Today Minty finally managed to get to Huntington Beach and the Jan & Dean Tiki Lounge.
But first, the day started with finding somewhere for breakfast as our usual Corner Bakery was shut today. We headed out onto Grand Avenue and headed down towards 7th Street. We found a small sandwich bar that offered things on toast. It wasn't great but it was edible at least!
Next stop was Macys to buy a carry on case to cope with the over-spill of our luggage due to the CD buying and the Big Stir magazines we were entrusted with to bring back to the UK
Our exit from the store was via the Levis Men's section....... add a couple of pairs of jeans and a jacket to the list of purchases for The Beeb!
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| Macys at Christmas |
A quick stop at Starbucks for a cool drink. Minty does not like Coconut, yet this coconut water was surprisingly refreshing.
We found a small street, hidden away.... St Vincent Court which was a bit of an eclectic mix of ethnic traders (mainly food places), yet had a feel of 50's America about it with the shop fronts and models above. It was unusual to find such a quiet place off the main streets in Downtown LA.
A wee history lesson..... St Vincent's Court is the site of the first higher learning institute in Southern California and is a California Historical registered landmark.
Just on the other side of St Vincent Court was the site of an Iconic Downtown LA bar, Clifton's Cafeteria..... which houses a Tiki Bar. Unfortunately the Tiki Bar was closed for refurbishment.
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The wander back to the hotel was via Floyds.... a rock and roll barbers no less, which did walk ins and where The Beeb was treated to a long overdue haircut for $28.50. Whilst he was waiting for his cut, Minty went back to The Last Bookstore to check out a couple of things we had thought about but not actually purchased. The return trip confirmed our reservations on buying, and Minty went back to the barbers empty handed.
The Beeb was still waiting and now the clock was ticking to have time to get down to Huntington Beach.
Eventually, we were on our way southwards to Huntington Beach, aka Surf City - a surfer's paradise. We arrived at 4 o'clock and there were some surfers still out catching some waves as the sun was heading towards the horizon and making long shadows.
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| Huntington Pier at sunset |
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| The beachfront, taken from the pier |
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| The Beeb on the pier |
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| Minty arrives at Ruby's |
The upstairs of Ruby's Diner that houses Jan and Dean's Tiki Lounge was closed for food and drink but we were allowed to go up and get some photos and take a look at the memorabilia on display. The restaurant is decked out in a Tiki theme with wooden tables and wicker chairs. The walls are adorned with Jan & Dean memorabilia - including tour posters and gold records. On the stairs is a glass cabinet with Tiki goodies on display. It was a shame that no merchandise was on sale - they are missing a cash cow there!!!
We ate in the main Ruby's diner, just managing to get seated before they started to close up shop for Christmas.
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| Minty had a burger and fries |
As it was Christmas Eve and Ruby's were closing a 5 o'clock, we had to eat quickly and then we had a chance to wander back along the pier as the sun set behind us.
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| Sunset in Surf City |
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| A lonely surfer wanders back in from the surf as the sun headed off for the night |
Below are a selection of the photos taken in the Tiki Bar.
But first, the day started with finding somewhere for breakfast as our usual Corner Bakery was shut today. We headed out onto Grand Avenue and headed down towards 7th Street. We found a small sandwich bar that offered things on toast. It wasn't great but it was edible at least!
We found a small street, hidden away.... St Vincent Court which was a bit of an eclectic mix of ethnic traders (mainly food places), yet had a feel of 50's America about it with the shop fronts and models above. It was unusual to find such a quiet place off the main streets in Downtown LA.
The wander back to the hotel was via Floyds.... a rock and roll barbers no less, which did walk ins and where The Beeb was treated to a long overdue haircut for $28.50. Whilst he was waiting for his cut, Minty went back to The Last Bookstore to check out a couple of things we had thought about but not actually purchased. The return trip confirmed our reservations on buying, and Minty went back to the barbers empty handed. 
