#288-293: Frederick Weisman Art Foundation, Temecula Wine Tasting and lots of Hiking!

pic via

Hey L.A Adventurers! This month we've got a hidden art museum, a wine tasting road trip and hiking galore. Without further ado...

pic via

#288: Frederick Weisman Art Foundation

The Frederick Weisman Art Foundation in Holmby Hills is one of L.A.'s  hidden treasures. You need an appointment to view Frederick Weisman's extensive private art collection, but the planning ahead will be worth it. Tours are available Monday through Friday and are free.  His modern art collection features Warhol, Ruscha, Dali and much more. Weisman was president of Hunt Foods.

One of Temecula's many great dining options: Shortys Bistro at Mount Palomar Winery

   
#289: Temecula Wine Tasting Road Trip

Itching to get out of L.A.? A wine tasting road trip might just be what you need. You don't have to travel far to get to wine country. Recently my friends took a romantic road trip to Temecula, a 1.5 hour drive from L.A.. Temecula is home to many wineries, most of which offer wine tastings (from $15-$20), tours and wine classes. Pechanga Casino and Resort is also located in Temecula.

Bel Vino in Temecula

#289-293: Hikes I Wish I Did

One of the things I miss most about L.A. is the hiking. Here are some trails I wanted to try but never got around to...

Newton Canyon Falls

pic via meetup

#289: Chumash Trail: Simi Valley, 5 miles round trip, moderate difficulty

#290: Icehouse Canyon: Mount Baldy, 7 miles, best to do June-Oct

#291: Hondo Canyon: Topanga Canyon, 7 miles round trip

#292: Lake Vista Trail: Malibu Creek, varying lengths

#293: Newton Canyon Falls: Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, 5 miles, best done in Dec-May. More info here.

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? Leave me a comment below!

#283-287: Deer Park Monastery, Troutdale, Fort MacArthur Museum and more!

from wikipedia

Happy New Year, L.A. Adventurers! This month we have a beautiful mountainside Buddhist retreat, a fort that's been transformed into a museum, a Spanish mission, all-you-can-fish fun for the family, and a gem fiesta. Read on...

#283: Deer Park Monastery  

Deer Park Monastery (pictured above) is a gorgeous retreat in the mountains of Escondido. The practice center follows the Buddhist tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and is open to visitors.

img via FortMacArthur facebook page

#284: The Fort MacArthur Museum

The Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro displays historical structures that were part of the Army's defense of the coastline. The defenses range from the big gun era to the missile era. They also have a radio room full of the old communication equipment used by the Army at Fort MacArthur. 

#285: San Gabriel Mission

Founded in 1771, this Spanish Mission includes a museum, gift shop, church and performance art center.  Admission is $3-$5. Mark your calendar for their 243rd Annual Fiesta at the end of August. 

pic via 

#286: Troutdale

Want something different to do with your family? Take them to Troutdale in Agoura Hills, where there's no limit to the trout you can fish for. They provide you with a bamboo pole, bucket and bait. Admission is $7 and you also pay based on the size of the fish you catch. 

#287: The Culver City Rock & Mineral Club

Members of this club get access to a fully equipped lapidary shop, library, field trips, parties and more. Everyone should check out their Fiesta of Gems, a free rock and mineral show they host every summer.

 Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? Leave me a comment below!

#277-282: Shambala Preserve, Paramount Ranch, Korean Friendship Bell and more!

via Shambala

Happy November, Angelenos! And a special thank you to 365LA's facebook friends--last month we surpassed 1,000 likes!

This month we've got a wild cat preserve, an old Western movie set, a beautiful Malibu hike, a famous house in the architecture world, and more. Check it all out below, and happy adventuring!

via Shambala

#277: The Shambala Preserve: One weekend a month, the Shambala Preserve in Acton opens its doors to the public. Those 18 years and over can get up close and personal with African lions, Bengal and Siberian tigers, and leopards, mountain lions and servals. 3 hour tours are $50 per person, tax deductible.

via daykations

 #278: Charmlee Wilderness Park: This gorgeous Malibu park features lots of hiking, a recreation center and a shaded picnic area.

via freethingstodoinla

#279: Paramount Ranch: Want to star in your own Western? Visit Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, which served as the filming location for Paramount Pictures. There are trails to explore in the area as well.

via Yelp

 #280: Korean Friendship Bell: This intricately decorated, 17 ton bell was donated by the people of the Republic of Korea in 1976. The bell, located in San Pedro, celebrates the bicentennial of U.S. independence, honors veterans of the Korean war, and celebrates friendship between Korea and America.

via Gamble House

#281: The Gamble House: A prime example of Arts and Crafts style architecture, the Gamble House in Pasadena is open for guided 1-hour long tours Thursday
through Sunday.

via Yelp

#282: The SEA Lab: This little aquarium in Redondo Beach is a great place for kids to learn about local sea life. Admission is a $2 donation per person, or $4 per family. They also host birthday parties!

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? Leave me a comment below!

#271-276: Citrus Groves, Martial Arts Museum, Air Force One and more!

Happy October, Angelenos! This month we've got orange groves, martial arts, pagodas, Air Force One, and a free museum at UCLA. Check it all out below and happy adventuring :)

via ultimatecitrus

#271: California Citrus State Historic Park:  Take a walking tour of this 160 acre park dedicated to oranges groves, located in Riverside. Learn the history of oranges in Southern California, and visit the citrus museum and gift shop.

#272: The Martial Arts History Museum: See the real Karate Kid headband, the Mortal Combat shield, and traditional Samurai attire while learning about the arts and cultures of Asia at this Burbank museum.

via yelp

#273: Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden:  This beautiful garden is located on the campus of Cal State Long Beach and is free to visit. Admire the koi fish, tea house, pagodas, raked rock garden, Japanese irises and more. Closed Mondays and Saturdays.

via discoverlosangeles

#274: The Ronald Reagan Library: Walk aboard Air Force One, see a full sized replica of the Oval Office, and learn about the secretive world of spies at the library's current exhibits. The library is located in Simi Valley.

via ucla

#275: UCLA Fowler Museum: The Fowler Museum focuses on global arts and culture with an emphasis on those from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Admission is free. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

#276: LA Flower District: Every day is Spring in Downtown L.A.'s Flower District, where you can get fresh cut flowers for wholesale prices. It's the perfect place to create a huge custom bouquet for the person you love.

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think of them? Leave me a comment below!

#264 to #270: Farm Sanctuary, a Movie Railway, the Coroner's Gift Shop and more!

pic via allaboutjazz

Hey adventurers! Hope you're enjoying September in Los Angeles. Here are more places in and around L.A. to check out. Have you been to any of these? Let me know in the comments section below! 

#264: Attend an intimate musical performance at McCabe's on the West Side

#265: Visit Farm Sanctuary's rescue animals in Acton. A tour is just $5 for adults.

#266: Check out the home of the movie trains, Fillmore & Western Railway in Fillmore.

pic via tumblr

#267: Watch the sunset on El Matador State Beach in Malibu

#268: Admire the art or attend a performance at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton

The bath towels at Skeletons in the Closet

#269: Visit the coroner's gift shop, Skeletons in the Closet in Downtown L.A.

pic from latimes.com

#270: Take the kids to a Bob Baker Marionette Show in Downtown L.A.

#263: The Cat House

pic of Rosamond via TripAdvisor

The Cat House in Rosamond is a non profit organization that houses over 70 of the world's most endangered felines. This breeding zoo / research facility is open to the public for a mere price of $7 general admission ($6 seniors, $5 ages 3-12). Unlike a regular zoo, there are no moats between the visitors and the animals, so you can get as close as 5 feet away from the felines. They also host Twilight Tours, Kids Day, Scheduled Tours, and a Feline Follies Fundraiser Dinner.

It's a bit of a drive from L.A. to Rosamond (a little over an hour) so pack a picnic and make a day trip out of it!

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

The Cat House

#262: Peddler's Creamery

(NOTE: I originally wrote this post about trying Kopi Luwak coffee (a ridiculously priced coffee made from fermented beans that a Luwak poops out), but then I was informed by a reader, Ben, that the Kopi Luwak business has gotten so lucrative that nowadays Kopi Luwak is made from caged Luwaks who are treated cruelly! :( So I changed the post to something more palatable: ice cream! )

Ever wish someone would invent great tasting guiltless ice cream? Well at Peddler's Creamery in Downtown LA, you can burn off calories and then feel guilt free eating ice cream afterwards.  As part of their Peddler's Club, if you're able to peddle for 15-20 minutes at a rate of 15 mph, you get a free scoop of ice cream!

Here are the club rewards from their website:

The Peddler’s Club is open to Peddlers on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings with slots at: 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:15 pm, and 9:00pm. Be ready to pedal for 15-20 minutes at a pace of 15 mph in order to make one batch of ice cream.

The Sweet Rewards
•  For each batch you churn, you get a free scoop from one of the flavors we have out in the case, or you can donate your scoop to charity; 
•  After churning 3 batches, you get to play rock, paper, scissors with one of our employees and if you win you get another scoop free; 
•  After churning 5 batches, you get your insta pic on our Peddler’s Wall; 
•  After riding 45 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Creamery Peddle Club button or sticker;
•  After pedaling 75 miles, you get a pint of ice cream to enjoy;
•  After riding 100 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Creamery T-Shirt (organic cotton, of course);
•  After pedaling 125 miles, you get to play stump the founder, ask him a question about ice cream. If he can’t answer it then you get to take home a pint; 
•  After riding150 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Hat (100% wool, made in San Diego County);
•  After pedaling 175 miles, you get a flavor named in your honor for a week; 
•  After riding 200 miles, you get your very own Peddler’s Jersey (100% recycled fiber);
•  The leader at the end of each year will earn the unique Peddler's Creamery Yellow Jersey!

Thank you Jesse for recommending this place! 

#261: Egyptian Theatre Historic Tour

Aloha L.A. Adventurers! As I mentioned in my previous post, I've moved to Hawaii! I'm still completing my 365 things though, so my posts are now meant to be a "Things To Do When I Visit L.A." list rather than a "Things I've done in L.A." list. So many new adventures to look forward to!

This one's been in my bookmarks for a long time; take a tour of the historic Hollywood Egyptian Theatre which was built in 1922. Visit the dressing rooms, singers' boxes, and projection room on your hour-long tour. Tickets are $5 and the next tour is October 15th so mark your calendar!

Egyptian Theatre Historic Tour

#260: Gymboree Play and Music

                                                                                                                                                     

Hey loyal readers of this blog, I'm sad to announce that we're moving from L.A. to Hawaii in a couple of days. It's a bittersweet move since I've got so many places bookmarked that I have yet to do and see in L.A.. However, the show will go on... I'm still posting until I hit 365, so don't go anywhere!

This post is for all the new parents out there... It's about a magical place where you can catch bubbles on the tips of your fingers, where kids never tire of rainbow colored parachutes, and where clowns aren't scary at all.  I'm talking about Gymboree Play and Music. For the past 6 months, my girl and I have been spending oh, about 95% of our time here, and it's been her favorite place to be. 

What makes Gymboree such a special place? It's the girls who work here. I am beyond impressed by how cheerful and friendly they always are, how they know everyone's names who walks through the door, and how they're always patient and nurturing with the kids. 

I also love how the floor at Gymboree is padded, which provides my girl a safe place to fall and practice her crawling and walking skills. They change the floor plan every two weeks to make the place seem like a whole new gym for the kids. And their class makeup policy is very flexible, which is a bonus if your kid's naps are all over the place (like mine). 

For $74 per month, you can enroll in a weekly 45 minute class. To add more bang for your buck, you also get unlimited "Open Gym" membership where you can take your little one for free play. I've met so many great parents this way whose little ones are about the age as my girl. 

Definitely check this place out if you're a new parent--it will save your sanity and your kid will love it. If you're not sure whether Gymboree is for you, you can try a free class.  Thanks for the memories Gymboree! 

Gymboree Play and Music

#259: Zimmer Children's Museum

You know the Chuck E. Cheese jingle Where a kid an be a kid? Well if the Zimmer Museum had a jingle, it would go Where a kid can be an adult. This hidden museum located on Wilshire is the perfect place for your tot to practice his or her hand at being a chef, an emergency medical technician, a pilot, an actor, a musician, or a construction worker. It's like a miniature world where the kids run the show!

Kids can also enjoy playing in a ball pit, a place to explore water, and my baby's favorite--a VIB area. VIB stands for "Very Important Baby" and it's a small padded area where babies and their caregivers can play with soft blocks and other toys. All we were missing was bottle service.

Most of the kids at the museum were in the 3 to 5 year range, but my 11 month old loved it as well. We were there till they closed, and as an extra incentive to get everyone out on time, they give balloons to the kids as they leave.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. Babies less than one year old are free. FYI: When you enter, you have to go through a metal detector and put your bags through an x-ray. That's because the Zimmer Museum is a Jewish museum and is located in a building that houses the Jewish Federation of Greater L.A., so they take extra precautions (They do the same at the Museum of Tolerance (#209)).

The Zimmer Museum also offers classes. Click on the link below to find out more!

The Zimmer Children's Museum