About Jamie A
In addition to writing and taking photos during her trips, Jamie loves to find hidden gems, cheap eats, and kitschy Americana attractions. She hails from Oil City, Pennsylvania, went to college in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, studied abroad in Norwich, England, and moved to Boston in May of 2007. She also enjoys writing poetry and lyric essays, reading lots of books, being a foodie, listening to girl group tunes from the 1960s, crafting, and dinner parties with her friends.
Blog posts written by Jamie A
February 22nd, 2008 by jamie a
Elysian Park Photo uploaded by
For all you nature-lovers out there, a trove of great parks and trails lie beneath the glitzy exterior of Los Angeles. Elisa Jacobs of LA.com has put together a list of the .
From the downtown splendor of Elysian Park to more than 100 acres of wildlife in Hollywood’s Runyan Canyon, there’s plenty of reasons to stay in the city to get your nature fix.
Happy trails to you!
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
February 20th, 2008 by jamie a
African Drums Photo uploaded by
Head on over to the in Santa Ana for a myriad of fantastic exhibits and events happening in February!
Here’s just some of the highlights:
Thursday, February 21 (1 pm)
Lecture: “Timeless Melodies: African American Contributions to American Popular Music”
Saturday, February 23 (1:30 pm)
Lecture: “Pharaoh at the Bat: Sports & Games in Ancient Egypt”
Sunday, February 24 (11 am- 4 pm)
Celebrate Black History Month with the African Family Festival!
Thursday, February 28 (6 - 8:30 pm)
Jazz at Bowers: Music in the Moment with Bill Madison
For even more events, .
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
February 11th, 2008 by jamie a
Mika at The Troubadour Photo uploaded by
LA.com has a fantastic guide for those who are and are dying for some fabulous nightlife. This guide features 12 hotspots which are either all-ages or 18+ clubs or venues for a great night out on the town.
From indie shows at to which features DJs spinning electro, new wave, and other retro tunes, you’re sure to find something to suit your style.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
February 7th, 2008 by jamie a

Geisha House photo courtesy of Carrie T.
If you’re a sushi fan, Los Angeles is a fantastic city to find some of the best.
For a night out with drinks…
At the in Hollywood, you can experience traditional Japanese customs in a hip, modern environment. It boasts of a sushi bar and a sake lounge for a perfect night out on the town. You can check out their amazing menu .
For a casual date…
Head over to for delightfully fresh fish and great service. Locals love the yellowtail, but also enjoy the tuna and the eel. Your little cup of green tea is constantly full, providing for a wonderfully relaxing night.
For cheap-eats…
Check out in Hollywood for a great place for a group of friends to have some tasty sushi without breaking the bank. They’ve got a gigantic menu, which is great for pleasing a crowd. Favorites include the baked salmon roll and the spicy tuna roll, along with the beef teriyaki.
For delivery…
is perfect if you just want to spend a night inside. They’re known for their larger-than-normal rolls, great service, and unique combinations. They even play Japanese pop music if you choose to eat-in, which makes for some great dinnertime fun.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
February 4th, 2008 by jamie a
Painting Hearts Photo uploaded by
Craft something magical for the object of your affection this Valentine’s Day!
ReadyMade magazine and Anthropologie are sponsoring on Thursday, February 7th at 6:30 PM at 1402 Third Street Promenade. The event will feature live demonstrations and free ‘love note kits’ so you can practice your new skills at home.
Space is limited, so be sure and reserve a spot by emailing rsvp@readymademag.com with ‘Los Angeles’ in the subject line.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
January 28th, 2008 by jamie a
A Typewriter on an Adventure Photo uploaded by
With a city so rich in cinematic history, the great writers of LA tend to be overlooked. Beyond the glitz and glam, lie writers like Charles Bukowski, Joan Didion, and Raymond Chandler who bring the city to life through their words.
DiscoverLosAngeles.com provides a wonderful article on the literary history of the city of angels. As Bukowski said, “Since I was raised in LA, I’ve always had the geographical and spiritual feeling of being here…I’ve had time to learn this city. I can’t see any other place than LA.” If he’s your style, check out . They also offer , which help tourists discover how Los Angeles shaped not only his fiction, but the course of his life.
There’s no better way to discover the intricacies of a city than by reading first-hand accounts of calling it home. After you’ve learned the stories of these great writers of the past, be sure and take in a reading at a local coffee shop to appreciate LA’s thriving 21st century writers. You’ll most likely find a new author to love, as well as understand why LA is a city that still inspires great works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
January 21st, 2008 by jamie a
Monterey Jazz Festival Photo uploaded by
Discover Los Angeles has put together a list of the top January events happening in the city. Forget about going through all the event guides and newspapers, they’ve got the best of the best all ready for you!
You can attend the Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour, which is the world’s longest running jazz festival, featuring the modern jazz stars of today. There’s also the Chinese New Year Spectacular, featuring hundreds of performers, where you can help ring in the new year.
For something inspiring, you can head over to the Aquarium of the Pacific for the Festival of Human Abilities, which celebrates the talents of artists and musicians with disabilities. If a night out on the town is more your style, there’s DineLA, which we covered in a previous post.
Whatever your style, there’s bound to be something on the list to make your January a month to remember!
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
January 16th, 2008 by jamie a

Taking a Trip with Megabus
Photo uploaded by
Recently introduced to the west coast, provides extremely affordable trips for students or those traveling on a budget. This low-cost daily bus service travels from Los Angeles to seven locations (so far), including , , and .
Here’s an on the Los Angeles to San Francisco route. If you have questions or wish to make a reservation, reserve online or call 877-GO2-MEGA.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
January 11th, 2008 by jamie a

Photo courtesy of Nokia Theatre
If you’re looking for a great place to see live concerts, nationally broadcast award shows, or hilarious comedians, the 7,100 seat is the latest addition to the L.A. scene.
Opened in October 2007, the first six concerts at the venue were completely sold out, but the theatre plans to host about 120 events per year. That certainly means that you’re sure to find something to fit your tastes and style, plus get your hands on some tickets!
After hosting the American Music Awards, their first venture in hosting award shows, the venue was a complete hit. They’ve got an awesome including Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Larry the Cable Guy, and the Moody Blues, so be sure and get your tickets early and enjoy the show.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.
January 9th, 2008 by jamie a

Dining at LA’s Violet Restaurant
Photo uploaded by , taken by
Celebrate the culinary talent and a wide variety of cuisines during LA’S Restaurant Week. Dubbed , this event brings all restaurants together, from eclectic to home-style, to showcase all the great food this city has to offer.
From January 27- February 1st and February 3 - February 8, diners can make reservations for either “deluxe” or “premier” dining choices, with special discounted prices for a three course meal. They range from $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner at “deluxe” locations and $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner at “premier” restaurants.
If you’ve been itching to find a new place to dine, this week gives you the opportunity to quench your palate without breaking the bank! To help you plan your excursions, which offers six pieces of advice on how to have a great time and get what you paid for.
Planning a trip to
Los Angeles?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Los Angeles Card.