Watts Towers has been named to the World Monuments Fund's inaugural Irreplaceable America list…read more recognizing 10 U.S. historic sites considered essential to preserving the nation's cultural heritage, officials announced Tuesday. The list was created as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and highlights historic places facing significant preservation challenges. The Watts Towers, created over more than three decades by Italian immigrant Sabato "Simon" Rodia, consist of 17 hand-built reinforced-concrete structures decorated with tile, glass and found objects. The tallest tower rises nearly 100 feet. The Watts Towers are a monumental achievement by one individual, Simon Rodia, yet are of cultural significance and meaning to all of the local community, and its visitors," Daniel Tarica, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, said in a statement. "The conservation and preservation of the Watts Towers ... reinforces a message to the community of investment, value, and stewardship, while also supporting increased cultural tourism and generating economic opportunities that benefit both the immediate Watts community and the wider region."

I grew up knowing that the Watts Towers were there. Sometimes, they were the photo on the front of…read morethe phone book. More often than that, they showed up as background photos of the Southland displayed between commercial breaks on TV news programs. I would have liked to have seen them in real life. It's just that you didn't go there because of the reputation of this part of South-Central Los Angeles. Things have changed. The 105 Freeway now provides that much needed link across between the top of the Gateway Cities and LAX, going but a few blocks south of the Watts Towers. What was called the Blue Line of Metro's light rail has a stop at 103rd Avenue, within walking distance of the towers. I'm also older than when Watts might have seemed ominous. Then, the neighborhood is changing, which is par for the course everywhere in Los Angeles. Predominantly African-American Watts has now become predominantly Hispanic. When I visited, I lowered the car window and asked two Hispanic twenty-somethings taking a very relaxed walk near this historic site what Watts was currently like. While not a "meet and greet" sort of neighborhood, the mixing of cultures probably helps bring a broader swath of people closer to seeing the towers. I took the 105, got off the large well-designed interchange at Central Avenue, and drove a few blocks north. The Watts Towers didn't seem as tall as I would have thought, but, when put under a different lens, they are very tall! The towers are the work of one man - Simon Rodia - and the tallest one stands about 100 feet (think 10 stories)! I am writing to review the towers and believe that, on the day I went, the Arts Center and tours were not operative. There are additional exhibits that can be seen and would be explained by taking the tour. However, you can definitely park within a block and visit the site. There is even a hardscaped plaza with tiered seating to the north of the towers. The towers are a little strange. They look like pyramidal cone shaped and opened up Slinky toys. Their cage structures are made of structural steel. However, the ribs are not just the steel. The ribs are "coated" with ceramic material, glass, mosaics, tiles, shells, and other objects that give them color and texture. They reminded me of some of the work that Antonio Gaudi designed in his native Barcelona, Spain in that the effect is organic ... and even a little hippie dippy. Knowing about the Watts Towers and knowing about Simon Rodia are intertwined. The Watts Towers are the largest major project built by just one individual, thus of historical import. He worked on them for 33 years! They are now under the purview of the California park system. Rodia was an Italian immigrant from a small town in the region of Italy in which Naples is the principal city. He was trained as a stone mason. I was fascinated by his trajectory. Upon coming to the United States from Italy, he first lived in Pennsylvania. From there, he moved to Seattle, WA, where he married, to Oakland, CA, where he had children, and then to both Long Beach and Watts in Southern California. People told him he was odd and criticized his work, but he persevered and we are richer for it. I'd say that a person had to have some unique wiring to push the envelope in terms of innovation, and even eccentricity, to be able to visualize and build the towers. Eventually, Rodia's health worsened and he moved north within California, dying closer to family members in Martinez, CA at 86 years of age. I had a school friend who lived not too far from the Watts Towers. He was Japanese-American. His parents did not move away until they retired. And I remember that there was a neighboring household where the couple occupying the house, and who also remained, was from France and that I would speak to them in my high school French. That said, it could explain how other immigrants, such as Simon Rodia from Italy, might have lived in the area, along with other newcomers. While not as singularly intriguing as the Watts Towers themselves, the evolution of and rationale for demographic changes in almost all of big L.A.'s neighborhoods would make for volumes of interesting accounts. I highly recommend visiting the Watts Towers, especially to Angelenos who have yet to do so.

This is such a nice tribute to the Beach Boys, just north of the Hawthorne Airport and Tesla…read moreAerospace. It's located among relatively newer homes. The band of brothers and relatives/friends was nicely made and seems to be forever made for fans and the public to pay homage to the songs and music of the sixties and beyond. There are signs in beige leading to the monument, so that there is no way to get lost. I hope more people have an opportunity to see this tribute to a local iconic band of American history.

Tucked away in a neighborhood where planes will be flying overhead. This is a nice landmark/tribute…read moreto the band. Worth a visit if you're nearby.

First off...Walking in smelled like pure urine. I took my toddler to checkout a couple of books he…read moreliked. We went to the kids section and saw some books we wanted to read right away. We sat at the little table and began reading. Immediately after a few minutes a security guard came and stood about 5 feet from us watching. IDK if ppl come in here to steal books but it was my first time ever stepping in this library. I thought it was kind of strange for him to be standing there the whole time we were in there. (About 35 minutes) I began walking around to look for a book I might like to read and he followed me there too. I got so uncomfortable I just decided to checkout the books we picked out for my son. I asked the lady behind the counter if they had a reading time for kids schedule and she said nothing to me. I asked again thinking maybe she didn't hear me and again she said nothing and point behind my head. I checked out the books then went where she pointed and saw another librarian and asked her. She didn't lift her head to see who was talking to her and point to the front part of her desk. I grabbed the schedule and here comes the security guard walking to the front counter talking to the lady who's cat go her tongue. She actually can talk when he spoke to her. As my son and I were leaving they got quite and the security guard said to her "I'll tell you about it later" then followed me out the library. This library is awful. Maybe it's odd to see a young looking black mother taking her child to the library to read even though the librarians and security guard was black too. Or maybe ppl who causes problems here look like me. My son and I was well dressed and groomed. I have all my teeth, I definitely didn't look suspicious. On top of that I was 7 months pregnant. Who follows ppl in the library? Who steals from the library? Never going there again. I hate being profiled in my own community. Awful ppl and service. Never again! PS I drop the books off before they were due and it still wreaks of urine.

I normally travel to the Long Beach main library for my book fix but since its been hot lately I…read moredecided to go to this branch close to my house. This library is loud. I was scanning the shelves and a guy kept walking pass me rapping about what he would do to a woman. It was disgusting and unnecessary with all the children around. The library has limited computer access. In Long Beach you get an hour but here its fifteen minutes (Yeah, I'm serious). On top of that there are only 2 computers for internet access, 2 for kids only, and 2 for library book search. Best bet is to bring your laptop. Printing is 25 cents a page btw. Their book selection is limited to say the least. I am a huge YA fan and the selection here is sad. The YA section is a small corner of the library. The selection is basic (Twilight and Hunger Games) and the books have a weird smell. The overall feel of the library is sad and forgotten. I guess I'll be returning to my main branch in Long Beach..

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

I had to come to one Manchester, Inglewood to pay a parking ticket…read more From the time we pulled on the lot and parked the car until the time we left everyone we encountered was so friendly and welcoming. It's a rarity to have such a positive experience when having to pay a ticket, but everyone was just so helpful with their directions, instructions and customer service. The staff at this location really represents the City of Inglewood with exemplary Customer Service and friendliness. Thank you City of Inglewood.

I've made a promise to myself to explore more of what makes SoCal great. To this end, I will…read morecheck-in a city, post a couple of photos to get myself started and then have those as a reminder to explore more of that city and post more pics as I learn more. Inglewood is a city I've been wanting to explore going back to "The Great Western Forum"(IYKYK!). Only recently did I make new friends with peeps from Culver City who frequent Inglewood for the community center events at Rogers Park. But until I met them, Soul Food experiences had not been a part of their adventure - Wha da WHA???? How does one spend any time in South LA and NOT try to determine their fave Soul Food establishment??? They didn't even realize the melting pot of food cultures (Creole, Ethiopian, Nigerian, Persian, Jamaican, Burmese, just to name a few!) awaiting them. That venture aside, the community center activities have been a blast! I LOVE seeing communities out playing on a Saturday. People of all ages dancing, sporting, having fun! I love the civic pride and the warm, inviting residents. I love peeking around corners and seeing Main Street vibes of 50s, 60s, 70s architecture. I love the beautifully kept parks and the murals of tribute found all around this city. And - OF COURSE - I love the smell of the food cooking block after block! I'll post more pictures and spend more time driving around on my next visits. The pace is chill in Inglewood and I shouldn't rush through, grabbing glances like I have been. Inglewood will be an evolving exploration and I look forward to the pleasant surprises I'll find. Cheers! "CC"

Nice little museum that showcases artifacts from the city's history and founding family. Best thing…read moreis, it's free to take a self guided tour. Stop in and learn a bit about the Bell Family and see how the city started.

Great way to start kids on the history of City of Bell and surrounding cities . Small museum ,…read moreshort descriptions of objects and the family who founded Bell. Brief , but effective trip back in to an exciting time when people of different cultural backgrounds came together to edify a new community. I visited the museum with a group of parents from Corona Elementary and the staff was very kind , polite , and patient with us . We were able to take a lot of photographs , read all the descriptions , visit the garden . As a School employee and a member of the SPA 7 Community , it was very interesting to see that Bell shared its newspaper with Maywood and Cudahy . You also find information about the city's collaboration with Bell High School to make the pool construction possible . Captivating time capsule , beautifully presented exhibits , short but sweet trip in to the past. Unbelievably free!

Beautiful Art Deco gem located in Downtown Huntington Park. Designed by noted architect Marcus…read morePriteca, this theatre is not only a historic landmark, but a true work of art in our community.

I grew up in in the Warner Theater. In 1969 when I was 9 years old my father rented the little…read morestore 6716 Pacific Blvd. and opened his little business Big Star Shop and was there for 25 years until he retired. I became very good friends with the owners daughter who would let me in for free and see such great movies like. The good, the bad and the ugly. The Exorcist, Count Yorga Vampire and Planet of the Apes. I have such wonderful memories of our little store and playing with my little sister and growing up on Pacific Blvd. The Warner Theater is a huge part of my childhood and teenage hood. Got my first job across the street Wow I tear up just thinking about it.

Basketball courts. Tennis courts. A skate park. Plenty of green for picnics. I've seen this park at…read moreits worse and it has been upgraded significantly. The grass is now well maintained, the tennis courts have been renovated and repainted (I would know; I once signed up for tennis lessons via City of Gardena and we used the courts here) and people have been mindful about their waste given there are plenty of trash bins around. As we are in the middle of a pandemic, they have attempted to close everything down with yellow tape but that doesn't stop people from still coming through and using the facilities. I'm sure staff aren't thrilled about that, but no one is really enforcing anything. Otherwise, it's a pretty cool park to hangout at. Here's hoping this pandemic ends soon. I can't wait to watch those early morning badminton teams play again.

The field is spacious for outside sports…read more The playground was pretty small but the park staff was there on a Sunday!

5 star service! 5 star food! 5 star sightseeing! 5 star hotels!…read more If you want to enjoy your trip without any worries, signet is your choice.

Went to Vietnam for 9days. Excellent tour guide, 5stars…read morehotels. wonderful food. Trip arrangements were suit for the weather.