Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles
@esotouric.bsky.social
Just a couple of lifers looking out for Los Angeles. Join us for architecture, crime, literature & history tours, preservation battles. Newsletter: http://esotouric.substack.com
Pinned
Los Angeles is confounding, by design, but it is not unknowable. These folks are telling real L.A. stories if you want to listen.
go.bsky.app/zi1abc
go.bsky.app/zi1abc
We've still got room for YOU to join us today for the Know Your Downtown LA tour featuring speakeasy tunnels, Bradbury Building occult inspirations and the Dutch Chocolate Shop. Departs 10:30am from Grand Central Market bound for the beguiling past! esotouric.com/event/know-y...
KNOW YOUR DOWNTOWN LA: BRADBURY BUILDING, BASEMENTS OF YORE AND THE DUTCH CHOCOLATE SHOP
Visit the post for more.
esotouric.com
September 19, 2026 at 3:44 PM
We've still got room for YOU to join us today for the Know Your Downtown LA tour featuring speakeasy tunnels, Bradbury Building occult inspirations and the Dutch Chocolate Shop. Departs 10:30am from Grand Central Market bound for the beguiling past! esotouric.com/event/know-y...
Who says all we do is bellyache? When the City steps up to buy and restore the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, we'll yell YAY instead. We'd love it if this project was the start of a new age of civic stewardship--wouldn't you? Click to learn more. esotouric.substack.com/merrygoround
September 19, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Who says all we do is bellyache? When the City steps up to buy and restore the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, we'll yell YAY instead. We'd love it if this project was the start of a new age of civic stewardship--wouldn't you? Click to learn more. esotouric.substack.com/merrygoround
Something's missing in the $12M LAHSA fraud case brought this week against homeless service provider Michael Young of Home at Last: his criminal complaint is still not on any public docket.
September 18, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Something's missing in the $12M LAHSA fraud case brought this week against homeless service provider Michael Young of Home at Last: his criminal complaint is still not on any public docket.
The long vacant Christian Anderson-Balthazar Madrid Residence, HCM #145, is for sale for the first time in nearly a century. It's a fixer, but in the right hands, the home built by a master carpenter for his family could be one of LA's finest Victorians. www.zillow.com/homedetails/...?
September 18, 2026 at 5:48 PM
The long vacant Christian Anderson-Balthazar Madrid Residence, HCM #145, is for sale for the first time in nearly a century. It's a fixer, but in the right hands, the home built by a master carpenter for his family could be one of LA's finest Victorians. www.zillow.com/homedetails/...?
"Sunset Boulevard" fans: you can live like Joe Gillis in a rarely available top floor studio at the Chateau Alto Nido, the best place to land in Hollywood. www.craigslist.org/view/d/los-a...
September 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM
"Sunset Boulevard" fans: you can live like Joe Gillis in a rarely available top floor studio at the Chateau Alto Nido, the best place to land in Hollywood. www.craigslist.org/view/d/los-a...
After ten years, the Sethi family is ready to hand ownership of Saddle Peak Lodge on to its next steward. If your dream is to operate an elevated 19th century roadhouse serving wild game, wake up and give 'em a call! www.loopnet.com/Listing/419-...
September 18, 2026 at 3:50 AM
After ten years, the Sethi family is ready to hand ownership of Saddle Peak Lodge on to its next steward. If your dream is to operate an elevated 19th century roadhouse serving wild game, wake up and give 'em a call! www.loopnet.com/Listing/419-...
Saturday! A few guests can't make the Know Your Downtown LA tour, which means you can email for a chance to explore the Dutch Chocolate Shop's lyrical hand-crafted tile murals, the time capsule King Edward speakeasy & much more! esotouric.com/event/know-y...
September 18, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Saturday! A few guests can't make the Know Your Downtown LA tour, which means you can email for a chance to explore the Dutch Chocolate Shop's lyrical hand-crafted tile murals, the time capsule King Edward speakeasy & much more! esotouric.com/event/know-y...
The overpriced, long-vacant Paloma Street "shelter" was a Jose Huizar fraud enabled by the entire City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti that was called out by Jerry Sullivan years ago. Investigate everyone, claw back their stolen fortunes, jail them all! sullivansayssocal.com/corruption-i...
September 17, 2026 at 3:53 PM
The overpriced, long-vacant Paloma Street "shelter" was a Jose Huizar fraud enabled by the entire City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti that was called out by Jerry Sullivan years ago. Investigate everyone, claw back their stolen fortunes, jail them all! sullivansayssocal.com/corruption-i...
Who told LA it was safe to paint the Bates Motel palm trees white for "Projection," Vincent Lamouroux's 2015 art installation? Dr. Don Hodel, of course! 11 years later, the parcel is a vacant lot, historic cottages and tourist rooms demolished for nothing. But the palms abide.
September 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Who told LA it was safe to paint the Bates Motel palm trees white for "Projection," Vincent Lamouroux's 2015 art installation? Dr. Don Hodel, of course! 11 years later, the parcel is a vacant lot, historic cottages and tourist rooms demolished for nothing. But the palms abide.
Today at 10am: red hot Cultural Heritage Commission at City Hall. Is Tokio Florist to be surface parking for nearby tourist inn? Casa de Cadillac objects to surprise landmark nomination. "Sunset Blvd" apartment house!
Much more including how to Zoom in:
www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles...
Much more including how to Zoom in:
www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles...
September 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Today at 10am: red hot Cultural Heritage Commission at City Hall. Is Tokio Florist to be surface parking for nearby tourist inn? Casa de Cadillac objects to surprise landmark nomination. "Sunset Blvd" apartment house!
Much more including how to Zoom in:
www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles...
Much more including how to Zoom in:
www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles...
Feeling left out because you didn't book a ticket on Saturday's Know Your Downtown L.A. tour featuring the Dutch Chocolate Shop? A little birdie tells us the waiting list is opening up, so send us an email if you'd like to go exploring. esotouric.com/contact/
September 17, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Feeling left out because you didn't book a ticket on Saturday's Know Your Downtown L.A. tour featuring the Dutch Chocolate Shop? A little birdie tells us the waiting list is opening up, so send us an email if you'd like to go exploring. esotouric.com/contact/
End of the line for Bohnhoff Lumber Co. (1910-2026), a fifth generation Vernon business beloved by fine woodworkers. You've still got a little time to stop in and stock up.
www.instagram.com/p/DdRmD1IPXH-/
bohnhofflumber.com/pages/about-...
www.instagram.com/p/DdRmD1IPXH-/
bohnhofflumber.com/pages/about-...
September 17, 2026 at 5:35 AM
End of the line for Bohnhoff Lumber Co. (1910-2026), a fifth generation Vernon business beloved by fine woodworkers. You've still got a little time to stop in and stock up.
www.instagram.com/p/DdRmD1IPXH-/
bohnhofflumber.com/pages/about-...
www.instagram.com/p/DdRmD1IPXH-/
bohnhofflumber.com/pages/about-...
We're digging the intricate new porch addition with open arcades and fluted domes proposed for ISKCON LA's Hare Krishna New Dvaraka temple, two blocks from the Museum of Jurassic Technology. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
September 17, 2026 at 3:30 AM
We're digging the intricate new porch addition with open arcades and fluted domes proposed for ISKCON LA's Hare Krishna New Dvaraka temple, two blocks from the Museum of Jurassic Technology. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
Hollywood Unwrapped, Michael Sullivan and the LA Conservancy have nominated the Canyon Country Store as a city landmark. That won't bring 40+ year operator Tommy Bina back, but would enshrine his big-hearted role in Laurel Canyon cultural history. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
September 17, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Hollywood Unwrapped, Michael Sullivan and the LA Conservancy have nominated the Canyon Country Store as a city landmark. That won't bring 40+ year operator Tommy Bina back, but would enshrine his big-hearted role in Laurel Canyon cultural history. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
Chinatown's last mall Dynasty Center is owned by Red Car and eviction threatened. Activists CCED seem to have tapped APIAHP to seek LA landmarking protection. www.ccedla.org/dynasty-cent...
It's very unusual for a nomination to come from out-of-state preparers. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
It's very unusual for a nomination to come from out-of-state preparers. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
September 17, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Chinatown's last mall Dynasty Center is owned by Red Car and eviction threatened. Activists CCED seem to have tapped APIAHP to seek LA landmarking protection. www.ccedla.org/dynasty-cent...
It's very unusual for a nomination to come from out-of-state preparers. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
It's very unusual for a nomination to come from out-of-state preparers. planning.lacity.gov/pdiscaseinfo...
L.A. preservation people: buckle up for a high drama CHC hearing — neighbor bought Tokio Florist for the surface parking lot, Paramount's biggest sap Joe Gillis' "Sunset Boulevard" bachelor pad is up for landmarking, and Casa de Cadillac begs longtime partner L.A. Conservancy to please stop.
September 16, 2026 at 10:32 PM
L.A. preservation people: buckle up for a high drama CHC hearing — neighbor bought Tokio Florist for the surface parking lot, Paramount's biggest sap Joe Gillis' "Sunset Boulevard" bachelor pad is up for landmarking, and Casa de Cadillac begs longtime partner L.A. Conservancy to please stop.
Curren Price is still on City Council, Nithya Raman co-signing his LAHSA real estate motions, as his tenant Michael Young is arrested for using homeless funds to open an R&B bar. All the councilmembers are complicit. Los Angeles is dying on their watch.
www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
September 16, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Curren Price is still on City Council, Nithya Raman co-signing his LAHSA real estate motions, as his tenant Michael Young is arrested for using homeless funds to open an R&B bar. All the councilmembers are complicit. Los Angeles is dying on their watch.
www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr...
On 9/4, City Council voted to rename Pershing Square for Biddy Mason. But before she asked for their votes, CM Ysabel Jurado told her colleagues a big lie about General Pershing in L.A. We've been digging since.
September 16, 2026 at 12:25 AM
On 9/4, City Council voted to rename Pershing Square for Biddy Mason. But before she asked for their votes, CM Ysabel Jurado told her colleagues a big lie about General Pershing in L.A. We've been digging since.
Hints of a revival at Cole's P.E. Cafe.
www.instagram.com/p/DdUaFOTP_M...
www.instagram.com/p/DdUaFOTP_M...
September 15, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Hints of a revival at Cole's P.E. Cafe.
www.instagram.com/p/DdUaFOTP_M...
www.instagram.com/p/DdUaFOTP_M...
Nine Reasons to Slow Down Before Renaming Pershing Square after Biddy Mason
esotouric.substack.com/biddymason4
esotouric.substack.com/biddymason4
Nine Reasons to Slow Down Before Renaming Pershing Square after Biddy Mason
Public records show CD14 was nudged to revive Kevin de Leon’s stalled motion to seek millions in State Park funds, as DTLA Alliance promotes LA28 public-private partnerships
esotouric.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Nine Reasons to Slow Down Before Renaming Pershing Square after Biddy Mason
esotouric.substack.com/biddymason4
esotouric.substack.com/biddymason4
As the Chetrits swear under oath that their real estate business no longer exists, a small crew has been hard at work at the long-shuttered Hotel Clark, a block from Pershing Square.
Could it really come online this week?
www.hotelclark.com
Could it really come online this week?
www.hotelclark.com
September 14, 2026 at 4:28 PM
As the Chetrits swear under oath that their real estate business no longer exists, a small crew has been hard at work at the long-shuttered Hotel Clark, a block from Pershing Square.
Could it really come online this week?
www.hotelclark.com
Could it really come online this week?
www.hotelclark.com
The California Post calls this an exclusive--and they talked with irked neighbors we didn't pester--but we broke this story via public records seeking good demolition-threatened houses like Nithya Raman's that could be moved to Altadena.
nypost.com/2026/09/13/u...
esotouric.substack.com/nithyaraman
nypost.com/2026/09/13/u...
esotouric.substack.com/nithyaraman
September 14, 2026 at 1:56 AM
The California Post calls this an exclusive--and they talked with irked neighbors we didn't pester--but we broke this story via public records seeking good demolition-threatened houses like Nithya Raman's that could be moved to Altadena.
nypost.com/2026/09/13/u...
esotouric.substack.com/nithyaraman
nypost.com/2026/09/13/u...
esotouric.substack.com/nithyaraman
Incredible deep dive from Nathan Marsak, unpacking Biddy Mason's mythology as the most interesting Black woman in Los Angeles to find a multi-generational game of telephone, a missing grave and civic and journalistic deception. And he still loves her!
bunkerhilllosangeles.com/2026/09/13/w...
bunkerhilllosangeles.com/2026/09/13/w...
September 14, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Incredible deep dive from Nathan Marsak, unpacking Biddy Mason's mythology as the most interesting Black woman in Los Angeles to find a multi-generational game of telephone, a missing grave and civic and journalistic deception. And he still loves her!
bunkerhilllosangeles.com/2026/09/13/w...
bunkerhilllosangeles.com/2026/09/13/w...
Thanks for your patience as we continue to report on the rush to rename Pershing Square for Biddy Mason. This has become a complex investigation with many legislative, historic and civic culture threads to unwind. We really hate living in a news desert and want our lives back!
September 13, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Thanks for your patience as we continue to report on the rush to rename Pershing Square for Biddy Mason. This has become a complex investigation with many legislative, historic and civic culture threads to unwind. We really hate living in a news desert and want our lives back!
Why is Stahl House lingering on the market, even with a $5M price drop? Maybe because LA's refusal to manage illegal Airbnb party houses has ruined the Doheny/Sunset Plaza neighborhood and made a once desirable property a gorgeous white elephant.
www.sfgate.com/la/article/s...
www.sfgate.com/la/article/s...
September 13, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Why is Stahl House lingering on the market, even with a $5M price drop? Maybe because LA's refusal to manage illegal Airbnb party houses has ruined the Doheny/Sunset Plaza neighborhood and made a once desirable property a gorgeous white elephant.
www.sfgate.com/la/article/s...
www.sfgate.com/la/article/s...