Finding Joy in Downtown L.A. Visits

Regarding the letter “Downtown Downer” (April 1): I can only hope the comment by writer Bonnie Ryan, describing downtown Los Angeles as “sterile and depressing,” was April Fool’s Day humor. I suspect it wasn’t.

Yes, there are sections of downtown L.A. that are depressing--skid row.

What you missed was the Music Center, with the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Even without a ticket, just being in that area, surrounded by art, the fountain and the variety of attire worn by L.A. residents, is lovely.

You also missed Chinatown and Little Tokyo, where you can get the best sushi in town.

There are the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bonaventure Hotel and the rotating lounge on top, with a 360-degree view of the city, Grand Central Market (awesome cheese and everything else), Pershing Square, the Children’s Museum, the Jewelry District, the beautiful Union Station, Olvera Street and a lot of little, neat things that you have to stumble upon with an open mind.

ROBIN RUMACK

Los Angeles