Toronto Star

L.A. PLACES THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MOVIES

There’s no single Los Angeles, and a week spent there will cut through at least half a dozen. You’ll have plenty to see and eat while you orbit around the Hollywood sign. By Rick McGinnis

- Rick McGinnis was hosted by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, which didn’t review or approve this story.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

Surrounded by terraced greenery by a creek (when there hasn’t been a drought), this storybook restaurant in Topanga Canyon has been serving organic and locally sourced food since the early ’70s. Inn of the Seventh Ray has its own new age bookshop by the entrance and is where I finally got to try avocado toast. Details: innofthese­venthray.com

Petersen Automotive Museum

L.A. is the natural home for one of the greatest car museums in the world, and after reopening in 2015, Petersen Automotive Museum is an even greater showcase for its collection. From race cars to hot rods to movie motors to halo supercars, the Petersen is a celebratio­n of the car, albeit the sort you’ll probably never get a chance to drive. Details: petersen.org

Malibu Beach Inn

Right on the beach by the pier, every room in this high-end motel features a balcony and a view of the Pacific Ocean. Nestled in among the beach houses, Malibu Beach Inn has a spa and a great restaurant with a superb wine list and the most perfect sleep aid ever — the sound of the waves lapping against the rocks below your window. Details: malibubeac­hinn.com

“Downtown” Topanga

There are no hotels, gas stations, chain stores or big box stores in Topanga Canyon, but there is a little cluster of stores in shacks by the post office. Pebbles, Luv n’ Sunshine, Dust and Fog and Bouboulina are just a few of the spots where you can pick up flowing print dresses, leather hassocks and garden supplies for that “rock star goes back to the land” look.

Paley

Located at Columbia Square by “Gower Gulch” — Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. — this newly opened restaurant looks out onto the spot where the first studio opened and Hollywood began. Paley’s bar serves great cocktails and its kitchen features classic American bistro dishes, as well as a big wood-burning grill that crackles away, adding to the ambience. Details: paleyholly­wood.com

Sun Cafe Organic Cuisine

Vegan, organic, raw food has come a long way from its rather penitentia­l beginnings and Sun Cafe Organic Cuisine in Studio City is a standard bearer. Familiar items, such as tacos and mac and cheese, are free of meat and dairy, but flavourful and incredibly filling. So filling, in fact, that you might want to make sure your exercise isn’t undone by your appetite for its tasty menu. Details: suncafe.com

 ?? RICK MCGINNIS ??
RICK MCGINNIS
 ?? DYLAN JENI/PALEY ??
DYLAN JENI/PALEY
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SUNCAFE ORGANIC RESTAURANT
 ?? RICK MCGINNIS ??
RICK MCGINNIS
 ?? RICK MCGINNIS ??
RICK MCGINNIS
 ?? RICK MCGINNIS ??
RICK MCGINNIS

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