Within the interlacing streets of downtown Los Angeles lies Grand Central Market, a warehouse style building filled with various food stalls and bustling eateries. The day my husband and I visited was a particularly hot day in the city. We had taken the metro downtown and walked to the market. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was getting a bit weary of the city “perfume” shall we call it and ready to eat (go figure!). To my delight, we were surrounded by a bounty of food options. Our three favorites were (in no particular order):
Category Archives: Travel
Ojai Artists Tour
One of my favorite spots to visit is Ojai, California. It has a laid back, almost hippie vibe (but not with the dirty feet, dancing in circles nonsense).
Coming up in a couple of weeks is their Ojai Studio Artists Tour. This event includes over 50 local (professional) artists who open their studios to visitors for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at their collections. It will be held over Columbus weekend, October 11-13.
Lotusland Gardens in Montecito, California
Tucked within the winding roads of Montecito, California lies Lotusland — the brain child of Ganna Walska. She herself was quite a character (born in Poland, became an opera singer, married six times, acquired great wealth), and her gardens are splendid. Seeing that I am desperately trying to keep our garden plants and pots alive (perhaps even flourish one day), this sounded like a great place to visit. Upon hearing Lotusland had a topiary garden that surrounds a horticultural clock, I couldn’t miss it!
Hermon Trail in Los Angeles — Get Moving!
I was driving with my husband on the 110 freeway in Los Angeles not too long ago and pointed out a trail I had seen people walking along that went up a steep mountain (well, perhaps it was a steep hill) not too far from the freeway. As I looked at him, I realized my mistake but had no way to rewind the words that had just come out of my mouth. You guessed it, that weekend we were climbing the beast and what fun it was!
A Shining Light in Palos Verdes
Something about lighthouses takes me out of the confines of today and launches me into daydreams of nomadic travelers and great adventures. It makes me want to grab a pipe and start saying “hey matey!” to everyone I meet (this may not go over well with my husband). What better place to do this than in God’s Country (aka the Palos Verdes Peninsula) at the Point Vicente Lighthouse?
Start Your Engines, It’s the Nethercutt Museum!
I never really understood people’s fascination with cars until I visited the Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar, California. The first car you see looks like it is on loan from some other planet, and it just gets better from there.
Judson Studios, the Art of Stained Glass
My God-mother had many hobbies. It was fun going to visit her because she was always working on some crafty thing that I got to examine and try to do. My favorite phase of hers was when she embraced stained glass design. Her creations were wonderful. The way the sun changed how the glass looked and the emotion it sent was fascinating to me. I have always loved the play between sunlight and glass, really special. However, it is increasingly difficult to find artisans that work in the stained glass medium. That is why I was so excited to discover Judson Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Oasis in the Desert, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
I again found myself roaming the lonely roads of the California desert “outback” with my husband in search of, well, something. He is a dedicated explorer with an enthusiasm that is addicting so I packed myself into our car, adjusted the air vents so that I was in-line for a continual cool breeze, and off we went…’Mr. Inquisitive’ and his plus one.
Facial with Martinis by the Beach
Pampering is probably one of my favorite pastimes. I love to get pampered as well as treat others to some pampering. It is such a cathartic experience, having someone whose sole purpose is to make you feel relaxed and coddled for whatever amount of time you have scheduled. In the quaint ocean side town of El Segundo (really it’s like what Mayberry must have been) lies a salon that delivers just such splendor, Advanced Skin Care by Marilyn.
Kangaroos in Perth, Australia
Perth, Australia is a beautiful city with unlimited things to do. One “must do” is a visit to the Caversham Wildlife Park which is a quick 30 minute drive outside the city proper. Although Australia has some of the most deadly creatures in all the world, they also have some of the most wonderful.