Driving Hilltop and Downtown Tacoma January 2022 | Proctor District + Ruston Way Waterfront ❄️ ☕️

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CAMERAS AND GEAR I USE FOR FILMING:
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DJI Osmo Pocket Creator Combo - amzn.to/3Rl2VBm
iPhone 12 Pro Max - amzn.to/3Kwe689
GoPro 10 - amzn.to/3CFX99n
GoPro 9 - amzn.to/3AXrWgw
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A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME…
My name is Dennis aka Lao Ocean (also aka Dr. Wtpho, but more about that later) and I'm a Lao American KZbinr based in Seattle, WA (since 1980). My videos and vlogs consist of Seattle and Pacific Northwest content, food and product reviews, and travel. I drink way too much coffee and eat pho 20PHO7!A Narrated driving/ride along video of Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood and Downtown Tacoma. This was filmed before and as well as after my walking tour video of downtown Tacoma which I posted prior to this video. Here's the link to that video: • Exploring Downtown Tac...
In this video, the drive begins a little after 8:00 AM in the Hilltop neighborhood. I immediately search for coffee and try to find a coffee shop without looking looking online. After a failed attempt, I look online and discover there's a Starbucks open by the University of Washington Tacoma Campus (on Pacific Ave).
I drive to that Starbucks and as I'm about to enter the shop I notice there's an Anthem Coffee shop across the street by the museum and Union Station (United States Courthouse). The coffee shop was open! This is where the walking video begins.
Two and a half hours later (a little past noon) the video picks back up again in Proctor District (after brunch a Waffle Stop... chicken and waffle - DELICIOUS!). From there I head to Ruston Way Waterfront to find that Chinese Reconciliation Park was closed. I decide to hop on Schuster Parkway and go back to Downtown Tacoma and visit Firefighters' Park. At the park, I hop out of my car for a quick stroll and show you the view from the park.
Hope you enjoy the video. Please smash the Like video if you do and Share the video if you don't. See you soon! PEACE! ✌️
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CAMERAS AND GEAR I USE FOR FILMING:
CAMERAS
DJI Osmo Pocket Creator Combo - amzn.to/3Rl2VBm
iPhone 12 Pro Max - amzn.to/3Kwe689
GoPro 10 - amzn.to/3CFX99n
GoPro 9 - amzn.to/3AXrWgw
Sony ZV1 - amzn.to/3QZO3J0
Sony A7C - amzn.to/3TqbrRt
Sony A7III - amzn.to/3Ts93JQ
MICROPHONES
Rode Wireless Go 2 - amzn.to/3pRFp3d
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME…
My name is Dennis aka Lao Ocean (also aka Dr. Wtpho, but more about that later) and I'm a Lao American KZbinr based in Seattle, WA (since 1980). My videos and vlogs consist of Seattle and Pacific Northwest content, food and product reviews, and travel. I drink way too much coffee and eat pho 20PHO7!

[@stevenoliver7613]

Great video. Tacoma has come a long way. Still in a lot of places there is a bleakness for reasons I can’t put my finger on. Maybe it’s the lack of tree cover in several neighborhoods compared to Seattle. I’m glad to hear about the light rail project. Years ago I taught a class for Antioch Seattle at a high school in Tacoma and getting back to Seattle by bus was quite an adventure. Still I miss all of it and hope to move back. Be well!!!!!

[@LaoOcean]

Please Smash the Like button if you like video. If you don't like the video, go ahead and Share it. 🤓 Here's the link to the walking adventure video that took halfway into this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4TMlKeYmJqHkLc Hope you enjoy these driving/ride along videos! 🚙☕️🤓✌️

[@teddyrose1420]

I enjoy all your videos very much , thank you 🙏💕

[@LaoOcean]

@@teddyrose1420 Thank you!

[@beautifulfouse]

I grew up in Tacoma, starting at age four in 1959, went to Mary Lyon Elementary school, then to Stewart Junior High, then moved to Eugene. Tacoma is loaded with many things, was very industrious both in business and at the personal level. A very competitive city when I was there. We always had something to do, and that seemed to be the norm, no laziness but really enjoyed our free time.There was a huge parks and recreation program for all the kids, it was very good. It was a strict city, we were all quite friendly and law abiding, was a military environment as well, the Aircraft of all kinds and I remember fighter jets from McChord air base making very low passes over our play field at school and we loved that. What I remember the most is the quality of our public school system there, Stadium High School being ominous compared to anything here in Eugene. The only thing I remember in your video is Union Station, my Grand Mother would take the train from Seattle, and we would pick her up and she always insisted on going to Woolworths for Cherry pie. Thank you for the video, brought back so many sweet memories, I did not do a search, your video was on the home page so I just decided to take a look.

[@beautifulfouse]

@Solaris Byssell Hi thank you! I am 67.

[@LaoOcean]

Wow, thanks for sharing all these great memories!

[@collinmawhinney7707]

Just found your channel, my dad is lao born in Thailand and I was born and raised in Eastside Tacoma. Good to know there's some more of us around here.

[@LaoOcean]

Awesome! Thanks for watching! 👊

[@weisserth]

I loved watching this. Tacoma downtown still looks like Seattle used to look about 10 years ago. I will most certainly try to get there again soon for photography. Your video gave me some ideas.

[@LaoOcean]

Great photo places for sure

[@justinsmith2382]

manifesto in hilltop is your Sunday morning coffee spot for sure 🥲 just moved away and this is my new homesick go-to. Thank you so much!

[@RichRawDawgdrums]

That snow and cold weather was no joke! Tacoma has a bad rep, but there are still many great people and nice places to see! Wow the roads there looked a lot more clear than out here in Frederickson! Thanks for sharing!

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for watching!

[@erictate3511]

Good video. You passed a coffee shop right when you turned off MLK onto 19th. You also could went down 23rd by the bus station and got coffee from lady bug coffee stand and they open very early in the morning.

[@isavikamila3260]

Great video! Let's see other neighborhoods of Tacoma such as the East Side, South side, UP.

[@moonbirchgrove]

I justed poured me a slow drip coffee and now enjoy this morning ride in Seattle with you! *TACOMA* that is!

[@LaoOcean]

☕️👍

[@WhereTheLocalsRoam]

I didn't realize the light rail was going to be extended that far south -- that's exciting for those of us without cars! I need to visit the glass bridge you showed us in the last video 👀

[@LaoOcean]

Glass bridge is amazing!

[@gi169]

Beautiful scenic drive Mr. Ocean. My time has been well spent enjoying your philosophy. Thank you.

[@calvinjefferson9061]

Tacoma seems less busy than Seattle. It is really good that Hilltop is improving.Thanks Dennis for the video.

[@calebatkinson6142]

It’s normally more busy but since it was snowing at the time of this video most ppl stayed in

[@charlesgomez4218]

Hello Lao,I'm on the East coast-NY I love my Coffee and there are plenty of service station, convenient store's and diner's!! On your drive around,I didn't see any diner's!! Thanks for the videos, Tacoma looks like a nice place, again thanks 👍👍

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for watching!

[@sheilawyatt9338]

I honestly Love Tacoma it may be the ghetto but so what it's home yk and also it'd be really cool if you could do more videos

[@thomasv3488]

I miss T-Town so much.. I raised my kids up there when it used to be crime ridden but now people fighting for property up there it's a shame that they were taking homes from people and now the rich a movie in after the the poor people kept the place and now the rich have taken over but it's a beautiful area I love it.. blessed continue with your videos I appreciate you God bless you I live in Florida I am moving back to the northwest Tacoma

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you for watching!

[@DeWin157]

Gentrification is a disgusting practice, they did the same in North Portland, all the POS hipsters and dot com filth drove out numerous generations old Minority families.

[@davidklippert7335]

I love your videos of Seattle or anywhere. Just so you know - Watched. (Ferndale area).

[@arcticthundergamer113]

all the years i lived in Washington and never went through Tacoma great video as always.

[@galleriecpv]

This is one of your most beautiful videos EVER :)

[@organicgreenpeace6360]

I really like your videos! Just moved away from Tacoma, more new bulletholes in the local mcdonalds menu followed by 7 in the encampment spiraling into the residential neighborhood and we just had to get the family out of there. Were fortunate to be able to after lots of patience. Hope it rebuilds and cleans up someday, I hear Tacoma has come a long way, definitely miss the convenience of close stores but not the drivers!

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you for watching!

[@dannytran6928]

never rebuilt because it’s a fuking trash city and democracy.

[@stewartsta1]

So cool. Be safe when showing us these cool places.

[@larryjurkovskis4612]

The Realto used to be one of the Three downtown Movie Theaters, went to it a lot of times in my Younger Days.💪🗽💪🇺🇸✊

[@ikaika0023]

Right next to my apartment! Awesome video

[@christineblue876]

I live in Idaho, now but my kids grew up on hill top ... it was really nice to see Tacoma.. ty give us more videos of Tacoma..

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for watching and will try to make more videos!

[@UncleMikeMike253]

I grew up in chocolate city / lakewood. love my town so much I'm coming home..

[@sunspower2]

Dennis: I love your sense of humor and good energy!

[@JohnDoe-pf6qp]

As much as I don't like to actually people, SoDo means south of the dome. Referring, of course, to the King Dome that hasn't been there for decades.

[@LaoOcean]

I appreciate this. I had it reversed. Last time I said south of dome in a video someone corrected me by saying it meant south of downtown, but you are correct and thanks! 👍

[@joecantrell7489]

SoDo is an acronym for South Downtown

[@JohnDoe-pf6qp]

@@joecantrell7489 Pioneer square is south of downtown, does that mean PS is part of SoDo? I get why some people are pushing that as the King Dome hasn't existed in decades. But the reality is SoDo means south of the dome and refers to the light industrial area south of where the King Dome once stood.

[@Prettylaydeeee]

I’m from Tacoma (Hilltop), to be specific, I know my city like the bacc of my hand LOL and watching this video of u trying to find a place for coffee just irked me cause u passed by sooooo many freakin coffee shops 🤬🥴😩🤣🤦🏽‍♀️ great video tho.

[@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005]

I can smell the tide flats from here.

[@LaoOcean]

😂

[@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005]

It was even better when the paper plant or whatever it was , was in Ruston. Man that and the tide flats together were gnarly.

[@PLANETAWESOMER]

Try the Pacific Northwest Shop in proctor ! They have only pnw based items and a ton of Tacoma made products

[@LaoOcean]

Ooh thanks will have to visit!

[@tommytacoma8247]

The Totem pole was in that spot . Procter district is awesome ! Love Tacoma !

[@LaoOcean]

Oh yeah that’s right - totem pole!

[@tommytacoma8247]

@@LaoOcean The views before the fence went in were great ! Point Ruston is pretty cool ! Thanks for your time to make great content !

[@LaoOcean]

@@tommytacoma8247 Thanks for watching!

[@erictate3511]

And anthem coffee is the shop that makes the art on the coffee I believe

[@dalenaparks1489]

I have lived here all my life so it was nice to see you go driving around and I didn’t have to just so I can sightsee. Many changes isn’t there? One of ways are no longer one Way streets are named different, anyways thank you so much and if you want to coffee stand you need to go to Love U Latte on 106th and Pacific Avenue really nice place coffee is good and made with love and you just may see me❤️‍🩹

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you for watching!

[@Sicklysweetvenom]

I love that drive. I have to go to St. Joe's and work. I can't wait for the link rail to be honest Also, that coffee hut/house in the parking lot across the street from Ezelle's is AMAZING

[@abbylynn8872]

Thanks for the tip. I frequently take the bus to Tacoma from Seattle so I'll add it to my list

[@time808]

Nice video...glad you found Waffle Stop...Id suggest Corina near Opera Alley...

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for watching

[@Joe-eg7ml]

U just past a coffee stand when u took a right... lol. Its open neon sign was on.

[@ivetteb8364]

Thanks sharing nice view 🌨❄️😷

[@obryan240]

Home sweet home

[@nickhubbard3671]

Good tour Mr Dennis! sok dii

[@erickajorgensen2543]

Valhalla is the best roaster/coffee in Tacoma. Also North Slope Coffee at Stadium Thriftway. For photography try outside Museum of Glass, Wright Park, Point Defiance

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you for this invaluable info! ☕️🙌🏼

[@DeWin157]

Any donut shop should be open, even a 7-11 is good for a quick coffee fix, or for me, hot cocoa.

[@alexking7981]

That coffee shop was called B Sharp. Now it’s a tiki bar called Devil’s reef. Very good drinks and vibe.

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for this info! Will have to visit!

[@TT_in_the_253]

There was a Starbucks at the bottom of that hill on Pacific and 15th. Not that its great coffee but it's there.

[@C3YDi]

Hilltop ❤️❤️

[@NiueanHoney]

Can you take us to Olympia and Aberdeen

[@samanthaporter6662]

Hill Top is improving, but there are hundreds of tents under the overpass by the Greyhound.... Very sad sight today!

[@maccmoses]

I lived on 21st And Cushman,33rd and Cushman on little Hilltop both in the late 80s till early 2000s. I sold Crack on 8th and I back when you could make money,I only did it cause I was to young to work and both my parents were Heroin junkies and It was up to me to get food and clothes. Its crazy to think I made it without ever going to prison,I made it out when most of my friends didnt,so many died,some doing life,others are junkies,i made it though,dont know why,dont know how but I made it. I have 3 beautiful kids a beautiful wife for almost 20 Years that helped me make it. I paid alot of dues,spent alotta weeks in Jail,been shot,robbed got hooked on Meth for a while,ended up homeless in my late 20s and some how found my way out. Iam so Thankful. I dont know why I shared all this,seeing this just brought up alotta shit.

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you for sharing your memories and experience on here. I appreciate it!

[@LisaRaven1682]

Aww my neighborhood looks beautiful.

[@capitoloneonine4026]

Lao, lotta Japanese vids are going asmr on the tourist videos. Talking or not, do whats best for you, we love it all. I got my Tom Bihn and Nalgene, landing Thurs.

[@LaoOcean]

Thank you!

[@littlesliver7354]

Opera alley

[@LisaRaven1682]

I hope the link rail does go to Seattle and goes through my neighborhood. I would like to see a few things in Seattle. My hubby and I hate driving in Seattle.

[@Tomdelongpenis]

Just park at the dome the bus is cheaper than gas and you let the bus driver do the work

[@everydaywithjesus_365]

You should have drove down the waterfront to show all the restaurants and condos. It’s come a long way.

[@LaoOcean]

I’ll be baaaaack.

[@skywarrior77]

Wow, it’s been awhile since I’ve been out there. How times change.

[@vidamace6230]

City of Tacoma residents let’s get involved helping people to find permanent shelter, I have the will if you have a way😢

[@nightsspell368]

[@Cowboynudes]

Know of any good Thai restaurants in Tacoma? I moved here from Fairbanks, Alaska which surprisingly has THE best Thai food I’ve ever had.

[@monetschannel5773]

😎

[@chellib3533]

Anthem, Blue Beards and Valhalla are all open on Sunday 😃

[@marchboy]

Have you tried The Flora Bakehouse? They got some good croissants.

[@LaoOcean]

No and will have to try

[@marchboy]

@@LaoOcean yooo. You gotta do a vid reviewing the chicken wings from the shell gas station and walk to flora 😂

[@lowellirish]

Fieefighters Park...not Fires park. They took down the totem pole?! No gazebo!! WTF?

[@colyer253]

Love the video! Tacoma is always home if you don’t mind what camera was you using ?

[@LaoOcean]

Used GoPro 9 for this particular video.

[@Chamorropinoyboi]

TACOMA= GHETTO 🙌🙌

[@lowellirish]

I forgot about the university bookstore starbucks...

[@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005]

I would love to see what gig harbor looks like now. Moved to Houston about 8 years ago. Go out to thr 884 and stop in Lakebay at lulu's.

[@its_anarrah]

I'm 25 and have lived in gh my whole life, it's expanding like crazy 😭 another uptown development put behind the dairy queen, traffic is awful because so many ppl moving here but roads are the same. Mazes and mazes of cookie cutter houses between harbor ridge and Burnham. Good thing is there's more diversity, which is something I had a hard time dealing with when I was in high school (also about 7-8 yrs ago)

[@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005]

@@its_anarrah when I moved to the harbor there was one stop light in town 😁

[@its_anarrah]

@@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005 that's what my dad tells me as well! Crazy to think about now!

[@jamesbaxterandthebeachball7005]

@@its_anarrah we used to go out to thr 884 to party cause it was like the wild west out there. Literally no cops , car accidents every weekend on 302 .u could tell how wild a weekend it was by how many cars were in diches and in the trees. The tides tavern was the party spot. I worked there for a couple of years. Wasn't a good night unless there was a huge brawl .

[@dontme5670]

I worked in gig harbor like 8 years ago with my pops straight outta highschool. I liked it there nice and quiet.

[@feonjun]

What the Pho? I was thinking about doing this type of video after I get my shot in a week. Nice work. I personally don't like Lao because they're Lousy group of people (LOL). J/K.

[@LaoOcean]

😂

[@J-man1017]

I'm on 47 Ferdinand u should come thks way bro go to PT d or the whole water front

[@lowellirish]

Cafe D'arte

[@tuckerparsons9182]

That is not a light rail track…. That’s for the little Tacoma trams

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for clarify.

[@candismith4080]

I have always heard that the Hilltop area of Tacoma is crime ridden...is that still true Dennis?

[@LaoOcean]

It’s known as many as the “hood.”

[@andresloredo6428]

HTCG 23 cuz

[@rez3762]

Is Hilltop area safe now?

[@paulawarwick4905]

No it is not, we moved out of the eastside 6 months ago.

[@rez3762]

@@paulawarwick4905 Is it better than it used to be? Or is violent crime still a big issue

[@paulawarwick4905]

@@rez3762 When we left we had a shooting on our street and a separate incident a month later where a guy was kicking the crap out of "his employee" right in front of our house. We weren't in Hilltop but off Portland Ave close to I-5. The crime in Tacoma is better than it was in the 70's and 80's (so I have been told), but the homeless problem is off the charts on the Eastside and Hilltop, and alot of things that used to be done in the cover of night were just being done openly during the day, crime-wise. It's not as bad as Midwest ghettos but it's not a place to raise a family, which is why we left.

[@arcticthundergamer113]

Bro to much Starbucks lately

[@LaoOcean]

😂

[@hayvenmoses7352]

You wouldnt go up there in the 90s

[@LaoOcean]

You are right.

[@J-man1017]

Lol ur right ur in hilltop the absolute top can't consider MLK or anything east the hill

[@lowellirish]

Take a Left, take a right...Starbucks on the left on Broadway...failing that? Hit I-5 South, get off at the exit by Eagle leather, take a right, next left..."cowgirls up" on the left, next to the porn shop, 🤣🤣🤣....

[@lowellirish]

Theres where I got in a fight with 2 black kids.

[@sassy7506]

Tacoma, overall, is a crime ridden dump with a couple small pockets of nice areas. I know because I lived there. Even the 'nice' neighborhoods have high crime due to people targeting hard working folks . We joked about them stealing anything that isn't cemented down. It's true. You can't even grocery shop without someone coming to your car window asking for money. It's a Democrats dream, Tacoma.