#254: The Gagosian Gallery

Coloring Book, Jeff Koons

Remember the basketballs floating in an aquarium at the Broad Art Museum (#4)? The artist behind those basketballs, giant balloon dogs, and an awesome gold statue of Michael Jackson and his monkey is Jeff Koons. 

Koons' piece titled Coloring Book is currently showing at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills. I'm so glad I paid it a visit because it's even more impressive in person!

Frank Gehry's Fish Lamps 

Admission to the Gagosian Gallery is free to the public. The current exhibit is on the lower level, and also features Frank Gehry's beautiful Fish Lamps.  

Frank Gehry is best known as the architect behind the Walt Disney Concert Hall  (#102). For more Gehry, see his house (#235) and Binocular Building (#142). 

Gehry's sketches of Fish Lamps

During our visit, the upper level was closed off and contained pieces for private viewing. Undeterred, Brad's dad asked for a private viewing and they showed us the upstairs as well! Worth a shot :)

The docents at the Gagosian Gallery were very nice, and they assured us that photography was ok. 

Since it doesn't take very long to see everything in the gallery, I would combine this outing with something else in the area; the Sprinkles ATM and Beverly Gardens Park (#238) are just a block away.

The Koons and Gehry pieces are on display until February 14th, so be sure to stop by--the gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Have you been to the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

The Gagosian Gallery

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#238: Beverly Gardens Park

For the residents of Beverly Hills, "Bigger is Better" applies to their homes, their jewelry, and even their parks. While most parks take up just one or two city blocks, Beverly Hill's Beverly Gardens Park takes up an astounding 22 blocks along Santa Monica Blvd!  This oddly shaped long, narrow park includes a cactus garden, rose garden, modern art, the iconic Beverly Hills sign, and a fountain made famous in the "I love Josh" scene in Clueless.

A line of tourists waiting to take pictures at the Beverly Hills sign

Beverly Gardens Park was the ideal place to take our little adventurer on a stroller walk because the path was completely smooth which made for an enjoyable bump-less ride for her. We went on a weekend afternoon as the sun was starting to set, and we passed joggers, tourists, and people just out for a nice walk.

 Hymn of Life: Tulips by Yayoi Kusama 

Beverly Gardens Park was built in 1911 and is 1.9 miles long. With all of the modern sculptures decorating the paths, the park is the perfect setting for the semiannual Beverly Hills Art Show in May and October.

Erratic by Roxy Paine 

The park is right across the street from all the shopping and eating areas of Beverly Hills. Sprinkles, Harajuku Crepe, and Barney's are just a couple of blocks away!

There are two minor problems with the park; there is the sound of traffic from busy Santa Monica Blvd, and you have to cross the streets every time you go from block to block. The good news, though, is the crosswalk signs change really quickly and there is ample parking in outdoor lots all along Santa Monica opposite the park. If you go after 6 pm, the parking is free. 

Cactus Garden

Have you been to the Beverly Gardens Park? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Beverly Gardens Park

#229: Beverly Hills Farmers Market

For the past four Sunday mornings, I've been making the 30 minute drive to the Hollywood Farmers Market (#139) in order to get some of the best kiwis, seafood, and grass fed beef I've ever tasted. I was all gung-ho in the beginning, but by the fourth Sunday in a row the $5 garage parking fee, long drive and crowds soon started to wear on my patience. So I did some online researching and found the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. It's the same time on Sundays as the Hollywood Farmers Market: 9 am to 1 pm. Parking is free. There were hardly any people there. Oh, and it's 5 minutes away from my house :)

 pic from BeverlyHills.org

The downside is that the market is significantly smaller than the Hollywood F.M.. However, it still has some of the same items as the larger markets. I spotted vendors selling:

- eggs and free range chicken 

- fresh (not frozen) seafood 

- hummus and cheese 

- Dave's Gourmet Korean food

- tacos

- grilled meat / sausages 

- crepes 

- a few vendors selling exclusively organic produce

- paninis

- homemade jerky

- flowers and plants

There were also four tables to eat at, and while we were eating a band was setting up to play.

I read on Yelp that in May there's a guy selling the most amazing organic cherries at this market, so I've got to keep an eye out for that in a couple of months!

 pic from BeverlyHills.org

Have you been to the Beverly Hills Farmers Market? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Beverly Hills Farmers Market

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#192: Franklin Canyon Park

I don't know at what point I became a walking junkie, but it's safe to say that I've mastered my signature move: putting one foot in front of the other. Recently I've gone on so many walks and hikes that I thought nothing could cramp my style. Then the temperatures climbed this past week. Hiking in the blazing sun is like eating liver flavored ice cream--a typically fun experience gone bad.

Thankfully there are two remedies for summer hiking: do an early morning hike or find a shady hike. Which one did I choose? If you said "find a shady hike," you know me well. ;)

Mike and I set off to Franklin Canyon in Beverly Hills the other day at noon. The sun was in full force, but much of Franklin Canyon is shaded. As you drive through Franklin Canyon, you'll eventually catch glimpses of a large body of water on your left; that's the man-made lake known as Upper Franklin Reservoir (see the picture at the top).

Heavenly Pond

The Upper Franklin Reservoir is the beauty of the park; it gets its photo taken all the time and it's what the park is known for. I, however, prefer its little sister nearby, Heavenly Pond. At first glance, it's not very striking. A peek under the surface, however, reveals its true beauty. I'm talking about turtles--tons of them--and beautiful red carp, and even little baby geese. Awww.

We walked all over the park, went down Lake Blvd and back, searched for Wild Pond (never found it), passed a grass hut, and did a short loop trail.

Even though the park is close to busy Sunset Blvd, it seems very much secluded from the rest of the city. And while the trails are not long, there are many to choose from. Here are some tips for your visit:

• There are two stop signs in the park that have cameras on them. You'll see the words "Photo Enforced" under the signs. Be careful or else you'll get a hefty ticket in the mail!

• Be sure to check out the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, which has a stuffed mountain lion and hands-on displays for the kids.

• Every Wednesday at 7 pm in the summer, the park hosts Family Campfire Evenings. Call the park for more info.

• Click here for a trail map. The directions say to come from the 101, but you can also get there from Sunset Blvd. Just enter it into google maps and it will give you the shortest way.

Have you been to Franklin Canyon Park? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Franklin Canyon Park

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#187: Full Moon Hikes with TreePeople

I can't think of a better way to kick start summer vacation than howling at the moon. On my first full moon hike with TreePeople, about forty of us did just that in Beverly Hill's Coldwater Canyon Park. Our faces lit in moonlight, we all took a deep collective breath as our hiking guide slowly counted: 1... 2... 3! A chorus of awooooooos echoed long and loud against the foggy canyon walls. "Sounds more like one-too-many-tequila-shots than howling," our guide joked.

There are so many awesome things about this full moon hike. First, there's the group TreePeople. What a rad name. I want to join this group just so I can say that I'm a "TreePerson".

TreePeople is a nonprofit group whose focus is "helping nature heal our cities." Besides inspiring people to plant and care for trees, they also host a full moon hike in Coldwater Canyon once a month.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a casual walker, or a slow stroller, TreePeople's got you covered with three full moon hikes at varying exertion levels. All three hikes are 45 minutes long. The first hike has a lot of stops and is meant for kids and families. There was only one family there doing this hike! The second hike has a few stops, and attracted about 20 people. The third hike has no stops and was the crowd favorite--this is the one that Mike, Michelle and I went on.

Our hike started at sunset, and within ten minutes the full moon glowed so brightly, it almost looked like the sun:

Pretty soon, the fog started rolling in. The waves of fog blanketing the canyon took my breath away. Or maybe it was the brisk pace our guide set as she took us up, down and around the canyon.

Although our hike was supposed to have no stops, we actually had quite a few: twice to let people catch up, once for the guide to show us a glow worm, and once to howl at the moon. The crowd was about half college aged kids and half older folk. Registration is required and costs $5 for non-members. I had a blast on this hike and look forward to the next one!

TreePeople Full Moon Hikes

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#173: Storybook Houses of L.A.

Did you know that back in the early 1900's, storybook houses could be found all over L.A.? They were apparently all the rage, but since then only a few have been preserved.

I owe a big thank you t

o Barbara for emailing me about these hidden fairy tale houses.

Follow the breadcrumbs to go on a Storybook House hunt of your own..

Spaldena House (aka The Witch's House)

The Witch's House is on the corner of Carmelita and Walden Blvd in Beverly Hills. It features a moat, a cobweb doorway, about five "No Trespassing" signs, and (my favorite) a roof that looks like it's gonna cave in at any moment.

The House was built and designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver in 1921. It served as the offices and dressing rooms for a Culver City film studio until 1934 when the house was moved to Beverly Hills.

The Witch's House

they're serious!

moat

The Hobbit's House

The Hobbit's House is located at 3819 Dunn Drive in Culver City. In the front is a pond filled with little turtles (there must have been at least ten in there). In 1996 it was declared Historic Cultural Monument #624. Way to go, Frodo!

The Hobbit House

There's a tree growing right through the roof!

This place is next door to the Hobbit's House

Storybook Houses in Los Feliz:

Walt Disney House

Storybook Corner and House of the Seven Dwarves

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