When we launched Esotouric in May 2007, it was with the idea that guided Los Angeles bus tours didn’t have to aim for the lowest common denominator. We believed there would be an audience for tours that challenged our passengers’ expectations, and our own, while telling the real story of this fascinating city and the wild characters who’ve called it home.
The path that began with the crime-a-day blog 1947project and widened as we took the show on the road has taken us to so many places we could never have predicted: opportunities to help save threatened landmarks, the discovery of Raymond Chandler’s suppressed comic operetta, documenting untouched time capsule interiors and many great friendships forged from a shared love of Los Angeles history.
Ten years and hundreds of Esotouric tours later, we’re celebrating this great shared adventure all through 2017 with a series of Tenth Anniversary special events: one-off bus tours, historical lectures, publications and podcasts.
Watch this space as more Tenth Anniversary happenings are listed, and we’ll see YOU on or off the bus!
Kim Cooper & Richard Schave
January
Downey’s Googie Phoenix: Harvey’s Broiler 10th Anniversary Restoration Celebration— Sunday, January 8 (video)
February
Two Days in South LA: The 1974 SLA Shootout bus tour — Saturday, February 11
March
Historic Hotel Californian neon sign rededication – Thursday, March 9 (blog post, video)
Local history talk & book signing at Los Angeles Breakfast Club – Wednesday, March 29
April
Special Event: Palos Verdes Ancient & Modern – Saturday, April 8 (photos)
May
Exploring Reflections of the City – Subject: Los Angeles Lovers at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater – Friday, May 12
June
Special Event: Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits’ L.A. – Saturday, June 3 (photos)
Siege at Fort Anthony at Los Angeles Public Library – Thursday, June 8
Special Event: Desert Visionaries: Llano del Rio, Antelope Valley Indian Museum & Aldous Huxley’s Pearblossom Ranch – Saturday, June 17th (photos)
July
Los Angeles Times Globe Lobby Tour – Friday, July 21
August
A Special Announcement at Angels Flight Railway – Thursday, August 31
Los Angeles Magazine Best of L.A. issue – Best True-Crime Tours
September
Special Event: The 1910 Bombing of the Los Angeles Times with Detective Mike Digby– Saturday, September 23 (Los Angeles Times feature, photos)
L.A. Weekly Best of L.A. 2017 – Best Podcast About L.A. History
October
Raymond Chandler talk at Whittier Public Library – Thursday, October 5, 6:30pm
Raymond Chandler talk at Sunland-Tujunga Public Library – Tuesday, October 10, 5pm
Grand Central Market Centennial & Cake Cutting – Friday, October 27
New tour: Wilshire Boulevard Death Trip – Saturday, October 28
November
Bob Hope Patriotic Hall tour – Thursday, November 16
December