After delighting busloads of people with tales of LA's dark and twisted history, the 1947project Crime Bus decided it needed room to expand its tour repertoire. So, like so many others who have come to LA seeking fame and fortune, it changed its name.

The 1947project started out as a blog dedicated to exploring criminal life in Los Angeles circa 1947; soon the site's founders, Kim Cooper and Nathan Marsak, took the project into the non-virtual world, and thus the 1947project's Crime Bus Tours were born. The tours explore the shady sides of Pasadena and Downtown, the true story behind the infamous Black Dahlia murder, the weird side of West Adams, and the San Gabriel Valley's ghastliest murder spots (and best Chinese dumplings). Less creepy tour additions led by Richard Schave, Kelly Kuvo and Domenic Priore include "John Fante's Bunker Hill," a celebration of the seedy, down-and-out places made famous by the author; "Riot on the Sunset Strip," which recounts LA's storied rock history by highlighting spots made famous by the Beach Boys, The Byrds and Phil Spector; and "Raymond Chandler's LA," an exploration of the author's Downtown and Hollywood haunts. Our fave, though, is the Black Dahlia, complete with conspiracy theories involving crazed lesbians, a visit to what was Elizabeth Short's gynecologist's office, and a stop at Hollywood gelato shop Scoops, where owner Tai Kim concocts Dahlia inspired flavors. Lucky tour-goers get to hear Marsak's own personal theory on who killed the Black Dahlia, which involves L. Ron Hubbard, Hitler and hydrogen bombs. —Elisa Jacobs