‘People’s Guide to Los Angeles’ goes beyond Rodeo Drive

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Hollywood Boulevard. Venice Beach. Disney Hall. The La Brea Tar Pits. Universal Studios. Rodeo Drive. What do they all have in common? They’re, of course, all popular local tourist destinations that always get star billing in guide books about L.A.

But there’s a new Southern California guide book out that takes you to places way off the beaten path and introduces you to little known stories of L.A. history. Titled “A People’s Guide to Los Angeles” the books explores locations that have been important to the struggle for racial justice, women’s rights, unionization, gay and lesbian freedoms, and environmental justice.

Check out my conversation with the book’s co-author Laura Pulido. She shares some places you might want to check out if you like mixing your urban exploring with social justice.  And check out some of the photos from the book, below.

3112 West Jefferson Boulevard, Los Angeles The former location of Kashu Realty, a Japanese-American owned real estate company that played an important role in desegregating L.A. neighborhoods. It did so by successfully negotiating the purchase of homes in previously all Anglo neighborhoods by African-Americans, Asians and Latinos. Photo credit: Wendy Cheng (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

(Zoot Suit riots, Malibu and more below)