Fun Places in LA: October 2006

Downtown LA Walks

http://www.downtownlawalks.com/index.php

Fashion District

www.fashiondistrict.org

AOL City Guide: Top 15 things to do in december

http://cityguide.aol.com/losangeles/holidays/?page=fifteenlist

1.
DWP Light Festival
Nov. 23-Dec. 30

2
Christmas Tree Lane
Dec. 10-Jan. 1

3
Snow at the Grove
Nov. 20-Jan. 1

4
Mission Inn Lights
Nov. 25-Jan. 1

5
Downtown on Ice
Nov. 17-Jan. 16

6
Hanukkah Family Fest
Dec. 18

7
Las Posadas
Dec. 16-24

8
Operation Santa Paws
December

9
Holiday Chandeliers
Nov. 30-Jan. 2

10
Hunky Santa
Through Dec. 23

11
Queen Mary Tree Party
Dec. 7

12
Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 17

13
Holiday Slide Show
Starts Nov. 25

14
'White Christmas'
Nov. 22-Jan. 1

15
Descanso Holiday Fest
Dec. 10-18

Mountain High

www.mthigh.com

From Los Angeles
Mountain High Resort is just 20 minutes off Interstate 15, making it quick and easy to find. Simply take Interstate 10, the 60 Freeway or the new 210 Freeway East to Interstate 15 North. Exit Highway 138 West and make a left on Highway 2. You will find Mountain High just three miles past the town of Wrightwood. Travel time from downtown Los Angeles is just 90 minutes.

From Orange County
The addition of the toll roads has made travel from South Orange County even easier. Take the 91 Freeway to Interstate 15 North. Exit Highway 138 West and make a left on Highway 2. You will find Mountain High just three miles past the town of Wrightwood. Travel time from Orange County is less than 75 minutes.

From San Fernando and Antelope Valleys
Mountain High is so close to the Antelope Valley that its night lighting can be seen from Palmdale, Lancaster and the entire surrounding area. From the San Fernando Valley take Interstate 5 to Highway 14 North. Exit Pearblossom Highway 138 East and make a right on Largo Vista. Then follow the signs to Mountain High. Drive time from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 138 is just 45 minutes.

From San Diego
Though it may not appear so on the map, Mountain High is San Diego's closest winter resort by more than 30 minutes. The drive couldn't be easier either. Take Interstate 15 North and exit Highway 138 West. Make a left on Highway 2 and go three miles past the town of Wrightwood. Travel time from downtown San Diego is 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Griffith Park-Holiday Light

http://losangeles.about.com/od/phototours/ss/dwplights.htm

- The Annual DWP Holiday Light Festival --

Friday, Nov. 25 - Thursday, Dec. 30, 2005
Light display hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Angeles CA 90027
General Information
323 913-4688 ext. 9

- Admission: Free

The DWP Festival is located along a 1-mile section of Crystal Springs Drive between the Los Angeles Zoo parking area on the north and Los Feliz Blvd on the south.

- Two ways to view by vehicle:

1 - Exit the Golden State Freeway (5) at Los Feliz Blvd and head wast to Crystal Springs Drive Turn right and drive north until you reach the Grand Entrance to The Holiday Light Festival.

2- Exit the Golden State Freeway (5) at Zoo Drive and park in the Zoo parking area. Ride the FREE shuttle bus or walk the pedestrian path.

- Shuttle (Zoo Parking Lot) -
Thanks to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, a FREE shuttle bus will depart continuously from the zoo parking lot.

- Shuttle Service Schedule -

- Weekends - Nov. 25 – Dec. 11 -
Friday - Sunday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

- Daily - Dec. 17 - Dec. 30 -
Daily 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

- Pedestrian Path -
You can also visit the festival on foot from the walking path that’s accessible from the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot.

Old Town Pasadena

Old Town Pasadena, which is located on Broadway, Union, San Gabriel Blvd. Take 10-E and exit San Gabriel Blvd and go north, left on Broadway and u'll get to Old Town Pasadena. Or Take 110-N all the way to the end, turn right at a street. Live music is there too.

Take 110N, Go all the way to the end, the street/ exit should be Arroyo St, Right on colorado. Old Town Pasadena's on Colorado.

Hsi Lai Temple

Take CA-60 E toward I-5 S / SANTA ANA / POMONA.15.7 miles
Take the exit toward HACIENDA BLVD.
Turn LEFT onto THREE PALMS ST.
Turn RIGHT onto S HACIENDA BLVD.2.1 miles
Turn LEFT onto S GLENMARK DR.<0.1 miles
End at 3456 Glenmark DrHacienda Heights, CA 91745-6445, US

Hollywood Sign

Mount Lee in Griffith ParkLos Angeles, CA 90027 (213) 469-8311
Editorial ProfileAn advertising ploy turned world-famous landmark.
http://www.hollywoodsign.org/

Scene Pictures...Go to the following places for pictures http://www.hollywoodsign.org/see_highland.html

Hollywood & Highland
I-405 N
US-101 S toward LOS ANGELES.9.0 miles
Take the exit toward HIGHLAND AVE / HOLLYWOOD BOWL.0.3 miles
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto CAHUENGA BLVD W.0.2 miles
CAHUENGA BLVD W becomes N HIGHLAND AVE.0.7 miles

The Background
The 50-foot-tall sign was born in 1923 as an oversized ad for the new Hollywoodland housing development. The "land" suffix disappeared early on (it's unclear as to how), leaving the sign as we recognize it today. Once covered Vegas-style with 4,000 lightbulbs, the sign has stood for nearly eight decades, becoming one of the most cherished and endearing landmarks in America. In addition to at least three face-lifts, the sign has endured controversy (a disillusioned actress jumped to her death from atop the "H"), neglect (deteriorating and fallen letters) and vandalism (a pro-marijuana group altered the sign to "Hollyweed").The AppealNobody visits Los Angeles without snapping the Hollywood sign. While you can't physically reach the sign anymore because it's fenced off, a drive into the Hollywood Hills and a little patience behind the wheel will get you close enough to pose for the requisite snapshot.

Top Ten things to do in LA

1.Hollywood Bowl
2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Enjoy a pre-concert picnic on the gorgeous grounds of this Hollywood landmark. Seat prices begin at an unbelievable $1.

Direction=I-405 N, US-101 S, Take the exit towards HIGHLAND AVE/HOLLYWOOD BOWL, Merge onto CAHUENGA BLVD W, CAHUENGA BLVD W becomes N HIGHLAND AVE.
0.03

2.Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Venture into the enormous Chavez Ravine to support the Big Blue Wrecking Crew in their bid for the league crown.

3.Lotus Festival
Saturday, 7/9 at Echo Park Lake
Home to the country's largest lotus bed, Echo Park hosts this annual two-day celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander culture.

4.Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Sip a pina colada in the sand with the thong-and-sarong crowd at this Malibu summer staple.Go to Website

5.Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
Thursday nights are all about the Twilight Dance Series, which features free live musical performances.

Direction= 10-W, 4th/5th exit, Right on 4th, Left on Colorado, Left on Ocean, RIGHT onto SEASIDE TER., RIGHT onto APPIAN WAY., LEFT onto MOSS AVE

6.Catalina Island
Avalon, CA Only 22 miles across the sea, the island of romance offers camping, fishing and free-roaming bison.

7. Project by Project Food & Wine Tasting Benefit
Saturday, 7/16 at California Science Center Spago's Executive Chef, Lee Hefter, leads the charge of gourmet food and wine samplings at this extravagant yearly benefit.

8.Pageant of the Masters
Thursday, 7/7 at Irvine Bowl Actors and props recreate famous works of art like the "Last Supper" in Laguna Beach's beautiful outdoor amphitheater.

9.Disneyland
700 W Ball Rd, Anaheim, CA Embrace your inner Mouseketeer with Mickey and the gang for a day of fun at this classic SoCal theme park.

10.Outfest
Thursday, 7/7 at Egyptian Theatre The oldest continuous film festival in L.A. reaches its zenith every July, with two straight weeks of screenings, parties and performances.

Olvera Street

Olvera Street
Olvera St. and Cesar Chavez Ave.Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 628-1274
Editorial ProfileThe heart of historic L.A., featuring a hodgepodge of restaurants and commemo...

http://www.olvera-street.com/

Direction= 10E, 110 N 1.67, US-101 N exit towards HOLLYWOOD/I-5 S/SANTA ANA/I-10 E/SAN BERNARDINO 0.57, US-101 S 0.09, Take the BROADWAY exit, exit number 3A., LEFT onto N BROADWAY.,RIGHT onto W CESAR E CHAVEZ AVE.

Olvera Street is open everyday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. However, some stores may open earlier and close later.

History of Olvera St. http://www.olvera-street.com/html/olvera_street__history.html

Parking

Park nearby on Alameda in the beautifully restored Union Rail Station, an art deco masterpiece built in the 1930s.

Know Before You GoBefore you go,
check the Olvera Street website for a list of upcoming events and festivals.

The ExtrasWant to learn more about Olvera Street?
Free docent-led tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Reservations aren't required but are recommended. Call the visitors' center at (213) 628-1274.

LACMA

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

www.lacma.org

5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036

Quick Info on Location-on Wilshire, btn Fairfax and La Brea Ave

Parking-Pay parking @ Wilshire and Spaulding Ave, @ Wilshire n Ogden Dr

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 12 noon to 8 pm. LACMA West closes at 5 pm.
Friday: 12 noon to 9 pm. LACMA West closes at 5 pm.
Saturday, Sunday: 11 am to 8 pm. LACMA West opens at 11 am and closes at 5 pm.

LACMA is free after 5pm and 2nd Tuesday of every month

Location & Parking

The main buildings at LACMA (also known as LACMA East) are located in the Miracle Mile area between Fairfax Avenue and La Brea Avenue, on Wilshire Boulevard, just east of Ogden Drive.LACMA West is two blocks west, at the northeast corner of Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

Pay parking is available in the lots at Wilshire Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue, and at Wilshire and Ogden Drive. Parking in these lots is free every day after 7 pm. See Yahoo maps.
For public transportation info, see L.A. County MTA (enter 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036 as the "ending" address)

Third Street Promenade

Go to 10-W to Santa Monica and exit on 4th/5th street. U can get free 2 or 3 hours parking on Wilshire and 4th street (parking's on 4th). Evening rate- 3$ flat.

The Grove

the Grove

http://www.thegrovela.com/

Direction http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=5&page=concierge_generalinfo.php

Turn on WILSHIRE BLVD - go 2.4 mi
Bear on N SANTA MONICA BLVD - go 1.1 mi
Turn on BEVERLY BLVD - go 2.3 mi
Turn on THE GROVE DR - go 0.2 mi
Arrive at 189 THE GROVE DR, LOS ANGELES

Parking http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=5&page=concierge_generalinfo.php

first hour- free
1-3 hours- 2$
after 3 hours, 1$ for every 30 minutes
get 2 hours free w/ validation from stores.

Getty Museum

the Getty Museum

http://www.getty.edu/museum/

Hours and Admission http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours.html

How to Get there http://www.getty.edu/visit/gethere.html

Getty Center Map http://www.getty.edu/visit/map.html

Talks and Tours http://www.getty.edu/visit/tours.html

Visit the Getty Home Exploring the Architecture

Please visit Talks and Tours to find out about Architecture Tours.
Unique design elements, beautiful gardens, and open spaces. Richard Meier's Getty Center harmoniously unites the parts of the J. Paul Getty Trust, and makes them accessible not only to Los Angeles but to the world.

Travertine (2:24)

Meier chose stone for this project because it is often associated with public architecture and expresses qualities the Getty Center celebrates: permanence, solidity, simplicity, warmth, and craftsmanship.

The 16,000 tons of travertine are from Bagni di Tivoli, Italy, 15 miles east of Rome. Many of the stones revealed fossilized leaves, feathers, and branches when they were split along their natural grain. Meier and his staff worked for a year with the quarries to invent a process using a guillotine to produce the unique finish.
Natural LightNatural light is one of the Getty Center's most important architectural elements. The many exterior walls of glass allow sunshine to illuminate the interiors. A computer-assisted system of louvers and shades adjusts the light indoors. The paintings galleries on the Museum's upper level are all naturally lit, with special filters to prevent damage to the artworks.

Galleries, Libraries, Offices, and GardensIn the Museum, clear sight lines between interior and exterior spaces allow visitors to move in and out of the five gallery pavilions and always know where they are. Exterior courtyard spaces include fountains and a variety of trees, including Mexican Cypress trees, as well as the cactus garden to the south.A circular building to the west of the Central Garden houses the Getty Research Institute (GRI), used primarily by Getty scholars, staff, and visiting researchers. The circular library evokes the introspective nature of scholarly research, with book stacks and reading areas wrapping around a central courtyard. A ramp creates concentric paths, promoting interaction among the scholars and staff. A skylight pulls light through to the subterranean reading room. At the plaza level, a small exhibition gallery displays objects in the GRI's collection for visitors.Two buildings to the north and east of the Arrival Plaza house the Getty Grant Program, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the J. Paul Getty Trust administration offices. Intimate sunken gardens, terraces, glass walls, and open floor plans provide fluid movement between indoor and outdoor space, and views of Los Angeles for Getty staff.
Event Calendar
Exploring Art on View
Exploring the Architecture
Exploring the Gardens
Talks and Tours
GettyGuide
Where to Eat
For Families
Getty Museum Stores
Research Libraries

Seeing the Getty Center

Fun Places in LA

Tuesday, October 03, 2006