“Ground preparation for new Los Angeles County courthouse at the northwest corner of 1st Street and Hill Street. A crane works atop the hill while dump trucks below haul dirt.” Hello, When our dad got some information about the development of downtown Los Angeles, he took us for a weekend drive through these twin tunnels. The big two toned Buick sedan was comfy and we had never been inside of these tunnels, before. Our dad had driven through them many times with his L.A. friends going to other places near the downtown areas. It is obvious that the redevelopment of that part of downtown Los Angeles was done as the civic center area was expanding at a fast rate over the years. Jnaki I have been coming to this area in downtown Los Angeles with our family. But, my wife and I have been in this area since 1966 and our last journey through the downtown Los Angeles area was in 2018, to see the old Phillipe’s French Dipped sandwich restaurant and the historic, Union Station. If one is to travel by train to Santa Barbara and beyond going North, this Union Station located a couple of blocks away, is the connection station. We had taken the train from Orange County to the Union Station with several families to see the nearby Children’s Museum, Olivera Street and what the huge station offered. It was a different approach to sight seeing the area without a car or at least worrying about finding a parking place that does not cost an arm and leg for extended visits. The overall visit was a success and the access to the train station was the topper, before we boarded to go back South to home in the OC. We have seen the silver Amtrak trains in various areas along the northern coast past Santa Barbara as we cruised around on our long road trips over the years, too. One day, when the pandemic is over, we might take the train up the coast to San Luis Obispo for a different adventure that includes a stay at the famous Madonna Inn for the second time since 1967. That special train is called the Pacific Surfliner. Note: The latest news is that the Amtrak train service from San Diego to Los Angeles has been stopped. It has been stopped due to another coastal cliff landslide. This time, it is under a famous historic compound owned by the city. The "Casa Romantica" is a large compound used for many different things along with being one of San Clemente's historic register. But, they stopped the Amtrak services for the time being. The services are still available from the northern local cities and if one is coming from San Diego, then bus transport is given to the Laguna Niguel or Irvine Station to continue the Amtrak services to Los Angeles' Union Station. Then the train continues to all points North... A few months ago, it was stopped due to the damage and slide caused from the massive waves and rain storm. But, that was farther South towards the Cotton's Point surf break. Now that is repaired and open, this latest slide closed the area again to train travelers.
The Jalopy Journal
