Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles
@esotouric.bsky.social
Just a couple of lifers looking out for Los Angeles. Join us for architecture, crime, literature & history tours, preservation battles. Newsletter: http://esotouric.substack.com
Pinned
Los Angeles is confounding, by design, but it is not unknowable. These folks are telling real L.A. stories if you want to listen.
go.bsky.app/zi1abc
go.bsky.app/zi1abc
Today on the Westlake Park tour: the many ways City Hall worked internally NOT to save the Silver Platter, one of the oldest gay bars in the US and a safe space for trans immigrant Angelenos. But Eunisses Hernandez can fix this. Hear all about it! esotouric.com/event/westla...
December 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Today on the Westlake Park tour: the many ways City Hall worked internally NOT to save the Silver Platter, one of the oldest gay bars in the US and a safe space for trans immigrant Angelenos. But Eunisses Hernandez can fix this. Hear all about it! esotouric.com/event/westla...
Today! We've got room for you on the Westlake Park tour, featuring very special interior visits (you will regret not signing up!) and weird tales of Murphy bed murders, deadly house pets, cult killings, art school lore, newspaper bombings and much more. esotouric.com/event/westla...
WESTLAKE PARK TIME TRAVEL TRIP WALKING TOUR
Visit the post for more.
esotouric.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Today! We've got room for you on the Westlake Park tour, featuring very special interior visits (you will regret not signing up!) and weird tales of Murphy bed murders, deadly house pets, cult killings, art school lore, newspaper bombings and much more. esotouric.com/event/westla...
Half way into 43 pages of Los Angeles City Council motions, we did not expect to find the City getting into the niche business of guided motion picture location tours. Cultural tourism is cool, but PLEASE hire cinema historians and do not just use AI to steal their work!
December 13, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Half way into 43 pages of Los Angeles City Council motions, we did not expect to find the City getting into the niche business of guided motion picture location tours. Cultural tourism is cool, but PLEASE hire cinema historians and do not just use AI to steal their work!
First completed Pacific Palisades house: not a rebuild lost to the fire, but a spec project from Thomas James Homes. www.yahoo.com/news/article...
This is the developer that tried to fill an artesian spring in Los Feliz and made a marsh down the block. esotouric.com/creek/
This is the developer that tried to fill an artesian spring in Los Feliz and made a marsh down the block. esotouric.com/creek/
December 13, 2025 at 3:39 AM
First completed Pacific Palisades house: not a rebuild lost to the fire, but a spec project from Thomas James Homes. www.yahoo.com/news/article...
This is the developer that tried to fill an artesian spring in Los Feliz and made a marsh down the block. esotouric.com/creek/
This is the developer that tried to fill an artesian spring in Los Feliz and made a marsh down the block. esotouric.com/creek/
The Ethics Commission seeks to impose a huge fine on councilman John Lee, former Mitch Englander Chief of Staff and wingman on developer-funded junkets, as "concealment and deceit were found to be present in this case." ethics.lacity.gov/pdf/agenda/2...
December 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The Ethics Commission seeks to impose a huge fine on councilman John Lee, former Mitch Englander Chief of Staff and wingman on developer-funded junkets, as "concealment and deceit were found to be present in this case." ethics.lacity.gov/pdf/agenda/2...
Tomorrow, join us on a deep dive into the rich cultural, architectural, artistic, literary and true crime history of the Westlake Park neighborhood, featuring some stunning interiors that are new on this edition of the tour. No, not the Park Plaza--maybe better! esotouric.com/event/westla...
December 13, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Tomorrow, join us on a deep dive into the rich cultural, architectural, artistic, literary and true crime history of the Westlake Park neighborhood, featuring some stunning interiors that are new on this edition of the tour. No, not the Park Plaza--maybe better! esotouric.com/event/westla...
Calling all young(ish) book and ephemera fiends in the greatest state: submit up to twenty of your treasures and a short essay and you might just win the California Young Book Collector’s Prize. Deadline December 19 and 36 is too old. www.abaa.org/general-cont...
December 12, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Calling all young(ish) book and ephemera fiends in the greatest state: submit up to twenty of your treasures and a short essay and you might just win the California Young Book Collector’s Prize. Deadline December 19 and 36 is too old. www.abaa.org/general-cont...
"This is not Des Moines!" On the 40th anniversary of National Register designation, Hollywood Heritage co-founder Fran Offenhauser calls for the City and property owners to DO SOMETHING about all the empty retail space and revive the derelict Boulevard.
youtu.be/O9RwobI9Wns?...
youtu.be/O9RwobI9Wns?...
December 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
"This is not Des Moines!" On the 40th anniversary of National Register designation, Hollywood Heritage co-founder Fran Offenhauser calls for the City and property owners to DO SOMETHING about all the empty retail space and revive the derelict Boulevard.
youtu.be/O9RwobI9Wns?...
youtu.be/O9RwobI9Wns?...
Candelas has "only" been selling guitars in Boyle Heights since the 1940s, but the shop proudly claims nearly a century in trade in Tijuana and Los Angeles.
Most comprehensive About Us page ever!
www.candelas.com/about-us-upd...
Most comprehensive About Us page ever!
www.candelas.com/about-us-upd...
December 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Candelas has "only" been selling guitars in Boyle Heights since the 1940s, but the shop proudly claims nearly a century in trade in Tijuana and Los Angeles.
Most comprehensive About Us page ever!
www.candelas.com/about-us-upd...
Most comprehensive About Us page ever!
www.candelas.com/about-us-upd...
Lanza Bros. Market cruising into its centennial year in Italian flag brick glory on the industrial edge of Lincoln Heights.
December 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Lanza Bros. Market cruising into its centennial year in Italian flag brick glory on the industrial edge of Lincoln Heights.
Lanza Bros. Market cruising into its centennial year in Italian flag brick glory on the industrial edge of Lincoln Heights.
December 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Lanza Bros. Market cruising into its centennial year in Italian flag brick glory on the industrial edge of Lincoln Heights.
Do you love Los Angeles, have a taste for noir real estate schemes and no day job? We're rallying volunteers to attend and take notes at Councilmember Curren Price's pre-trial public corruption hearings Downtown, estimated to last a week (12/11-12/19).
esotouric.substack.com/thepriceisri...
esotouric.substack.com/thepriceisri...
December 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Do you love Los Angeles, have a taste for noir real estate schemes and no day job? We're rallying volunteers to attend and take notes at Councilmember Curren Price's pre-trial public corruption hearings Downtown, estimated to last a week (12/11-12/19).
esotouric.substack.com/thepriceisri...
esotouric.substack.com/thepriceisri...
Wonder why elected officials seem so checked out when you ask them to solve local problems? In Compton, it might because the CM is juggling a complex Baldwin Park marijuana bribery scheme. www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
Former Compton Politician Pleads Guilty to Bribing Corrupt Baldwin Park Official for Marijuana Permits and to Cheating on Taxes
A former Compton city councilman pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for paying $70,000 in bribes to a Baldwin Park city councilman in exchange for that official’s votes and support for c...
www.justice.gov
December 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Wonder why elected officials seem so checked out when you ask them to solve local problems? In Compton, it might because the CM is juggling a complex Baldwin Park marijuana bribery scheme. www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
Saturday, on the Westlake Park walking tour, we'll seek out the legendary art schools and relics of a lost world of scandal, culture and sly curiosity. Could it come back one day? We think it could! esotouric.com/event/westla...
December 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Saturday, on the Westlake Park walking tour, we'll seek out the legendary art schools and relics of a lost world of scandal, culture and sly curiosity. Could it come back one day? We think it could! esotouric.com/event/westla...
Thanks to our Hollywood Heritage preservation pals for the invite to the 40th Anniversary confab, a chance to view the amazing miniature and brainstorm about how to reactivate all that empty retail. The PRC on the Blvd. will open to the public in the new year--let's get to work and SAVE HOLLYWOOD!
December 10, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Thanks to our Hollywood Heritage preservation pals for the invite to the 40th Anniversary confab, a chance to view the amazing miniature and brainstorm about how to reactivate all that empty retail. The PRC on the Blvd. will open to the public in the new year--let's get to work and SAVE HOLLYWOOD!
Greetings, all who are freaking out about Netflix slurping up more than its share of the media ecosystem. We raised the alarm in 2019, after Ted Sarandos /American Cinematheque board ran the nonprofit into the ground, "saved" it by selling the Egyptian to Netflix. esotouric.com/egyptianthea...
Egyptian Theatre Advocacy
< The original name of this page was “Petition to Save the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre” – Click here to sign the petition. < UPDATE NOVEMBER 18, 2025: The …
esotouric.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Greetings, all who are freaking out about Netflix slurping up more than its share of the media ecosystem. We raised the alarm in 2019, after Ted Sarandos /American Cinematheque board ran the nonprofit into the ground, "saved" it by selling the Egyptian to Netflix. esotouric.com/egyptianthea...
Starting now: auction of the Joseff of Hollywood costume jewelry archive, including many iconic screen-worn pieces. Watch live and lament the death of prop houses, artistry and the industry's investment in the past. www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
December 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Starting now: auction of the Joseff of Hollywood costume jewelry archive, including many iconic screen-worn pieces. Watch live and lament the death of prop houses, artistry and the industry's investment in the past. www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
Scoops! Marilyn Monroe house landmarking appealed & Silver Platter redevelopment project expired.
Plus a way to attend the Burial of the Unclaimed Dead on Thursday morning even if you didn't get a ticket esotouric.substack.com/silvermarilyn
Plus a way to attend the Burial of the Unclaimed Dead on Thursday morning even if you didn't get a ticket esotouric.substack.com/silvermarilyn
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Scoops! Marilyn Monroe house landmarking appealed & Silver Platter redevelopment project expired.
Plus a way to attend the Burial of the Unclaimed Dead on Thursday morning even if you didn't get a ticket esotouric.substack.com/silvermarilyn
Plus a way to attend the Burial of the Unclaimed Dead on Thursday morning even if you didn't get a ticket esotouric.substack.com/silvermarilyn
The Burial of the Unclaimed Dead is Thursday and the County is again using Eventbrite to limit capacity.
We have confirmed that there will be tickets released in the event of no-shows. And you can see the service from Evergreen Cemetery next door.
esotouric.substack.com/unclaimed2025
We have confirmed that there will be tickets released in the event of no-shows. And you can see the service from Evergreen Cemetery next door.
esotouric.substack.com/unclaimed2025
The Burial of the Unclaimed Dead is for all Angelenos who care (2025)
Gentle reader,
esotouric.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The Burial of the Unclaimed Dead is Thursday and the County is again using Eventbrite to limit capacity.
We have confirmed that there will be tickets released in the event of no-shows. And you can see the service from Evergreen Cemetery next door.
esotouric.substack.com/unclaimed2025
We have confirmed that there will be tickets released in the event of no-shows. And you can see the service from Evergreen Cemetery next door.
esotouric.substack.com/unclaimed2025
The untold Los Angeles stories we tell, about the unholy intersection of land use, political power and heritage sites, are too important to lock behind a paywall.
December 8, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The untold Los Angeles stories we tell, about the unholy intersection of land use, political power and heritage sites, are too important to lock behind a paywall.
No online listing, but a little birdie spotted a sign touting the landmark Hollywood Art Center School compound (1912-2000) as a potential development site.
December 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
No online listing, but a little birdie spotted a sign touting the landmark Hollywood Art Center School compound (1912-2000) as a potential development site.
Gasp! The Joseff of Hollywood auction is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own exquisite costume jewels that glittered on Hollywood's brightest stars.
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
It hurts to see the great prop houses vanish as an industry bleeds out. We will not see such artistry again.
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
It hurts to see the great prop houses vanish as an industry bleeds out. We will not see such artistry again.
December 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Gasp! The Joseff of Hollywood auction is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own exquisite costume jewels that glittered on Hollywood's brightest stars.
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
It hurts to see the great prop houses vanish as an industry bleeds out. We will not see such artistry again.
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/3989...
It hurts to see the great prop houses vanish as an industry bleeds out. We will not see such artistry again.
The day we met Peter, during a Black Dahlia tour, he was in an Amazon delivery box at the Hotel Cecil, with a note asking for help. The wonderful Luxe Paws crew rescued and fostered him. Now this Skid Row survivor needs a forever home--maybe with you? www.instagram.com/peterplaysfe...
December 8, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The day we met Peter, during a Black Dahlia tour, he was in an Amazon delivery box at the Hotel Cecil, with a note asking for help. The wonderful Luxe Paws crew rescued and fostered him. Now this Skid Row survivor needs a forever home--maybe with you? www.instagram.com/peterplaysfe...
How checked out does an operator of one of the East Pasadena motels on Route 66 need to be to do THIS on the cusp of the Mother Road's centennial?
Oh Hi-way Host neon blade sign, we loved you so!
eastofallen.com/2025/12/03/r...
Oh Hi-way Host neon blade sign, we loved you so!
eastofallen.com/2025/12/03/r...
December 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
How checked out does an operator of one of the East Pasadena motels on Route 66 need to be to do THIS on the cusp of the Mother Road's centennial?
Oh Hi-way Host neon blade sign, we loved you so!
eastofallen.com/2025/12/03/r...
Oh Hi-way Host neon blade sign, we loved you so!
eastofallen.com/2025/12/03/r...
Large LAPD presence at Magnolia and Arapahoe in Pico Union. Beautiful block, hope nobody got hurt here.
December 6, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Large LAPD presence at Magnolia and Arapahoe in Pico Union. Beautiful block, hope nobody got hurt here.