The Mandalorian and Grogu was a fun afternoon matinee for my husband and me today. Action, drama,…read morecomedy, the triumph of good over evil, great special effects--it's got it all. Because I joined the Lamdmark membership, I got a $15 discount for my birthday last month and it came to $4.23 for the online tickets. Great savings! Which we of course immediately spent on a cocktail and popcorn at the theater: a watermelon bourbon smash and a Oaxacan Fashion. Highly recommend this theater!

So Landmark is one of our favorite theaters. They have great movies and often obscure ones which…read morewe love. I write this more as a teaching experience than anything else. I'm a loyalty member and one of the perks is a voucher on your birthday to be used for refreshments. We went to the "secret movie" last night which was terrific. Because the voucher was only good for 30 days I wanted to use it before it expired which is 30 days after your birthday. My birthday is April 12 so we were well within that time frame. The bar code wouldn't scan. Odd because our tickets scanned as they always do with zero issues. The wait became uncomfortable after two employees were unable to scan it and called a manager who still couldn't scan it. The voucher was for $15 and I wish that they had decided early on to just go ahead and process it rather than making us stand there and wait which they eventually did. C'mon guys, don't make this birthday perk uncomfortable for the guest, fix your system.

cutest park ever, well maintained, clean and lots of shade from the mature trees. very nostalgic!read more

We've been to this park a few times, it's hit or miss with the crowd. One major concern is that the…read morestructures are all made of cement so prepare for some injuries. It's also all sand so that might lessen the falls. There's a smaller park for younger kids closer to the parking lot.

The Soaring Tea Pot is a mesmerizing sight at the intersection of Rosemead and Las Tunas. Cloudy…read moreday this morning. We passed by here and my colleague wanted to stop to see it up close since she was fascinated by the illusion of a magical floating tea pot. The Soaring Teapot is said to symbolize peace, good fortune, and prosperity to all societies. Really cool photo op if you're ever in the area!!

Ever since its inception, this teapot definitely made driving through Temple City just a bit more…read morejoyful seeing something as unorthodox as a giant soaring teapot out and about. As others mentioned, it shouldn't be a highlight to just visit this structure as this is more of an attraction for those who are going to the nearby businesses around the plaza. Additionally, it's a pain to park at the plaza at times if you're solely visiting this area just for the teapot. Despite all of that, it's a fun and joyful addition to the city and I can respect that. We need more of these art installations around as it helps boosts the ever evolving culture of the SGV.

Cascades Park is a great place to hangout at, but lately it's been on a hydration strike (no…read morewaterfall). Still, you show up, because the vibes are solid!! It's got that whole sloped setup, so you can climb up, pretend you're earning your post-snack calories, and then chill at the top like you've conquered something. The view's nice, especially if you're holding a boba or street tacos like a true Monterey Park foodie!! At night though? That's when it redeems itself. The lights come on, everything glows, and suddenly it's giving romantic picnic energ even if the waterfall is still ghosting you.

I wish I lived near this quaint little park! My friend and I…read moreactually drove here with some egg tarts to have a snack but it's not exactly a destination spot. More of, we live in the neighborhood and are so lucky to have this park, type of spot. No playground or even a lot of grass to frolic on. There is parking though if you do want to venture for a little scenic outdoor dining like I did. That being said, it's gorgeous! I could see this being a great spot to take photos or just enjoy a book on one of the benches. There are also some stairs so you could get some steps in if you took a few loops around. The beautifully man-made waterfall is lovely! Peaceful, serene and a lovely asset to Monterrey Park!

Ambassador Mansions & Gardens is a very quiet, peaceful, and truly beautiful place. It's hidden…read morebetween buildings, and if you don't know it's there, you might easily miss it -- which makes it feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city. The territory is incredibly well maintained, with huge mature trees, beautiful flowers, fountains, mini waterfalls, and small ponds where you can see fish and turtles. There is also a lovely grassy area in the center where you can sit, relax, or have a small picnic. Geese walk freely around the gardens, and colorful parrots fly overhead, adding even more charm to the atmosphere. In April, the garden looks especially stunning -- the pergola and trees are in full bloom (I wish I remembered the names of those gorgeous flowers!), and the whole place feels alive and magical. Honestly, this garden is beautiful in any season of the year. You can come here with dogs, which is a big plus, but it's important to respect the property rules: pets must be on a leash, owners are responsible for cleanup, professional photography requires a permit, and activities like skateboarding, drinking alcohol, or organized sports events are not allowed. These rules help preserve the calm and cleanliness of the space. There is also a secondary school located on the property, which adds to the unique character of the place. Parking-wise, we were able to find free street parking nearby without any issues. This is a perfect spot to slow down, enjoy nature, and escape the city noise for a while. Highly recommended for a peaceful walk or a quiet moment surrounded by beauty.

Great place to relax and sit for a bit. This was one place I've heard about through a friend and…read morewanted to take my pal Jack to go for a walk and check out this scenery. Very peaceful and quiet. Dog friendly of course. There was multiple benches to sit on and enjoy the flowing water and koi fish ponds. The building structures were beautiful and well kept. I would recommend this place if you want to take a break and sit and enjoy the area. People were friendly and welcoming. Parking is a bit limited as we had to park across the street. This area is located behind apartments and a bit hidden from the public. Once you walk around you'll find your way. Overall great place to visit.

Limited hours, limited parking. Hidden in the residential area of San Marino. Don't let that…read moredeter you. This was a VERY quick see of the old mill interior as it was closing before its scheduled time. There is a gallery occupying one of the rooms. There are a lot of succulents and plants that surround the building which are green and vibrant against the rustic molino viejo.

The past is the way to the future. Without further ado let's begin the landmark review…read more El Molino Viejo aka The Old Mill (est 1816) is a two-story architectural landmark with huge grounds and tranquil gardens in the city of San Marino. It was the first ever grist mill constructed in the early 19th century California to serve Mission San Gabriel; and personally designed and supervised by Padre JM de Zalvidea. It's facility was powered by a waterwheel. Impressive!! Walking around The Old Mill you'll notice it has a fortress-like design with five ft thick brick walls surrounding the mill's 43,500+ sq ft grounds. It serve as a protection in the event of disturbances during that time. Moreover, throughout its history it was vandalized, foreclosed, sold and passed down to state/city, to prominent California families and a company. Blimey! At present time, the El Molino Viejo is a lovely museum and event space. I bet most LA locals were oblivious that this exist; who knew this historical landmark was right under my very nose. I spent 35 minutes and 30 seconds to visit and explore the entirety of the museum grounds. Street parking only. Admission is free. Hours are limited. Beverage is permitted in and around the museum. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and recommend you visit.

The Love Sculpture was in NYC for years just like my friend Tom said in his review. It's absolutely…read moremoving and a great piece for photography. Obviously when you have lots of money you can buy whatever you want and move it wherever you want! We were robbed of our LOVE....... I'm sad

Who would have known a fun art installation such as this would be in the backyard of the SGV? The…read morestructure itself strikes a hard red color which captures the attention of every passerbyer heading towards its neighboring businesses. The location itself is located inside a parking lot and usually has a security guard patrolling around the area. I personally haven't parked at the lot in order to get to this structure as it's part of the Panda Express HQ's area so they may get the tendency of shooing those away not there for business. However if you just park nearby and walk to this place, I don't believe they'll mind anyone who's looking to grab a few snaps of this fun piece.

A very nice and charming home in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood in South Pasadena that is…read morefamously known as Pee-Wee Herman's house :D ! Interestingly, according to Zillow, this house was built in 1922. So it is a little over 100 years old. It was our first time ever visiting. But it brought back wonderful childhood memories of watching his show, even though this was actually featured in the Pee-Wee Herman movie that came out in 1985 :) ! You can only take photos outside. But we were totally fine with that since the house exterior itself is really cute :) ! You can't go inside because it is currently owned and I believe it is currently being rented out. So I think there are current tenants living there. He was truly one of a kind :) ! May he rest in peace and no longer suffer after a long battle with cancer.

We Stopped by the House from Pee-wee's Big Adventure…read more Fyi the secret lever for the bike room is not there. I'm going to have to go to Francis' house next, though I believe the Buxton's live in a gated community. I hope you find a creative endeavor that makes you feel like a kid. This movie helped inspire Googy. Cheers. I do feel bad for the people who live here because even though it brought me joy to see the house, I bet they get too many visitors. Please don't trespass or bother these people.

You've fooled them, haven't you Michael? But not me. Blimey!!…read more If you're a fan of HALLOWEEN movie then you're on for a surprise. This is the place where a scene from Halloween was filmed at Montrose Avenue (hedge) in South Pasadena, CA. Micheal Myers peers out from behind this hedge as Laurie and Annie approach. I bet not too many people know this iconic scene. Now I spilled the beans. Lol. :D Maybe next time I'll play the character this year's Halloween. Trick or treat! Hahaha! Thank you street residents for indulging us fans (locals & visitors). And not calling the SPPD on us as we walk by and take photos. :D #ILoveSoPas #PasadenaRules

I will continue my journey through the original Halloween locations that you can find in South…read morePasadena. The famous Hedge where Michael Myers lurks behind is a few blocks away from the other houses. We walked to it, about 20 minutes, but we do walk like crazy so I know most people will drive. 5 minutes drive in a residential neighborhood, plenty of street parking. The Hedge looks the same, we clowned around a bit to take some photos of my husband playing Michael Myers and no, he's not that creepy. People live in that house so be respectful of their privacy. It is great to see all these locations so well preserved after so many years since they shot the original Halloween directed by Maestro Carpenter in South Pasadena. I am glad at least this part of LA is great about preservation. I wil conclude my horror location quest in the area with the Hedge. But this is your Halloween location trilogy guide!

Here's a sentence that I never thought I'd ever write. Pyrenees Castle made infamous due to…read morelegendary record producer Phil Spector's unique solution to relationship discord and conflict resolution makes for a smashing wedding venue and party space. The homicidal music savant and notable wig aficionado once rambled around this nearly century old French chateau only to see it's lush grounds and mid-century aesthetic launch more than a few happy couples into wedded bliss. I just loved the gestalt of the entire property and applaud any couple brave enough to not settle for the same old, same old wedding factory homogeniety. Five easy stars.

The architecture isn't exactly gothic. It isn't exactly modern. It's more of a mishmash of an…read moreattempt at medieval. Just the same it has an extensive history and is very interesting. Most people will remember this when it was in the media referencing the house that was built in 1925, owned by Phil Spectre & that actress Lama Clarkson was shot in. You cannot access the property it is behind a huge wall. So please do not trespass. But you can get glimpses of it as you drive around its perimeter or head up to higher elevation.