The sign for the The Encounter Restaurant-LAX International

The last time I was in the restaurant was about 45 years ago.  I had not forgotten it and waited for the day to eat there again.  This landmark has stood the test of time.  As the airport has grown and changed, the restaurant has managed to survive in the middle of the U-shaped terminal.   The Encounter’s futuristic space age architecture has never changed.  You almost expect to see George Jetson flying around it in his spaceship!

The Encounter Restaurant-LAX as photographed from the airport terminal building

A closeup of The Encounter restauarant at LAX airport

I happened to be spending the night at the Hilton LAX Airport hotel between trips and decided to catch the LAX shuttle to the airport to have lunch at The Encounter.  It was very easy, I got off the bus at terminal 2 and walked across the street to the restaurant building and took the elevator up to the dining floor.

This is the ground floor entrance to elevator that takes you up to The Encounter Restauarnt at LAX

Since it was the middle of the afternoon, there was a mix of leisure travelers, mainly families and couples, grabbing a bite of lunch before continuing on their journeys.

Families dining at The Encounter Restaurant at LAX

The interior dining area of The Encounter Restaurant at LAX

The interior of the restaurant is done in some interesting colors and designs keeping with the space age look.  The interior design is certainly interesting to look at. 

the interior design of The Encounter Restaurant LAX

The interior of The Encounter Restauarant LAX

Being someone who loves to fly and visit airports, just sitting high above the ground with a great view watching the planes come in for landings was a great treat for me.

One of the views from The Encounter Restaurant at LAX

Another view through the window of The Encounter Restauarant LAX

Another view through the windows of The Encounter Restaurant where you can watch the planes land

I ordered a hamburger (1/2 pound) and an order of fries.    It was a huge meal and one to be eaten by someone with a big appetite. Sorry, I didn’t take any photos of my food.   The service was good and the servers were very friendly.

If you want to check out the menu for yourself, here is the link to the restaurant.

http://www.encounterlax.com/

The security lines at LAX can be long sometimes so make sure you have a couple of hours to enjoy a nice leisurely meal at The Encounter at LAX!

Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net

 To read about my other travels click here.

 Comments?  Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net

I have stayed at several hotels in the area including the Hyatt and the Intercontinental which are also nice places, but decided it would be better if I stayed with one property and made it my hotel of choice.    I chose the Kimpton not only because of the location, but also because they offer some very good internet specials from time to time if you are a member of the Kimpton “in touch” repeat guest program.

The Kimpton Palomar is a nice break from the normal “brass and glass”         4-star hotel.  The design could probably be described as an art deco style.  You have the feeling of staying in a small, high end European hotel.

Entrance to Kimpton Palomar Hotel in Los Angeles

 The staff is very friendly and helpful.  Each morning, there is a very nice coffee bar set up in the lobby.  There is also an ample supply of newspapers.  It is nice to sit in the small lobby, read the newspaper and have your cup of coffee. 

Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles Hotel Lobby

The hallway to the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar-Los Angeles

Inside of a double room at the Kimpton Palomar hotel, Los Angeles

 The rooms have a modern or art deco style.  Takes a little getting used to the first time you walk into one of their rooms.  But, it is a nice diversion from the “standard” hotel room.

The furniture in the room has a modern look to it. 

The modern furniture inside the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel

the entrance hallway to the elevators in the Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles

This is the hallway that leads from the restaurant to the main lobby in the Kimpton Palomar

If you want more than coffee, there is a great restaurant in the hotel.  Breakfast prices are decent and I like the varied menu.  Try the 3 cheese omelet or the yogurt/granola dish.  They also offer a good selection of organic teas.

So, if you want to stay at a place that is just a little different, but with an elegant flair, I highly recommend the Kimpton Palomar hotel on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.   Kimpton has a number of other hotels in large cities across the U.S.  You can check out their web site here or just type in www.kimptonhotel.com

Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net

 To read about my other travels click here

All in all, the Getty is a great place to spend the day.  If you go to LA, veer a  little off the Disneyland and Venice Beach route and pay a visit to the Getty.  You won’t be disappointed!

Of course, the best part of the Getty Museum is the architecture.  Here is a series of photos of the buildings.

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Next-the flowers from the grounds of the Getty Museum

The main outside restaurant-great view of the valley

 Another option is near the entrance where there is another , but smaller outdoor bistro. 

An outside Bistro at the Getty Museum

Also, if you can downstairs from there, there is a gourmet cafeteria style walk up order area that serves an abundance of different kinds of food.  If it is a hot day, being inside will be very relaxing.

Great food in the cafeteria of the Getty Museum

Next-more photos of the grounds and the architecture

 Entrance to the Getty Museum

A couple of things you will want to do first: 

Go into the main lobby and get your plan together on whether or not you want to try to see everything yourself or want to take advantage of some of the free guided tours.  Another neat option is to dial in on your cellphone and use it as a personal recorded guided tour. 

Main Lobby to the entrance of the Getty Museum

Courtyard after going through the entrance of the Getty Museum

Next-more photos of the grounds of the Getty Museum

 Recently, my wife Carol and I, had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles.  One of the places I have always wanted to see was the Getty Center.  I had seen many photos of the property that had stunning views of the LA area.

I have visited many museums and have seen many amazing works of art. While there are certainly many interesting  exhibits in the Getty Center; I thought it would best serve the interest of the reader to devote this blog to photos of the architecture of the museum and  the grounds.  If all you did was just spend a couple of hours strolling the grounds, that in itself would almost be enough. 

The Getty opened to the public in 1997.  The architect, Richard Meier was chosen to design the Getty Center.

The Getty sits high on a hill overlooking the 405 freeway on the north side of Santa Monica.  Admission is free (unusual).  Parking is $15, free after     5 p.m.  I asked the question about free admission and the response was that Getty wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the museum irrespective of the ability to pay an admission fee.

The parking is at the bottom of the hill with the entrance on the west side of the 405.  A modern tram takes you up to the museum.  Check out the photo here:

Getty Center Los Angeles-train station-

Getty Center Los Angeles-train track-

I am going to do a series of 5 posts so stay tuned for some very interesting photos of the architecture of the Getty Center in Los Angeles.