Discover Los Angeles from a different perspective through one of the many tours offered by Esotouric. Owned and operated by a charming theatrical duo, Richard Schave and Kim Cooper, these tours explore some of the many unusual facets of LA. Curious about crime? There’s a tour that covers that. Fascinated by industrial architecture? They explore that. Literary aficionados can look to tours on Charles Bukowski, John Fante, Raymond Chandler or James M. Cain.

There’s a wealth of information provided by the two guides, all of whom have researched their topics with the expertise of knowledgeable professors, delivering anecdotes with lively snippets of humor, video clips and a bit of gossip. There’s just about one a week, covering a myriad of cultural topics. Relax inside the plush motor bus and sit back and enjoy the ride.

I opted for The Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles Tour, which focused on the myriad of architectural wonders throughout South Los Angeles. We began from one of LA's notable eateries, Philippe’s the Original French Dip, where we were encouraged to order one of their delicious sandwiches to take on our four hour excursion through such areas as Vernon, Bell Gardens, Santa Fe Springs and Downey, discovering many overlooked areas off the usual guide maps of LA.

As the bus meandered through questionable areas that I wouldn’t even navigate by car, I was hit with wonder after wonder of architectural delights. Look at the old mills rising from the tainted sidewalk, their looming towers echoing the commerce of bygone eras. What’s that over there? It the famous Farmer John factory, with its exterior decorated with several barnyard murals reminiscent of Old MacDonald. Imagine pigs and other livestock dancing in abandon, offering a bit of black humor and vivid visual distraction along the cluttered freeways.

Or how about the East LA Train Station, taking you back to 1932, and was prominently featured in the movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice starring John Garfield. Then there’s the Gage Mansion, the oldest adobe structure in LA County dating back to 1808, its lovely hub right in the middle of a run down trailer park. Anachronisms are everywhere on this tour.

Downey is home to the famed Carpenters, who even erected two apartment buildings aptly named for a few of their #1 songs.

We finished at Tropicana Bakery & Cuban Cafe, a lively pastry place packed with sweet offerings, and a dense crowd of loyal patrons.

Even if you’ve a local LA resident, you’ll find these tours fit to fill in the cracks from many other city tours you may have taken. Get off the beaten track and go Esotouric. You’ll be a hit at parties with the wealth of information you’ll accumulate.


http://www.esotouric.com/