Daveland Travels

The Queen Mary

2009-07-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Once a luxury liner, this 1936 cruise ship now sits in Long Beach since 1968, acting as a hotel, restaurant, and semi-tourist trap. Although it still has some of the trappings of its former glorious self, it is definitely in need of a sugar daddy who can do a first-class restoration. Figuratively drifting along without a real mission, it would appear that the owners are doing the best that they can to make a buck. However, it is obvious that this “plan” is not really working too well. I sure hope this piece of floating history is able to be stablized and restored.

For more Daveland Queen Mary photos, visit my regular website.

My Favorite Addiction: The Chateau Marmont

2009-06-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love going to Disneyland on my birthday, but even more so, I love going to the Chateau Marmont. This place is my most guilty addiction. It is one of the most peaceful and calming places. You feel the spirit of its legendary past while being able to enjoy modern amenities and service that keeps me returning. It never fails that as soon as I check out I am scheming as to how I can justify my next stay.

It’s always cool to stay in a room that is virgin to me...photographing it for the first time and seeing what cool little treasures decorate the suite. This time it was Room 48.

No comment on the foofy key chain, though.

For more Daveland Chateau Marmont photos, visit my regular website.

Historic Hollywood Courtyard District

2009-06-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

When I travel, it isn’t unusual for me to carry my camera with me. Who knows what might need to be documented on film? Going back after the fact just isn’t the same; things look different the second time around, and often, that beautiful lighting and rare situation that caught your eye in the first place is gone by the time you return with camera in hand. On my most recent trip to Hollywood, I shot some of the historic courtyard district in West Hollywood. I love these classic 1920’s/30’s apartment complexes. They are not the cheaply built sterile buildings that you encounter being constructed today; they are works of art. The beautifully landscaped courtyards, the fountains, the details in the exterior...amazing. Here are some of my favorites, including the El Palacio Apartments, where the unsolved murder of 20 year old oil heiress Georgette Elise Bauerdorf occurred in 1944.

For more Daveland Hollywood photos, visit my regular website.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: Location, Location, Location

2009-06-03T16:32:00.001-07:00

Last week I was able to attend a semi-sneak preview of Pixar’s latest genius creation, “Up” at the El Capitan in Hollywood. Those who know me know that without a nap, there is a 99.99% chance of me falling asleep during a movie. Add in the fact that the movie didn’t start until 11pm, and heck...I might as well just bring a pillow and blanket along!

Thanks to the Hollywood Roosevelt, crisis averted! Located about a block away from the El Cap, The Roosevelt is the perfect blend of history and hip. Many of the lobby and mezzanine areas hark back to the bygone days of Hollywood, while still maintaining a clean and contemporary feel.

Before my required pre-movie nap, I ate a DELICIOUS dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants, 25 Degrees. The caprese salad with watermelon slices melted in my mouth...and the cheese used sure beat the typical rubbery slices of mozzarella that one finds when dining out. As the Roosevelt states on their website, the decor is "bordello meets burger bar.” Be sure to try the #2 burger...pesto, tomato, and premium beef...wow...I was in a happy food coma shortly thereafter!

My one regret about my stay was having to leave at 6am the next day to get back in time for work. So much for lounging at the pool! For more Daveland Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel photos, visit my regular website.

Riviera Hotel: The Palm Springs Version

2009-05-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

I was recently in Palm Springs/Indian Wells for work. On the way out of town, I decided to try The Riviera Resort for breakfast before I headed back to San Diego. The look of this hotel has intrigued me; at night, it looks like something right out of Vegas.

The interior of this hotel was just as impressive (if not more) than the outside. Clean, sleek, trendy, vintage, modern...all in one!

Obviously, the intent of this hotel was to evoke the glamour of 1960’s Palm Springs, complete with mod portraits of the city’s Hollywood inhabitants, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Debbie Reynolds. Seeing the decor and design made me even more anxious to try the restaurant.

It was breakfast, so there wasn’t too much to really tax the chefs on the menu. However, for the prices being charged (which I would expect from this type of resort), for crying out loud, serve fresh-squeeze juice. I couldn’t believe it when my grapefruit juice came out and it tasted fresh...fresh out of the can. Little details like that really mean a lot. Still, looking around at the hipster-wannabes who were crowding around the pool, I had a feeling that the typical patron of this place may not know the difference. Would I want to stay here? Chances are slim. The type of crowd this hotel attracts are not my style; they may have money, but they definitely are short on taste and class. I prefer something a little more on the laid-back end.

For more Daveland Palm Springs photos, visit my regular website.

MORE Angels Flight Railway

2009-04-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

These images are slide dupes, so the quality isn’t too hot, but I got them anyway. They are supposedly from 1955, and were stamped Robert McVay. Not sure if he was the original photographer or not.

For more Daveland Angels Flight Railway photos, visit my regular website.

Little Italy: The San Diego Branch

2009-04-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

I go to Little Italy frequently, and not just because I am 50% Italian. My favorite camera store is located smack-dab in the middle of Little Italy: Nelson Photo Supplies. Customer service for camera freaks doesn’t get any better than this!

On a recent trip, I found one new reason to go there: Buon Appetito. Besides the fact that the food is out of this world (save room for the Strawberry Tiramisu), the service is extraordinary as well. Without going into great detail, because of problems with my party not getting there on time and the numbers changing, I had to switch tables 3 times...and they were extremely gracious each time. HIGHLY recommended!

One more shot from Little Italy to round out the post:

For more Daveland San Diego photos, visit my regular website.

The Isle of Capri

2009-04-06T07:17:00.001-07:00

The Isle of Capri is one of those places that really resonated with me. It was so beautiful, unspoiled (for the most part), and relaxing, that I felt like I could stay there for years...if I could only afford to!

One of the best ways to see its breathtaking beauty is by ski-lift. Soaring over vineyards, your feet almost dangling in the grapes.

For those scared of heights, the views from the top is worth a little sweat:

One must-see at Capri is the Villa San Michele; one can only imagine what it would be like to live in a fantasy home like this. Spectacular views that never end, nestled in a hilltop retreat hidden by the growth of trees and greenery.

Another must-see is the Blue Grotto; the water inside glows an electric blue. Photos cannot capture it, although I tried.

For more Daveland Capri photos, visit my regular website.

More New Orleans, April 2002

2009-03-05T18:57:00.001-08:00

The 3 times that I visited this great city were all pre-Katrina, and I definitely have a hankering to return. Besides the decadent architecture (it just looks so lush and lived in!) and the food never leaves your tastebuds (or your arteries for that matter), the carefree attitude is something that you rarely find anywhere else...other than maybe Key West. Here are some recently re-discovered images I took back in April 2002.

For more Daveland New Orleans photos, visit my regular website.

Back to Brandywine

2009-02-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

On my recent trip back east, it was only natural that I'd visit the Brandywine River Museum since Andrew Wyeth had just passed away. Regardless of that, it is still one of my favorite museums, thanks to the collection and the setting. As you can tell from the photos, it was a gray day.

Nearby is the Brandywine Battlefield, where Marquis de Lafayette setup shop during the Revolutionary War.

And a cool church/cemetery:

For more Daveland Brandywine photos, visit my regular website.

The First Time I Saw Vegas, 2002

2009-02-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

There are some things you see that stick in your memory; the first time I saw Vegas is one of them. January 2002 was the first time I had visited the fabled city, and it would be hard to forget my first impression as my cab was wading through the traffic of the strip at night. I am glad my first sight of Vegas was at night, as I definitely would not have been as impressed if my plane had landed during the day.

I remember my brain being on sensory overload, not knowing where to look next...it was definitely an ADD fest for the eyes, bouncing from one neon sign to the next.

Wanting to get great tickets for the Cirque de Soleil show “O,” I decided to stay at The Bellagio.

Apparently, they were either light on bookings or thought that I was some kind of gambling mogul, because they set me up in a pimped out suite that was bigger than my apartment.

Although it is definitely luxurious, The Bellagio is definitely not my vibe as far as design goes; just like Vegas, it’s very over the top and slightly cold.

Still, my goal was accomplished as I did score excellent seats for “O,” which was absolutely incredible. I am not a huge Cirque de Soleil fan, but this show blew me away.

For more Daveland Las Vegas photos, visit my regular website.

The Chateau Marmont: The equivalent of crack

2009-01-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

I don't do drugs. I occasionally will have a beverage (as in alcoholic), but usually, I will just order water (would rather splurge the calories on a good dessert instead). So, although I have no personal experience with crack (as in the drug), I can tell you that staying at the Chateau is my personal equivalent of doing crack. It’s probably been at least 1-2 years since I’ve stayed there (although I’ve stopped by for lunch a few times, which is probably like smoking weed but not inhaling), so my recent 3-day stay left me craving more. I was thinking, “How can I justify another stay here as soon as possible?”

There are so many things I love about this place. The decor is pure vintage; and even the pieces that aren’t vintage are designed to look as if they have aged perfectly with this 1920’s landmark. The Chateau is also extremely laid-back; no stress here. Want to eat in the “living room” area for breakfast...no problem. Just sit on any sofa and order something tasty (and I do mean tasty) from the menu. The bacon here...hot damn. Bacon is my weakness, and the Chateau’s is incredible. Thick-sliced peppered bacon.

And then there’s the pool. Sure, it’s not very big, but the area is completely walled in with tropical plants. You have no idea that you are right on Sunset, one of the busiest and most annoying thoroughfares in Los Angeles. And did I mention that on this visit, the pool was PERFECTLY heated...as in...no time to let your body adjust to the temperature...just walk right on down those steps and do your laps!

Call me psycho, but I have always been fascinated by this little blue bulb and the light that it gives off to this area at night. I finally photographed it. Yup...I’m weird like that.

And when it comes to little touches, like orchids in the room, The Chateau does it better than the others...no fake florals here.

This time, my new discovery was eating next door at the Bar Marmont. The food is excellent over there, and as long as you get there early, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a table. The beautiful people don’t start showing up until around 9 or so anyway.

Anyone able to explain this from the men’s room?

For more Daveland Chateau Marmont photos, visit my regular website.

The Colony Palms Hotel

2009-01-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

I never really cared much for Palm Springs in the past, but as I have gotten older and appreciate R&R more, Palm Springs is definitely one of the best places to go for that. For New Year’s I tried the Colony Palms Hotel for the first time. I noticed it during my last stay at the Movie Colony Hotel when I was jogging by one morning. The spanish style courtyard and pool intrigued me so I gave it a shot. Somewhat reminiscent of my fave Chateau M in Hollywood, it just slightly misses the mark. Would I stay again? Sure. But am I anxious to return? Not necessarily.

The design is fantastic; the styling (similar to the Chateau) is simple, modern, and vintage all at the same time, with a little Moroccan/Spanish flair here and there.

The look of the Purple Palm Restaurant was pretty hip as well:

So where did it fail for me? Mainly in the area of service; on the plus side, the staff was very friendly. However, I got the feeling at both the front desk and the restaurant that everyone had been recently hired and was still trying to get the lay of the land. I'll definitely give it another shot, but not before I head back to the Chateau this month for my fix. That place is like crack. For more Daveland Colony Palms Hotel photos, visit my regular website.

Palm Springs

2008-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Even though I live only a few hours away, Palm Springs has not been high on my travel radar. For some reason, its charms pretty much escape me, and whenever I get in the car for a trip, chances are it’s to LA, and not the Desert. However, on my most recent trip, I did manage to shoot a few things that I thought looked cool and might warrant a repeat trip!

Dipping into my library of vintage images, I came up with these two of the Chi Chi, taken in October 1964, approximately one year before this hip social club closed.

For more Daveland Palm Springs photos, visit my regular website.

Signage in LA

2008-11-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

My name is Dave and I’m a signage geek. Yup, it’s true. Here are a few classics from a recent trip to Hollywood. Even tacky can be fun!

This place is a way cool hangout. A joint, if you will, which is the best kind of place to go.

If only Morrison were still here.

Oh wait...he is...over on a wall near the Roosevelt Hotel:

One of the newer additions to Sunset:

For more Daveland Hollywood photos, visit my regular website.

The Sunset Marquis

2008-11-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

When my favorite hotel, The Chateau Marmont, is full, what’s a guy to do? Now I have the answer: The Sunset Marquis. My friends at the Chateau set me up here and I got the royal treatment. This little getaway retreat is only a block away from Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, but feels like the most restful place in the world. I’ll let the photos do the talking. One of my fave parts about it is that the staff gives excellent customer service; unlike the staff of the Hollywood Roosevelt, who treats you like they’re doing you a favor. That kind of snotty attitude doesn’t go very far with me.

And yes, they cater to rockstars!

For more Daveland Sunset Marquis photos, visit my regular website.

More Savannah

2008-10-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

No stories today about my fave city Savannah; just a lot of photos.

For more Daveland Savannah photos, visit my regular website.

Only in Savannah

2008-10-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

On my first trip to Savannah back in 2005, I took this photo of the historic Cotton Exchange Building on Bay Street. I have included a closeup of the statue that was in front as well.

On my most recent visit to Savannah for a conference, I was staying at the Hyatt, and as I walked by Bay Street, I noticed something missing. This is what I saw:

Something had happened to the statue; the rough look on the claws alerted me to the fact that it wasn't removed for a restoration. Storing it away in my brain, I figured I'd find out later on what happened.

In Savannah, the residents don't just give you the facts...they give you a story. The art of storytelling is alive and well, I am happy to report. At the next instance I was able to talk to one of my friends who was a local, I asked them about the statue. "Oh, my Lord! You'll never believe it! Some lady was drunk, driving down Drayton Street in her Lexus...she wanted to kill herself. She was going over 100 mph, and somehow got airborn, took out the Gryffon statue, and landed on top of the Cotton Exchange! The statue was over 140 years old and was a gift from France." What a story! My friends and I all said, "Only in Savannah." Later in the week, I was walking by the area again when I heard some Savannians discussing the tragedy. I decided to be nosy and ask them what happened. They told me that the lady was most likely medicated, had taken out the Lion (not Gryffon), which was a gift from Philadelphia (not France), and then ran smack dab into the front doors of the Exchange...not the roof. They told me that the city was on the lookout for another statue to replace it, but that they weren't having much luck. A day later, I was on an architectural tour...intrigued, I decided to ask this person's take on the lion, especially since he prided himself on his accuracy and knowledge. When I related to him what I had heard, he chuckled and let me know it wasn't a Lexus, it was a Toyota Corolla, and that most likely the lady had had a seizure. He also told me that SCAD was involved in trying to find a replacement, even looking into a more permanent solution such as limestone, since the original was made of an extremely fragile terra cotta. When I let my original source know of what I'd found, she told me, "I like my story much better!" And you know what? I agree! Let the urban legend begin. UPDATE: Now that I am back home and in front of the computer, I have done a little web sleuthing, and learned that two restorers have examined the debris and developed game plans to return the historic lion and the surrounding ornamental wrought iron to downtown Savannah. Restoration specialists from an Ohio-based firm are confident they can use the terra cotta pieces to create a copy of the lion, which dates to 1889. "I realize it looks like a pile of rubble, but once we get the base parts and the haunches in place, it will be easier from there," said Tom Podnar, a conservator with McKay Lodge Conservation Lab in Oberlin, Ohio. For more Daveland Savannah photos, visit my regular website.

More Angels Flight Railway

2008-09-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Something about this historic landmark in Los Angeles that intrigues me; I really do wish it was back in service again. Not so much because it provides a needed transportation service, but because of its rich history and the fact that it adds a nostalgic element of fun to a city that often gets caught up in “what’s new.” This first shot is from March 1963. The rest were taken this month.

For more Daveland Angels Flight photos, visit my regular website.

Movie Palaces: The Pantages in Hollywood

2008-09-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

One of the most gorgeous classic movie palaces in Los Angeles is the Pantages Theater. These photos do not do this theater justice. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m an Art Deco nut.

For more Daveland Pantages photos, visit my regular website.

Griffith Observatory: James Dean Bust

2008-08-19T05:05:00.001-07:00

For the first time since before its refurbishment, I visited Griffith Observatory. The James Dean bust is one of my favorite parts of the area to visit. Sculpted by the late Kenneth Kendall, I believe it is a masterpiece.

For more Daveland Griffith Observatory photos, visit my regular website.

Carmel: My new favorite city

2008-08-01T06:03:00.001-07:00

Recently, I took a long weekend in Monterey/Carmel. Carmel is my new favorite city. This beautiful area “by the sea” is scenic, peaceful, relaxing, and has some of the coolest homes I have seen in years. Carmel is a city that has aged well and obviously been tended to lovingly by its residents.

For more Daveland Carmel by the Sea photos, visit my regular website.

San Diego Santa Fe Train Station

2008-07-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

As I have gotten older, my appreciation for trains has increased; classic trains that is, and especially the classic stations/depots that used to dot most towns across this majestic nation. One of these classic stations if the Santa Fe Station in downtown San Diego. Feast your eyes on this marvel of yesteryear.

For more Daveland San Diego photos, visit my regular website.

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Boston, Pt. 2

2008-06-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being patient on Pt. 2; here’s the place where everyone knows your name: The Bull & Finch Pub which was used for the exterior shots in the famous TV sitcom "Cheers."

The rest of the shots show Fenway Park, one of the most famous classic baseball parks around.

For more Daveland Boston photos, visit my regular website.

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Boston, Part 1

2008-06-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

I have attended the annual HOW Graphic Design Conference for the last 8 years; one of the big draws is that it changes cities each year. This year, the city was Boston, which I’d only visited briefly back in 1981 when I had an interview at Boston College. What a fantastic city! I could have spent another week there. Here are some photos that I took on my recent journey, starting off with 2 of the Hynes Convention Center.

The Copley Plaza Hotel:

One of my favorite areas, Beacon Hill:

For more Daveland Boston photos, visit my regular website.

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