Solo Travel, L.A. Street Food, Olive Oil Tasting

Can it be more rewarding to explore the world by yourself from time to time? Absolutely, says Stephanie Rosenbloom, author of a new book called Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities and the Pleasures of Solitude. Rosenbloom, a New York Times staff writer, discusses the merits of solo travel with California Now Podcast Host Soterios Johnson, calling out a few key strategies for embracing this growing trend. (Pro tip: Don’t be shy about eating alone because nobody is watching you and judging.)

Also in this episode, Eater LA senior editor Farley Elliott lists his five favorite street food purveyors in Los Angeles, including the All Flavor No Grease food truck and Roy Choi’s pioneering Kogi BBQ. In the third and final segment, Thom Curry helps us understand California’s vibrant olive oil industry. The Temecula Olive Oil co-owner provides tips on tasting, offers up a proposed olive oil road trip itinerary, and shares a bit of historical context.  

Guests

• Stephanie Rosenbloom, a New York Times travel writer and the author of Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities and the Pleasures of Solitude
• Farley Elliott, senior editor for Eater LA and author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History from Tamaleros to Taco Trucks
• Thom Curry, co-owner of Temecula Olive Oil Co. 

Resources

Stephanie Rosenbloom explains the joys of solo travel, and offers a few strategies to get started.

• Book Crossing
• Sunset Blvd.
• Los Angeles, as a Pedestrian
• West Hollywood
• Crossroads of the World
• The Jim Henson Company
• Live Trekker 

Farley Elliott reveals his five favorite street food outposts in Los Angeles.

• All Flavor No Grease
• Moo’s Craft Barbecue
• Marisco’s Jalisco
• Guatemalan Street Market
• Kogi BBQ 

Thom Curry introduces listeners to the olive oil tasting experience in California.

• California Olive Oil Council
• History of olive oil in California
• Paso Robles
• Willow Creek Olive Oil
• Lodi
• Corto Olive Co.
• The Olive Press
• Corning
• Corning Olive Oil Co.
• Olive Pit

About the Host

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on radio station WNYC, moved from New York City to Davis, Calif., in 2016 and is just getting to know his surroundings. By combining his journalistic instincts with his personal curiosity, Johnson will use the California Now platform to develop a deeper understanding of his adopted home.