Venice Beach has long been known as the kooky epicenter of California, and while it gets more than a fair share of mainstream tourists, the area nurtures its eccentric spirit. Though Abbot Kinney has turned into a posh, high-end ’hood, the boardwalk has stayed a great place for people watching, with skateboarders, radical pamphleteers and body builders. Go for lunch at the local Figtree’s Café before scanning the shelves at Small World Books. The bohemian district is welcoming to all walks of life. - link to: http://www.venicebeach.com/
Hollywood celebrities are never far away in L.A. To catch a glimpse of stardust, stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where more than 2,400 figures from the entertainment world are immortalized in pink terrazzo with symbolic gold lettering. If you’re a film buff, look out for the famous hand and footprints at the Chinese Theatre. Countless premieres and galas have passed through, adding to the renowned pagoda’s star quality. It may not all be as glitzy as you imagined, but Hollywood still has its charms.
Many people dream of being Julia Roberts shopping on Rodeo Drive, but few can afford to buy from the array of high-end designers seen in the film Pretty Woman. So window-shopping is the order of the day. Along the $200-million ersatz European cobbled walkway Two Rodeo, browsing tourists mingle with serious spenders. A hop away is Anderson Court, which is the only shopping mall designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
You’re never too old for Disneyland. This legendary theme park is packed with cool things to do, spread over seven lands and the adjacent California Adventure. After brushing up on a few essential Disneyland tips, stroll down Main Street USA to experience turn-of-the 19th century America, head Westwards at Frontierland and tune into the music of New Orleans square, minus the floods and booze. Great rides include the stomach-churning Space Mountain and the epic Indiana Jones Adventure.
For chic clothes and delicious food, the place to go shopping is the junction of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue. Here, you’ll find The Grove, an open-air mall where you can browse through about 50 top-brand stores. Adjacent, you’ll find the Original Farmers Market. Set up in 1934, it’s expanded from selling fresh produce to offering an international culinary experience from a vast range of stalls.
When Nomad’s rooftop first opened, it was only available to guests staying in the hotel. But now with a few months under their belt, they’ve opened the place up to everyone, and it’s fantastic. The big space has great downtown views, excellent service, and a low-key crowd of people pretending to be more sober than they really are. Oh, and tremendous drinks. There are cocktails from the “classics” menu at the downstairs bar, plus plenty of new options just for the pool area, and an entire frozen drinks section. If you get hungry, order the fava bean hummus or the burger.
Located in what was formerly the old Baby Blue’s BBQ space in West Hollywood, Employees Only is a fancy cocktail bar/restaurant that comes to us from NYC. The dimly-lit space feels like a luxury airport lounge from the 1970s - but one that’s predominantly filled with CW actors, not business travelers. Skip the generic food menu as it’s overpriced and not very good, and concentrate solely on the cocktails. Because those are fantastic. And so is the people watching.
TAO Restaurant is an unparalleled Asian-inspired restaurant in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Located conveniently inside The Venetian Resort and Casino, this is the perfect place to wind down after a memorable day and, adjacent to TAO Nightclub, the perfect place to kick off an unforgettable night.Stepping through the door takes you out of Las Vegas and into an Asian paradise, complete with an infinity pool that is home to beautiful Japanese koi and lush silks and century-old stones that only add to the incredible ambiance. Every table in our 400-seat, two-level dining area is the best seat in the house under the watchful eyes of our 20-foot Buddha statue, and every guest is guaranteed to leave feeling completely satisfied.
Corporate Executive Chef Ralph Scamardella has crafted an amazing menu that is full of culinary components of China, Japan, and Thailand, ranging from our signature Chilean Sea Bass to sushi and sashimi, Dragon Tail Spare Ribs, and filet mignon. Between its amazing food and its wonderful atmosphere, TAO Restaurant is widely known as one of the most in-demand dining destinations in all of Las Vegas.
Don’t hesitate to join us and experience it all for yourself—take a look at the menu and reserve an entire banquet hall for an event or just book a single table for the night.
Getting acquainted with the numerous hiking trails in Los Angeles is the perfect way to discover why L.A. is the ideal place to get outside. Most of the hikes listed here are easy to moderate, so it’s not necessary to be an experienced hiker to enjoy them. However, it’s always wise to keep a few things in mind when you’re planning an excursion. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, carry plenty of drinking water, use sunscreen and wear sunglasses. Take along a camera, make sure you stay on the trails and have fun.
Trail: Runyon Canyon Loop
Distance: About 3 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The views at Cloud’s Rest, the off-leash policy for dogs and the occasional celebrity sighting
Getting There: From Hollywood Blvd., head north on Fuller Ave. Park at the end of Fuller (free parking) and enter the well-marked park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise. (VIEW MAP)
By no means is this hike a wilderness experience, so if you’re looking for solitude, you might want to try other trails. On the other hand, this is a great hike for people-watching, and it gives beginning hikers a chance to check out the Hollywood Hills and the amazing views at the trail summit, known as Cloud’s Rest. Whether you’re wearing the latest hiking gear or just sneakers and sun hats, this is a fun hike highlighted by million dollar mansions and priceless views of the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip and the L.A. Basin.
Trail: Bronson Canyon
Distance: Less than a mile roundtrip
Special Feature: From Franklin Ave. in Hollywood, go north on Canyon Dr. until the road ends, at the "Camp Hollywoodland" parking lot. Cross the small, red concrete bridge on the right (east) side of the road. Walk around the vehicle barrier, keep left and follow the unpaved road for the short walk into Bronson Canyon. (VIEW MAP)
Located in the southwest section of Griffith Park and easily accessible from Hollywood, Bronson Canyon has been a popular location for generations of filmmakers who make use of its remote-looking, somewhat alien setting. Bronson Canyon has been featured in classics like The Searchersand Invasion of the Body Snatchers, as well as more recent films like Star Trek VI and Army of Darkness. “Bronson Cave” is actually a 50-foot long tunnel, the remnants of a quarry that was founded in 1903 and originally called Brush Canyon. The tunnel entrance is best known as the mouth of the Batcave from the 1960s Batman TV series.
Trail: Eaton Canyon Trail
Distance: Just under 4 miles
Special Feature: 40-foot waterfall, Eaton Canyon Nature Center
Getting There: From the 210 Freeway, head north on Altadena Drive about 1.5 miles to the park entrance. Eaton Canyon Natural Area is located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, one block north of New York Drive in Pasadena. (VIEW MAP)
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy equestrian trails with a staging area, picnic areas, a seasonal stream, and native flora and fauna in their natural habitats. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center features a wonderful variety of live animals on display, fascinating exhibits and useful visitor information.From the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, hike along the well-marked main path of the Eaton Canyon Trail to the junction marked WATERFALL. Continue to the next junction and follow the trail under the concrete bridge and into Eaton Canyon. From here, the trail is less defined and much more rugged. There’s boulder-hopping and - depending on the season and rainfall - you could be creek-crossing, so be prepared. Continue through the main canyon and you’ll arrive at a 40-foot waterfall, an especially popular destination during the summer, thanks to its cooling mist and the small pool at its base.
