#127: Road Trip To San Diego

I love living in L.A. because whenever you feel like it, you can drive somewhere and have a mini vacation. Last weekend's mini vacay destination was San Diego to visit the newlyweds. It only takes about 2 hours to get there! Here are some highlights from our last visit:

Padres Baseball Game at Petco Park: It was my first time seeing a baseball game in California (and I used to live right behind Dodger Stadium in Echo Park!). We got a fantastic deal on Groupon.com for tickets + hot dog + soda + blue Padres baseball hat for only $25. And the seats were awesome! I love a deal. :) The stadium is quite new, so the facilities are great. There's also a lawn where people can watch the game and entertainment outside the stadium for free.

Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla: At Torrey Pines, you can have a meal at the Cliff Hanger Cafe while enjoying some free entertainment... Sky gliders! And if you are the adventurous type, you can even sign up for a session for $150 and ride tandem with an expert. It looked really fun, and the setting is just gorgeous. We just watched, but who knows... maybe next visit?

Chuao Chocolatier in Encinitas: Whenever I go to Encinitas, I always stop here to pick up a few gourmet chocolates. With flavors like pear+chevre+black pepper, and strawberry caramel+balsamic vinegar, this is as exotic as chocolate gets. Above is a picture of their salted caramel. Click here to order Chuao online.

Yu Me Ya Sake House in Encinitas: We had an amazing meal here. Visit my food blog for more pics.

C-Level Lounge: If you fly into San Diego, you must eat at C-Level Lounge. It's right near the airport and offers stunning water front dining. Above is a picture of the seared ahi with black rice and mango salsa that Brad got. The portions are pretty generous too--we left stuffed!

Other places to visit in San Diego:

Wild Animal Park: See animals in a more natural habitat. Wear comfortable shoes cuz this place is huge!

La Jolla Kayaking: I got sea sick here... and then I capsized! Yup, those are two things that are pretty difficult to do on a kayak. Here at La Jolla, you get to paddle up to the sea lions bathing on the rocks, and sometimes you may even see tons of leopard sharks swimming beneath you! Definitely worth it if you've got a stomach for it.

Balboa Park: This is a must-see if you're in San Diego. There are tons of museums, free concerts, street performers, and gardens. You could spend a whole day here and not see everything. Right now they have a "Stay For The Day" pass for $35 that allows you access to any 5 of the 14 museums.

Sea World: Another must-see, especially if you've got kids.

Subscribe to 365 LA

#126: Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum

If you can brave the motion sickness-inducing winding roads in Topanga Canyon, Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum is a worthy pot of gold at the end of the sinuous rainbow. Beneath a canopy of trees, you can enjoy concerts and Shakespearean plays in a small outdoor amphitheater. It's absolutely beautiful here.

Brad's surfing friend Jeff leads a "kindie rock band" called EGG that performed last Sunday at the theatricum. It took me a while to figure out that word play, but "kindie" is "kid" and "indie" put together. This is indie rock aimed at the under 10 set. Truth be told, four of us "adults" went there sans kids and our toes were tapping the whole time too.

One of the best parts of the concert was seeing all the little kids rock out on stage. It reminded me how uninhibited and free spirited kids are. They didn't even need prodding to get up and dance--once the music started, all the kids ran up on stage. Literally within ten seconds, everyone was shaking their egg shakers and jumping to the music. So fun! The theater hosts Family Fundays every weekend. Click here for more info.

If you don't have kids, you can still enjoy the theater's Shakespeare performances. This season they are presenting Hamlet, Three Musketeers and Midsummer Night's Dream and tickets are $45.

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

The box office

#125: Wilacre Park in Fryman Canyon

This past Saturday we battled a gang of bees, dodged desiccated dog poop, and conquered a semi-steep descent off the side of a hill... All in a day's work at Wilacre Park in Studio City!

We took the Betty Dearing loop trail, which takes about an hour to hike and connects to other trails in the area. The trail offers pretty good views of the Valley, but the day we went visibility was low.

The Tree People Building

We hiked past the Betty Dearing trail to The Tree People Conservation Center and then turned back. While we were there, we saw a sign for Once Upon A Canyon Night which is a concert/film/stage reading/educational series starting in July and going through September at the park. Click here for more information.

To park, you can pay $3 in the Wilacre lot, which starts you at the trail head. There's also a free lot a little more north near The Tree People building and greenhouse. If you do park there, you will have the option of going on a few trails in the area. All these trails can be a bit confusing, so be sure to print out a map!

Wilacre Park

The Trail Head

Free the rocks! An educational exhibit by The Tree People.

At the one clear lookout on the trail

#124: Road Trip to Vegas 2

Last weekend our friends got married in Vegas! This was my first Vegas ceremony, and it was so much fun. They rode into the chapel in a pink Cadillac driven by Elvis! What followed was an amazing weekend of food, friends and family.

Some of the highlights of this last trip:

The Jabbawockeez at the MGM Grand: The Jabbawockeez were the first winners of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. Now they've got their own show in Vegas! They were accompanied by four members of the break dancing group Super Cr3w. The show only runs sporadically in Vegas, and we were fortunate that it was showing when we were there. It is in the Hollywood Theater, which is pretty small, so no seat is really bad.

The Aria Hotel: This hotel is new to the strip! When we drove up to it, it looks like a pimped out LAX. If you plan on visiting Vegas this summer, check out their deals--it's pretty cheap (~120 a night) for what you get! There's a spa and buffet and a great bake shop on the lower level... Which brings me to the next highlight...

Jean Philipe Patisserie at the Aria: I had the best pan au chocolate of my life here! There are so many beautiful macarons, chocolate desserts and sandwiches in this shop that I want to try everything they have to offer.

Downtown Vegas: It is so surreal to walk downtown Vegas on a weekend night. The band playing YMCA, the spandex suits, the inebriated crowd, and the odd guys playing air guitar all add up to a weird and funny experience.

Japonais at the MGM Grand: Check out my food blog for pics

Ichiza: Check out my food blog for pics

The Wynn's Lake of Dreams: Following dinner one night we came here to rest and digest. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a free lake show every 30 minutes.

Summer Fun! Things To Do and See in L.A. this Summer

Point Dume beach, photo from flickr

Happy June everyone! I haven't blogged in a while because I've been really busy, but I got a recent inquiry from a reader (Thanks John!) about things to do in L.A. this summer, and it inspired me to share with you my summer list. Click on the titles to be directed to their websites.

Grand Performances

Grand Performances, photo by downtownLA

Grand Performances offers free musical performances and films in Downtown throughout the summer.

Cinespia Hollywood Forever Screenings

Photo from MadeUpDisease

All summer long, Cinespia hosts weekend movie screenings on the lawn of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. You can bring a picnic and blankets too, but no tall lawn chairs. It's a $10 donation at the gate. They just showed Purple Rain (ah, I really wanted to go to that one!) and Beetlejuice. Coming up is Blow Up, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Midnight Cowboy. Get on their mailing list to learn about the upcoming screenings.

Free Hot Air Balloon Ride

Photo from GreatOC

The Orange County Great Park offers free hot air balloon rides Thursday to Sunday. It's first come first served, and it flies up to 400 feet up in the air. The balloon doesn't go anywhere (it's tethered to the ground).

i-Fly

Photo from LAstheplace

Ever wondered what it's like to sky dive? Universal Studios lets you experience the sensation of free falling without the risk. You take a safety course and then get a few minutes in the see-through wind tunnel.

k1 Speed Go Karting

Photo from K1Speed

One of my friends told me about this (thanks Jason!). They have locations in Anaheim and Torrance. For $20, you can experience a 14 lap race in an electric go kart. No experience necessary--just drive and go! They also host birthday parties.

Lucha VaVoom

Photo from luchavavoom

Mexican wrestling, ring girls, little people, burlesque dancers and drag queens come together for one crazy theatrical night... Or so I hear... They have upcoming shows on June 23rd and 24th. Get ring side seats ($55) for the most fun.

Bob Baker Marionettes

Photo from L.A. Times

Bob Baker has created an amazing institution here. Admission is $20, and children under 2 are free. The current show is "Musical World" and shows are offered Tuesday-Sunday.

Downtown Art Walk

Photo from Laist

On the second Thursday of every month, art galleries throughout downtown open their doors to the public. The event is free. This is one of those things you must do if you live in L.A... and I can't believe I haven't done it yet!

Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica

Photo from LAGoodtimes

I hear this place gets really busy and noisy with youngsters, but if you have time in an off-hour (maybe really early in the morning?) then take advantage of this beautiful free beach house in Santa Monica. They also offer yoga, concerts, beach volleyball and other "beach culture" events.

Tuesday Night Project, Little Tokyo

From TuesdayNightProject

Featuring multi-disciplinary artists in downtown's Little Tokyo, the Tuesday Night Project is held on the first and third Tuesday of the month for free.

The Old Town Music Hall, El Segundo

Photo from nswest

The Old Town Music Hall offers silent movies accompanied by the Mighty WurliTzer. Shows are Friday-Sunday, $8.

Other Things To Do:

The M*A*S*H Hike in Malibu Creek State Park: Where they filmed the popular t.v. show

Wilacre Hike in Studio City

El Matador State Beach in Malibu: Lots of wildlife here

Pasadena Museum of California Art

Descanso Gardens in Glendale

Glendale Community College Planetarium: Ah, I'm a sucker for planetariums. This is supposed to rival the one at Griffith Observatory.

Drive Mulholland Drive

Geffen Playhouse: Lots of plays here featuring famous actors and actresses.

Point Dume, Malibu: Tide pools!

Subscribe to 365 LA

#123: The Wooden Floor Dance Company

There are few performances which are so amazing that they leave me at a loss for words. This weekend's was one of them. I'll just let you watch the videos.

This was my third year attending The Wooden Floor's annual performance at UC

Irvine's Barclay Theater. I left inspired, awe-struck and wishing that there were

more programs like this available to our youths. I highly recommend checking

out their next show.

Taken from The Wooden Floor website...

Since 1983, The Wooden Floor has been changing lives. By integrating year-round dance training with academic assistance and family services, The Wooden Floor offers a creative alternative to youth who might otherwise fall victim to destructive behaviors such as taking drugs or joining a gang. Youth who participate in programs at The Wooden Floor gain self-confidence, improve their grades and acquire skills that help them graduate from high school and attend college at a significantly higher rate than their peers nationally.

The Results:
Since 2005, 100% of students at The Wooden Floor have graduated high school and enrolled in college - far exceeding the national average of their peers.

Click here to view The Wooden Floor's Youtube channel