Archive for May 2007

The Getty Villa in Malibu reopened recently after undergoing a huge renovation which began in 1997 (the collection was relocated to the Getty Center in Brentwood). Nine years and $275 million dollars later, the Getty Villa is better than even – housing an impressive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. If you’ve visited the Getty Villa in the past, or at least before the renovation began, you’ll notice that quite a few changes have been made. Although most of the Getty Villa was rebuilt, the original Roman-inspired architecture and gardens have been preserved.

Admission

Admission to the Getty Villa is free but there is an $8 fee for parking. The fee is good for one car or motorcycle. An advance timed ticket is required for entry and you can obtain it in one of two ways:

By Phone: You can make reservations over the phone by calling (310) 440-7300

Online: Tickets can be reserved online through the Getty Villa website: Reservations

Getting Here

The Getty Villa is located along Pacific Coast Highway in the Pacific Palisades. In order to access the Villa, you must enter from the northbound right-hand lane of PCH.

Trying to figure out where to have a picnic? Look no further. As you drive along Temescal Canyon Rd in the Pacific Palisades, you’ll notice about a dozen areas on both sides of the street that are a perfect for that afternoon picnic (not to be confused with Temescal Canyon Park). There is plenty of green space for a traditional picnic on the grass, or if you’d rather sit down at a table, each area also has a picnic shelter. It’s usually pretty busy on warm Sunday afternoons, so just keep that in mind if you’re looking for some quiet time.

If you want to make a day out of it, bring a kite or frisbee along for some fun after your picnic. You can also head down to Will Rogers State Beach which is only a few blocks away (depending on how far up you are along Temescal Canyon Rd). Once you’re there, you can go rollerblading, bike riding, or just take a casual stroll along the beach.

Getting There

Getting to Temescal Canyon is extremely easy. Simply take PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to Temescal Canyon Road and make a right. Alternatively, you can travel westbound along Sunset Blvd until you reach Temescal Canyon Road and then make a left. You can park your car right on the street. Depending on how busy it is, you may have to park a little further from the site and then do a little walking.

Just in case, here's a link to the directions

When: Sunday, May 6, 2007

Where: Facade, 6356 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Music: DJ Echo

Cost: Cover is usually $20/person

Additional Info: This Sunday it's all about high society at Facade Hollywood. There will also be a runway fashion show presented by Azzure Denim. To get on the guest list, visit Superstars VIP.

Since 1969, the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach has hosted over 2 million visitors coming to enjoy its scenic beauty and peaceful surroundings. The Nature Center is home to a variety of animal life, including coyotes, hawks and squirrels. As you step in to the Nature Center, you’ll be immediately drawn to it’s lush greenery – composed of Oak, Redwood, and Alder Tress.

The 102 acre nature center can be traversed by way of a paved trail, which is 1/4 mile in length, and/or a 2 mile dirt trail which winds around a pair of lakes. As you walk through the Nature Center, you will find dozens of peaceful spots where you can relax and simply take in all the beauty it has to offer. If it’s been an especially chaotic week, or you just need a quiet place think, swing by the El Dorado Nature Center for a few hours.

The Nature Center is also a fantastic location for a date, especially the first one. It’s a great place to talk and get to know each other without all the distractions you may find in the city.

When: Saturday, May 5, 2007

Where: The Highlands, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Music: DJ Rectangle

Cost: Cover is usually $20/person

Additional Info: Come celebrate Cinco De Mayo at The Highlands, located on the 4th Floor of the Hollywood & Highland Entertainment Complex. You must be 21 to enter and you should dress to impress. For guest list and bottle service, call 323-461-9800.

Opening to the public in December of 1996, the J. Paul Getty Museum houses an impressive collection of Western art dating back to the Middle Ages. Combined with remarkable architecture, lush gardens, and a spectacular view of the city, the Getty Museum provides a truly unique experience

Originally located in Malibu since 1974, the Getty Museum was moved to its current location in Brentwood; meanwhile, the Malibu location was renamed to Getty Villa. The current collection at the Getty Center includes European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts, and European and American photographs.

Getting There

The Getty Center is easy to find and it’s really hard to miss once you get close. If you take the 405, you’ll want to take the Getty Center Dr exit. If the 405 is congested, and it normally is, you can exit onto Sepulveda Blvd which runs parallel to the freeway. Once you park your car, you’ll have to take a short shuttle/tram ride up to the Museum.

Cost

Admission to the Getty Center is free and no reservations are required. The only cost you’ll incur is $8 for parking.

One of the best places to go bike riding in Los Angeles is along the South Bay Bicycle Trail. The paved bike trail is 22 miles in length and spans from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance County Beach. You will run into a few sections where you will have to take the city streets, but they are pretty short in length. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own bike; you’ll have the opportunity to one from a plethora of shops along the way.

If you’re looking for other places to go bike riding in your area, check out the following page: Local Bike Riding Spots

When: Friday, May 4, 2006 from 10pm to 2am

Where: The Arsenal, 12012 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Music: DJ Triumph

Cost: Free

Additional Info: The Arsenal is a fun neighborhood lounge/bar in West Los Angeles. There is no dress code and you must be 21 to enter. They offer valet parking but you can probably find a spot along Pico Blvd or a side street.

After undergoing a huge renovation, the Griffith Observatory reopened in late 2006. Located on the southern slope of Mt Hollywood, the Observatory first opened its doors to the public back in 1935; it was only the third Planetarium in the United States at the time. Since then, the Observatory has hosted tens of millions of visitors and has appeared in dozens of films - most notably, James Dean’s Rebel Without A Cause.

Closing for a long overdue renovation back in 2002 (67 years in the making), the Griffith Observatory reopened in November 2006. Four years and nearly $93 million dollars later, the Observatory was completely revamped and is now better than ever. Here are some of the changes/additions made:

Appearance: All elements of the building were completely renovated and restored to their original appearance.

Technology: The Observatory was fitted with state-of-the-art technology - including a new dome, star projector, digital laser projectors, and a sound system.

Size: Around 40,000 square feet of public space was added to the existing structure, including a multi-level exhibit, a new 200-seat theater, bookstore, and cafe.

Exhibits: The new program includes 60 brand new exhibits.

If you haven’t been to the Observatory for a while, well at least since the renovation began, you’ll notice that getting there has become a little more difficult.

Making Reservations / Purchasing Tickets:

With the overwhelming number of visitors coming to see the newly renovated Observatory, you will have to the make reservations on a timed-entry basis. You can make your reservation in one of three ways:

Make reservation online through the observatory website: Reservations

You can make your reservation over the phone with an operator by calling 1-888-695-0888. Lines are open from 8am to 6pm and you will need to provide them with your credit card information.

You can make your reservation in person at the Griffith Observatory Satellite Parking Lot (we’ll be discussing parking next).

Getting To The Observatory

You can no longer drive up to the Observatory so you'll have to park in a designated area and take a shuttle up there. Here are the locations:

Hollywood & Highland

You can enter the structure from either Orange Ave or Highland Blvd and the cost of parking is $2 for up to 4 hours (this cost is not included in the admission). All shuttles to the Observatory leave from the Orange Court – the far west side of the complex on Level 2.

Griffith Observatory Satellite Parking Lot

The lot is located just south of the Los Angeles Zoo in eastern Griffith Park. The address is 4800 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90027.

Cost

Admission to the Griffith Observatory has always been free, but in order to cover the cost of the new reservation and shuttle system, a small fee will be charged temporarily.

General Admission: $8
Children (5-12): $4
Children (4 years and under): Free
Seniors: $4