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Anyone have a book rec describing LA trends of the 70s, fashion, home design, arts, diets, etc.?
Reyner Banham's "Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies" was published in 1971 and it's the perfect lens for understanding how the city's design and lifestyle were already shifting. He breaks down LA into these distinct zones like the beaches, the freeways, and the plains, and you can see how the 70s trends played out differently in each one, the surf aesthetic in Venice versus the mid-century modern hangovers in the hills. For the actual look and feel of the decade, the photography book "LA 70s: A Photographic Journey Through the Decade" by various artists captures the specific color palette of the time, all those browns and oranges and avocado greens that showed up in everything from kitchen linoleum to the paint jobs on Datsun 510s. The diets and health stuff were really centered around the original Erewhon market on Beverly Boulevard, which opened in the late 60s and became the hub for the whole macrobiotic and organic food movement that defined a lot of the 70s LA lifestyle.
if you want something that actually gets into the physical spaces and objects, track down "the decorative arts of the seventies: the los angeles county museum of art's design collection" catalog from around that time. it's obscure but shows how the city's furniture and textile design mirrored the whole indoor-outdoor living thing, all those wicker chairs and earth tones mixing with the geometric patterns from the op art movement. for the diet and health part, "the whole earth catalog" was huge out here and people were actually living off the recipes in "the moosewood cookbook" at potlucks in topanga canyon, it was less about trends and more about a genuine rejection of the processed 50s stuff
Eve Babitz' "Slow Days, Fast Company" is your best bet for the 70s LA vibe without being a textbook. She was actually there, hanging out with artists and musicians, and her essays capture the whole freewheeling, hedonistic energy of the time, the way people dressed in gauzy dresses and drove beat-up convertibles. It's not a formal history, but it ties together the art scene, the casual drug use, the weird diets, and the specific geography of places like the Chateau Marmont and the old Hollywood Hills houses. For the design side, you could pair it with a look at the Lautner and Neutra houses that were still being lived in then, not just museum pieces.
Things to Do in Los Angeles (2026)
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping vi… 🌴 Iconic Sights
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🎨 Museums and Culture
The Getty Center in Brentwood offers free admission (parking $20) and stunning gardens with art from the Middle Ages to modern times. For contemporary art, head to The Broad in downtown LA, which has free timed-entry tickets for Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms. Book online weeks ahead.
🏖️ Beach Day Essentials
Santa Monica Pier is a lively spot with an amusement park and aquarium, but for a quieter vibe, try Manhattan Beach with its wide sandy shores and local shops. Both have bike paths connecting to Venice Beach, where you can watch skateboarders at the famous Venice Skate Park.
🍽️ Foodie Hotspots
Grand Central Market in downtown LA has been a food hall since 1917, offering everything from tacos at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas to egg sandwiches at Eggslut. For Korean BBQ, head to Koreatown's Park's BBQ, where the beef short ribs are a must-try. Expect lines on weekends.
🚶 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore the Arts District for street art and industrial-chic galleries, then grab coffee at Blue Bottle. Echo Park is great for a stroll around the lake and vintage shopping on Sunset Boulevard. Both neighborhoods are walkable and less touristy than Hollywood.
🚌 Getting Around
LA's Metro system has expanded with the K Line connecting Crenshaw to the Westside, but a car is still the most convenient option. Rideshares are widely available, but traffic on the 405 and 101 can be heavy from 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Consider renting a bike for beach areas.
🌆 Best Evening Spots
Catch sunset at the rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA, which offers craft cocktails and views of the city skyline. For live music, the Hollywood Bowl hosts concerts from May to October, with affordable bench seats starting around $20. Pack a picnic for a classic LA experience.
💡 Local Tips
Many museums offer free admission on certain days, like the Natural History Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking can be expensive, so use apps like SpotHero to reserve spots ahead. Always carry a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and refill stations are common.
Seconding the Academy Museum free day tip, that's a solid addition. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Griffith Observatory can get completely overrun on summer weekends, to the point where they close the road to cars. If you're not up for the hike from the bottom, take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, it's 50 cents and drops you right at the door. Also, for a quick beach lunch that's not a tourist trap, the fish tacos at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach are worth the short walk from the pier.
one thing the guide doesnt mention is that the getty center has a free shuttle from the parking structure up to the museum, so you dont have to hike the hill unless you want to. also if you go on a weekday morning the gardens are basically empty and the light is perfect for photos. for a quick bite after, the cafeteria is overpriced but the hot dog stand outside the tram stop has decent cheap snacks
honestly the guide is pretty solid but i think theyre sleeping on the food scene in the san gabriel valley. if you have a car and an afternoon, drive out to monterey park for some of the best chinese food in the country. the soup dumplings at din tai fung are famous for a reason but the real hidden gem is the xiao long bao at mei long village just down the street. way less of a wait and just as good. also for a chill evening that's not downtown, the rooftop at the standard on sunset has a great vibe and you can see