EXCLUSIVE! Literary & Hollywood Sites Tour for ABA Bookstore Members

This customized, behind-the-scenes tour of Hollywood is exclusive to ABA members. Red Line Tours has become world famous for its unusual approach to touring Los Angeles. The company envisions L.A. as a vast living museum, hence its slogan -- "The City is Our Museum." To reinforce this concept, guests are outfitted with audio receivers much like the kind used on a museum audio tour, except this tour is not recorded. Guides will offer commentary via a microphone transmitter as they lead booksellers through the heart of Hollywood and into some of its most storied landmarks. Join other ABA member booksellers as Red Line takes you on this customized version of its most popular tour. You will visit several Hollywood landmarks, among them settings for great novels by Raymond Chandler, Dorothy Parker, and Nathanael West. You will also visit historic landmarks such as the El Capitan Theatre, where stars such as Clark Gable and Fred Astaire were discovered. Later the theatre was converted to a movie theatre, which was the site for the premiere of Citizen Kane. Other Hollywood sites such as the historic Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, Kodak Theatre, and Grauman's Chinese Theater will be on the tour, which will end at the Egyptian Theatre, for the ABA/SCIBA "Welcome to Hollywood" Author Reception.

Space is limited for this unique tour, so members are urged to sign up today.... Hurry! There aren't many spaces left. E-mail reservations@redlinetours.com to reserve your spot. Tour price is $16 for ABA member booksellers.

Getty Center Museum & Bookstore Tour

In its 10 years of existence, the Getty Center has become much more than an architectural icon; the center is a vital part of the L.A. community. The Getty Center offers a unique collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, decorative arts, and European and American photographs, in a lovely setting of modern architecture and gardens. This tour will look at the written word as viewed from the Getty's centuries-old manuscript collection. You will also enjoy a tour of the Getty Bookstore.

Space is very limited for this unique tour, so members are urged to sign up today by e-mailing Jamie Rogers at ABA at jamie@bookweb.org. A complimentary shuttle departs from Hotel ABA at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and the tour ends at the Egyptian Theater for the ABA/SCIBA "Welcome to Hollywood" Author Reception at 5:00 p.m. This tour is free to ABA member booksellers.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre 

It has been said that to visit Los Angeles and not see Grauman's Chinese Theatre is like visiting China and not seeing the Great Wall. Grauman's opulent, awe-inspiring presence and its storied history have been a cornerstone of Hollywood for more than 75 years.

Conveniently located in the same complex as Hotel ABA. Tours are offered seven days a week. Call (323) 463-9576 in advance for tour times and tickets, or visit the theatre's website, www.manntheatres.com/chinese/. Admission fee applies.

Guinness World Records Museum

In an enjoyable setting, guests will explore amazing world records encompassing sports, space, animals, food, human achievement, and more. Guinness World Records are brought to life through incredible displays, cool interactive games and trivia, themed galleries, and video productions!

Located about two blocks from Hotel ABA. Hours: 10:00 a.m. - midnight. For ticket and tour information, call (323) 463-6433, or visit the museum's website, www.guinnessattractions.com. Admission fee applies.

Hollywood Wax Museum

One of the most popular attractions on Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Wax Museum is the only wax museum dedicated to showcasing Hollywood celebrities. You'll be so swept away by the lifelike realism that you may be tempted to ask for an autograph from such stars as Harrison Ford, Mike Meyers, Katherine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Robert Redford, Tom Hanks, and hundreds more.

Located about two blocks from Hotel ABA. Open 365 days a year, 10:00 a.m. - midnight. For ticket and tour information, call (323) 462-8860, or visit the museum's website, www.hollywoodwax.com. Admission fee applies.

Universal Studios Tour

Experience a first-hand look at moviemaking magic on this world famous Studio Tour. You'll get a sneak peak at Hollywood blockbusters in the making as you journey through real working sets from movies and hit television shows. Encounter awe-inspiring wreckage from Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, check out Skull Island set pieces from the movie King Kong, see the astounding set of the Emmy Award-winning CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and much more.

Located about three miles from Hotel ABA (a short subway ride). Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Call for ticket and tour information at (800) UNIVERSAL, or visit the Universal website, www.universalstudioshollywood.com/st_info.html. Admission fee applies.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour

See "behind the scenes" and "into the scenes" of your favorite shows and movies at the world's busiest motion picture and television studio. Guests of the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour are offered a rare look into the world of entertainment.

Located about five miles from Hotel ABA (a short subway ride). Tours are given daily from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ticket orders are recommended prior to visit. For ticket and tour information, call (818) 972-8687, or visit the Warner Brothers website, www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour. Admission fee applies.

"Welcome to Hollywood" Author Reception at the Egyptian Theatre 
Co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association and the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. Special bakery items are generously provided by Mäni's Bakery and Da Capo Lifelong Books.

Whatever you decide to do during your free time in Los Angeles, the ABA/SCIBA kick-off celebration at the famed Egyptian Theater is something you definitely won't want to miss!

Join your fellow booksellers and L.A.-area authors for fun and light refreshments.

Da Capo Lifelong Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group, and Mäni's Bakery will be providing special bakery items in honor of Mäni Naill's new cookbook with over 100 recipes, Sweet! Home Baking With Every Kind of Natural Sugar and Sweetener.