A bit of urban exploration was the theme for a recent whirlwind trip to southern California. Before sharing a few tips, tricks, and discoveries a disclaimer is needed.

Folks that know me or that are fans of Jim Hinckley’s America are aware that my comfort zone is a town with three stoplights or less. I will do the big city, and even find ways to enjoy myself. But I find urban exploration to be more challenging than adventures in the Mojave Desert or a drive on some lost highway without cell service.

So, as you read this please note that I wasn’t kicked in the head by a mule, recently.

Burbank — urban exploration Basecamp

With exception of the year of the apocalypse (2020) I end up in Burbank, California about once a year. Usually it is for a book signing at Auto Books Aero Books, a venerable store with a reputation built on more than six decades of service. This whirlwind two and a half day trip was to cover the Los Angeles Auto Show.

When I roll into Burbank there is a sense that this a place where the veil between past and present is quite thin. I have heard some road-trippers refer to Burbank as “the last civilized stop before the coast.”

Burbank is close to the claustrophobia inducing bustle of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and the coastal communities. But it is distant enough that it is possible to escape the worst of big-city noise, traffic and hotel-stress.

This city offers a rare mix. It has a vintage Southern California vibe with authentic mid-century motels and classic diners. And the well developed public transit is a nod to both the past and the future in the LA metro area. It’s the kind of place where a traveler can sleep, eat, and explore without the stress of demolition derby 10 lane freway driving.

Neon, Diners & Retro Vibes

Bob’s Big Boy: The Oldest Big Boy in America, Still Sizzling –

Built in 1949, Bob’s Big Boy on Riverside Drive stands as the oldest surviving Big Boy restaurant in the United States. Painstaking effort has gone into preserving the work of the original architect, Wayne McAllister.

But Bob’s isn’t a dusty relic. In 1993, it was recognized as a “California Point of Historical Interest,” and owners restored much of its mid-century shine including neon signage. A bonus is the decades old tradition of a Friday night cruise in that adds to the time capsule feel.

So, enjoy the signature double-deck burger, maybe a thick milkshake, bathed in a neon glow while enjoying an endless stream of classic cars, hotrods, lowriders, antiques and vintage trucks.

Tallyrand Restaurant: Comfort Food & Community Since 1959 –

If Bob’s is chrome and neon, Tallyrand is the quintessential neighborhood diner where customers are known by name, and elderly couples celebrate an anniversary in the same booth where it all began. And it is just a few blocks from one of my favorite lodging choices, the 1950s Safari Inn.

Founded in 1959 it began as a modest coffee shop on Olive Avenue. The name was derived from a French cookbook recipe admired by the owners. Tallyrand has built a reputation not for flash, but for friendly service and fluffy buttermilk pancakes as well as roast turkey dinners with mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade muffins baked daily, and sauces and dressings crafted from scratch. Walking into Tallyrand, you’re not just getting breakfast or dinner, you’re stepping into decades of shared meals, family traditions, and slow-Sunday suppers.

It is open from 8:00 until 2:00, and from 4:00 until 9:00. On my recent visit I arrived at a few minutes before 4:00. At least twenty people were waiting patiently for the doors to open. Many of these customers had been dining at Tallyrand’s for decades. Some senior citizens had ate there as children with the their parents.

Coral Cafe: A Burbank Legend

Then there’s Coral Cafe established in 1957. Located at 3321 W. Burbank Blvd, Coral Cafe offers the biggest menu I have encountered in a diner – 400 items! There are the traditional American diner staples including burgers and snadwiches as well as generous breakfasts, Mexican influenced dishes, and hearty dinners.

The interior maintains its orignal decor. The expansive use of laminate wood and curved booths, the Sunday morning regualrs at the counter enjoying a book and breakfast, and friendly staff give this place a time capsule feel.

If you are a fan of Route 66, the mid century landmarks, or just a good old fashioned diner, add the Coral cafe to your destination list.

Safari Inn — a mid-century gem

The Safari Inn is a Googie-style motel built in 1955 known for its iconic neon sign. The hotel maintains its original mid-century aesthetic and is considered a local landmark as well as popular filming location.

Located at 1911 W. Olive Ave, this motel comes with a Jim Hinckley’s America recommendation. By LA area sandards, the price is reasonable. It is within walking distance of great cafes, diners, and markets. And it offers clean, comfortable rooms with room front parking as well as a swimming pool and rough top patio.

What’s more, it’s within easy reach of studios, transit options, and the rhythms of downtown Burbank. This makes it a perfect blend of convenience and charm.

Hitting the Road — When to Ride, When to Drive

One of the things that makes Burbank shine for a bit of urban exploration is that you don’t always have to burn rubber. The city offers practical transit options — bus and rail — that let you ebb and flow into downtown L.A. without the hassle of traffic that transforms a twelve mile drive into a 45 minute madenning adventure.

Using public transport for downtown loops or coastal jaunts makes Burbank ia perfect base camp. Enjoy diner breakfasts after a restful night at the Safari Inn and then let the rails become the portal for urban exploration.

Destination Burbank

On your next road trip, if you’re chasing neon lights, polished chrome, simple meals, and mid century charm, consider Burbank. This is a big city refuge, a snapshot of what co-cal road-trip America once was.

So escape the freeway. Grab a burger or enjoy a turkey dinner, let Burbank be the place where your map meets your story.