Another Segway Tour

My friend Thom had never been to the Farmer’s Market at Fairfax & Third, so prior to our taking our fourth Segway tour, we stopped by the Grove and Farmer’s Market for lunch.  I walked him around first the Grove, then we walked around the Market looking for lunch.  If you have never gone, I think it’s something you must do at least once.  It can be a little overwhelming as it is very tightly packed, and there are lots and lots of options.

We settled on Phil’s Deli and Grill as there were two seats available at the counter.  They have a basic diner/deli menu, and serve breakfast all day.  Thom ordered the burger combo, and I the Philly Cheesesteak combo.  The Cheesesteak was very tasty- seasoned well.  The fries were very crispy (yea!).   Thom seemed to enjoy his burger.

After lunch we made our way over to our Segway tour with Another Side Tours (www.AnotherSideTours.com) on La Cienega.  We had a Groupon to use (we still have a couple more Segway tour Groupons for other places yet too). 

I have to say, Another Side really impressed me.  They gave us a bottle of water and snacks while we were waiting, were very friendly, and took their time training people for their first time on a Segway.  Since Thom and I were veterans, they didn’t have to train us.  Our group was a total of six, plus the guides.  That’s another thing that impressed me – they have two guides on a tour.  No other tour I’ve been on yet has done that.

Our guides were Rusty and Kayla.  They were patient, informative and fun.  This tour was down to the La Brea Tar Pits, so they took us up La Cienega to Wilshire, then down Wilshire to the pits.  We stopped at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study building, where we learned it had originally been a water treatment plant.  It is a beautiful building.

As we made our way down Wilshire, we stopped at the Flynt Publications building (yes, the infamous Larry Flynt).  There’s a statue of John Wayne out front, which I find amusing.  Then we visited the Saban Theatre, which we found out is where the film the auditorium scenes for Glee. 

But by far the most interesting place we stopped was a building that had pieces of the Berlin Wall on display, thanks to the Wende Museum (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/10/its_not_often_one_sees.php#wall-5 ).  The front side, which is facing the street, was the side that faced West Berlin and had been painted/decorated by West Berliners.  I lived through that whole era, watching the Berlin wall coming down – so to see pieces of it in LA were fascinating.  I plan to go back to get a closer look sometime.  But let me also mention the reverse side, which was facing East Berlin, to me – that was more interesting and there was some original graffiti left.

We finally made it to the Tar Pits.  I’ve seen them many, many times – but I am always amazed to see them.  The thought that they have pulled out so many bones and skeletons out of the pits over the years – mostly from the ice ages – fascinates me.  Not to mention the fact that asphalt bubbles up through the ground (all around this area too, not just the park where the pits are). 

After spending a little time cruising around the park, we headed back to the storefront to end the tour.  It was a wonderful tour and fun time.  I highly recommend doing it sometime.  Of course, I love the Segway tours and try to take them wherever I go, but this tour is definitely worth it.