When: Sunday, May 13, 2007
Where: Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Music: DJ Hideo
Cost: Cover is $5 if you arrive before 10:30pm...otherwise it's $8.
Additional Info: Come out to Temple Bar in Santa Monica and celebrate DJ Hideo's 40th Birthday (21 and over).
If you’re looking to enjoy a sunset/sunrise or just a view of the Pacific Coast during the day, there’s an ocean lookout in the Pacific Palisades where you can sit back and take it all in. The bluff has about a half dozen benches to choose from, or alternatively, you can park your car in the cul-de-sac and enjoy the view from there. Since it’s a residential neighborhood, you should do your best to keep the noise down.
Getting There
If you're traveling westbound along Sunset Blvd, you’ll want to make a left turn on El Medio Ave. Once you’re on El Medio Ave, simply drive all the way down till the road ends and park your car. If you take the Freeway, simply take PCH to Sunset Blvd and make a right. Once you reach El Medio Ave, you’ll want to make another right.
Just in case, here are the directions.
When: Friday, May 11, 2007
Where: Basque, 1707 N. Vine St, Hollywood, CA 90028
Music: DJ Coolwhip
Cost: Cover is usually $20/person
Additional Info: Head out to Basque in Hollywood this Friday night for some great music and dancing. As always, you need to be 21 to enter and you should dress to impress.
Located only a few blocks from Hollywood Blvd and extending North to Mulholland Dr, Runyon Canyon Park is a one of the city’s best kept secrets. The 130 acre urban wilderness offers ample opportunities for hiking, with a variety of trails available to suit both the novice hiker and those looking for something a little more challenging. Runyon Canyon is also known for its breathtaking views of the city which can be seen from about a half dozen viewpoints throughout the park. Depending on which direction you’re facing, you’ll be able to get a pretty good view of the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood sign, downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sunset Strip.
Getting Here
There are only three access points that feed into Runyon Canyon Park – two from the South and one from the North. If you’re coming in through the South, you can enter from either Vista St or Fuller Ave; both entrances are only 2 blocks North of Hollywood Blvd. If you prefer to access from the North, there’s an entrance from Mulholland Dr.
The Trails – From The North
Easy (30 minutes / 0.5 miles): Entering from Mulholland Dr, take the trail leading to Indian Rock, the highest point in Runyon Canyon with spectacular 360 degree views of the city. This trail is about a half-mile in length each way.
Intermediate (90 minutes / 2.45 miles): Entering form Mulholland Dr, take the Western High Way route at the split and head up to High Point (0.7 miles); it’s the second highest point viewpoint in the canyon and provides an excellent view of the South and West. Afterwards, you’ll continue down Western High Way (0.5 miles) and then come back up the Central Fire Road to Mulholland Dr (1.25 miles).
The Trails – From The South
Easy/Intermediate (45 minutes / 1.6 miles): Entering from either Fuller Ave or Vista St, head up the Central Fire Road and around the East Ridge until you reach the Cloud’s Rest Viewpoint (0.85 miles). Spend a little time enjoying the scenery and then head down the slope and steps to yet another viewpoint, Inspiration Point (0.3 miles). Afterwards, you’ll simply take the Lower Fire Road back down to Fuller Ave (0.45 miles).
Intermediate (90 minutes / 2.15 miles): Entering from the Vista St, take the Western High Way route up to High Point (0.5 miles) for some excellent views of the city. Afterwards, you’ll continue your hike until you reach the Central Fire Trail (0.55 miles) and then make your way back down to where you started (1.1 miles). Before coming down the Central Fire Trail, you’ll have an opportunity to make your way up to Indian Rock (0.4 miles). This viewpoint offers panoramic views of the city and is the highest point in the park.
As a native of Los Angeles, I take a lot of things for granted – namely, the beauty and tranquility of the Pacific Ocean. Whether or not you grew up in the Los Angeles, there’s no denying that there are few things which can compare. The sound of the waves breaking against the rocks, the sunlight glistening on the water, the ocean breeze, and that irreproducible salt water scent. It really touches all of your senses and helps you tune out even the most stressful of days.
On a clear day, head out for a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and take in all that it has to offer. Start in Santa Monica and just drive northbound until you feel like turning back. It’s also a great idea for a date or something to enjoy with a significant other. If it’s nearing the end of the day – park your car, walk down to the shore, and enjoy a spectacular sunset.
If you really want to experience the coastline and soothe the senses, you can rent a convertible for about $80; in fact, why not make a day out of it. Leave in the morning and take PCH north until you reach Santa Barbara (it’s about a 2 hour drive) and spend the day there. If you enjoy listening to music while you drive, take some CDs with you because the radio reception drops in and out.
Click here to find additional scenic routes in and around Los Angeles.
If you’re in the South Bay and want to take in some fantastic views, head over to Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. An affluent suburb of Los Angeles, the bluffs of Rancho Palos Verdes make for an ideal location to enjoy scenic views – specifically, the Palos Verdes Coast and Catalina Island. If you really have your heart set on seeing Catalina Island, check the weather before leaving as it tends to get really foggy up there.
You can park your vehicle at the parking lot right off Palos Verdes Dr for $5. The park offers 2 different beaches for you to enjoy – Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove. Once you park, you’ll have to take a trail in order to get to Abalone Cove Beach; the trail can be accessed directly from the parking lot. In order to get to Sacred Cove Beach, walk south along Palos Verdes Dr (from the parking lot) and you’ll run into 2 trails that will lead you there.
You can enjoy a view of the coast from the grassy area atop the 180-foot bluff. If this is a romantic outing, why not pack some sandwiches and have a picnic. Afterwards, head down to the shore via a steep trail and take a walk along the beach; the trail is approximately ¼ mile in length.
* photo courtesy of Ed Shea
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.
