#TCL Palm | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

syncpedia · 1 year ago

Text

What happened to Palm PDAs?

The short answer is because of failure to adapt combined with rising competition, Palm could not sustain their business model on selling Palm PDAs alone and they struggled to successfully transition to smartphones. Fortunately there are still smaller companies like ours that still offer professionally refurbished Palm PDAs with new batteries and screens for sale. So if you still love the Palm PDA it’s still possible to purchase one in factory restored condition.

But for a more complete answer:

If you were around during the late 90’s to early 2000 and interested in technology, it would be hard to ignore the technology juggernaut known as Palm. Considering they sold hundreds of thousands of Palm PDAs and held a near monopoly on mobile computing, it would be hard to believe they would would eventually be acquired by another technology giant and are no longer the leaders in mobility.

The original Palm PDA were released in 1996, under Palm, Inc. (then a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics). Eventually 3Com agreed to acquire USRobotics, and Palm, for $6.6 billion in 1997. That was the first nail in the coffin though – since 3com management didn’t see eye to eye with the Palm founders Jeff Hawkins, Donna Dubinsky, and Ed Colligan. By 1998 the founders had enough and decided to form Handspring, a competing mobile computing company that licensed the Palm OS while using their own hardware.

Handspring largely took the lead in future innovation – adding the springboard expansion slot which allowed you to add all kinds of innovative hardware to your PDA,. Most notably they were first to create the “smartphone” as we know it with the Visorphone springboard module in 2000, which turned your PDA into a phone. And then they followed up with the first Treo smartphone in 2002.

Although Palm was still selling plenty of PDAs, they didn’t really adapt fast enough. You have to wonder what might have happened if the founders had stayed with Palm, had 3com management been more accommodating. A Palm smartphone would have potentially been launched much earlier, potentially securing their place in future technology.

Palm eventually acquired Handspring, in 2003 and with it managed to launch several smartphones under the Treo and Centro brands between 2003-2008. It even dabbled in releasing some Windows Mobile based Treo smartphones.

But by that time a large amount of people had already moved on to BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. The Palm OS software seemed too limited in an evolving media and internet centric world. Palm OS 5 was an attempt to evolve the OS with features such as multi tasking but it still had major limitations compared to the competition on the media consumption front. (Although it had features that have not been matched since, like incredible battery life.)

By 2007 – 2008 the mobile world was knocked off kilter with the release of the first iPhone and Android devices, which the majority of people quickly adopted. You could argue that both of them largely copied the Palm user interface, while successfully integrating the internet and media the ways users wanted to interact with their devices..

Palm was left to play catch up – and they tried to counter with the release of webOS based devices which was intended to be their big next generation OS. They successfully released the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi smartphones - but by that time it was too little too late. Being a publicly traded company, they couldn’t survive with lackluster sales and a tiny market share. They had thousands of employees to pay and shareholders to answer to. And so they were acquired by HP, and all efforts to fund webOS mobile devices was halted shortly after.

Interestingly webOS was eventually acquired by LG and now powers most of their smart TV offerings. And the Palm brand name was purchased by the Chinese electronics firm TCL Corporation in 2014.

TCL has offered a new tiny phone under the Palm brand, that is supposed to be an Android powered companion phone to your main phone. So in theory, you can still get a modern Palm branded phone. But it remains to be seen if that venture will bear fruit for TCL.

But in the end of the day we still think the Palm PDA offered something that is missing in “modern” technology – namely incredible battery life and a unified interface for organizing your digital life that has been unmatched on modern smartphones. The Palm PDA interface felt so tied together. All of the apps felt like they were part of the core OS, with the same user interface and the same way of organizing your personal data.

According to Steve Jobs, this unified user interface around organizing your life didn’t really amount to much:

“I started asking myself, how useful are PDAs really? How many people in a given meeting show up with one? I don't think early cultures had organizers, but I do know they had music. It's in our DNA.”

But we would definitely disagree. While he was clearly right about music and media being important – clearly people do care about organizing. I’m guessing the first task list was invented by a caveman painting the walls of his or her cave.

And if you agree, you can still purchase a refurbished Palm PDA from Syncpedia. We’re still carrying the PDA torch forward, and you would be surprised by how many people are still buying – in spite of what Steve Jobs had to say on the matter and in spite of all the shiny new iPhones available in your nearest retail outlets.

1 note · View note

sassonairbnb · 1 year ago

Text

Discovering the Best of Los Angeles: A Traveler's Guide

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/54059601?source_impression_id=p3_1691025256_jVufanTpGa8Z8boO

If you're planning a visit to the vibrant city of Los Angeles, you're in for a treat! This sprawling metropolis offers a multitude of attractions, and one fantastic way to experience it all is by staying in the charming Ensuite Condo hosted by Sasson Rejwan. This cozy yet colorful space provides a comfortable home base for your adventures. Let's explore some of the exciting things to do in the City of Angels.

Explore Iconic Neighborhoods

Los Angeles is known for its diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm. While staying at the Ensuite Condo, you're conveniently located near the NoHo Arts District, where you can immerse yourself in creativity and culture. Venture further to Korea, China, and Japan Towns to savor authentic cuisine and experience the rich heritage of these communities.

2. Visit World-Famous Studios

A short drive from your accommodation will take you to Universal Studios. Unleash your inner movie buff as you explore the theme park's thrilling rides and shows, and maybe even catch a glimpse of behind-the-scenes action.

3. Embrace the Coastal Beauty

No visit to Los Angeles is complete without a trip to the coast. Just a stone's throw away are the stunning beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu. Sink your toes into the sandy shores, stroll along the iconic Santa Monica Pier, or watch the sun set over the Pacific horizon.

4. Delve into Glamour and Luxury

Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury and opulence. Take a leisurely drive through the palm-lined streets, shop at high-end boutiques, and perhaps spot a celebrity or two. For a taste of old Hollywood glamour, explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre.

5. Immerse Yourself in Art and Culture

Los Angeles is a hub for art and creativity. Visit art galleries and museums like the Getty Center, LACMA, and The Broad to witness an impressive collection of artworks from various periods and styles.

6. Indulge in Culinary Delights

The city's diverse population has given rise to an incredible culinary scene. While the Ensuite Condo doesn't offer a full kitchen, you're just a short walk away from Valley Village, where you can explore markets, restaurants, and local eateries.

7. Enjoy Relaxation and Recreation

After a day of exploration, return to your cozy condo to unwind. Lounge in your spacious room with its queen-size bed, enjoy entertainment on the Smart TV, and stay connected with Wi-Fi. The ensuite bathroom's tub offers a relaxing soak, and the central air keeps you comfortable year-round.

As you plan your trip to Los Angeles, keep in mind the house rules outlined by your gracious host Sasson Rejwan. With safety devices in place and essential amenities provided, your stay is sure to be enjoyable. Remember to respect the space, adhere to check-in and checkout times, and follow the host's guidelines.

With this inviting Ensuite Condo as your home away from home, you're perfectly situated to experience the city's diverse attractions. Whether you're a film enthusiast, a beach lover, a foodie, or an art aficionado, Los Angeles has something to offer every type of traveler. Book your stay, embrace the adventure, and create lasting memories in this dynamic and exciting city.

#airbnb #condo #condominium #las angeles #travel #beverly hills #santa monica #venice beach #miami beach #los angeles #malibu

0 notes

mint-moon25 · 1 year ago

Text

How to fold a napkin into a bow for the cutest table 💖🎀SA

SAFELINK - WIRELESS - TOOK

2 1/2 HRS - DIAL - ( 5 ) - 4 - YES

SUPPORT - ASK - 4 - LIFELINE

DEPT - I - SAID - DIDN'T - GET

MY - SIM - CARD - CAN - I YES

CONNECT - MY - NEW - TCL

FLIP 2 - MOBILE - CLASSIC

FLIP - PHONE - THEY SAID

'YES' - SO - GAVE - IMEI - &

CONNECTED - WHEN - ME

GAVE - MIAMI - 33130 - ZIP

THEY - GAVE - ME - PALM

BEACH - COUNTY - ( 5 6 1 )

GOOGLE - SEARCH

TEXTED - 611 611 - MINC

GAVE - 331300

LESS - THAN - 5 MIN GOT

CORRECT - AREA - CODE

786

GOT - MY - NEW - MOBILE

TELEPHONE - NUMBER

BUT - NEW - FORMAT &

YOUTUBE - WAS - EASY - 2

WITH - SMALL - MOUSE XO

WITHOUT - FRONT - SHOWING

TIME - DAY - AND - DATE

CORRECTED - TIME

EASTERN - TIME

THEN - CLICKED - 24 HRS

JUST - ADVANCED BY 1 MIN

COMPARED - 2 - SMARTPHONE

AND - TABLET - BOTH THE - YES

SAME - SO - IT's - AUTO - DON'T

HAVE - 2 - CHANGE - ANYNORE

CONSTANTLY - THIS - PHONE IS

BEAUTIFUL - TCL FLIP 2 - BY

TRACFONE WIRELESS, INC.

I - HAVE - OVER - 8 YEARS

SAFELINK WIRELESS, INC.

BUT - APPROVED - JUST NOW

12 JUNE 2023 - ACTIVATED - I

GOT - ENROLLED - AND GIVEN

ACP - AFFORDABLE CONNECT

THUS - WAITING - TWICE 4 SIM

DECIDED - 2 - JUST - USE - MY

MOBILE - FLIP - PHONE - FRM

WALMART - CONNECTED - IN

MINUTES - BY - INDIA - BUT XO

WRONG - AREA - CODE - YES

SO - ADDED - THEM

CALLS - 611

TEXT - 611 611

ADDED - CHANGED - AT - APP

AMAZON - PRIME

AFTER - SAYING - YES - 2 - YES

TEXT - MESSAGE

BELOW - CIRCLE - OK

ENVELOPE - ICON - 4

MESSAGES - NOTIFICATION

CLICK - THAT - BOX - 2 - SEE

AMAZON - TEXT

TYPE - YES

DONE

MENU - BROWSER - CHROME

CLICKED - HOME - YOUTUBE

SIGNED - IN BY - TELEPHONE

THUS - NOW - NOT - JUST YES

APPEARS - IN - MIDDLE - LIKE

B 4 - JUST - CLICK - BELOW

IN - MIDDLE - LIKE ENVELOPE

WHERE - ALL - MESSAGES - R

SO - NOW - I - HAVE

UNLIMITED - TALK - TEXT AND

DATA - INTERNET - NETWORK

FREE - 1 YEAR - THEN - APPLY

HAVE - NEW - TEL NO

THUS - INFORMING - ALL

CAN - CALL - NOW - AND

ENJOY - TINY - YOUTUBE

WAY - BETTER - THAN B 4

HARD - WITH - MOUSE - NOW

EASIER - SO - I - CAN - MAKE

CALLS NOW - BUT REQUIRED

1 - CALL - OR - 1 - TEXT - EACH

MONTH - 2 - REMAIN - ACTIVE

SO - EVERYTHING - WORKING

TOGETHER - LITTLE - BY - YES

LITTLE - 4 - OUR - GOOD JUST

GOT - MESSAGE - BOX - WAS

SCANNED - REFUND - BY THE

27TH - BUT - CHECKING - YES

TOMORROW - PER - AGENT

$72.74 - MIGHT - B - AT - MY

GIFT - CARD - TOMORROW

AS - PROMISED - MY - NEW

TOTAL - IS - EXACTLY - THE

ABOVE - WITH - TAXES TOO

WAS - DIFFICULT - GETTING

A - PERSON - AT - SAFELINK

TECH - SUPPORT - CALL 611

RESTING - RIGHT - NOW

MAIN - LIBRARY - TRULY

1 note · View note

gozealouscloudcollection · 5 years ago

Text

Palm 圖賞：全球最小的智能手機？

經過多年的沉寂之後，Palm 在去年推出了品牌重組後的首款產品 Palm（和品牌同名，沒有後綴），而最近這款產品也推出了國行版本。本週極客之選得到了一個把玩它的機會，下面我們就通過圖賞的形式快速了解一下這款小巧的手機。

Palm 最大的特點便是小巧，形像一點來說它平面只有一張信用卡大小，重量為 62.5g。極客之選也體驗過一些小巧的手機，但 Palm 應該是目前我們用過最小的一個，尤其是在大屏手機當道的今天，拿起手它確實有一種“輕若無物”的感覺。

雖然很輕巧，但 Palm 並沒有廉價感，它的做工還是很精緻的，前後均為大猩猩玻璃，鋁合金中框具有一定的弧度，這樣的“三明治”設計像不像一個小號的 iPhone？

配置方面，Palm 屏幕大小為 3.3 英寸，因為屏小的原因 PPI 達到了 445，看起來還是很精細的。 Palm 採用了高通 435 芯片，3+32GB 存儲空間，機身上沒有音量鍵和耳機插孔。

雖然體積大幅縮減，但 Palm 依然保留了前後的攝像頭，它採用了前置 800 萬+後置 1200 萬像素攝像頭的組合。 Palm 沒有指紋識別模塊，但是前置攝像頭可以用來進行人臉解鎖。

系統方面，Palm 搭載Android 8.1 系統，系統app 的圖標經過了特別設計（第三方app 統一為矩形），整體使用起來和其他Android 設備並沒有什麼不同，我們也嘗試安裝了微信、微博和抖音等熱門應用，完全沒有問題，當然小屏幕體驗會有所不同。

Palm 的電池容量為 800mAh，接口為 Type-C，官方表示待機時間可以達到三天以上。值得一提的是，它還支持 IP68 防水，可以在水上運動場景中使用。

Palm 是一個迷你手機，但也可以視作是一個能打電話的可穿戴設備（早期上市時只有 eSIM 卡版本）。官方的願景是 Palm 能夠幫助我們保持在線，同時又盡可能地降低打擾，它的系統中也內置了“生活模式”來管理通知減少打擾。

除了手機外，官方還推出了一些附屬配件，讓它攜帶起來更加方便。 Palm 的售價為 1999 元，感興趣的話可以保持關注。

from Palm 圖賞：全球最小的智能手機？ via KKNEWS

#業內資訊 #cnBeta #Palm #Palm 圖賞：全球最小的智能手機？#TCL Palm #圖賞全球最小的智能手機

0 notes

weblackberryrussia · 5 years ago

Photo

Готовим обзор нового суперкомпактного телефона Palm от компании TCL! Следите за нашими новостями! #BlackBerry #BlackBerryRussia #Palm #TCL #KEY2 (at BlackBerry в России) https://www.instagram.com/p/B29A16bpNXW/?igshid=qpmsg21fdj6i

#blackberry #blackberryrussia #palm #tcl #key2

1 note · View note

tumblitech · 6 years ago

Text

Képeken az új Palm okostelefon

Talán már hallott valaki a TCL-ről, a kínai gyártóról, akik egyrészt az Alcatel márka mögött is állnak egy ideje, illetve a BlackBerryvel szövetségben gyártanak, többek közt a friss Key2 és a még frissebb Key2 LE is az ő kezük munkája.

Palm (Pré) régen...

Ahogy egy szintén kínai eredetű gyártónak, a HMD-nek is bejött a Nokia név, úgy a TCL is sikert érhet el rég letűnt márkanevek használatával - legalábbis a gyártó vélhetően ezen megfontolásból éleszti fel az egykori legendás Palmot. Mondjuk furcsa módon ezúttal nem egy üzleti mindenes termékvonalat kell elképzelni az egykori ikonikus PDA és okostelefon gyártó neve kapcsán, hanem egy nagyon-nagyon-nagyon pici androidos zsebtelefont.

...és most (Pepito)?

Az első Palm vélhetően ugyanis a Pepito néven kiszivárgott apróság lesz. A mindössze 3,3 colos képátlójú telefonról még nagyon keveset tudni, a képek tanulsága szerint például ujjlenyomat olvasóval nem fog rendelkezni, de talán a renderen megmutatkozó kezelőfelület nem csak egy művészi alkotás lesz, hanem valami egyedi módon a készülékre szabott kezdőképernyő. Annyit lehetett hallani egyelőre a készülékről, hogy Android 8.1 alapokon egy maximum középkategóriás hardvert kapunk.

Egyébként nem a mókás nevű Palm Pepito lenne mostanában az első nagyobb hírt kapó mini okostelefon, egy bizonyos Unihertz nevű cég már több sikeres közösségi finanszírozási kampányon is túl van ilyesmivel. Legismertebb termékük egyébként a Jelly nevű nagy tudású apróság.

Kíváncsian várom, hogy mihez adnak végül egy ennyire patinás nevet - ami vélhetően a mai felhasználók kilencven százalékának már semmit sem mond, szemben mondjuk a Nokia márkájával.

#palm #tcl #pepito #android #smartphone #tumblitech

7 notes · View notes

ch3ukl1 · 6 years ago

Link

After releasing some well-received BlackBerry Android devices, TCL's next mobile brand reclamation project is Palm. Now Android Police has pictures of a phone apparently codenamed "Pepito" that it says could be released on Verizon later this year. Eschewing the "bigger is better" and notch trends, the tiny 3.3-inch device reportedly has a 720p screen, Snapdragon 435 CPU, no headphone jack, 3 GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a small 800mAh battery.

Click on above title for more

#verizon #tech #gadgets #palm #android #tcl

1 note · View note

love-slck · 7 years ago

Text

TCL promised, now there's hope for a Palm phone on Verizon

TCL promised, now there’s hope for a Palm phone on Verizon

TCL acquired the Palm brand from Qualcomm back in 2015. The ODM hinted last year, when it was making headway with an arguably more lucrative brand, BlackBerry, that Palm would also get a revival after years of dormancy. It later gave a deadline: 2018.

Now, Android Police has a source saying that an Android phone with the Palm name will launch on the Verizon network in the second half of the year.

View On WordPress

#hope #Palm #phone #promised #TCL #Verizon

1 note · View note

kvetchlandia · 3 years ago

Photo

Uncredited Photographer Looking East Down Hollywood Boulevard 1930

At the lower left is Grauman’s Chinese Theater,. Although now known as the TCL Chinese, it’s still there, still showing films and still looking great. It was degraded a bit back in the last century when a previous owner built a multiplex monstrosity immediately adjacent to it, but the theater itself and its famous forecourt with the foot and hand prints of celebrities in cement, is still there and remains a huge tourist draw. The next block east is now home to a huge mall, which is being converted to offices at the moment, and also to the Dolby Theater, which hosts the Oscars. The building with the tower at the upper right is a gorgeous architectural mish mash, part art deco, part neo-gothic. It’s called the Hollywood First National Bank building and was designed by the same architects who designed Grauman’s Egyptian, Chinese and Hawaiian (sadly, long gone) Theaters, so you know its details are pretty over the top. Despite its prominence, the building has been empty and abandoned for years, a boarded up place frequented mostly by drugged out unhoused people and young runaways. This being Los Angeles, where most buildings are torn down before they reach 50 years of age, I’m rather surprised it’s still standing in its derelict form and hasn’t become yet another strip mall. Maybe the fact that it’s at the corner of Hollywood and Highland has offered a smidge of protection? I don’t know. I mean, the Hollywood Theater, directly across the street from the First National Bank, is now a Guinness Book of World Records tourist trap and Scientology owns the building next to that, and a bunch of other buildings in Hollywood. So, if you’re looking to go clear, blow some mass or to hold on to some tin cans attached to a meter that responds to natural electrical activity in your palms and be told that this is a spiritual act and you need to spend uncounted thousands of dollars being audited, this could be the place for you.

27 notes · View notes

kusogamesss · 2 years ago

Text

Honest Hearts

2013: I finish New Vegas and start playing the DLC content. I leave Honest Hearts for last. As soon as I load into Zion the ending cutscene plays and I get a black screen. I have to load an old save and this bug occurs every time I try to enter Zion.

2015: I get a new laptop for university and replay New Vegas from the beginning. I decide to try Honest Hearts. My game crashes when I enter the Northern passage. I disable all of my mods. The same bug occurs. I do a clean install of the game and Windows. My game still crashes when I enter the Northern passage.

2017: Our apartment in Paris is robbed, including my laptop. With the insurance money received I build a new desktop. I install New Vegas on it. I decide to replay Old World Blues and Lonesome Road. They both work fine. I decide to try Honest Hearts. I am able to load into Zion. All of the NPCs in the initial firefight die except one White Legs ambusher. The quest does not progress to the 'Move into Zion Valley' stage. No NPC will talk to me. No NPC is hostile to me. I TCL throughout Zion and nothing progresses no matter what. I disable all mods, do a clean install of the game, and try a new save entirely. This still occurs upon entering Zion.

2018: I replay New Vegas. This time as soon as I leave Doc's house I beeline my way to Northern passage. I pick up nothing. I speak to no one. I fight no beast. I take a sip from my trusty Vault 13 canteen. I do not wish to let my save be altered in the slightest way lest I be denied the forbidden fruit I have gone without for over half a decade. I enter the Northern passage. I complete 'Happy Trails Expedition.' I begin 'Arrival at Zion.' I load into Zion. My heart beats faster and faster. My palms sweat. The firefight begins. The caravan is dropping like flies. I know now this is supposed to happen. in VATS I plug the White Legs full of lead. One remains. I cross the bridge to progress the quest. My lip quivers. Follows-Chalk approaches me. He stares at me. I take a sip from my trust Vault 13 canteen. I interact with Follows-Chalk. I am greeted with "Hoi! White Legs don't leave survivors often. You're some kind of lucky, let me tell you." But this is not in a dialogue box. Though the subtitles emblazon the bottom of my screen, I am given no opportunity here to press further. My quest draws to an end before it can even begin. I set flags to different states in the console to no avail. I TCL around only to have NPCs regard me with passive dialogue. My actions have no bearing on this godforsaken land. I am but an observer for a world I cannot, will not ever know. I have no mouth, and I must scream.

2022: In an envious last-ditch effort, I reinstall New Vegas with the Viva New Vegas modpack. In this instance, I figure I should not let the vanilla game hemorrhage and hope to progress before it crumbles under its own weight. Fallout: New Vegas will be wrapped in as many bandaid fixes as Joshua Graham. If it has allowed the Burned Man to survive in the face of certain death, perhaps I will be granted the Lord's blessing as well. I create a new character and help the people of Goodsprings against the Powder Gangers to refamiliarise myself with the wasteland. When the dust settles, I beeline it to New Vegas. Not for revenge, but for salvation. Warnings of deathclaws and radscorpions fall upon deaf ears. I kill a deathclaw caught between a chair and a wall to reach level 2. As with my previous attempts, I ultimately seek to reach Zion with minimal influence exerted on the land, lest some quest flag, some quirk of the game engine deny me the promised land. I come across Sloan, an outpost I had never known about, an outpost I will never know about as I must press onward. A Stealth Boy grants me passage beyond a final pack of deathclaws. I am proud of myself for making it through. I recall that Honest Hearts requires a low carry weight to begin, so I make a stop at the Crimson Caravan Company and nearby clinic to offload my wares. I have made a miscalculation.

Being only level 3 upon my arrival at the Northern passage I cannot meet the Speech check to get the others in the caravan to bear my burden. My Survival too is below par. Still, that I have made it this far is promising. I am insistent on bringing as many items into Zion as I can, so it's off to Freeside to do some short quests. I enter the Atomic Wrangler ready to collect some debts and hire some escorts when the one-armed bandit lures me closer with its siren song. My scant few caps become chips which become devastating loss. With only 7 Luck I am statistically likely to break even at Blackjack, so perhaps I can recuperate my funds in short order. Liquidating the rest of my inventory does not have the desired effect as my losses are doubled. Another level would grant me a perk, a chance to increase my Luck one point further. Mick and Ralph's nearby has the lustful Naughty Nightwear which will also increase my Luck. Or, penniless and with only my pistol at my side, I could leave for Zion at once.

I was never one to let bygones be bygones. With any number of options for earning coin in Freeside, my sloth gets the better of me and I recall that The Silver Rush across the street is comically easy to steal from. The plethora of guards watched me drag plasma rifles into the bathroom only to waddle out over-encumbered. With a fat pocket of caps, I purchase the Nightwear. Having veered so far from my intended path, I wrathfully murder Dixon and some Freeside addicts to level up. With 9 Luck, I cannot lose. In no time at all I clean out the Atomic Wrangler. The Strip calls.

I should have known my greed would lead me down this path, but no matter. I excuse my behaviour as a need to purchase a high-quality firearm from the Gun Runners, even if I know it to be a falsehood. In no time at all I am barred from Gomorrah, The Tops, and even the Ultra Luxe. When I had crossed paths with Benny in The Tops I paid him no mind, so absolute was my drive to reach Honest Hearts. By this point my pack was as full as my purse, bursting at the seams with drink and food. Why let it go to waste? Imbibing all I had won in an act of unbridled gluttony, I develop an alcohol addiction and make my way to the clinic outside of Freeside. All patched up and level 7, carrying few enough goods to meet the post-Survival check weight limit, I return to the Northern passage.

As my eyes adjust to the beauty of Zion, I hold my breath. I dare not do anything I am not expected to, lest I be cast from this proverbial Eden for my arrogance. The caravan is wiped out in the White Legs ambush. The corpses will have to remain untouched for now. I cross the bridge in anticipation. Follows-Chalk approaches. He speaks to me. I receive the next part of the quest. I make it to the Dead Horses camp. I speak to Joshua Graham. He and I are not so different. He and I do not belong here.

I do not belong here.

2 notes · View notes

lazywonderlvnd · 4 years ago

Note

you are so gd talented and I would love love love to see your take on a possessive draco (like Harry when he gets territorial over Theo in TCL)

you are so kind pls.....thank u so much 😩 here’s a drabble for you, angel, hope you enjoy and sorry it took a hot minute! ❤️

He’d never have let Draco do this normally — it’s hard for him, and not in that work-through-it-and-you’ll-be-better-for-it kind of hard, all it does is make him tense and angry — but he can see the slight mania in Draco’s eyes and the fear and desperation, and it’s all of that plus the hectic flush on his cheeks that convinces Harry not to fight it when Draco shoves him down onto the bed and points his wand and suddenly Harry’s wrists are bound to the headboard.

“Better?” says Harry drily. Draco’s jaw clenches and his eyes blaze. If he’d known how obvious he was, how clearly Harry could read all of his emotions on his face, maybe he would have gone to some trouble to take it down a notch. He tugs lightly at his bonds, testing them though he doesn’t plan to break them. He simply wants to determine whether he could if he wanted to. To his fascination, he’s not totally sure he could. They’re incredibly strong, which means there had been significant emotion behind the spell. “D’you feel like telling me what the fuck this is about yet?”

Draco doesn’t answer. He points his wand again, and then Harry’s clothes are gone. He can’t imagine a more vulnerable position to be in: tied up and naked. At one point in his life, the idea of Draco Malfoy seeing him this way would have been second only to Voldemort himself seeing him this way. Not anymore, of course.

Now all this does is make his cock twitch and start filling with blood.

“What’s with you?” he asks. Draco doesn’t answer again; he disrobes himself without magic, then slips off his shirt and trousers and climbs onto the bed, a knee on either side of one of Harry’s legs. He looks quite mad, and lucky for him he’s just fucking perfect enough that he makes madness into something ethereal. His hair is free from its usual product, tempting Harry’s bound hands with how soft it looks. The combination of helplessness and arousal makes his breathing shallow and loud, his chest rising and falling too obviously for his taste.

“Something wrong, Potter?” Draco purrs, fingers curling around the base of Harry’s cock, slick with magicked lube. He closes his eyes and focuses on breathing through his nose, but Draco only squeezes and he has to clench his jaw to keep in a noise. “You know, you couldn’t look more appealing if you were a six-course meal and I was starving.”

“Is that right?” Harry says. It’s strained slightly, and he lets out a hoarse laugh. He opens his eyes and meets Draco’s, doing everything in his power not to lift his hips into the constant, torturous slide of that perfect hand. “Keeping in mind, of course, that you’ve always been a bit of a slut for it I do have to say you look more ravenous than usual.”

Now Draco laughs, mockingly, and he speeds up his hand. He starts twisting his wrist at the top, palming over the sensitive, engorged head, and dipping his thumb into the slit like he’s trying to coax out more pre-come. He looks like he’s barely restraining himself from leaning over and using his mouth instead; he’s got a good and proper fetish for Harry’s cock, an obsession that rivals only his love of riling Harry up on purpose just to monopolise his attention. It only makes it more impressive that he hasn’t done it yet.

“Keep talking, Potter, I have all night. And I’ve always wondered how you’d look all worked up and edged past endurance.”

Something flutters in Harry’s stomach, a heady combination of shock and arousal and nerves. The look on Draco’s face, the implications of his words, they’re making Harry deeply uneasy as much as they’re turning him on.

“Is that your plan?” he asks, trying to keep his voice level. “You wanna watch me struggle?”

“Well that’s only part of it,” says Draco. He lets go of Harry’s cock, curved up against his stomach, thick and heavy with blood, and crawls up his body to press a series of kitten-soft kisses onto his neck. Harry closes his eyes again and breathes through his nose. There’s an instinct to resist that’s kicking in which he’s desperately fighting. He wants to know what the fuck is going on first before he decides to shut this down. Draco’s lips drag maddeningly up to his ear. “The other part is reminding you what you’re gonna spend the rest of your life missing if I ever catch you fucking around on me, Potter.”

Another pulse of shock rocks him. He stares up at Draco with his lips parted, confused at first until understanding catches up with him and his face flushes.

“I see you’ve figured it out,” Draco says silkily. His hand goes back to Harry’s cock, still hard and throbbing, and now he bends and puts his lips to the head. He sucks lightly at it like a particularly good lolly, making Harry’s toes curl, ripping a half-mad groan from his throat.

“I dunno what you thought you saw,” Harry bites out, tugging unconsciously at his ties, “but I wasn’t planning on fucking Jenkins. But it’s good to know you’re keeping a jealous eye on me at work, love.”

Draco sits up and swipes his thumb over the wet and sensitive glans again. Harry loses himself for a moment and bucks his hips.

“Maybe you weren’t planning on it,” says Draco mildly. He traces his fingertips along the underside of Harry’s straining prick, dancing along the nerves, every vein engorged with blood, leading him along a knife’s edge towards a feeling of frighteningly unfamiliar vulnerability and desperation. “But you were thinking about it,” he coos. “Did you picture it, Harry? Pushing him against the wall face-first and filling him up with your cock?”

Harry’s head falls back against a pillow and he lifts his hips again, searching for friction. He’s so hard it’s beginning to hurt now and he’s slightly lightheaded from the loss of blood to his brain.

Draco’s hot, wet mouth engulfs him then, taking him down to the root so he can feel the throbbing head press just slightly into the tight channel past his uvula. His mouth falls open and he lifts his arse off the bed, trying to fuck Draco’s perfect throat, but he makes it difficult by always pulling back just enough to make it impossible. He’s actually shaking, muscles straining, as Draco works him at his own deliberately slow pace.

“Draco,” he rasps. His fists clench in their bonds. He can come this way, it’s building with a terrible force in his stomach. But it’s building slowly, as if his body itself has allied itself with Draco in an effort to make him struggle and suffer, all for the harmless glances he’d been shooting Jenkins lately. “Fuck. I —”

“You what?” Draco goads him. He replaces his mouth with his hand again, sliding it leisurely through lube and his own spit and Harry’s pre-come, little spurts of it continuously dribbling down its turgid length. “Sounded suspiciously like you were about to say please …”

Harry grits his teeth and swallows back the begging noises threatening to burst out of him. More blood rushes to his prick, turning the head a worrying purple. He wonders in a slightly hysterical, half-insane way whether he could die from this. From needing to come this badly and not being allowed to. From refusing to beg for it, even when it hurts.

“Well,” says Draco as he releases him and climbs up to straddle his waist, positioning himself above Harry’s cock. It rubs against the cleft of Draco’s arse, teasing him with the possibility of all that tight, gripping heat, and Harry lets out a low moan just thinking about sinking inside of him, of all that friction that’s so close but so fucking far. “At least the Wizarding world can sleep soundly knowing their hero doesn’t easily give into torture.”

“Bully for them,” Harry says through gritted teeth. “Now sit on my fucking cock before I decide to hex you.”

Draco laughs. His pink lips part tantalisingly; the long line of his throat glimmers with sweat and drives Harry to the very brink of fucking madness.

“Are empty threats usually effective in your experience?” Draco asks. He grinds himself along the length of Harry’s prick and lets the head catch on his hole, which he can tell is only loosely stretched. Which also means Draco’d been fingering himself before.

Harry flicks his bound hand and Draco jumps, looking satisfyingly surprised for a moment. Even in spite of his predicament Harry manages a shit-eating grin. Hexes and jinxes are hardly effective done wandlessly but Harry’s rather adept at pulling off a decent Stinging Jinx.

“D’you think that’s a good idea?” Draco asks when he’s gathered himself. There’s a new flush on his cheeks, though, and it’s gorgeous. “Hexing me when I could easily leave you here hard and wanting?”

Harry opens his mouth to make another sarcastic remark (because he can’t fucking help it, even with his libido screaming out in agony for him to fucking leave it, just let Draco have this power trip) but before he can say anything Draco’s lining up and bares down until the head pushes through the ring of muscle — and he stops there. And Harry’s always been good at biting back vocalisations, an ability to stay quiet no matter what is a highly useful skill for an Auror, but when Draco stops and merely squeezes around the head of his cock he lets out an utterly tormented groan, bucking his hips only for Draco to lift up and away.

“Fuck you!” Harry yells, tugging again at his ties and shouting at the futility of it. Draco’s watching this with glazed eyes and wet lips. “Fucking just — god, just sit on my cock, you fucking inbred little cocksucker!”

And Draco laughs, loudly. He bends and touches his lips to Harry’s sweaty forehead, then to his mouth, then his damp and heaving chest and over his stomach and finally delivers a few more chaste kisses to the skin above his pubic hair. Harry’s cock bobs next to his face, pulsing and throbbing and aching. Draco drags his tongue up the side of it and then presses his lips to the head, suckling gently, torturing Harry on purpose. And Harry, he’s not actually sure how much more of this he can take. His arms are aching now. His cock feels too engorged with blood, tight and hard and painful. He physically can’t stop himself from bucking up against Draco’s mouth.

He groans in frustration when Draco pulls off again but then he’s sliding Harry’s cock back into his arse, and not just the head this time. He sinks all the way down, enveloping Harry in all that throbbing, gorgeous heat, and he squeezes so perfectly around him, and Harry cries out and lifts his hips and tries to fight his restraints.

“Not thinking about Jenkins, are you?” Draco says lightly. He rocks his hips a little and Harry whimpers. He can’t remember if he’s ever heard himself whimper like that before.

“Fuck no,” he gasps out. “Just you.”

“Just me,” Draco repeats. He lifts himself up, pauses, and then sinks back down. He hands go to Harry’s chest and he does it again, again, again, fucking himself properly now and Harry can see he’s beginning to lose himself to the sensations finally. That glazed look is back in his eyes and there’s sweat beading at his hairline. “Nobody else could do this to you, Potter.”

Harry would have agreed to anything at this point but he still means it when he nods frantically, beyond caring now that he’s at a major disadvantage, that Draco has successfully taken him apart the way he’s so used to doing.

He’s about to come when Draco stops moving again, seated fully on his lap. Harry lets out a string of curses and creates bruises on his wrists where he strains and wrenches madly against the silky material binding them.

“Draco, please,” he hears himself say. It hardly even sounds like him. “Please, fuck, please, I need — I need to come …”

“I know,” Draco coos. He bends forwards again and kisses him, soft and languid and a little mocking, and Harry’s cock twitches inside of him. “And I’ll let you. But you have to do the rest yourself.”

“What?” Harry asks deliriously. Draco lifts up until just the head is still being squeezed inside his tight heat, and Harry gets the message. “God,” he breathes, even as he bends his knees and plants his feet flat on the mattress, his hand trying of their own accord to reach for Draco’s hips, but they can’t. “You’re so fucking obnoxious.”

Draco laughs until Harry thrust brutally up into him, and then he’s moaning instead, fingers curling against Harry’s chest. Harry has no way of changing angles, of trying to hit Draco’s prostate or make him scream, so instead he focuses on his own pleasure, because really, at this point, it’s what he deserves. He slams up into him over and over, shaking the bed, making his thighs scream with the effort, and by the time he feels his orgasm approaching his dripping with sweat and his shoulders are killing him and he knows there must be terrible bruises on his wrists.

“That’s it,” Draco goads him. His own cock is bobbing precariously above Harry’s stomach, red and swollen and dribbling pre-come out of the slit. “Put your fucking back into it, Potter, fuck me like you mean it.”

Harry lets out a tortured moan and puts his fucking back into it. He feels Draco’s body tense up and clench around him and then release, nails digging into Harry’s skin, and come covers both their chests and hits Harry’s chin.

The soft, exquisite noises Draco makes push Harry past the edge himself and he comes inside of Draco with his veins thrumming; he fucks madly up into him until his come is leaking out around his cock and still he keeps going, sliding through all that slick, working himself until his shaking and weak and can hardly move. Draco takes over again, rocking on top of him, milking him of every last shudder and shiver and moan.

He lies there panting and limbless, and when Draco releases his bonds, his arms fall to his sides and he groans at the soreness of his muscles.

Draco’s kissing him then, drawing his lips apart and ravaging his mouth with his tongue. Eventually Harry lifts one of his aching arms and puts a hand on his cheek, thumb grazing smooth skin.

After a minute and then two and then three, Harry finally mutters, “You didn’t really think I’d sleep with Jenkins, did you?”

Draco draws back and pushes some of his hair out of his face, considering Harry from his place straddling his hips.

“I’m still figuring you out,” he says after some consideration. Harry lifts both eyebrows.

“We’ve been together two and a half years.”

“Yeah,” Draco says. He lifts up and off of Harry, making him hiss. “And I’m still figuring you out, Potter.”

“Right back at you,” Harry says drily. He loves the way it makes Draco grin.

#anna writes #drarry fic #power bottom draco said let me LIVE!!!!#Anonymous #drabble #answered

239 notes · View notes

thefotochael · 8 years ago

Photo

#venice #venice beach #the boardwalk #beach #coca cola #travel #travelling #la #los angeles #boys #lifestyle #sunny #palms #tci #tcl

37 notes · View notes

technobuffalo · 7 years ago

Photo

TCL details plan to bring back the Palm brand https://www.technobuffalo.com/2017/08/31/tcl-details-plan-to-bring-back-the-palm-brand/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

#Mobile #Palm #TCL

1 note · View note

i-am-very-very-tired · 3 years ago

Text

27 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles

HOW WE RANK THINGS TO DOLos Angeles has an exhaustive array of things to do. If you're a film buff, vintage Hollywood is a must-see. Some classic attractions in the area include TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Paramount Pictures Studios, the only television and film studio left in Hollywood. For a taste of stardom, window-shop along Rodeo Drive or cruise Sunset Boulevard. There are also a plethora of shorelines to choose from, including Venice Beach, Zuma Beach and the Santa Monica Pier and Beach. Arts lovers will want to see a show at Walt Disney Concert Hall or swing by Los Angeles County Museum of Art to admire its collection. If you aren't sure where to start, a daylong guided tour of the city is a great way to orient yourself. And after exploring all LA has to offer, consider taking a daytrip south to Anaheim-Disneyland. Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park Griffith Observatory sits on the south face of Mount Hollywood and overlooks the Los Angeles basin. Its location gives visitors impressive views of the surrounding area, which many rave about. But there's more than just a pretty photo-op here. The observatory hosts fascinating exhibitions and features a top-notch planetarium.Most recent visitors cited the beautiful setting as Griffith Observatory's main draw, though the free entry was certainly a bonus. However, you will have to pay between $3 and $7 to see the planetarium shows. Griffith Observatory is open from noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with extended hours on weekends. Free but limited parking is available along the winding roads leading up to the property, or visitors can park in the small lot by the observatory for $10 per hour. A gift shop and cafe can be found on-site as well. For more information, check out Griffith Observatory's website. The Getty Center The Getty Center is one of the most impressive architectural achievements in the United States – and it also contains some of the finest works of art in the world. The circular concrete-and-steel structure was designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, and it houses an abundance of art from various ages and nations. Here you'll find Renaissance paintings, 20th-century American photography, Baroque sculptures, historic manuscripts and more, all housed inside a sprawling, modern campus amid the Santa Monica Mountains. The museum also offers spectacular views of Los Angeles on clear days.Recent travelers loved the museum for its value and beauty, highlighting the contrast between the art center's subtle refinement and the over-the-top glitz of Hollywood. Many visitors suggest taking a guided tour, noting that the tour highlights interesting parts of the museum they wouldn't have stumbled upon on their own. Tours of the Getty Center's architecture and gardens are available, as well as a Collection Highlights tour and tours of art in specific eras. Tour times and days vary depending on tour type. Check the Getty Center's website for a complete calendar. Santa Monica Pier and Beach Just west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica contains one of the most legendary beach scenes in the United States. Santa Monica also boasts an abundance of great restaurants and excellent nightlife spots. The 3 miles of shoreline are renowned as some of the best in the area thanks to the soft sands, ideal weather and bevy of attractions. "State Beach," as it's known, has over 200 days of sunshine a year and acted as the backdrop for the popular television series "Baywatch."Santa Monica is a very walkable part of town, and many recent travelers suggest you explore the area by bicycle. Many visitors say the pier is a must-visit spot and fun to see. One of the most scenic rides is along the 22-mile bike path, known as The Strand, which runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean and takes riders through Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey along with Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches. Travelers also recommend riding the Ferris wheel at the pier and people-watching at the Third Street Promenade. Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL

Chinese Theatre One of Hollywood's most iconic and memorable sites, the TCL Chinese Theatre (originally Grauman's Chinese Theatre) opened in 1927 and represents the excess of Hollywood's Golden Age. You can tour the theater for $18 (kids tour tickets cost $8 and senior tickets are $14 each); tours are offered from 10:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Monday. Because of this attraction's popularity, it's best to reserve your spot online in advance. This working theater also shows various newly released films throughout the year.Overall, previous travelers said the tour guides' passion for the subject was evident, making their experiences special. However, some wished the area offered a glitzier atmosphere and others complained the tour was overpriced for what you got. Parking can also be challenging to find in Hollywood. Additional information about the attraction's tours and movie showtimes can be found on the TCL Chinese Theatre website. Zuma Beach Malibu has a reputation for excessive wealth and exclusivity, yet all of the town's beaches are public – everyone's welcome. If you're seeking an LA beach spot for sunbathing and swimming, look no further than this part of town. This 1.8-mile beach is far cleaner than those at Santa Monica or Venice Beach.Malibu's Zuma Beach is considered one of the finest beaches in the Los Angeles area. Locals and tourists laud Zuma for its awesome waves, ample parking and easy access to beachside snacks. Plus, there are a plethora of lifeguard stations and bathroom facilities. The Original Farmers Market and The Grove Sitting south of West Hollywood is one of LA's most beloved landmarks: The Original Farmers Market. Founded in 1934, this cream-colored facility reels in both residents and tourists with the promise of fresh produce and the aroma of ready-to-eat snacks. You can visit throughout the week, although hours vary depending on the day. Entry is free, but you'll want to have some cash on hand should any of the treats whet your appetite. You can park for free for up to 90 minutes at the market's two lots, provided that your ticket is validated at the market. (Fees apply for parking after the allotted 90 minutes and for nonvalidated tickets.) For a little help navigating the market, you can also take a guided foodie tour.Though some previous visitors wished this market had more produce and meat stalls, most appreciated the tasty dishes sold by many of the prepared food vendors and many call it a must-see spot. But keep in mind that this market is often crowded and has limited tables, so expect to eat outside the market area or wait for a table to become available. Find out more by visiting the market's website. Sunset Boulevard One of the most iconic thoroughfares in the United States, Sunset Boulevard continues to live up to its legends. In the old days, it represented the classic and glamorous Hollywood lifestyle and became the setting of several famous films, including the obvious classic "Sunset Boulevard." Today, the palm-lined street (which connects downtown LA to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Pacific Coast Highway) retains its cinematic appeal, and the Sunset Strip portion has become a popular nightlife spot. The strip is also home to many classic music venues, including the Rainbow Bar & Grill and The Roxy Theatre.Recent visitors loved driving along this famous boulevard, adding that gorgeous sunsets can be enjoyed during late afternoon drives. But like other parts of LA, this thoroughfare gets congested once rush hour hits, so plan accordingly. Los Angeles County Museum of Art Next door to the La Brea Tar Pits sits the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the linchpin of the Los Angeles museum district. Since its 1965 opening, LACMA has showcased thousands of pieces, from Islamic artifacts to European impressionist paintings to modern art. With constantly shifting exhibitions and unique architecture stretched across more than 20 acres of land, LACMA offers a rewarding experience for both serious art buffs and casual travelers.Currently, the museum is

preparing for the construction of a new building for its permanent collection, called the David Geffen Galleries, which is scheduled to open in 2024. For now, pieces will be on display in the BCAM and the Resnick Pavilion. The Urban Light and Levitated Mass exhibits remain open to visitors. There are three eateries on-site. While travelers commend the food, they note the restaurants are a bit pricey. Many visitors say the artwork on display is stunning, but several lament that much of the art is off exhibit because of the construction.

The Broad Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad founded this museum in 2015 and the structure made for a stunning addition to downtown Los Angeles. The eye-catching, honeycomb building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, is home to an expansive collection of contemporary art dating from the 1950s to the present. The collection includes works by Jean Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker and Andy Warhol. In addition to the permanent collection, temporary exhibits showcase new and emerging artists. The museum gets high marks from recent visitors who loved both the artwork and the architecture.Admission to the museum is free (though some special exhibits may have a fee). For guaranteed entry, you can book timed tickets in advance. The museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking costs $15 for three hours with museum validation, and $5 for each additional 15 minutes, with a $25 daily maximum. It is $15 after 5 p.m. on weeknights and all day on weekends. The closest Metro line stop is the Civic Center/Grand Park Station. Visit the museum's website for more information. Runyon Canyon Park Just two blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, Runyon Canyon Park is an often-overlooked urban park that offers some great views. The park boasts several hiking trails and is a popular spot for celebrities to exercise. During your hike, you'll see plenty of palm trees. Atop the canyon, you'll be treated to sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley.Travelers say that the canyon is reminiscent of Old Hollywood with several old mansions and estates scattered throughout the park – keep your eyes peeled as you follow the trail. Because of the hot, dry climate, the hike can be rough (even for those in great physical condition), so bring plenty of water. Some recent visitors lamented the lack of facilities, while others raved about the views. Paramount Pictures Studios Since the 1910s, Paramount has showcased the talents of film's all-time heavyweights, including Meryl Streep and Morgan Freeman. The notable site has been home to everything from classic television shows like "I Love Lucy" to modern favorites like Amazon Prime's "Jack Ryan" to box-office hits like "Mission: Impossible" and "Titanic." Today, Paramount Pictures is the only remaining film studio in the Hollywood area.For an authentic Hollywood experience, set aside some time to tour the grounds. On the two-hour studio tour, a guide will take you around the site's 65 acres in a golf cart, and you'll also be able to hop off and explore sound stages and recognizable studio sets from many current TV shows and movies. Previous visitors praised the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, although some felt the tours offered at Warner Bros. Studio were better. Also, keep in mind the tours' age restrictions. Studio and VIP tours permit visitors ages 10 and older, while the seasonal After Dark tours only welcome travelers 16 and older. Rodeo Drive Immortalized by Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman" shopping spree, Rodeo Drive is an upscale shopping street in Beverly Hills that features designer stores and small private boutiques. The area is popular with wealthy shoppers, sunglass-wearing celebrities and tourists hoping to see fashion icons.Don't be afraid to browse. Most shop owners are used to sightseers walking the area with little intent to purchase anything. That said, many recent visitors cautioned that some stores require appointments for entry and are generally off limits to tourists. Others said the thoroughfare can be a bit boring if you don't plan on shopping, although past travelers with a passion for cars enjoyed looking for expensive vehicles parked along Rodeo Drive's curb. Hollywood Bowl If you can catch a gig at the Hollywood Bowl, LA's beautiful outdoor amphitheater, don't pass it up. Since its inaugural season in 1922, this unique stage, set in the Hollywood Hills, has entertained thousands

of fans and hosted some of the biggest names in music, including The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John and Tina Turner.Many travelers praise the Hollywood Bowl, touting everything from the sound quality to the scenic overlook. Several also add that all of the seats offer great views and suggest arriving early with a bottle of wine and a picnic basket.

Venice Beach Developed in the early 20th century, Venice Beach is modeled – canals and all – after its namesake city in Italy. Admittedly, the experiment didn't live up to its Italian inspiration, but the neighborhood has become distinctly Californian, embodying the spirit of the wealthy, the alternative and the just plain bizarre. Rather than towering churches and intimate pizzerias, you'll find canal-side mansions near funky boutiques and restaurants.Venice Beach's claim to fame is its boardwalk. Hosting a daily procession of eclectic characters and scantily clad beachgoers, the boardwalk generally impresses out-of-towners. Past visitors loved checking out the area's unique scene (including the open-air Muscle Beach and the Hotel Erwin's High Rooftop Lounge), although some cautioned that the parts away from the pier were not appropriate for younger children. Other travelers note that the boardwalk sometimes reeks of cannabis. Also, remember that Venice Beach can get crowded on sunny days and is better suited for sunbathing, not swimming. Walt Disney Concert Hall This Frank Gehry-designed concert hall's curvaceous, stainless steel façade is an imposing structure in downtown LA. The hall helped revive this particular section of downtown, which was once dominated by mundane office buildings and lackluster entertainment options. Now, nightlife and culture burgeon in the area, and the concert hall is at the forefront. Music-loving travelers will want to catch one of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's performances here. (For ticket and price information, visit the Los Angeles Philharmonic's website.)But you don't have to invest in concert tickets to experience this performance venue: You can follow a docent-led tour or a self-guided audio tour of the exterior and interior (though the actual concert auditorium is off-limits). Hourlong guided and audio tours are both free; audio tours are offered Monday through Saturday from either 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m., while guided tour hours vary by day and are generally available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For a full tour schedule, visit The Music Center's website. Hollywood Forever Cemetery As morbid as it may seem, your best chance of spotting a celebrity in LA is at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Here, you'll find the final resting places of Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille and other stars who once worked at the adjacent Paramount Pictures Studios. Maps detailing the celebrities' gravesites are available at the cemetery's flower shop.Recent visitors described the cemetery's quiet grounds as "peaceful and serene," adding that the grounds are well-maintained. Many also appreciated the informative and friendly staff. Angeles National Forest In about a half-hour, travelers can trade in busy downtown LA for the serenity of nature at the Angeles National Forest. The almost 700,000-acre forest is an easily accessible place for locals and visitors to hike, bike, ski, ride horses, swim, fish and even camp. Encompassing the San Gabriel Mountains, terrain ranges from desert to dense forest. Perhaps one of the most visited sites is Mount Baldy, which is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,064 feet. The 28-mile Gabrielino National Recreation Trail offers a variety of hikes, from moderate to challenging. Recent visitors loved the views and found the range of trail options perfect for different types of hikers.Visitors to the Angeles National Forest must purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass. It’s $5 for a daily pass or $30 for an annual pass; the pass is good at other national forests in the area. There are visitor and information centers in different areas of the forest, which offer general information, activities and education events. Visit the forest's website for specific hours and details. La Brea Tar Pits If your kids go crazy for dinosaurs – and really, what kid doesn't? – then a visit to La Brea Tar Pits is sure to be the highlight of their trip. Although the pits look like the set of a cheesy PG

movie, hot tar has been bubbling from the earth at this spot along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile for about 40,000 years. And from the gooiest part of LA, more than 3.5 million fossils from 600-plus species have been discovered. The adjoining museum houses many of the artifacts found at the tar pits; consequently, it is home to one of the largest collections of Ice Age fossils in the world. Recent visitors loved learning something new and found the site fascinating.You can check out the tar pits completely free of charge, but museum tickets start at $15 for adults; reduced entry fees are available for children, students and seniors. You'll save $1 on each ticket if you buy tickets online. All tickets include tours of property facilities like the fossil lab, lake pit and observation pit. Complimentary admission is offered on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding July and August) and every Tuesday in September, but ticket lines on these days are long, so consider reserving your pass online before you arrive. Even if you have to pay to visit, most visitors agree that the exhibits are well worth perusing.

California Science Center A world of fun and exploration await kids, as well as curious adults, at the California Science Center. In the permanent "Ecosystems" exhibit, museumgoers will learn about everything from islands to rivers to forests across eight different zones via interactive displays. In "Creative World," technology takes center stage and explores the innovation in transportation and architecture. But the top draw for recent travelers? The museum's "Air & Space" section which includes the Gemini 11 capsule piloted by Dick Gordon and Pete Conrad as well as a special exhibit about the Endeavor space shuttle. An IMAX theater is also on-site. Recent visitors say the center is wonderful, lots of fun and especially great for kids.The center is free to visit, though special exhibits and IMAX screenings incur a fee. Access to the Endeavor is included with an IMAX or special exhibit ticket. On weekends and holidays, a timed ticket is required to visit Endeavor. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking costs $12. You can also take the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC Station and walk five minutes to the center. Visit the center's website for more information. Dodger Stadium Baseball fans should enjoy a visit to Dodger Stadium, which is home to the LA Dodgers and is MLB's third oldest continually used park. The stadium is carved into Chavez Ravine and overlooks downtown LA to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, making this ballpark quite unique. If the Dodgers aren't playing when you're in town, you can still see the stadium on a guided tour. Tours of the 56,000-seat stadium last approximately 90 minutes. During the tour, visitors will learn about the stadium's history and may get to go on the field, look at the Dodger Dugout or peek into the Lexus Dugout Club (the VIP restaurant and lounge located behind home plate), which houses the team's World Series trophies and various other awards. Additional specialty tours, such as a Jackie Robinson tour, are also offered. Recent tour-goers say the guides are excellent and enthusiastic.The Dodger Stadium Tour is offered at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on select dates. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 14 and under. Parking is $17 in advance and $25 at the gate, with no in-and-out privileges and no refunds. Tickets to baseball games are seasonal and prices vary. Greystone Mansion and Park Greystone is one of the largest mansions in Beverly Hills and an important landmark for American cinema. The nearly 13-acre parcel of land was a wedding gift from oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son, Ned, in 1926. Construction on the mansion began in 1927 and took almost three years to complete. Greystone now represents a golden age in American cinema. Many films, including "The Big Lebowski" and "Ghostbusters," and television shows like "General Hospital" and "Gilmore Girls" have been shot on these gothic-inspired grounds.Today, the interior of the mansion is closed, except for special events and tours, but visitors are free to walk around the property. Two-hour park ranger tours of the mansion and gardens are held the first Saturday of the month from January through April as well as the first Sunday in March and April. Tours cost approximately $20 per person. For more information or to register for these tours, visit the website. Many visitors call Greystone Mansion a "hidden gem" within LA, saying that it offers respite from the city's hustle and bustle. Travelers describe the park grounds as spectacular and enjoy learning which of their favorite movies and shows used Greystone as a backdrop. Hollywood Homes Tours Once you've seen where the stars shop, where they eat, where they surf and where they party, you'll want to see where they live. A variety of minibus tours provide ample opportunities to spot homes owned by the rich and famous. You probably won't see the celebs themselves, but you can snap pics of the homes affiliated with A-listers like Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, Bruno Mars and Halle Berry. Also, expect to see

facades that once housed the likes of Lucille Ball, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Along with the stars' abodes, buses usually make stops at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive.According to recent travelers, the demeanor of your tour guide can make or break your trip. Visitors stuck on tours with grumpy or mumbling guides wished they had just bought a map and done the tour on their own. Also, be sure to check the weather for the day: Extreme heat or a sudden shower can put a damper on an open-top bus ride. Universal Studios Hollywood One of the most popular attractions in the Los Angeles area, Universal Studios Hollywood features rides and amusements based on some of the most popular scenes and characters from film and television. You can take the famous tram tour past the creepy Bates Motel from "Psycho" and get caught up in a high speed chase with the "Fast & Furious" cast. Kids can shake hands with cartoon favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants and Scooby-Doo. Of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is another huge hit, as is Jurassic World – The Ride. If thrills are your thing, there are plenty of hair-raising coasters and rides. On Transformers: The Ride-3D, riders join Optimus Prime in his battle against the Decepticons; meanwhile, youngsters will love the 3D ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (complete with a Minion dance party).Universal Studios welcomes hoards of tourists each day; to forgo the long waits, travelers suggest purchasing the Express pass (formerly Front of the Line passes), which cost $179 to $279 each, online. This brings up another pain point: the price. At $109 to $129 for one-day general admission for adults and $103 to $123 for little ones ages 3 to 9 (when purchased online), a family excursion to Universal Studios doesn't come cheap, something some visitors find off-putting. Grand Central Market Grand Central Market, or foodie heaven according to visitors, is located in downtown Los Angeles by the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad. The venue features high ceilings and an open layout, with food vendor stalls offering different cuisines that represent cultures from the Los Angeles area and beyond. The market has been in operation since 1917 and serves everything from coffee and pressed juices to deli fare, egg sandwiches, falafel, tacos and chow mein.Visitors love this market's lively atmosphere, while others thought it didn't live up to the hype. Regardless, this foodie paradise is popular, so expect lines. You'll also find that meals here are considerably cheaper than those served in other parts of the city. Hollyhock House Warner Bros. Studio Located in Burbank, California – a city that sits just 5 miles north of Hollywood – Warner Bros. Studio gives visitors a close-up look at iconic movie and TV sets and props, such as the original Batmobiles, costumes from the "Harry Potter" movies and a replica of the cafe featured in "Friends." Travelers will also drive around the studio's 110-acre backlot, where 30 soundstages are used for producing shows like "Young Sheldon," "Bob Hearts Abishola," and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."Previous visitors loved exploring this property and appreciated their "fun and knowledgeable" tour guides. Additionally, many enjoyed getting out of their golf carts to go inside a working set and other buildings used for filming, citing this as the main reason to tour this studio instead of others like Paramount Pictures Studios. But keep in mind, children 7 and younger are not permitted on any tour. https://travel.usnews.com/Los_Angeles_CA/Things_To_Do/

2 notes · View notes