L.A. Landmarks

Julius Shulman’s architectural photographs, now on view at USC’s Fisher Gallery, capture L.A. landmarks from the 1930s to the 1970s and provide the perfect backdrop for a weekend of historic sightseeing.

Friday

Begin the weekend at the Fisher Gallery. “L.A. Obscura: The Architectural Photography of Julius Shulman” includes more than 80 works documenting Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House No. 22, Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House, the Department of Water and Power, the May Company Department Store and other iconic images of Southern California, many of which are lost forever--except in photographs. 823 Exposition Blvd., (213) 740-4561. Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Campus parking $6. Ends April 18.

For dinner, the 1921 downtown branch of the Pacific Dining Car is an L.A. institution. Sit in one of the leather wing chairs, feast on aged prime filet or T-bone, sip a glass of red wine. Open 24 hours. 1310 W. 6th St., (213) 483-6000.

Saturday

Musso & Frank has become nearly as famous as the writers and actors who have called it home (among them William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway). Try the 1919 landmark restaurant for brunch. The light flannel cakes, made with two kinds of flour scented with vanilla and served with maple or boysenberry syrup, are irresistible. Daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Flannel cakes served until 3 p.m. 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 467-5123.

After brunch, tour landmarks of a different sort. Hollywood Memorial Park may be in disrepair, but with residents Charlie Chaplin Jr., Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Rudolph Valentino, the cemetery markers read like a who’s who of old Hollywood. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

In the afternoon, see what’s playing at Mann’s Chinese Theatre and pay a visit to the Forecourt of the Stars out front. The first handprints in the legendary cement were Norma Talmadge’s in 1927. Grauman’s (now Mann’s) opened with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings” in 1927. 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

The 1927 Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has a long history with the entertainment industry, from its opening night fete, which was attended by Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, Greta Garbo and other members of Hollywood royalty, to its role as host to the first Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Merits Awards Dinners” (precursor to the Academy Awards) in 1929.

Rekindle the glamour of the hotel’s glory days in the Cinegrill. This weekend’s entertainment comes from Ann Hampton Callaway, who is perhaps best known as the singer-songwriter who wrote and performs the theme song to the sitcom “The Nanny.” But jazz fans know better. Her recordings with such musicians as trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and pianist Kenny Barron are exquisite. Today through Saturday, 8 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd. $15 (today); $20 (Friday and Saturday), plus a $10 drink minimum. (213) 466-7000.

Sunday

A Sunday afternoon at the movies or shopping on Broadway in the 1930s might have included a meal at Clifton’s Cafeteria. Clifford Clinton opened his first cafeteria in Los Angeles in 1931 and at one time owned and operated a chain of seven. One claim to fame was serving Depression-era diners for as little as a penny, or even nothing. Clifton’s Brookdale (1935) is the only remaining downtown branch; although downtown may have changed since the 1930s, Sunday dinner at Clifton’s hasn’t. Daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 648 S. Broadway, (213) 627-1673.

The Da Camera Society’s Chamber Music in Historic Sites convenes in the 1939 landmark railway palace, Union Station, with vibraphonist Milt Jackson (the longtime musician is something of a landmark himself) leading his quartet with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Tootie Heath. 800 N. Alameda St. 3 p.m. $18-$26. (310) 954-4300.