Just a few blocks from the Santa Monica pier, Third Street Promenade is Santa Monica's premier shopping area. Third Street is home to mostly large retail shops, though there are some boutique shops. Art galleries and more fine dining are located further south on Ocean Ave.
Chinese shopping districts can be found in every large city, and like other Chinatowns in other cities, Los Angeles' Chinatown is always a bustling, crowded shopping district. In Chinatown, you'll find traditional Chinese cuisine such as dim sum, as well as street vendors and tons of shops where you can find just about everything.
The Electric Lodge Performing and Visual Arts Center in Venice will once again play gracious host to the Kulov Tea Festival. Since 2000, the Kulov has celebrated the exotic culinary and cultural traditions that are literally “steeped” in tea. This year’s Kulov features the “teas and flavors of China,” and is only a short walk from artsy Abbot Kinney Blvd, with its hip restaurants and galleries.
“Every year around Valentines Day we host a cultural event honoring a country with a strong tradition of tea,” explains event producer Kulov. “Last year we celebrated Japan, the year before that, India. This year will coincide with Chinese New Year celebrations for the Year of the Rat.”
Local and International tea retailers, wholesalers and importers will be on hand. Exhibitors include the Art of Tea, famous for their rare, organic Ayurvedic teas, Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden and Herbal Emporium, which specializes in medicinal teas and herbal tonics, and 1001 Plateaus, known for the freshness of their high quality imported teas such as Jasmine Pearl ball, Long Jing, and Da Hong Pao.
Specialty foods, dim sum, and a grand tea ceremony with tea tasting, are among the culinary delights. Participation is encouraged, and workshops in herbal medicine, calligraphy, music and dance will be offered, as well as fine art displays, installations and a raffle. No matter what your taste, at the Kulov there is much to see and do.
Last year’s Japanese celebration included workshops in the crafts of origami and calligraphy, as well as demonstrations on how to make sushi, and mochi ice cream, and a Japanese tea ceremony. Every year the Festival features memorable live performances of folk music, as well as exhibits in both traditional crafts and contemporary art of the country. This year the UCLA Chinese Cultural Dance Club, and the American Chinese Cultural Association will round out the day with performances at 6:30 pm in the Electric Lodge theatre. Claudla Chol, Katherine Lee, Yujin Ono and Cathy Wang will also perform.
From Feb 7-28, in conjunction with the Tea Festival, Kulov contemporary and sixspace present an Exhibition of Chinese Contemporary Art also at the Electric Lodge. The exhibit will feature the works of Emily Cheng, Hong Hao, Alexander Lee and Zhang Xlanyong.
“The [Electric Lodge] is in a wonderful part of Venice just off of Abbot Kinney Blvd.,” says Kulov. “One of the goals of our tea festivals is to generate curiosity and good will that extend into the community at large,” he explains. “With so much to discover, people come from all over Los Angeles, as well as out of state, spending many happy hours exploring the neighborhood.”
Admission to the Tea Festival is $10 in advance, and $15 at the door, plus anywhere from $1-$3 for goodies and workshops. The event is free for children under 12. The Electric Lodge is located at 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. For more information email info[at]kulov.com visit: http://www.kulovteafest.com or call (310) 699-7271.
After a morning with the girls exploring Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, I suggest doing lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room. With views of three acres of roses, it’s a great place for you and the clutch to get your girl on.
You’ll have tea in high style, but without the worry of snobby dress codes (though people do like to dress for the occasion, casual attire is accepted). Children are also welcome. The cost is $19.95 per person, and while that may sound steep, it includes a limitless pot of English tea and delicious scones. After that it’s a help-yourself buffet with finger sandwiches (cucumber mint, Atlantic salmon with caviar, ham and asparagus and more), domestic and imported cheeses, fresh fruits, seasonal salads, and a variety of tarts, cakes and petite desserts. And being a buffet, it is perfectly acceptable to go back again and again (dieters beware)!
While they aren’t snobby about dress codes, don’t expect to just waltz in and get a table. This place is classy and popular, and reservations are required, especially for groups of 6 or more. And keep in mind that if you just want a place to do tea with the girls, at the Huntington you will have to pay the entry fee to the gardens in addition to the cost of the tea. If you don’t have time to enjoy the Gardens, I suggest getting a tea reservation for the first Thursday of the month, when you can get into the Gardens for free (call 800-838-3006 to reserve your free day tickets). Also, if you are going to the Tea Room with 8 people or more, the cost goes up to $25.49 per person, but that includes the tax and gratuity.
You might want to make your reservations at least two weeks ahead, because they book up quickly, especially for Mother’s Day. No email reservations here, just the good old fashion phone-in kind. For more information and a list of menu items go to:
If you don’t mind doing some advanced planning, lunch with the girls at the Huntington Tea Room is real treat. And don’t worry - you can walk off all those pound packing pastries in the Garden!
If you want to get out of the city, love flowers, gardening, art, or just need a change from the usual girls night out routine, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is a refreshing daytime excursion. Wear comfortable shoes, because there is plenty to see and do here, and about 120 acres of it!
Started by Henry Huntington over 100 years ago, Huntington Botanical Gardens now offers some 15,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The estate is beautifully landscaped with over a dozen themed gardens, and features a Cafe, Tea Room, and Gift Shop.
In the Japanese Garden you’ll find an upper middle class home from the 1800’s built in the Shoin style, a brook of koi fish, and an elegant high arching bridge. Flowering plum, bamboo, and Japanese Black Pine are planted throughout, with a special pavilion dedicated to Bonsai trees.
This year (2008) the Rose Garden celebrates its Centennial at the Huntington, and the official flower of the Centennial is the Huntington Rose, a many-petaled English rose created by David Austin Nurseries and named specially for the Huntington. The best months to visit the Rose Garden are from May to July, and October to November when the roses are in full bloom.
Starting February 23rd, 2008, the Chinese Garden will be open for the first time to the public. Plants like camellias, pine and lotus are classically landscaped around a 1.5 acre lake, along with hand sculpted stone bridges, and a canyon waterfall against a backdrop of tall California oaks.
There are many other gardens to explore including the Camellia Garden, the Herb Garden, the Australia Garden, or the Jungle Garden, which sits beside a lush Lily Pond. Neo-classical statues, ornate fountains, and benches with fanciful faces grace the well-groomed lawns, or serve as shady spots throughout the Gardens to take a break and decide what to see next.
For after the gardens, there is still more to see. The Huntington Art Gallery remains closed for renovation until May 28th, 2008, but you can still view Gainsborough’s famous “Blue Boy,” and Lawrence’s “Pinky” among other distinguished works of British and French art from the late 16th through the 18th centuries at the Erburu Gallery.
If that’s not enough, the Huntington Library Exhibition Halls display some of the most treasured rare books and manuscripts of Anglo-American civilization, including the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and early editions of Shakespeare's works. Many of these volumes are “illuminated” or feature colorful pages of hand painted illustrations and intricate works of calligraphy.
By now you’ll be pretty tired, but don’t forget to stop by the Huntington Gardens Gift Shop on your way out. Cards with exhibit images, gardening books, hats, shirts, pins, scarves and even parasols are among the novelty items available for purchase.
Adult admission to the Huntington is $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and Monday holidays. Seniors, students, children and large groups receive discounts. The first Thursday of every month is free but you need to make reservations in advance. For gardeners, on the second Thursday of every month, free lectures are given in the Friend’s Hall by authors and gardening experts from all over the world, culminating in plant sales in the Plant Sale Nursery.
The Huntington is located near Pasadena, about twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Photos courtesy of Randolph Scott
I love the idea of extreme rock climbing, but I don’t relish the thought of dangling on a thin nylon rope over a deadfall drop. If you’re like me, you’ll be happy to know there’s fun alternative. You’ll find it in Joshua Tree, and it’s a great day trip for a hiking date.
Only 140 miles east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park boasts three distinct eco-regions and six mountain ranges; but the most compelling feature of all lies to the west, in the giant piles of stone known as the Wonderland of Rocks.
It’s as if Salvador Dali sculpted these formations, which twist, bend and reach up in a surrealist fusion of monoliths, obelisks and spires. But it was millions of years of tectonic forces deep beneath the earth that formed these bizarre rocks, assisted by the unseen artistic hand of erosion. Luckily, the final masterpiece happens to be ideal for bouldering.
“Bouldering” is rock climber-ese for scrambling over, around and under piles of boulders and large rocks. It’s exhilarating and fun, but it requires strength, agility and commitment. In other words, if you and your friend are fit hikers, you’ll be fine.
Small-scale bouldering doesn’t require any special equipment, however, a good pair of leather gloves with the fingers cut off (biker gloves work great) and sturdy hiking shoes are an absolute must. They allow you to grip the rocks with Spiderman-like ease. Long sleeve shirts and blue jeans protect arms and legs from rocky scrapes. My more advanced bouldering buddy uses a thick, knotted rope of about 15 feet in length to help me out of crevices or up smooth walls. A rope and a buddy are just good sense - and more fun - to bring along. In summer bring plenty of water. In the winter just add plenty of layers and a warm hat. I always have some kind of head covering and sunscreen – temperatures here are 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Palm Springs, but there’s not a lot of shade!
If bouldering is not for you or your friend, the following trail hikes will give you the lay of the Wonderland without as much difficulty:
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is three miles round trip and of moderate difficulty. Over 50 fan palms make up this natural oasis with its pools of water. This palm oasis is one of five in the park.
Willow Hole Trail is an easy hike of seven miles round trip and features large water pools and willow trees. The trail begins at the Keys West Backcountry board, and goes through a modest gorge surrounded by tall boulders.
Boy Scout Trail is a scenic sixteen miles round trip, along the western edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. It is moderately difficult. You’ll find the trailhead at Keys West Backcountry board a half mile east of the Quail Springs picnic area. It’s not a bad idea to make this a shuttle hike, with a car parked at both ends.
To get to Joshua Tree from Los Angeles, take the I-10 East. Go North on the Twentynine Palms Highway to your selected destination.
Bouldering is an exciting alternative to extreme rock climbing that will get your blood pumping without the high risk. And while you’re up there, enjoy a romantic picnic for two on a cozy pancake of granite, and see who can find the craziest shapes in the rocks!
Photos by Randolph Scott
If you enjoy hiking, and you want an out of the way romantic adventure with a like-minded friend, you'll find it deep in Angeles National Forest on the rugged trails of Switzer's Falls.
Part of the Upper Arroyo Seco River Basin, Switzer's is located off the Angeles Crest Highway, seven miles north of interstate 210 above La Canada/Flintridge. The shady trail head features picnic tables, charcoal grills, and restrooms situated along a gurgling, stony creek. Switzer's offers beginner to advanced trails, sunny mountain views, cool wooded glades, and the highlight of it all: the falls!
Fall and winter hikes are some of the best in these mountains, especially after a swell of rain has replenished the creek. This is when the falls are the most spectacular (during the hottest droughts of summer they can dwindle down to a meager trickle.) But elevations here range from 1,200 to 10,064 feet, and that means it’s always much cooler than L.A. The views are spectacular, but wear warm layers under your coat and something over your ears. A cuddling companion is also highly recommended!
To get there take the 210 to the Angeles Crest Highway exit, (State Route 2), going north. To park you will need a National Forest Daily Adventure Pass (one per vehicle). These can be purchased for $5.00 at the Shell station on Angeles Crest Highway, near the junction for the 210. Continue north on Route 2 another seven miles up the mountain.
You'll pass a small ranger station on your right, (another place to buy an Adventure Pass), and shortly after you'll turn right at Mile Marker 34.2. This is the Switzer Picnic Area.
The hours posted at the gate are 6 am to 10 pm. Signs indicate that the gate is locked at 6:00 pm, but you will still be able to exit the park if you stay after dark. Drive down the curvy spur road to the parking area at the bottom. Take the footbridge over the creek, and you are on your way to the falls!
For the first leg, the trail follows the creek, and occasionally the trail will seem to end. When this happens, cross the creek and the trail picks up on the other side. The creek crossings are man-made but natural - large strategically placed rocks or logs.
Eventually the trail will seem to dead-end at a natural stone wall. Follow the signs to Switzer Falls, which points you to a railed footpath that zigzags up the rock face. Leaving the creek, take this to the top and continue on the trail. The trail will start going down into the canyon, and eventually will meet back up with the creek, which now becomes the trail. Follow the rocky creek-bed upstream until you reach the falls.
After your hike, check out the rustic and relaxed village of La Canada Flintridge. Warm up with a hot drink at Zeli's Coffee Bar at 639 Foothill Blvd. If you’re hungry, go up a block to the Dish restaurant. The cozy fire and all American cuisine make for a nice ending to a romantic winter's day.
Aside from Catalina Island or a boat, the best vantage points are Palos Verdes and Santa Monica. I've received a couple of sightings from Palos Verdes in the last year or so of UFOs exiting the ocean or entering the ocean. I don't have the exact location right now for Santa Monica, but there are some spots in the Santa Monica Mountains that are Native American related. UFOs have been seen near those areas and over the bay.
Although it's been a little quiet of late, Tujunga Canyon has been a pretty active area. The sightings there are similar to the Topanga sightings in terms of the type of UFO activity. Tujunga is also known for complete silent black helicopters.
Spending an afternoon and evening in Chinatown is one of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends. Chinatown is a colorful, cultural, architectural, dining and shopping experience. I just love to be so close to home but yet feel that I'm in another world.
I usually start my day in the original Chinatown area called Central Plaza on Gingling Way. Central Plaza has a fantastic variety of stores, buildings and an elaborate rock garden – inspired wishing well. The plaza is a great place to take a break on a bench and for people watching.
My favorite Restaurant for lunch is "Hop Louie". The Hop Louie Restaurant Pagoda is the focal point of Central Plaza. Formerly the Golden Pagoda Restaurant, it was originally constructed in 1941. The five tier pagoda is gorgeous and it's the last major built in today's New Chinatown Central Plaza. The food is descent and inexpensive.
Another fun and popular Restaurant for lunch is the Empress Pavilion. You have to try the Dim Sum Lunch on which you can feast on everything from pork dumplings to sesame sponge cake. The Chinese call the little delicacies "dim sum", which translates into "touching your heart".
After lunch explore the Art galleries and Antique stores on Chungking road in the west plaza.
Outside central plaza on north Broadway is Chinatown's largest store, Wing Hop Fung, where the medicinal aroma of ginseng and other Chinese herbs wafts through the lower floor. Upstairs is a colorful bazaar of paper dragons, lanterns and all types of bargains.
Bargains – that's part of the fun, finding a treasure you like and chasing down the best price – or staying to bargain with the shopkeeper.
Down the street at the corner of Ord Street and North Broadway is a group of colorful stalls offering everything from peacock feathers to those nifty ‘70s beaded curtains, tiny faux jade Buddhas {one each for health, wealth, fertility and other good fortunes}, and giant vases with chinese floral designs to create an eastern ambience on your patio.
A great place to find gifts for all occasions, and the perfect Chinese outfit for your next Asian theme party.
Chinatown has several Bars to explore in the evening. Enjoy a well deserved cocktail after a long hard day of shopping
