#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

#237: The Santa Monica Traveling Rings

So you've done #28: Trapeze School and thought it was a piece of cake? I've got another challenge for you: show off your apelike swinging skills on the Santa Monica Traveling Rings.

The rings are located just south of the Santa Monica pier along the beachside cement path. According to this article, the rings were built after a lot of debate with the city's risk management team which feared the rings would be a liability. The equipment was originally built in the 1930's and was restored in 2000. You'll find all types of people using the rings, and even more spectators lounging on the cement wall. Around the rings are also ropes and bars that people do tricks on.

When we went on a weekend afternoon, the rings were busy with about ten guys waiting in line. Some of them listened to their ipods while they swung, and all of them had talent worthy of a Cirque du Soleil show. I found myself hypnotized as I watched guy after guy take his turn, twisting and flipping and gaining more and more momentum until his time was up. Ladies will especially like watching the rings because these athletes are buff and bronze! ;) Bring a lunch and some form of sun protection (there is no shade) and enjoy the show!

The Santa Monica Traveling Rings

#236: Los Angeles Police Academy Rock Garden

Talk about a hidden L.A. treasure! The rock garden at the L.A. Police Academy Revolver and Athletic Club in Elysian Park reminds me of an ancient Aztec temple. It's a city landmark, and was designed by Francois Scotti in 1937.  The garden features waterfalls, four pools, walking paths and stone benches.

When I saw pictures of the garden on the website Big Orange Landmarks, I knew I had to check this place out. The problem is, since it's a private club, it's not open to the public unless you make an appointment to see it. They rent out the space for weddings and other events (it costs $550), so if you want to see the rock garden, you can call the athletic club and request to see the space with the intention of possibly renting it. They'll give your name to the guard at the front entrance, and he'll give you directions to the garden.

The perfect setting for a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" themed wedding. 

When we visited on a Saturday morning, we were the only ones enjoying the garden. It was peaceful, and our girl loved the soothing sound of the rushing water. Note that there are many stairs at the garden, so we left the stroller in the car and just carried the little adventurer. 

Morning bicep workout

It was nice having the whole garden to ourselves, but it is too bad that the general public can't have regular easy access to the place. With a little planning, though, you can also see this beautiful garden. 

Los Angeles Police Academy Revolver and Athletic Club

1800 North Academy Drive

Have you been to the L.A. Police Academy Rock Garden? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

#235: DIY Houses

The Gehry Residence

Hello stranger! I've got a good excuse for the lack of posts in the past few months -- my life has been taken over by a little baby girl! Our girl is 2 months old, and a feisty little creature. This was her first 365 L.A. adventure!

I love it when home owners take creative control over their houses and turn them into something avant garde. This weekend we went on a drive around Santa Monica and checked out two DIY houses in the area. The first is the Frank Gehry Residence which was built in the 70's. Gehry is the architect behind downtown's Disney Concert Hall. His house in Santa Monica is thought to be one of the catalysts of the Deconstructivism movement. 

Front of the Gehry Residence

Gehry gave the original house a makeover by keeping its exterior intact and building around it, adding chain link, plywood and metal. You can find the house on the corner of 22nd Street and Washington Ave.  It's pretty crazy looking, and supposedly some of the neighbors were not thrilled when they saw the finished product. 

The second house we visited was just a few blocks away. The Farnam Mosaic House is on the corner of 26th Street and California Ave. The owner of this house runs a mosaic business called Custom Mosaic Tile and has decorated the house's exterior, interior and back alley with beautiful mosaic. Thanks to Experiencing L.A. for letting me know about this house!

Want more DIY houses? Other notable homes in L.A. that were designed by their owners include the famous Watts Towers (#75), the Adamson Tile House (#22), and the Eames House (#86). Facebook follower Laura R. also suggested checking out the Garden of Oz in Hollywood. 

Do you know of any other unique houses in L.A.? Leave me a comment below!

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#234: Ferndell Nature Center

I love the name Ferndell. It reminds me of the 90's animated movie FernGully, with its vibrantly saturated colors and greenery. Ferndell Nature Center is equally verdant and quite arguably the lushest area of Griffith Park. It's also the perfect spot for a cool summer stroll. The towering California sycamores at Ferndell provide ample shade, and there are over 50 species of ferns to admire on your walk. 

A suspended plant hanging above the trail

Located at the Western Canyon entrance to Griffith Park, Ferndell blends so well into its surroundings that most people don’t even know it’s there. The pathway is flat and paved, making it perfect for dogs, elderly people and families with small children. Although it’s located right next to a busy street, the trees block the sound and the view so it felt like we were much farther away from the hustle and bustle.

I read that Ferndell was a popular filming spot for Star Trek. When I told Brad this, he (a closet Trekkie) seemed much more interested in our excursion. If you're a Trekkie too, check out this guy's blog post in which he takes pictures at various Star Trek film locations around L.A., including at Ferndell.

One of the Star Trek film spots

We spent a leisurely half an hour exploring the area, which is only about ¼ mile long.  Along the way, we passed by little waterfalls, purple morning glories, and a few benches. 

Small waterfall

We easily found free street parking on Ferndell Drive. To get to the entrance of the park, turn north onto Ferndell Drive from Los Feliz Drive. The entrance sign is on your left not too long after the turn. 

Look for this sign on your left

Just north of Ferndell is the highly rated Trail’s Café, but we were too full from lunch to check it out. Next time!  

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

Ferndell Nature Center

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#233: Corriganville Park

Have you been to Knotts Berry Farm? Back in the 1940's to 60's, Corriganville Park in Simi Valley was the original Knotts Berry Farm, offering fun Western-themed attractions to busloads of tourists. It went by many names, including Dodge City, Lone Ranger Ranch, and Tombstone, but for most it was simply called Silvertown. For one dollar, visitors could enjoy stuntman shows, get autographs from actors, and see the lots where hundreds of Western films and t.v. shows such as The Lone Ranger were shot. At its peak, Silvertown attracted more than 20,000 people on weekends.

In 1988, Corriganville Ranch was purchased by the City of Simi Valley. Now it is a well maintained park with park benches, picnic tables, lots of trails, and ample free parking. The foundations of the old Silvertown buildings are still there, with signs to explain what used to be there.

The foundation of the Stables

Corriganville Park is located just one freeway exit away from the Garden of the Gods (#232). Whereas the Garden of the Gods is more of an "exploration" than a hike due to the lack of clear trails, Corriganville Park definitely is for those who want an actual hike. There are many paths to choose from, and dogs on leash are welcome. I recommend visiting both parks in one day if you've got the energy. 

Just like the Garden of the Gods, Corriganville Park is full of rocks. Needless to say, I was in heaven. There are many trails to take, and the park is so large that it is hardly crowded. On the weekend, you might see just a handful of other hiking groups during your visit.

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

Corriganville Park

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

#232: Garden of the Gods

With a name like Garden of the Gods, I had high expectations for this 23 acre patch of Chatsworth. I heard that the Garden was within a stone's throw of the 118 Freeway and residential neighborhoods, so I was naturally skeptical of whether it would be the paradise that its name suggests. But as soon as I caught sight of the Gods' rocky thrones--thousands of beautiful sandstone rock formations jutting out from the earth--I was in heaven.



The park is best known as the film site of numerous old Hollywood films such as The Lone Ranger and Tarzan the Ape Man.  As part of the historic Iverson Movie Ranch, this majestic park is purported to be the most photographed location ranch in film history. In 1987 it was turned into a public park by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

The Garden of the Gods is located just south of the 118 Freeway and is bordered by suburbs. While hiking, you may hear the distant drone of cars and catch glimpses of the houses nearby, so don't expect a hike that will "take you away from it all."

Regardless of the sights and sounds of nearby civilization, however, the Garden feels like a secret oasis. There was hardly a soul when we went. The main attractions of the Garden of the Gods are all the amazing rock formations and the abundant wildlife (we saw rabbits, a small snake, and lizards). There are numerous paths to take, so this was more of an "exploration" than a hike for us.

Street parking is free and plentiful. You will turn onto Red Mesa Drive from Santa Susana Pass Road. Park on the street right before Red Mesa Drive intersects with Horizon Place on the left. See this map for more details.

Do you have a sweet spot for rocks? I am in love with them--especially large oddly formed ones. The mere sight of rocky outcroppings stops me dead in my tracks, and overwhelms me with an urgent kid-like desire to climb all over them. If you love rocks as much as I do, check out some of my favorite rocky places to hike: Vasquez Rocks (#179), Red Rock Canyon (#151), Eagle Rock (#156), and of course Joshua Tree (#181). Oh, and if you really want to experience some amazing rock formations, check out Escalante, Utah's rocks (#166), which are forever etched in my dreams.  

 

Have you been to Garden of the Gods? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

Garden of the Gods

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!

A Spring Picnic in L.A.

Finally, a full week of sun!  Spring is here in L.A.!

Whenever I think of Spring, I think of bunnies, wild flowers, waterfalls, and picnics. Recently a reader asked me if I could recommend unique picnic spots around L.A.. After searching through my archives and my mental file cabinet, I came up with this list of places. Looks like this weekend is perfect for a picnic.


The Old L.A. Zoo

Griffith Park is a natural place to have a picnic. The Old L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park combines the beauty of the park with the coolness factor of eating in one of the old animal enclosures.

Greystone Park and Mansion

The grounds of Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills are beautiful, making it a popular spot for movie filming and weddings. While you can't go inside the mansion, the front lawn is huge and usually empty, making it a great spot for a picnic.

Lake Balboa

I think cherry blossom season is just winding down at Lake Balboa in Van Nuys, but you might be able to catch the tail end this weekend. At the peak of the season, the lake is surrounded by breath taking cherry blossom trees. There are lots of picnic tables surrounding the lake. On the weekend it can get busy.

Barnsdall Park


Barnsdall Park in Hollywood is the location of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Hollyhock House. With breathtaking views, it's the perfect spot for a picnic. If you're lucky, the art gallery will be open for your enjoyment.





Lancaster Poppy Fields

They are having a rough season, but are hoping the recent rains will bring the poppies to full bloom. Check here for updates. When I went a few years back, there weren't a lot of picnic tables, but we pulled to the side of the road and had a nice picnic lunch on the hood of our car. 

Other Places to Check Out:

Burton W. Chace Park in Marina Del Rey

Hollywood Bowl You can't go to the Hollywood Bowl without packing a picnic! Enjoy music and food in this beautiful open air amphitheater.

Malibu Bluffs Park Have a picnic with a view of the Malibu coast.

Where do you like to picnic in L.A.? Leave me a comment below!

 Subscribe to 365 LA

 Follow 365 LA on Facebook!