24 Hours in the City of Angels
Places to Stay
When in L.A., join the fun and stay at a retro-chic, kitsch motel like the Safari Inn or the Tangerine, both in Burbank. These two exemplify the mid-century architecture and style of L.A. from films like Pulp Fiction, among others. For a more standard stay, check out the SpringHill Suites Los Angeles LAX/Manhattan Beach in the city of Hawthorne.
Start at the Beach
Plan your day to get an early start, arriving at Santa Monica Beach, south of the pier, on a day you are able to catch a returning low tide at first light. This will allow you the best opportunities as surf fills in pockets and fish begin to hunt crabs within the depressions. After sight-fishing the edge water for “beans” toss a streamer-style pattern like Lino Jubilado’s red Beach Buster for leopards, striper, and whatever else might be lurking among the waves.
Get Down at “The River”
Grab a cup and a bite at Dogtown Coffee, 2003 Main Street, Santa Monica, before you take off from there and head to “The River.” Best access to the Los Angeles River can be found in the Glendale Narrows where there is a good population of sizeable carp waiting to eat a fly. Sight fishing these lazy, skittish beasts means casting above and beyond with a strip down to their nose.
Good Eats
As the growling starts to grow, it’s time for something from one of L.A.’s originals. Downtown L.A. is Phillipe The Original, serving classic French Dip sandwiches since 1908. Or head over to The Hat, for Pastrami Dip since 1951, out in Alhambra, on the way to Highway 39 and the San Gabriel West fork.
If you didn’t get to grab a cup before leaving the beach, or even if you did, stop in at 10 Speed Coffee in Frogtown, 3014 Worthen Avenue, L.A., conveniently located directly on the river and brewing great espresso.
Find Trout on the West Fork San Gabriel River
Get an adventure pass at any approved retailer in Azusa (the Arco station right off the 210, for one) for $5.00 to allow parking up canyon. The best access is parking near the bridge, about 14 miles from the Arco. Hike as far upriver as feels comfortable, then start casting your 3-weight. Stay left at the junction of the East Fork and keep going up. Stop when you get to Cogswell Reservoir, a distance of about seven miles. These fish are not huge, but they love to eat small dries and nymphs of all kinds.
For local knowledge, Fisherman’s Spot can’t be beat. Whatever your targeted species or area you want to fish, they have the intel and the gear to make it happen. They’ve been around since 1970 at their Sherman Oaks location, with founder Steve Ellis still running the operation today along with partner Ken Lindsay.
Dinner Break After A Long Day
Now it’s time to really eat. Drive back to the San Fernando Valley and get some excellent BBQ at Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ. Or keep it simple and get the burger of your dreams at Fat Sal’s, also in “The Valley.”
Some Sights To Be Seen
While L.A. is very fishable, here are a few iconic L.A. locations not to be missed. Drive through Griffith Park, see the Hollywood Sign, and visit the Griffith Observatory for awesome L.A. views. At Grauman’s Chinese Theater (now TCL Chinese Theater), you can touch film-making history and maybe even meet Batman, then walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When fishing on Santa Monica beaches, make time to walk the pier, stopping to enjoy the rides. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the nearby La Brea Tar Pits, and the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History are worth the time investment away from the water for a day.
