Guide to Spiritual L. A.

This book is a gem. It was a fun, fast read through the wonder-land of Los Angeles spiritual resources.

I have lived in Southern California (various locales in Los Angeles and San Diego), so many of the places and people were familiar, and yet there is a wealth of information in this book that was new to me. If I ever get to travel back to the area, I will definitely use this guide to plan my trip. I’m a bit envious of the research the author put into tracking down the sites and the historical references…what an entertaining and informative way to invest time and energy while offering a service to others of like mind.

I greatly appreciate the author’s style and approach. She covers the spiritual landscape with an open mind, honoring the variety of philosophies and organizations while being honest about some of the shenanigans done in the name of spirituality. She hits the right note between reverence and light-hearted humor.

The book is well-organized, including suggested day trips and “Top Ten” listings ranging from bookstores to meditation gardens to vortexes to scandals. The photography is top-notch – beautifully capturing the allure of Los Angeles and providing visual images for the locations described in print.

I warmly recommend this book to those who enjoy exploring a spiritual path. Even if you are not familiar with Los Angeles and never get to visit, I think you’ll enjoy what is quintessentially L.A…especially when we could all use a break from the pandemic and all its effects.

My thanks to the author, Green Tara Press, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads and Amazon accounts.

This book is a wonderful collection of spiritual sites that can be found around Los Angeles in California. It covers many different beliefs including Native Americans, Christians, Scientologists, Hare Krishnas, through to some of the darker sides of life, the Occult, and even UFOs.

Each spiritual site is described with a full history and interesting stories surrounding the location and its followers. Addresses are provided and many entries have gorgeous photos.

The book also details days out from Los Angeles to more spiritual sites including Salvation Mountain/Salton Sea, Joshua Tree, and Santa Barbara. At the back of the book there is a comprehensive list of places to find more spiritual information from bookshops, movies, and YouTube documentaries.

It is written in a light personal way that is easy to read and understand. It’s by no means preachy, this is an information book for those who are looking for difference places to visit or learn about. It’s a fascinating read.

I read this on Kindle, but I bet it makes a superb paperback or hardback.