As some of you may know, Dreamer, Houston Baby, and I went on an Eagles-related sight-seeing tour. This wasn't the first time we had done something like this (in fact, there's an old thread on it), but we went "further afield" this time, and many others have done the same. I thought it might be useful to include all of the ones we know of in one post.

The Troubadour - The famous Troubadour, where Glenn and Don met, where both Shiloh and Longbranch Pennywhistle played amateur (hoot) nights, where all the "cool kids" hung out back in the day. There's Eagles stuff hanging on one of the walls in the bar area. The bar area is small and dark and things have changed, but Don's favorite stool was in the middle of the bar, and Glenn liked to sit at the corner table. If you can, go on a night with a show so you can go see the room where they once played. (We saw Sawyer Fredericks there, who reminded me of a young Glenn.) Avoid Friday and Saturday nights, though, if you're claustrophobic.

Dan Tana's - right next to the Troubadour, this Italian restaurant is an old hangout of Glenn and Don's and the original "Sad Cafe." The bar is where Glenn was inspired to write "Lyin' Eyes." On the wall, there's even a piece of the railroad "tracks that ran down the boulevard" - Santa Monica Boulevard, to be exact. Glenn and Don gave an interview here in 2007 in a booth like this. Don says they liked to sit at a "booth [...] on the front side of the bar area" and that's where they wrote a lot of the lyrics - a fact I remembered belatedly. Go early to beat the crowd and get a seat at the bar. In my experience, the waiters are a bit snooty, but the bartenders are nice. It's expensive, so be prepared.

The Beverly Hills Hotel - You'll recognize it as soon as you see it; the exterior is the Hotel California. You can check out the Polo Lounge inside - it's not really an Eagles site per se, but Azoff did some deals there. As you can imagine, it's very expensive to eat in the Polo Lounge. There's a souvenir shop inside with reasonably priced items, though, and a downstairs coffee shop that's more affordable.

Lido Apartments - the lobby of this is where the Hotel California's interior photo was shot (however, it has gone downhill - don't go at night). You have to be buzzed in, but that's not a problem. Just ask. People are happy to let you in.

The Sunset Grill - the burger place that inspired the song. Don doesn't like it anymore because it no longer has that old world charm (the old man who owned it sold it) and I have to agree. Just a couple years ago, I went there and liked it. It used to have cool Don stuff inside but the last time I went, that was gone; the service was bad and the food was nothing to write home about. Still, it's got historic value.

The Canyon Country Store - on Glenn's arrival in LA, it was one of the first places he visited - and he saw David Crosby sitting on the steps. Located in Laurel Canyon where Glenn and Don used to live, it's got great sandwiches.

The "Kirkwood Casino and Health Club" - Glenn's joking nickname for his place on the corner of Kirkwood and Ridpath in Laurel Canyon, which he bought after the Eagles started making some money. Many songs were written here! Note: It's a private residence, so keep that in mind.

1740 La Fontaine Ct., the house in Coldwater Canyon where Glenn lived for 16 years after moving out of Kirkwood. It used to belong to James Cagney's brother. In Glenn's words, "A lot of great music happened there." Note: Again, this is a private residence.

1020 Laguna in Echo Park - where Glenn, JD Souther, and Jackson Browne lived before they hit it big. From the outside at least, it still looks pretty much the same. "Take It Easy" was written here. While this is also a private residence, it's in a neighborhood where you can easily get out of your car and walk around, unlike the other two which are in swankier 'hoods.

Lucy's El Adobe Cafe - this place used to be happenin'. They have signed photos all over the place, including one of Glenn and one of the Eagles. However, the food is terrible. I had arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), a pretty simple dish, and it was still nasty. There were bones in the chicken and the spices tasted vaguely Asian - certainly the rice wasn't Spanish rice. Maybe I'm just spoiled because I grew up eating delicious TexMex which isn't the same as the blander California Mexican, but Dreamer and HB agreed, as well as a lot of reviews online. While the servers were friendly, don't expect them to visit after they drop off your food to refill your water, tea, or soda. I guess the food was a lot better "back in the day" and the original owner, Lucy, must have inspired a lot of loyalty. Stick to an appetizer and drinks.


Worthy of a Drive-By if you have time

Studio Instrument Rentals - where the Eagles' first rehearsal took place.

The Record Plant - where the Eagles recorded a lot of their albums.

Elektra/Asylum Offices - where Geffen signed the Eagles (at its old location: 962 North La Cienega, West Hollywood, CA).

No Fun Aloud Offices - where Glenn conducted business in the early days of his solo career

Eagles Offices (Now Azoff Music Management) - where they conducted business in later years (and Azoff still does) at 1100 Glendon Ave. You can't get past the lobby unless you have business there, so don't bother getting out of the car unless you just want to walk around the neighborhood; it's got some nice restaurants, bars, and shops (although they're pricey, of course).


Further afield:

Joshua Tree National Park - the location of the photo shoot for the Eagles album. We left our tribute to Glenn there at Cap Rock, where some of the shoot for the Eagles LP took place.

Paramount Ranch - the location of the photo shoot for the Desperado album - it's changed a great deal, but you still see vestiges of the past . It's fun to walk around and play cowboy, and you don't have to pay. Free admission is nice! (Note:the outfits for this shoot were rented from Western Costumes at 11041 Vanowen St. in the San Fernando Valley - the costume shop is still open, but reservation only, so don't expect to go inside.)

Ontario Motor Speedway - the location of California Jam; only semi-related, but I thought I would mention it.