Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky, cool, and nostalgic travel across the U.S.—from movie filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions and pop culture museums.
If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, or a roadside diner from your favorite TV show, this podcast is for you.
Every other week, I’ll take you behind the scenes of iconic and offbeat destinations, sharing their history, stories, and the fun details. Along the way, we’ll dive into theme parks, explore quirky museums, and uncover the real places behind your favorite movies and shows.
I'm Beth Schillaci—aka the Roaming Yeti. I’m a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and obsessive road trip planner who somehow turns an 8-hour drive into a 21-stop itinerary (because you never know what you’ll find). I’m also the creator of the Quirky & Cool Travel Guide, a curated directory of unique U.S. destinations, and I share even more travel stories and pop culture finds on The Roaming Yeti Blog.
Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who thrives on deep dives, unique finds, and laughter-filled road trips.
Grab your Pop Culture Passport—let’s roam.
Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Echo Park: LA’s Hidden Hollywood Backlot (and the Real Echo Lake)
Episode 119
What do swan boats, silent films, and a rack of vintage Disney clothes have in common?
They’re all part of the story in LA’s Echo Park—a neighborhood with deep Hollywood roots and a laid-back creative spirit.
In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we take a walk around Echo Park Lake, dive into its surprising film history, and share what it’s like to explore the area today.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- The real-life inspiration behind Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios
- Echo Park’s surprising role in early moviemaking (before Hollywood took over)
- Famous filming locations, from Fast & Furious to Chinatown
- My favorite finds from vintage shops to peaceful goose encounters
Whether you’re a history buff, set-jetting fan, or just craving a neighborhood with chill LA vibes, Echo Park might be your new favorite stop.
You ready? Let’s roam.
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