Enjoy a fantastic view of the San Fernando Valley from the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook in Studio City. This scenic viewpoint is located on the north side of Mulholland Dr along the Mulholland Scenic Parkway. The overlook has its own parking lot, physical fitness course, and provides access to several hiking trails through Fryman Canyon – including the five-mile Betty Dearing Mountain Trail.
Located on the north side of Mulholland Drive in Studio City, the Universal City Lookout offers scenic views of Universal City, the San Fernando Valley, and Verdugo Hills. Funded by Universal Studios, the overlook was built in 1984 for the upcoming Summer Olympics which was hosted in Los Angeles. There is ample parking across the street along Mulholland Dr.
Located in Beverly Hills and part of the Santa Monica Mountains, Franklin Canyon Park provides a fantastic opportunity for hiking, picnicking, and breathtaking views of the city. This 600+ acre gem offers over 5 miles hiking along 3 major trails with various difficulty levels:
Discovery Trail
Easy (20 minutes / 0.3 miles): The easiest of the three, the Discovery Trail is a short loop that will take you about 20 minutes or less to complete. You can access the Discovery Trail from the southern entrance to the park.
Berman Trail
Easy/Intermediate (40 minutes / 1 mile): The Berman trail is about a mile in length and is moderately difficult. This trail connects to the northern entrance at Mulholland and provides for a scenic hike across the Santa Monica Mountains.
Hastain Trai
Intermediate (90 minutes / 2.3 mile): Although it’s the most popular trail at Franklin Canyon Park, the Hastain Trail is also the most strenuous. Gradually increasing as you make your way up trail, you’ll eventually reach a scenic overlook of the city; from here you can enjoy panoramic views of West Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
Getting Here
There are two access points that feed into Franklin Canyon Park – one from the south and one from the south
From The South (Los Angeles-Beverly Hills): Travel north along Beverly Dr (towards Coldwater Canyon). Make sure you pay attention to the signs because you’ll have to turn left in order to continue along N Beverly Dr (otherwise, you’ll head up Coldwater Canyon). As soon as you reach Fire Station No. 2, keep your eyes open for Franklin Canyon Dr – it’ll be the third street on your right. Make a right turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr and then take the road until you reach the park entrance at Lake Dr.
From The North (San Fernando): To northern entrance can be accessed via Franklin Canyon Dr from the Mulholland Dr & Coldwater Canyon Intersection – you’ll see a sign that reads, “Road Closed 800 Feet. Sunset to Sunrise”. From here, simply follow the paved road until you reach the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. Alternatively, you can continue about 1.5 miles along Franklin Canyon Dr until you reach the southern entrance at Lake Dr.
Parking
Parking is available at Franklin Canyon Ranch (southern entrance), along Lake Dr, or at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center (northern entrance).
Additional Images (click to enlarge)
If you’re looking to infuse a little romance into your relationship, head out to Long Beach for an enchanting gondola ride. Located along East Ocean Blvd, Gondola Getaway will take you on a gentle 50-minute cruise through the waterways of Naples Island in Alamitos Bay.
Salami, cheese, and bread are provided for you by Gondola Getaway; you also get your very own gondolier to serenade you. Consider bringing a bottle of champagne along – it makes for a much more intimate experience and they don’t have a problem with it.
Gondola Getaway recommends that you make reservations at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
The cost is $75 for two people (tip not included).
Located in Malibu, El Matador State Beach is a small and secluded strand of beach which offers visitors a fantastic escape from the bustling of city life. This local gem is one of three “pocket beaches” that make up the larger Robert H. Meyer Memorial SB – situated along Pacific Coast Highway between Point Dume and Leo Carrillo. It’s not the easiest beach to find, but you’ll appreciate making the extra effort once you finally get there. Lined with gentle white sand and picturesque views, the El Matador shoreline is home to an exquisite series of rock formations and shallow caves for you to explore.
Unless you arrive on a busy summer weekend, chances are you’ll have a good piece of the beach all to yourself. Take this opportunity to bring along someone special for a romantic picnic or to enjoy a spectacular sunset – or both. Alternatively, the solitude of El Matador offers the perfect getaway after a long and stressful week.
The beach also offers fantastic views of the Pacific coastline and it’s great for swimming and/or sunbathing. If it's not a busy summer day, there will be no lifeguard on duty so try to be careful out there.
Getting Here
Getting to El Matador State Beach can be a tad difficult and it does require a little hiking along a steep dirt trail. Therefore, it’s probably not the best places for children and it’s pretty much inaccessible for the handicapped.
If you can’t find any spots along PCH, there is a paid parking lot at the top of the bluff with a path leading to the beach. Parking is $4 and you can obtain your pass from the meter box.
*Photograph courtesy of California Coastal Records Project
Located along 4th Street in Santa Monica (next door to Benihana), Border Grill is an upbeat and trendy Mexican restaurant with a fantastic vibe. Originally a taco stand along Melrose Ave, Border Grill was relocated to its Santa Monica location in 1990 by owners/chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. For those of you who used to watch the Food Network in the mid to late 90’s, you may remember them from their show, “Cooking With Too Hot Tamales”. Ok, maybe I was the only one who watched that show; anyhow, let’s start with the ambiance.
The Ambiance
One of the first things you’ll notice as you step inside Border Grill is the vibrant colors; there is definitely no shortage of red, blue, and yellow. A little too bold for some, I think it transitions perfectly into the second thing you’ll notice – the noise. Although it’s bearable, I would suggest going elsewhere if you’re looking for something romantic. But when you combine the vibrant colors and acoustics, what you get is a setting that perfectly complements the food you’re about to enjoy.
The Food
I have frequented Border Grill on quite a few occasions and have always found the food to be full of flavor and consistently good. The cuisine is Contemporary Mexican, which in my interpretation and understanding, is a twist on traditional Mexican fare.
For your appetizer, I would recommend the Green Corn Tamales...they are always flavorful and come out just right. The Tortilla Soup is usually pretty good, but it was a little too salty the last time I had it. For your entrée, the Grilled Skirt Steak is a favorite; it’s infused with garlic, cilantro, and lime and served with a handmade flour tortilla (I’m actually getting a little hungry while writing this).
If you still have room left for desert, go for the Tres Leches cake; it’s served with passion fruit and topped with a sweet pear sauce. The Pastel Ruffians is also a great choice. It’s a fluffy layered pastry with cream cheese and fresh berries.
If you happen to be at Border Grill during Happy Hour, make sure to try the Margaritas or the Sangrias…they’re not always the strongest, but good nonetheless. Happy Hour is from 4pm to 7pm on the weekdays and most drinks can be had for about $3.
Cost & Reservations
Expect to spend about $5-$10 on appetizers and anywhere from $15 to $30 for the main course. It does get busy in the evenings, especially on the weekends, so I suggest that you call ahead to make reservations.
Bay Cities Italian Deli is a gourmet market and deli with a great selection of Italian and Mediterranean specialty foods. Located in Santa Monica along Lincoln Blvd, it has been a local favorite since 1925. Although they have a great selection of imported olive oil, fine coffee, and other Italian goodies, it’s the sandwiches that bring most people into the Deli. Using only the freshest ingredients and the finest Italian products, there are few places in Los Angeles that can match the quality and taste of a Bay Cities sandwich.
If you’ve been to Bay Cities Italian Deli in the past, you’re probably already used to the long lines. On any ordinary day, and depending on how busy it is, you should expect to wait anywhere from 10-20 minutes before you can get your hands on a sandwiches. If you’re in a hurry or want to come by on your lunch break, I would suggest placing your order ahead of time so that you can avoid the wait. You can fax in your order or submit it online, just make sure to do it about 45 minutes before you’re ready to come in.
The Sandwiches
You can create your own sandwich from a great selection of Italian meats and cheeses; alternatively, you can opt for one of their sandwich combos. If it’s your first time, I would suggest going for the latter. Their most popular sandwiches are the Poorboy (with Bologna, Cotto Salami, Swiss Cheese), the Godmother (with Genoa Salami, Mortadella Coppacola, Ham, Prosciutto, Provolone) and the Caprese (with Water Mozzarella, Onion, Tomato, Basil, Oregano, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt & Pepper).
The sandwiches are a little on the pricey side, so expect to pay around $8 (depending the combination and size). Once you have your sandwich, you can either take it with you or enjoy it outside on the patio.
Located in Westwood, Coffee Zinio is a cozy neighborhood Café that’s nestled along Westwood Blvd – about a block north of Santa Monica Blvd.
Since it’s a Persian Café and located in a predominantly Persian neighborhood, you’ll hear lots of people speaking Farsi. Don’t worry though…the staff is always courteous, helpful, and they really do their best to make you feel welcome. There are about a half dozen tables to choose from inside; alternatively, you can opt to sit outside on the patio. Smoking is allowed on the patio, so if cigarettes and/or hookah smoke bother you, I suggest sitting indoors.
If you're hungry, Coffee Zinio serves fantastic Panini sandwiches, an assortment of fresh pastries, and fine Persian Teas. In the evening, the upbeat atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to hang out with some friends or a date; if you're into smoking hookah, they have a variety of flavors for you to choose from. For the Soccer (football) enthusiast, they have a large Plasma TV with satellite coverage from around the world.
If you can’t find any parking along Westwood Blvd, you can park for free in the parking lot right next door to the Café (right below Ross).
’ll admit it, UFO hunting isn’t for everyone. In fact, most people will find the activity absolutely ridiculous. But for those that do believe that there is intelligent life out there (myself included), nothing beats spending an exciting evening at a UFO hotspot. Even if you don’t actually see a UFO, the experience of simply being out there makes it all worthwhile.
Here are some notable UFO Hotspots:
Topanga Canyon
Grab your camping gear and head up to Topanga State Park in Malibu. One of the more popular UFO Hotspots in Southern California, there has been a considerable number of UFO sightings reported in the park at various hours of the night.
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails, a plethora of recreational opportunities, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Other Southern California Hotspots
There have been plenty of sightings along the Pacific Coast in Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Santa Monica, and Catalina. Most people have reported seeing the UFO’s diving in and out of the water.
Before You Go
Before going out on your UFO adventure, I would suggest checking the weather to ensure clear skies – otherwise, you’ll have a pretty tough time seeing the stars, let alone a UFO. Also, I highly recommend that you bring along some binoculars (the higher the magnification power the better). You can purchase a decent pair of binoculars for about $50-$100.
Bordering Beverly Hills, Al Gelato is a small Italian eatery nestled along Robertson Blvd. As you may have already guessed, their specialty is homemade Italian Gelato – a thick and creamy spin on American-style Ice Cream. If you come in for the Gelato and are overwhelmed by the options (there are usually about 25 on display), they’ll be more than happy to let you sample the flavors; I would suggest sampling either the Pistachio or Coffee Crunch flavors first. But there is much more to Al Gelato than just the deserts; their food is quite good.
The Food
I love coming to Al Gelato for the pasta, but I’ll admit…the taste isn’t for everyone. The marinara sauce is thick and creamy, but what sets it apart from typical Italian fare you’ll find in Los Angeles is that it’s on the sweet side. If you’re not a fan of marinara sauce, give their pesto a shot…it’s a little extra, but worth it. Their most popular pasta dish is the Rigatoni – served in either a full or half portion. The portions are hearty and will probably fill you up, but the full is only a few dollars more and you can take it home with you.
If you’re a meatball fan, good news for you; their meatballs are huge and are complemented perfectly by the sweet marinara sauce. All of the food is accompanied by freshly baked bread that is delivered warm right to your table; it’s also great for soaking up that left over marinara sauce. If you do decide to take some food home with you, leave the bread behind – it’s not very good after a few hours
For desert, there is the Gelato of course. If you’re not in the mood for Gelato or maybe want something to accompany it, they have a variety of homemade Italian desserts, including crispy cannolis, creamy tiramisu, and a fantastic apple pie.
The Service
This is really a toss-up and it depends on what mood you catch them in. The staff has been there for years and on some days they’re absolutely great. However, on other days – they can come off as a little obnoxious or snotty. Since I’ve been eating here for years, I’ve learned to just let it go; plus, the food and desert make up for it.
NOTE: Al Gelato only accepts cash. If you forget, there’s a gas station a few blocks away and an ATM machine at the 7-Eleven on Olympic and La Cienega.
