Book Tour | Your Guide to Shadowhunters’ Los Angeles Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of my Shadowhunter Los Angeles Tour! If you missed out on part one you can check it out by clicking here. I went up and down the Pacific Coast Highway to bring you some insider information on places mentioned in Lady Midnight.

This week, I’m bringing you a handful of city spots the team visits, including: The Midnight Theater, The Shadow Market, and Mark Blackthorn’s infamous run-in with Syphilis at Canter’s Deli.

I used this map A LOT during the city tour to nail down a few spots, so I’m adding it here again and will mention if below from time to time. I hope it helps!

The Spots

Canter’s Deli

Canter’s has been around for ages. It’s one of those LA hot spots that everyone knows about. They’re open 24 hours, have a dining area and a full bakery! Canter’s is also known for having an authentic, traditional Jewish flare (which I’m sure Simon would love). *Yum, Yum, Yum*

Side note: Let’s all appreciate Mark Blackthorn at Canter’s, ordering a plate of strawberries, talking to a telephone pole, and being clueless about girls thinking he’s hot AF. He is too precious for this world and I love him.

Address: 419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

“Everything inside Canter’s was yellow. The walls were yellow, the booths were yellow, and most of the food was a shade of yellow.” – Lady Midnight, Chapter 12, Page 276

The Midnight Theater

The Midnight Theater doesn’t actually exist, but after doing some intense research on the map to determine where it was located…and after reading Cassie’s notes at the end of Lady Midnight, I decided to stop at The Pantages. It’s a theater used for play productions, and definitely fits the old-glam LA vibe of the series. (And it’s supposed to be haunted! *If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with ghosts.) You get some added Hollywood scenic images from around the area because it’s amazing out there.

Address: 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

“Emma could see lights, hot neon and electricity, up ahead, the arrow shape of a sign: THE MIDNIGHT THEATER. The Hollywood Hills glittered in the distance as if they’d been dusted with starlight.” – Lady Midnight, Chapter 14, Page 328

“The Midnight Theater is intended as a homage to the haunted theaters in Los Angeles. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Pantages Theater, the Vogue Theater.” -Cassandra Clare Takes Us Through Emma’s Los Angeles (Back of Lady Midnight Hardcover)

The Los Angeles Shadow Market

The LA Shadow Market is located in Old Town Pasadena. Apparently, I truly am a mundane, because I didn’t see any faeries or warlocks. The stroll through the city is still really nice though. Be sure to look out for the Slater’s 50/50 because the alleyway is right next door!

Address: 41 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103

“He walked down Kendall Alley through Old Town Pasadena toward a blank brick wall—and stepped through it into an explosive world of color and light.” -Lady Midnight, Prologue, Page 1

The Sepulchre Bar

This was by far the hardest place to track down thus far. The Sepulchre Bar doesn’t actually exist, but from the book I knew the following:

1. It’s located in West Hollywood
2. It’s located between Canter’s Deli & The Midnight Theater (Between Fairfax and Hollywood Blvd.)
3. It has a nature/garden vibe

I used my detective skills, and the help of Google Maps, to narrow down bars in the West Hollywood area that fit the rest of the description. The closest match I could find was the Harlowe Bar! It doesn’t open until 5 PM each night, so I wasn’t able to go inside, but the outside definitely fits. And, if you were wondering what the f*ck a Jacaranda tree is, you’re in luck! I took some pictures because they only bloom in SoCal twice a year and they are so pretty.

Address: 7321 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

“Jacaranda trees were strung with electric lights, and sleek ultra modern tables and chairs were scattered around the garden space.” – Lady Midnight, Chapter 1, Page 15

 

Bonus: The Apple Pan & Pink’s Hot Dogs

During Queen of Air and Darkness, Cristina reminisces about places she and Emma would visit, and my assistant researcher (aka: baby sister) decided it would be cool to add them to the tour. So, here we are.

The Apple Pan Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Pink’s Hot Dogs Address: 709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

“Her introduction to L.A. had been going to all of Emma’s favorite places..hot dogs at Pink’s, pie at the Apple Pan at midnight.” –Queen of Air and Darkness, Chapter 6, Page 108

Coming Soon

There are still a few places on my list that I’m trying to track down and visit; Malcolm is doing a very good job of hiding his mansion from mundane eyes. Be sure to keep an eye out for more!

Talk To Me

Are there any spots I’m missing from my list’? Have you visited any of the city spots? Any you’d like to check out?

Book Tour | Your Guide to Shadowhunters’ Los Angeles Part 1

It’s no secret that I’m fully obsessed with Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter World. So, you can imagine that when The Dark Artifices were published, I was beyond excited to have a Los Angeles Institute. I grew up in in the suburbs of the city, I went to college in Downtown Los Angeles, and now I spend my morning commuting in the glorious LA traffic. All of this to say, I know my way around Southern California, and I decided what better way to nerd out than to visit all the places Emma and her posse know and love.

Los Angeles is a BIG place. You can’t get around by just walking, so if you’re planning on touring make sure you have a car, a full tank of gas, and some snacks. Because of the distances, I decided to break up my tour into 3 different parts – The Beach Hot Spots, The City Hangouts, and the miscellaneous, hard-to-find haunts.

So, on with the show! Check out hip beach spots the LA Institute hits during the series. I’ve added in my route from Google maps, links to websites (click the pink headers below!), and other cool stuff that might be helpful for fans wanting to visit – I went through tons of sticky notes to provide “expert” research from the books, too.

The Route

I plotted a course from my house to all the big spots I wanted to hit off the coast. Then, I put them in order so I would be driving in a straight line up the Pacific Coast Highway and wasn’t wasting gas. One *super important* thing to remember is timing. The beaches & surrounding areas get really packed on weekends after about 9 AM. So, I started my trip around 7 AM and was able to hit every place without too much traffic – mundanes and cars alike. I also had a reference point from this handy – and super pretty – Shadowhunter Map I found online (I think it came with special ARCs of Lady Midnight).

The Spots

The Santa Monica Pier

The pier has games, food, rides, and sight-seeing! You might even spot a celeb or two, so keep an eye out.

Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

“She’d always loved the Santa Monica Pier, since she was a little girl and her parents had taken her there to play air hockey and ride the old-fashioned merry-go-round…But the boards under Emma’s feet were still warped and weathered by years of sun and salt. The air still smelled like sugar and seaweed…” –Lord of Shadows, Chapter 1, Page 11-12

Hidden Treasures

Hidden Treasures is Emma’s favorite vintage store and when you see it, you’ll understand why. It fits her personality SO perfectly. It’s definitely hidden from touristy eyes, and you need to drive through the canyon to find it. It’s super tiny and is easy to miss – so be on the lookout!

Address: 154 S. Topanga Canyon Boulevard Topanga Canyon, California

“In front of them was a single freestanding building with a sign boasting foot-high letters in glitter that spelled out the words HIDDEN TREASURES. A massive red-and-white popcorn machine stood next to the store, along with a painted model of a curtained caravan, advertising the services of Gargantua the Great.” –Lady Midnight, Chapter 13, Page 308

Leo Carillo State Park

A lot of Leo Carillo is currently closed due to the Woolsey Fire, but the good news is the beach and stairways are reopened! You have to hunt for some of the tunnels/caves, but the beach is only about 2 miles long here, so you can walk along the entire span, check out where the necromantic rituals were taking place, and still have plenty of time to explore.

*Pro Tip: Look for Lifeguard Station 3 and head down to the beach right below for some of the easier to access caves. It’s a bit rocky, so make sure you take some sturdy shoes along with your beach sandals, just in case.

Address: 35000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

“He was just inside the cave, looking down at more of the same plants, clustering around the dry soft stone…As he moved forward into the cave, which began to narrow into a tunnel…it opened out into a circular chamber lined with metal…the walls were bronze, covered in strange symbols…” -Lady Midnight, Chapter 9, Page 210-211

“Leo Carillo State Park is home to the sea caves that play an important role in Lady Midnight.” -Cassandra Clare Takes Us Through Emma’s Los Angeles (Back of Lady Midnight Hardcover)

Neptune’s Net

The spot where Emma, Julian, Cristina, and Mark grab late night seafood is actually the best. It’s literally right across the road from the beach. You can sit out on their patio and look out to the ocean while enjoying some fish & chips!

Address: 42505 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

“They passed over a late-night seafood shack, music and light pouring out of the windows. Emma had been there before and remembered sitting on the big wooden picnic tables with Jules, dunking fried oysters in tartar sauce…” –Lady Midnight, Chapter 9, Page 208

“A massive neon sign reading POSEIDON’S TRIDENT hung over the ramshackle building…they found Mark and Cristina seated on top of a picnic table, surrounded by cardboard boxes of French fries, buttered rolls, fried clams, and fish tacos.” –Lady Midnight, Chapter 9, Page 221-225

Point Mugu State Park

The site of the convergence is a few-mile long stretch of beach and park. We stopped at “Mugu Rock” because it seemed like it would be the site of some strong magic. It’s popular, but dangerous, and accidents sometimes happen. So I guess there might be something dark & mysterious actually going on after all.

Address: 42505 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

“A granite rise loomed in front of them, a dome-like hill atop the bluffs…Mark pointed at a dark opening in the rock of the hill…” –Lady Midnight, Chapter 9, Page 209

“The site of the convergence isn’t in a specific place, but it’s based on some of the scenery in Point Mugu State Park” –Cassandra Clare Takes Us Through Emma’s Los Angeles (Back of Lady Midnight Hardcover)

Coming Soon

As I continue my “research” and exploration, I have a list of for sure places I want to hunt down. Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 in the coming weeks so you don’t miss out!

The LA Institute

Malcolm Fade’s House

Johnny Rook’s House

The Shadow Market

Sepulchre Bar

The Midnight Theater

Anselm Nightshade’s Pizza Place

Canter’s Deli

Vasquez Rocks

Talk To Me

Are there any spots I’m missing from my list’? Have you visited any of the beach spots? Any you’d like to check out?

Top 5 Tuesday | Books Set In My Country

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Bionic Book Worm!

This week is all about favorite books set where I’m from. I’m from Southern California, so there are tons of books I could choose from that are set all over the United States. You would think that makes this easier, but it actually made it so much harder! So, here’s what I actually ended up choosing.

The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare

Are you guys sick of me bringing up how much I love the Shadowhunter books? Well, just get used to it, because I can’t stop, won’t stop. ANYWAY, The Dark Artifices take place (mostly) in California! The Institute is in Malibu, the Shadowmarket resides in Pasadena and there are tons of other landmarks up and down the California coast the team visits. It was so much easier to envision scenes in my head because I’ve visited them before!

Percy Jackson & The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan

Imagine a world where demigods are real, the Gods run big corporations like Amazon, and national parks and tourist attractions actually hide some seriously magical creatures and objects. Rick Riordan’s world of mythology is one of my favorites, and even though these are meant for younger readers and I’m well past the age bracket, his dad jokes and magical America will always be one of my favorites. Can I join Camp Half-Blood? Because I’ll totally move across the country for that.

Under the Dome by Stephen King

To be fair, I love anything Stephen King writes and he usually sets his novels somewhere on the east coast/Maine. BUT, I’m gonna go with Under the Dome for this list because I devoured this book in less than a week. A small town city full of dark secrets, corruption, and bat-sh*t crazy people is totally my vibe. The ending is not the best, but everything leading up to the last few chapters is so so so good.

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Oh hi, just me again talking about the Raven Boys, how much I love them, and this entire series. Who wouldn’t want to live in a Virginia town that sits on Ley Lines, is full of magical caves that hide demonic presences and not-so-dead Welsh princesses, and not to mention the feisty psychic ladies of 300 Fox Way. I could skip the gross summer heat of the Deep South, but for Gansey I would suffer. I’d also brave the hornets for one day in Cabeswater.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I’m throwing it way back to high school days with this pick, but To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic that depicts the deep south, racism, and inequality in America so vividly. There’s a reason this book is a classic and teens read it in school every year – it’s a must-read.

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? What are your favorite books set in America? Any I should add to my TBR list?