A Three-Day, Three-Night Tour of Los Angeles
Produced by a 4th grader, a 7th grader, and an 8th grader in collaboration with ChatGPT
Hello everybody. My name is Peter Paccone, and I’m a San Marino high school social studies teacher with more than thirty years of teaching experience.
I’m also a Special Projects Tutor who, three weeks ago, was hired by the parents of Allfa C. (a 4th grader), Esther L. (a 7th grader), and Kate H., (an 8th grader) to teach the three how-to use ChatGPT to produce a three-day, three-night tour of Los Angeles that addresses several intriguing LA history-relating questions NOT typically addressed during most tours of the city.
Below are the LA history-relating questions that Allfa, Kate, and Esther’s tour will address:
- What dinosaurs once roamed Los Angeles?
- Where did Europeans first set foot in what is now Los Angeles?
- Did the Los Angeles Native Americans ever rebel against the Spanish missionaries?
- Was gold ever discovered in Los Angeles?
- Were whales ever hunted along the Los Angeles coast?
- Did the Japanese ever attack Los Angeles during World War II?
- What’s an example of Los Angeles at its worst?
To complete this work, Allfa, Kate, Esther, and I met for a week, from 1:00–5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
- The students started by asking ChatGPT to help them come up with a warm and welcoming message for the beginning of the tour. ChatGPT provided an initial draft, and then the students reworked it to make it sound more student-like and suitable for the tour the students had in mind.
- Next, the students plugged each of the historical questions into ChatGPT. In turn, ChatGPT provided a response based on its training and knowledge. However, to ensure accuracy, the students took an extra step. They independently searched the internet to verify the facts and find additional information related to each question. In two cases, they even contacted experts by phone to obtain reliable and expert opinions.
- Once the students had gathered the answers and information from ChatGPT, as well as their independent research, they focused on how to present this historical information to the tour participants. They wanted to make it engaging and captivating for the LA history buffs on the tour. To assist them, they asked ChatGPT for suggestions on several good places where they could deliver the answers and explanations. ChatGPT provided recommendations based on its knowledge and understanding. The students then reworked these responses to match their own voice and style, ensuring that the presentation would be informative and interesting.
- To provide a well-rounded experience for the tour participants, the students also sought recommendations for places to eat and stay overnight in Los Angeles. They asked ChatGPT for suggestions on suitable dining options and accommodations. ChatGPT generated recommendations.
- Last but not least, the students turned to ChatGPT for assistance in creating a tour package price breakdown. This required that the students provide ChatGPT with information about the duration of the tour, the inclusions and activities, as well as the estimated costs of various elements such as transportation, meals, accommodations, and any additional attractions. ChatGPT then helped the students generate a breakdown of the pricing structure.
For a more comprehensive understanding of what Allfa, Kate, and Esther’s innovative, history-oriented tour will entail, please refer to the information appearing below.
Overview
Allfa, Esther, and Kate propose that Titan Travel charge $4,000 per person for this exclusive tour. This fee is designed to cover a variety of expenses.
Included in the tour package are three nights in the Biltmore, the Chateua Marmont, and the Hotel Figeroa. A daily food allowance of $100 per person is also provided. The fee also covers costs related to bus travel and insurance.
Additionally, all other logical costs incurred during the tour are covered, with the exception of transportation to and from Los Angeles.
Moreover, the fee also includes the costs associated with various activities and excursions that form part of the tour itinerary.
The two most costly activities are the Cabrillo Beach Landing Reenactment and the gold panning experience.
The Cabrillo Beach Landing Reenactment is a significant and elaborate activity that recreates the historic landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States. This reenactment involves detailed costumes, props, and a carefully choreographed performance. Due to the intricate nature of this activity, it requires additional resources and manpower, contributing to its higher cost.
The gold panning activity is another highlight of the tour, offering participants the opportunity to experience the excitement of searching for gold. Each participant is provided with a pan and a large sleuth box, which allows them to sift through sand and gravel in search of faux gold nuggets. The faux gold they find can be exchanged for money that can be used to purchase refreshments like coffee, cake, cookies, and other items. The cost of providing the necessary equipment, managing the activity, and exchanging the faux gold for money contributes to its relatively higher cost compared to other tour activities..
Please note that any personal expenses, such as souvenirs or extra snacks, are not covered by the tour price. Also, if participants choose to take part in any optional activities that are not part of the official itinerary, they will need to pay for these themselves.
Friday: 9:30 AM (Bus Boarding / LAX)
The tour begins with ten-to-twenty LA history buffs boarding a Titan Travel tour bus parked at Los Angeles International Airport, Lot C.
Shortly after all of the tour-going LA history buffs have boarded the bus and settled comfortably into their seats, Tour Guide Esther L., while standing at the front of the bus and over the bus’ public address system, will say the following.
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests of Titan Travel, a warm welcome to each and every one of you! My name is Esther L, and I am absolutely thrilled to lead you on this exciting and informative three-day, three night attempt to answer several super cool and intriguing questions relating to the history of LA not typically addressed during most tours of the city.
Our first stop — the world-famous La Brea Tar Pits.
Once there, I want you to walk to a bridge overlooking the tar pit and easily viewable from the tour bus. It’s the tar pit that features three wooly mammoths, with one partially submerged in the sticky tar.
Once we’re all gathered at the spot I’m directing you too, I’ll answer the first of our super cool and intriguing questions — with that question being “what dinosaurs once roamed in Los Angeles.”
Tour Guide Esther L. will then show the tour-going history buffs her Ipad, with a photo of the called-for gathering spot.
Friday 10:00 AM (La Brea Tar Pits)
At 10:00 AM and shortly after the tour-going history buffs have gathered at the bridge overlooking the tar pit featuring three woolly mammoths, the Tour Guide Esther L., using the content found on the slide below, will answer the question of what dinosaurs once roamed in Los Angeles.
Tour Guide Esther L. will then show the history buffs a picture of an ichthyosaur and a plesiosaur on her iPad.
Tour Guide Esther L. will then say;
“Now that you have at least some idea of what creatures once roamed Los Angeles, I want you to fully immerse yourselves in the wonders of the La Brea Tar Pits. Over the next 90 minutes or so, I encourage you to explore the tar pits and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum in an attempt to discover what else you can learn about life in Los Angeles many years ago. Take your time, observe the fossils, and engage with the interactive displays to gain a deeper understanding of the prehistoric world that once existed right beneath your feet. Just keep in mind that at 12:00, we will reconvene at the bus for a short ride to Pinks. That’s where we will have lunch.
Friday 12:00 AM (Pinks)
Shortly before the tour bus arrives at Pinks, Tour Guide Allfa C. will say the following:
For those of you who don’t know, Pinks is basically a super popular place that sells these really yummy hot dogs, and it has a lot of customers. I would eat the Philly Cheesesteak, and this is a recommendation, by the way. I wouldn’t eat the Lord of the Rings because (1) it has onions on it, and (2) it has this suspicious brown mush on it.
After lunch and when the tour-goers are again comfortably seated in the bus, Tour Guide Kate H. will say: “Our next stop is Placerita Canyon State Park.”
Friday: 2:00 AM (Placerita Canyon State Park)
As the tour bus pulls into Placerita Canyon State Park, Tour Guide Kate H. will say:
Hey all, we’re here, Placerita Canyon State Park, the very location where gold was discovered in Los Angeles. So, for those wondering if gold was ever discovered in Los Angeles, the answer is a resounding yes. This discovery was made in the stream located just a few yards from where we’re about to park.
This site is situated in the Santa Clarita Valley, a mere hour’s drive north of downtown Los Angeles. The park spans over 350 acres, and is admired for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and, as I’ve already mentioned, for being the site of California’s first documented gold discovery in 1842. This significant event occurred almost six years before the start of the famed California Gold Rush.
Back then, the vast landscapes of Placerita Canyon remained untamed by civilization. It was within these tranquil surroundings that Francisco Lopez, a local rancher, found the first traces of gold. This momentous discovery set off a wave of excitement, inciting a mini Gold Rush.
While you explore Placerita Canyon State Park, feel free to roam the very grounds where history was made, miners labored, and dreams took shape.
After an hour or so, please return to the bus. We have a truly special treat awaiting you: the opportunity to try your hand at panning for gold, much like the bold pioneers who preceded us here in 1842.
At the bus, our guides will provide you with a gold pan, a shovel, and also a large sluice box, but before you venture to the stream, I must share a secret with you. In order to augment your experience, we’ve sprinkled the creek with some carefully crafted fake gold nuggets. While these nuggets may not carry monetary value, they encapsulate the spirit of the Gold Rush and will serve as a fun memento from your visit to Placerita Canyon State Park. You’ll have an hour to pan and/or sleuth for “gold”.
Then at 4:00 PM, I kindly request that you return to the bus. Waiting for you there will be an individual dressed in attire reminiscent of the 1840s. They will be seated at a table located in front of the bus, with a gold-weighing-scale appearing in front of them. Your task will be to present any gold you have discovered during your panning experience to this individual. They in turn will carefully weigh the gold and provide you with some amount of money. You are free to utilize this money as you please, but we highly recommend visiting the picnic area where you can purchase with the money you’ve made a cup of coffee, some cookies, and perhaps even a slice of cake. I delightful way to conclude your visit to Placerita Canyon State Park, no?
At 4:00 PM, when the tour-goers have returned to the tour bus and are again comfortably seated, Tour Guide Allfa C., in an enthusiastic tone, will say:
Hey everyone! It’s good to see you back here on the bus. I bet all that energy you used searching for gold hunting has made your tummies rumble. Well, if that’s the case, we’re about to solve that problem because we’re heading to dinner now. Hope you’re in the mood for Mexican food, because we’re now headed to the El Paseo Inn on Olvera Street in Downtown LA.
Friday: 6:00 PM (El Paseo De Los Angeles)
As the bus pulls into the El Paseo De Los Angeles parking lot, Tour Guide Allfa C. will say:
Hey folks, we’re here. Time for dinner. Personally, I’m starving, so I will order a New York Steak because I’m more of a meat fan, but some of you might like seafood more. If so, there’s Salmón Tropical and a Shrimp Cocktail. I don’t really like seafood personally. For desert, you might want to try the Fried Ice Cream. I have never had Fried Ice Cream, but I do not think it would be good.
Friday: 8:00 PM (Hotel Figuroa)
After dining at El Paseo, the tour-going LA history buffs will check into the Hotel Figuroa for the evening. According to Tour Guide Kate H:
Hotel Figueroa in Downtown LA is not just a place to rest your head, but a significant monument in the city’s history. Opened in 1926 as a YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association), it served as an exclusive haven for single professional women seeking community and safety, a rarity during that era. Its architectural design is a testament to Spanish Colonial style, standing out amid the city’s evolving skyline. Over nearly a century, the hotel has borne witness to numerous cultural and historical events, thus making it an integral part of Los Angeles’ vibrant past. Today, while it still retains its classic charm, the Figueroa has been meticulously restored and transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel, seamlessly blending the past and present to offer guests a unique and immersive experience of LA’s rich history.
Saturday: 10:00 AM (Cabrillo Beach)
The day begins with the tour-going LA history buffs traveling to Cabrillo Beach.
Cabrillo Beach is located in the harbor area of Los Angeles and it’s about a 30-minute bus drive from the Hotel Figueroa.
Upon arrival, the history buffs will be directed to walk a short distance to the base of the statue of Juan Cabrillo.
When there, they will learn the answer to the question, “When did Europeans first set foot in what is now Los Angeles?”
This question will be answered by Tour Guide Allfa C. using the information found in the two slides appearing below:
The tour-going LA history buffs will then be directed to walk one hundred yards to the beach, the very spot where, some historians claim, Cabrillo’s boat first came ashore and, while there, they will be given a chance to view a thirty-minute reenactment of the Cabrillo Landing.
It will look something like this:
Saturday: 12:00 PM (Cafe Pacific a the Trump National)
In the words of Tour Guide Esther L.:
For lunch today, we are going to Cafe Pacific at the Trump National. Cafe Pacific is a very fancy restaurant and it looks like it has a lot of high-quality food. I would recommend the Wood Fire Grilled Prime Flat Iron Steak Salad because it has the food I love: beef, fried onions, and salad. I wouldn’t recommend the French Dip because it looks like it has a lot of gooey stuff in the bread. For those people who are wondering what kind of wine I recommend, I don’t recommend any wine because I DON’T DRINK. I am your tour guide but I am only 12!
Saturday: 2:00 AM (Point Vicente Interpretive Center)
Next, the history buffs will venture to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Located on the edge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Interpretive Center is a roughly 30-minute drive from Cabrillo Beach. Poised about 130 feet above sea level, the center commands a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.
Once there, they will learn the answer to the question, “Was the California Gray Whale ever hunted off of the Coast of Los Angeles?”
Tour Guide Kate H., using the content found in the following slide.
Saturday: 6:00 PM (Yamashiro)
For dinner, the tour-going history buffs will go to Yamashiro.
According to Tour Guide Kate H.:
Yamashiro’s on the plate today for dinner. Y’all should’ve heard of Yamashiro before ’cause it’s really famous. It’s a sushi place. What I would recommend is the Wagyu Beef Nigiri. Although it’s beef, it’s still served at Yamashiro. Vegan people, there are again two options for you. One is Wakame Seaweed Salad, and the other one is Farmer’s Market Salad.
Saturday: 8:00 PM (Chateau Marmont)
Says Tour Guide Esther L. after telling the tour-going history buffs that they will be overnight at Chateau Marmont:
Chateau Marmont is a historic hotel located on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Built in 1929, the hotel resembles a French castle and has been a popular celebrity destination since its establishment. It got its name from the French word “château,” which means castle, and it was built on Marmont Lane. With luxurious accommodations including rooms, suites, and private bungalows, Chateau Marmont has maintained its iconic status over the years. It has been featured in films, music videos, and books, making it a cultural landmark that attracts visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the captivating atmosphere of Old Hollywood glamor. I looked at the images of their hotel rooms and by the look of the design, it looks very fancy, especially the suites and the bungalows. The suites look very nice and the bungalows look very comfortable. I wouldn’t recommend the restaurants based on the reviews. The people who give “1 star” to the reviews all complain about the restaurant. According to them, the food and the service are not the best. Besides that, I think Chateau Marmont is a great place to stay.
Sunday: 10:00 AM (Fort MacArthur)
Sunday: 12:00 PM (Philippe’s )
On this day, the history buffs will have lunch at Philippe’s. Here’s how Tour Guide Allfa C. plans to inform the tour-goers over a microphone from the front of the tour bus
So, for lunch today, we are going to Phillipe’s. Phillipe’s is this place that has French-Dipped sandwiches. If I were to recommend something, I would recommend the Beef Dip Sandwich with Extra American Cheese and Extra Beef. That would cost $15.03. For those of you that are vegan, there are two salads. One is Garden Salad, and the other one is Caesar Salad.
Sunday: 2:00 PM (Chinese American Museum)
Next, the history buffs will head to the Chinese American Museum. The first thing they will do there is learn the answer to the question “What is a good example of Los Angeles at its worst?” In this regard, they will learn about the 1871 DTLA Chinese Massacre, with a description of what took place appearing below, according to Tour Guide Kate H.
Sunday: 4:00 PM (San Gabriel Mission)
Next up, the history buffs will travel to the San Gabriel Mission to learn the answer to the question “Did the Los Angeles Native Americans ever rebel against the Spanish missionaries?
Here are the notes Esther L., created to help her answer the question.
Sunday: 6:00 PM (Grand Central Market)
Dinner on Sunday will be at the Grand Central Market, which according to Tour Guide Allfa C can be described this way:
Sunday: 8:00 PM (Biltmore)
The tour-going history buffs' last night will be spent at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, which, according to Tour Guide Kate H. is a place:
. . . where history, luxury, and Hollywood glamour collide. Built in 1923, this iconic establishment quickly became the playground of the city’s elite, hosting high-profile events and gracing the silver screen. With its magnificent Beaux-Arts architecture and timeless charm, the Biltmore is a symbol for luxury. From serving as the headquarters of the 1960 Democratic National Convention to its role as a temporary residence during World War II, it stands as a cultural legacy and symbol of elegance in Los Angeles.
Sidenote #1: Tour Package Price Breakdown
Friday:
- La Brea Tar Pits: $20 per person
- Lunch at Pink’s: $20 per person
- Placerita Canyon State Park (with reenactment actors and gold panning materials): $300
- Dinner at El Paseo Inn: $40 per person
- Accommodation at Hotel Figueroa: $300 per night
- Transportation (Bus and Driver/Guide): $800 per day
Saturday:
- Cabrillo Beach: Free
- Lunch at Cafe Pacific: $40 per person
- Point Vicente Interpretive Center (with reenactment actors): $300
- Dinner at Yamashiro: $70 per person
- Accommodation at Chateau Marmont: $500 per night
- Transportation (Bus and Driver/Guide): $800 per day
Sunday:
- Fort MacArthur: Free
- Lunch at The Original Pantry Cafe: $20 per person
- Chinese American Museum: $10 per person
- Dinner at Grand Central Market: $30 per person
- Accommodation at Biltmore Hotel: $300 per night
- Transportation (Bus and Driver/Guide): $800 per day
Additional Expenses:
- Reenactment actors at Placerita Canyon State Park: $300
- Reenactment actors at Point Vicente Interpretive Center: $300
- Considering a larger group size and assuming 10 participants for the tour, the total cost for the upper limit estimate would be:
Sidenote #2: Tour Package Total Cost
$4,950 per person, but because Titan Travel is feeling generous, it’s only charging 4,500.00 (a 10% discount).
