Adobe MAX 2022 Creativity Conference back in Person!
October 16 - 17: Preconference.
October 18 - 20: General Conference.
Since I live & work in Los Angeles I decided to share with you my favorite places in DTLA! Feel free to add comments as well as new suggestions and let's keep it as an ongoing blog/conversation to make people feel welcomed to our big city.
Table of Content
- Transportation and Parking
- Art & Music in DTLA
- Disney Music Hall
- The Broad
- The Music Center
- The Museum of Contemporary Art : MOCA
- Grand Park
- The Art District
- Houser & Wirth Los Angeles
- The Last Book Store
- 6th Street Bridge Viaduct
- Union Station
- Olvera Street
- Watts Towers
- Food
- The Original Pantry
- Hotel Figueroa
- The Perch LA
- Bottega Louie
- LA Live
- The Art District food
- Bavel
- Salt & Straw
- Bestia
- Girl & the Goat Los Angeles
- More place to eat around The art district
- Grand Central Market
- French dip
- Fig & 7
- Staying longer exploring more
Transportation & parking
Art & Music in DTLA
Disney Music Hall
Address: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Probably 20 min walk from the convention center or a short ride (with your favorite transportation: UBER, LYFT, TAXI, BUS, CITY Bike, Train). You can enjoy a concert in the evening or just visit the place and take a tour! do not forget to go upstairs to the hidden garden!
The Broad
Address: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Probably 20 min walk from the convention center or a short ride (with your favorite transportation: UBER, LYFT, TAXI, BUS, CITY Bike, Train). The Museum is closed on Mondays. It is free but you need to make reservations.
The Music Center
Address: 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Probably 20 min walk fro the convention center or a short ride (with your favorite transportation: UBER, LYFT, TAXI, BUS, CITY Bike, Train)
The Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA:
Address: 250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Probably 20 min walk fro the convention center or a short ride (with your favorite transportation: UBER, LYFT, TAXI, BUS, CITY Bike, Train). The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles is a contemporary art museum with three locations in greater Los Angeles, California.
Grand Park
Address: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Probably 20 min walk fro the convention center or a short ride (with your favorite transportation: UBER, LYFT, TAXI, BUS, CITY Bike, Train). After a full day at Adobe MAX or early morning you can enjoy a stroll or coffee at Grand Park. checkout the information in the web site for special events and music.
I tried to cover one area around Grand Avenue! Walking distance from the convention center, but if you are staying longer here are few suggestion to explore the Art District
The Art District
Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles
One of my favorites places in the Art District. Was so excited that they opened the galleries in Los Angeles. Located at 901 East 3rd Street Los Angeles CA 90013
Hauser & Wirth opened its Los Angeles location in March 2016 in the heart of the burgeoning Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. Occupying a former flour mill, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles is a vibrant communal space that links art and architecture with a dynamic events program. In addition to supporting and collaborating with many local and international cultural organizations, nonprofits, and universities, the Los Angeles gallery fosters public dialogue with the arts through a range of activities that engage the city’s diverse population.
Sitting within the hidden courtyard of Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, Manuela is at the center of the thriving Downtown Arts District. A destination for food, art and culture, our distinctive menu is a celebration of the best locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The Last Book Store
6th Street Bridge Viaduct
The Sixth Street Viaduct, also known as the Sixth Street Bridge, is a viaduct bridge that connects the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles with the Boyle Heights neighborhood. It spans the Los Angeles River, the Santa Ana Freeway (US 101), and the Golden State Freeway (I-5), as well as Metrolink and Union Pacific railroad tracks and several local streets. The new viaduct, which opened in 2022, was a replacement for a previous viaduct of the same name which was demolished in 2016. you can tak a walk from the Art District to the bridge, take pictures and enjoy the view.
Union Station
Built in 1939, Los Angeles Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States and is widely regarded as “the last of the great train stations.” The station’s signature Mission Moderne style makes it one of L.A.’s architectural gems.
The station was commissioned in 1933 as a joint venture between the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroads and was intended to consolidate the three local railroad terminals. It was designed by the father-son architect team of John and Donald Parkinson with an innovative blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture now commonly referred to as Mission Moderne.
The stunning facility was completed in 1939 for a reported $11 million (estimated in today’s dollars at $224 milion) and opened with a lavish, star-studded, three-day celebration attended by a half million Angelenos.A diverse range of site-specific artworks are integrated into LA Union Station and the Metro Headquarters building (located east of the station and north of the bus plaza). These are among hundreds of other unique artworks at Metro sites throughout Los Angeles County that enrich the transit environment and foster a sense of place for customers and visitors. https://unionstationla.com
Olvera Street
Olvera Street
Olvera Street is another L.A. attraction, which provides the perfect combination of history and divine entertainment. This street is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and has 27 buildings of different ages to be discovered along its zigzag brick-patterned sidewalks.
You can stroll through the streets to find the best Mexican food in the city and can possibly check out some Mariachi music. www.olvera-street.com
Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Watts Towers
Not as close to the Los Angeles convention center area but take the time and go visit! Check out the tour schedule to make sure you reserve a spot. Do not forget to see the galleries at the center as well.
The Watts Towers known as the Towers of Simon Rodia, or Nuestro Pueblo (“our town”) are a collection of 17 interconnected sculptural structures within the Simon Rodia State Historic Park in the Watts community of Los Angeles. The towers and walls were designed and built by Sabato Rodia an Italian immigrant construction worker and tile mason, over a period of 33 years, from 1921 to 1954. Sabato Rodia was born in 1879 and immigrated to the US to make life better for him. He changed his name to Simon but everyone called him Sam. When he finished building it he left and never came back to see it. He died in 1965. The tallest of the towers reaches a height of over 99 feet (30 m). The work is an example of outsider art and Italian-American naïve Art. http://www.wattstowers.org/
FOOD....FOOD...FOOD
One of the greatest things to do it LA is to eat! Yes we have so many places to go to around the convention center but I wanted to suggest some of my favorite places!
The Original Pantry
877 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 972-9279
The Original Pantry Café was opened in 1924 and is owned by former Los Angeles Mayor, Richard Riordan.
This LA diner has dished up classic American fare since opening. Literally, straight through, 24 hours a day, since 1924.
The likes of Marilyn Monroe and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have dined at this iconic diner and it is proudly reflected in the shop’s prevailing throwback spirit.
Hotel FIGUEROA
One of my new favorites is Hotel FIGUEROA. Hotel Figueroa has been a den for downtown LA since 1926, and went through a major renovation or as we call it here "FACE LIFT" . I was lucky enough to be at the opening party last month and visit the new bar/restaurant , beautiful rooms and see the amazing art that hanging all over the main lobby and corridors . It is a special place to sit around after a long day at the conference and have a drink and enjoy the surrounding! I highly recommend to go to the Bar upstairs and enjoy the view of the pool and taste really good food!
La Casita
When you want to close the night within a hidden oasis, head back to Hotel Figueroa for poolside dining at La Casita. A light and fresh, Coastal Mediterranean menu makes abundant use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The bar takes its queues from European cafe culture with the Aperol Spritz, Milano Torino and other poolside friendly cocktails.
The Perch LA
Glamorous rooftop setting with French small plates, handcrafted cocktails & grand views of the city. Great atmosphere as well as tasty food. https://www.perchla.com/
Bottega Louie
Italian restaurant, gourmet market, and French patisserie located on the ground floor of the Brockman Building (just around the corner from Whole Food). Great food and amazing desserts...Just come by and look at the desserts and you feel like going to a dessert gallery. Place is fun but a bit noisy. If you need to talk business with a future client might not be the perfect place. www.bottegalouie.com
LA Live
If you want a fast break from Adobe MAX food, you can try the restaurants in LA Live. They might be a bit pricey but very convenient! You can jump over to starbucks, for coffee or to the JW hotel for a great breakfast . one of my favorites is the Illy Cafe and Snack bar. https://www.lalive.com/eat/illy-caffe/
Katsuya
If you love high quality sushi, try dining at Katsuya. This sushi restaurant with several locations was named Southern California’s Best Sushi Restaurant (by an L.A. Times Readers’ Poll). Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi creates unforgettable rolls, sashimi dishes, and more. https://www.katsuyarestaurant.com/los-angeles
The Yard House
The chefs at Yard House are constantly coming up with ways to introduce globally inspired flavors to favorite American dishes, giving our menu a worldly yet familiar feel. The restaurant is conveniently located near JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE Hotel. To enjoy the world's largest selection of draft beer featuring over 100 beers from local and imported breweries. https://www.yardhouse.com/home
Food: The Art District
Another area to explore is the restaurant around the Art district. A longer walk or a short Lyft/Uber/Taxi ride.
Bavel
Bavel, in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, is a Middle Eastern restaurant from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, Ori and Genevieve have always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with. I ate there few weeks ago - and it is just perfect!
The restaurant was selected as one of the 18 best new restaurant in America! If you do not have reservation you can sit at the bar. Try to reserve the balcony sitting it is less noisy. I loved the lamb dishes, the salads and the pita is out of this world...(And I know since I am from the land of Pita). https://baveldtla.com/
Salt & Straw
Home made Ice Cream just around the corner and it was just perfect.! (I had the coffee flavor..But try the others..It is so good!)
Bestia
Trendy Italian restaurant from an acclaimed husband-&-wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis highlights creative seasonal fare.The concept for Bestia juxtaposes decorative contemporary elements against a raw, industrial space dripping with character. This approach pays homage to sophisticated modern-day Italian spaces, which often integrate contemporary interiors into centuries-old structures. Strong, traditional building materials such as tile, steel, marble, and wood also provide pops of festive color. Special dishes and great atmosphere. And yes you might need reservation! https://bestiala.com/about/
Girl & The Goat Los Angeles
In summer 2021, Girl & the Goat went west for sunny skies and new culinary adventures. Chef Stephanie Izard and her team are thrilled to be part of LA’s vibrant restaurant community and take advantage of the area’s incredible bounty of produce and long growing seasons. While Girl & the Goat shares the global influence and bold flavors of its Chicago flagship, the culinary team is always crafting new dishes inspired by California produce and local flavors. info.la@girlandthegoat.com
More Places to Eat!
Badmaash: 108 W 2nd St Ste 104, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 221-7466 badmaashla.com
Father's Office 905 E 2nd St #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (310) 736-2224 https://fathersoffice.com/
Wurstküche, 800 E 3rd St. www.wurstkuche.com
Zinc Cafe & Market, 580 Mateo St. https://zinccafe.com/locations/7131/los-angeles-arts-district
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET
Best place to walk around and find different tastes. Gets really busy in the evening and weekends. There are so many ways to get to the Grand Central Market. Get a free shuttle lift to or from the Market to destinations all over DTLA. Book your free ride at 213-896-9260.
FRENCH DIP
Cole's, Originators of the French Dip. Originators of the #FrenchDip Sandwich, since 1908. Kitchen open 4pm - 11:30pm Bar open 4pm - 2am118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014. www.colesfrenchdip.com
Philippe The Original. In 1918, in the process of making a policeman a sandwich, Mathieu accidentally dropped the sliced french roll into the roasting pan, which was filled with hot juices from the oven. The policeman said he’d still take the sandwich and left. The next day, the same policeman returned with some friends asking for more dipped sandwiches. The rest they say is history. 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles CA, 90012. Open 6 AM–10 PM Daily. https://www.philippes.com
Fig & 7
Fun, casual, affordable food & shopping in one place.
With a curated collection of shopping, dining, and fitness destinations, FIGat7th is your one-stop, lifestyle center in the heart of Downtown L.A. https://www.figat7th.com/dining/
Staying longer...Exploring more
If you stay longer, there are so many places to go and explore in Los Angeles. (Beautiful Beaches, Museums, Historic places, Hollywood Icons..etc.
Artist | Designer | Educator| Adobe Certified Expert/Instructor | Subject Matter Expert Writer | Adobe Community Professional | Adobe Education Leader | Adobe User Group Manager |
| chana.messer@gmail.com | Twitter: @chanam | @IllustratorLA |
Credits:
My images. Event place images.