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GRAND TOUR

How to spend an afternoon with Mom

Mom Tour

How many times have you had a VIP guest coming to town--okay, your mom--but don't know what to do with her?

Relax! We got advice from international tour guide Anne Block, head of Take My Mother* Please. Block suggests regaling Ma with an afternoon walking tour through downtown L.A.--and hitting up three surprising places while you're there. Here, the agenda:

1. Get your panoramic view out of the way first--from the Blue Ribbon Garden atop the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Spend about 45 minutes admiring the curves of the Frank Gehry building's stainless-steel construction, the Delft porcelain-covered fountain also designed by Gehry and the views that span all the way to the Hollywood sign.

2. Next, walk up Grand Avenue to a fountain meant for wading (and watery dance troupes). The randomly spurting, burbling Grand Park centerpiece will entertain Mom, and she'll be wowed by the Pepto-Bismol-pink lawn furniture, native plantings and up-close-and-personal view of City Hall.

3. Finally, head back down Grand to end your walk at a quiet long pool behind Moca and the Omni hotel. Have a rest under shady magnolia trees and think about dinner--a French onion soup and a glass of wine at nearby Kendall's Brasserie, perhaps.

Kendall's Brasserie, 135 N. Grand Ave.; 213-972-7322 orpatinagroup.com