Fenced Hillside, Monterey Hills

This undeveloped hillside of the Monterey Hills is viewed from a field near the top of Via Marisol. The small community here holds an annual jazz festival in a local park, sponsored by the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.

Natural History Museum, Los Angeles

The Habitat Halls at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles contain some very life-like animals in dioramas of their natural environment. The Mammal Halls for North America and Africa were early expansions of the museum, dating back to the 1920s.

Original Tommy's, Los Angeles

Established in 1946 at this corner of Beverly and Rampart Boulevards, Tommy's has been a favorite burger joint in Los Angeles for over 60 years. Famous for their chili cheese burger, there are now several locations in Southern California. The original little stand at the corner has become the company logo and trademark.

The Citadel, City of Commerce

Originally a tire manufacturing plant dating back to 1928, it was designed as a replica of an Assyrian king's palace. Now it's home to retail outlet stores and a food court. Located just off of the 5 Fwy. in the City of Commerce, it's a really unique building that has been very well preserved.

Birthday Present, Monrovia

We celebrated my son's birthday today with a party in Monrovia. A Hot Wheels "Blast and Crash" track set was one of his gifts, so I took this shot in honor of a childhood tradition of racing Hot Wheels, in L.A. and around the world. Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Fish Jerky?, Glassell Park

Fish are hung out to dry on a chain link fence along the driveway of a home on Carlyle St. in Glassell Park. This district and the surrounding neighborhoods have seen a lot of gentrification in the past several years, but they are interesting old areas that add character to Los Angeles.

Hillside Homes, Mt. Washington

This is the view from San Rafael Ave. looking across a ravine to some homes hugging the hillside in Mt. Washington. In the early 1900s, a funicular railway served the area for easier access up and down the steep hills.

L.A. River, Atwater Village

Yes, there really is a river that runs through Los Angeles. But because of devastating floods throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, most of the river's beds and banks were encased in concrete. So, we are left with a tame, but ugly river (or flood control channel) that travels south from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach, where it spills into the Pacific Ocean. This view if from Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village, looking northwest.

Echo Lake, Echo Park

Echo Park (formerly known as Edendale), is located just northwest of downtown L.A. and the lake here is home to the largest planting of lotuses outside of Asia. The surrounding community has an interesting mix of residential homes, businesses, restaurants, clubs and galleries.

Alley, South El Monte

An empty alley just off of Klingerman St., between Merced Ave. and Seaman Ave., cuts a path through an industrial district of South El Monte.

Dead Trees, Woodland Hills

These dead poplar trees are on a landscaped piece of commercial property at the corner of Canoga Ave. and Oxnard St. in Woodland Hills. There's something to be said for stark beauty.

Angel Statue, Mission Hills

This angel is one of several statues in the gardens and courtyards of the San Fernando Mission. Founded in 1797, the mission is located in the city of Mission Hills.

Windy Day, Winnetka

The American flag at the U.S. Post Office, flying at half-staff since the death of former President Gerald Ford, flaps in the strong winds blowing through the valley in the city of Winnetka.

Collectible Glitz, Canoga Park

Collectible Glitz - Miss La De Da's in Canoga Park is one of the coolest jewelry stores you'll ever see. Specializing in vintage and costume jewelry, the unique collection of pieces is mostly arranged by color. Great place to shop for Valentine's Day.

Downey Studios, Downey

The last time I was in Downey, this 80 acre site was a Rockwell/Boeing aerospace facility. It's now Downey Studios, an enormous movie production lot with studios, a suburban street, an indoor lake, backlots and plenty of production services.

Latin Playboy, East Los Angeles

The boarded-up Latin Playboy, a defunct nightclub on Cesar Chavez Ave. (formerly Brooklyn Ave.) near the corner of Rowan Ave. in East Los Angeles, supposedly hosted gigs for one of the great bands to come out of the area, L.A.'s own Los Lobos.

Ice Skating, Los Angeles

The ninth season of L.A. Downtown on Ice skates to a close today at Pershing Square in Los Angeles. It's the largest outdoor ice skating facility in Southern California, and has become a downtown holiday tradition.

Old Chrysler, Duarte

This rusted and beat up 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe was sitting in the driveway of one of the many auto dismantling businesses in an industrial area of Duarte. I couldn't tell if this vehicle was being saved or heading for a slow death by being picked apart in the salvage yard.

Bradbury Building, Los Angeles

The Bradbury Building, built in 1893 at the corner of Broadway and 3rd Street in downtown Los Angeles, has to be seen in person to get a true appreciation for its unique design and how well it's been preserved. Now a National Historic Landmark, it's currently used for office and retail space, and has appeared in many films and commercials.

Auto Transporter, Encino

New vehicles aboard this auto transporter are ready to be delivered to dealerships along Ventura Blvd. in Encino.