lakers with Kareem, James Worthy and Pat Riley as the coach. The Lakers and the Clippers play at the Staples Center today. The Form is now home to concerts, conventions and various events, but back in the 80s, it was the home of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sweetie Pies Inglewood

Sweetie Pies Inglewood

After taking pictures at the Form it was just about time for Sweetie Pies to open. I arrived about 5 minutes early. When I arrived the crowd was just starting to form. I was the 20th person. I took a few additional pictures and then Bruce, the General Manager, came to open the door. He could not have been nicer as he greeted the people and opened up the restaurant. I took a few pictures of Bruce. Many

Bruce from Sweetie Pies

will recognize him from the TV show “Welcome to Sweetie Pies”, I ordered the smothered pork chops. They cook that to order at Sweetie Pies. Macaroni and cheese along with green beans were my side dishes. I ordered the Sunday special so it came with a drink and dessert. The dessert I chose was Peach Cobbler! The food and the atmosphere were enjoyable. My next                                                                                                      stop was Venice Beach.

Venice Beach

World famous Venice Beach

The beach was about 20 minutes away. Venice Beach is one of the well-known beaches in the Country. I arrived and found a parking spot about 2 blocks away. I walked to the beach which I have not been to for just over 20 years. It was just as I left it. The beach had lots of sand, an active tide and a chill in the water. One of the cool things about Venice Beach is the housing that overlooks. These houses have a view of the sunset that most people would die for.

Hollywood, CA

Mann’s Chinese Theater

I left the beach and headed to Hollywood, California. The place where dreams are made and many dreams come to die. I wanted a picture of the famous Hollywood sign and of course to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame is located at Mann’s Chinese Theater. The Walk has a series of Stars all over the sidewalk with famous people’s names on them. I looked for some of the Black Stars.  I found Michael Jackson, Little Richard, Barry White to name a few. Across the street from the Walk of Fame is the Jimmy Kimmel Theater.  They film the Jimmy Kimmel show here.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Theater

TJ’s Sweetie Pies NoHo

My final stop was North Hollywood California. This is where TJ’s NoHo Sweetie Pies is located.  The TV show made this location famous and was the first of the LA Sweetie Pies. My arrival was just before dusk. I took lots of pictures and shot video. Even went live on Facebook. The highlight was when Charles, nephew to Ms. Robbie and TV favorite came out to take a few pictures. This was really special for me because Charles had posed for pictures for me in St. Louis a few years back at the Sweetie Pies Upper Crust. The Sun set and I headed back.  About an hour drive back to the hotel.

I made it back in the dark and was tired but needed to eat and take medicine. I ordered a local pizza that was very good. It was time to settle in and prepared for my meetings in the morning. This was a wonderful day. It had started at 3:30 AM Eastern. It had ended at 12 Midnight Western, which by the way is 3 AM in the East. This was my 24 hours in LA. I got a lot in. Los Angeles is one of the iconic places on earth and you need much more than 24 hours to see it all.

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Bill Collins

Bill Collins is a former Army Officer turned veteran traveler. I have traveled to 34 different Countries mainly concentrated in Central & Latin America and have spent the last 16 years exploring the Caribbean Islands.

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