I've made a promise to myself to explore more of what makes SoCal great. To this end, I will…read morecheck-in a city, post a couple of photos to get myself started and then have those as a reminder to explore more of that city and post more pics as I learn more. Inglewood is a city I've been wanting to explore going back to "The Great Western Forum"(IYKYK!). Only recently did I make new friends with peeps from Culver City who frequent Inglewood for the community center events at Rogers Park. But until I met them, Soul Food experiences had not been a part of their adventure - Wha da WHA???? How does one spend any time in South LA and NOT try to determine their fave Soul Food establishment??? They didn't even realize the melting pot of food cultures (Creole, Ethiopian, Nigerian, Persian, Jamaican, Burmese, just to name a few!) awaiting them. That venture aside, the community center activities have been a blast! I LOVE seeing communities out playing on a Saturday. People of all ages dancing, sporting, having fun! I love the civic pride and the warm, inviting residents. I love peeking around corners and seeing Main Street vibes of 50s, 60s, 70s architecture. I love the beautifully kept parks and the murals of tribute found all around this city. And - OF COURSE - I love the smell of the food cooking block after block! I'll post more pictures and spend more time driving around on my next visits. The pace is chill in Inglewood and I shouldn't rush through, grabbing glances like I have been. Inglewood will be an evolving exploration and I look forward to the pleasant surprises I'll find. Cheers! "CC"

Inglewood is a vibe…read more Growing up on the south side of Los Angeles off the 105 I can think about so many great journeys to and through the City of Inglewood including visiting friends and family in the bulk of the late 80s and most of the 90s. Before I went vegetarian and then/now vegan, we frequented the Ms' B's M&M's Soul Food spot at 4549 Imperial Hwy, lived for Rally's aka Checkers at 8500 Crenshaw Drive and of course hit up Randy's Doughnuts. There's a few freeways that run alongside the city including the 101, and 110, as well as through like the 405. Public transportation is accessible but surprisingly not as smooth as it should be especially being home to some of the biggest music and event venues in Greater Los Angeles. From the Kia Forum to SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome, this place is stacked. There's even a Cinépolis Luxury movie theater and huge epic "welcome to" Inglewood larger than life billboard monitor sign. It's super gentrified and getting more so every day, but still has it's charm, comforts and character in many places like it's parks, staples such as Roscoe's (Chicken n Waffles) , Stuff I Eat (vegan soul and comfort food spot going nearly 17 years strong) and many many more. Several schools served the city under their own school district, including Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School, City Honors High, Inglewood High School, Inglewood Continuation and Morningside High School as well as handful of private primary educational facilities. Traffic can range especially for sporting events and concerts with the Chargers, Clippers and Rams all being based in Inglewood since the 2020s. Much like concerts a lot of small businesses or lots will open up for reasonable pricing, or at least less than the main venue. While the K/Pink Line run through the outskirts of the neighborhood, it doesn't pass through the heart of the area and Iwood is creative, colorful and a collection of lots of diverse history.

This is such a nice tribute to the Beach Boys, just north of the Hawthorne Airport and Tesla…read moreAerospace. It's located among relatively newer homes. The band of brothers and relatives/friends was nicely made and seems to be forever made for fans and the public to pay homage to the songs and music of the sixties and beyond. There are signs in beige leading to the monument, so that there is no way to get lost. I hope more people have an opportunity to see this tribute to a local iconic band of American history.

Tucked away in a neighborhood where planes will be flying overhead. This is a nice landmark/tribute…read moreto the band. Worth a visit if you're nearby.

Truth be told, this fountain made me cry & I do not cry easily…read more This beautiful 2004 bronze sculpture by artist Douglas Olmsted Freeman graces the plaza next to the historic Culver Hotel. It captured my heart. I began to walk away after taking a photo of what I thought to be just another fountain with a very cool statue in its center. But then.....I heard it. The water spouts surrounding the lion shoot straight up, in staggered, rotating intervals, & when the water comes down & slaps the ground it mimics clapping hands, dancing feet, or drums, with rhythm. This is a masterpiece of design. An audience of children broke into spontaneous dance. I cried with joy.

This is one of my favorite spots in Culver City. I love how there are always kids playing around…read moreat this fountain. The last time I was here, there were two kids running around. When the water started spouting out real high they started climbing up the fountain and hanging on for dear life so that they wouldn't get wet. Other times, I have seen kinds running through the fountain trying not to get wet.

Beautiful and iconic spot along the Southern California coast. The views from the pier are great,…read morewhether you visit during the day with clear ocean horizons or at night when the coastline lights up on both sides. On a clear day, you can see Palos Verdes Peninsula in one direction and the Malibu coastline in the other. The surrounding promenade is lively and well-maintained, perfect for a walk, bike ride, or just relaxing by the beach. There are plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and shops nearby, making it easy to turn a simple visit into a full afternoon or evening outing. Parking can be a bit tricky, especially during busy times. There are metered spots available, along with nearby lots and street parking if you're willing to walk a bit. The pier itself is also home to the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end. Dogs are not allowed on the pier.

I had such a relaxing time at the Manhattan Beach Pier while visiting California. It was one of…read morethose simple moments that just felt good. The little aquarium at the end was small but really cute, and it's free (I LOVE free!!). Nothing over the top, just an easy stop while you're out there. The pier itself has plenty of room to walk or sit and zone out a bit. I spent some time just leaning on the railing, reading a few pages of my book, and taking in the ocean. I even spotted dolphins in the distance, which honestly made my day. Watching surfers paddle out toward the waves...and in the direction of the dolphins... it felt like such a classic California scene. I left feeling lighter than when I arrived for sure!

Bruce is hands down the best! not only is the tour itself…read moreso mesmerizing , Bruce himself is so knowledgeable about everything! my mom was EXTREMELY hesitant because she hates heights , but he made sure there were no sudden moves that would make her uncomfortable (besides the few wind gusts that are beyond his control) to say the least my mom agreed to going AGAIN!! We will definitely be back for a night tour. Thank you Bruce for being so attentive

We had a fantastic time flying a Los Angeles area tour with Bruce. We did the hour tour. Bruce is a…read moregreat pilot, knowledgable, and has a calm demeanor - exactly what you want when flying in a helicopter. We chose Bruce because of the 5 star reviews and because I wanted an owner / operator for the tour. My hunch was right and we had a very enjoyable tour of Los Angeles. Take a look at our photos! Book with Bruce and have a great time! His rates are reasonable (I know - I compared them to everyone else on Yelp) so you have every reason to get in touch and take that tour you've been thinking about!

Basketball courts. Tennis courts. A skate park. Plenty of green for picnics. I've seen this park at…read moreits worse and it has been upgraded significantly. The grass is now well maintained, the tennis courts have been renovated and repainted (I would know; I once signed up for tennis lessons via City of Gardena and we used the courts here) and people have been mindful about their waste given there are plenty of trash bins around. As we are in the middle of a pandemic, they have attempted to close everything down with yellow tape but that doesn't stop people from still coming through and using the facilities. I'm sure staff aren't thrilled about that, but no one is really enforcing anything. Otherwise, it's a pretty cool park to hangout at. Here's hoping this pandemic ends soon. I can't wait to watch those early morning badminton teams play again.

The field is spacious for outside sports…read more The playground was pretty small but the park staff was there on a Sunday!

This was my 4th time attending the haunted soirée, and each time was a unique experience. This…read moreHalloween event is my fave experience because it is immersive, interactive, fun, and spooky. I love all the creatures. My fave one was the one that took place in DTLA 3 years ago. That venue was spacious and beautiful. The only concern I have is the 2 hour time limit. There's a lot to see and do in 2 hours, plus, you gotta make sure you get all your mini cocktails included in your admission. All the rooms are spectacular and the shows are fascinating. It is always hard to solve the mystery since you have to talk to all the characters for various clues. This year, we decided just to enjoy everything.

Thursday: House of Spirits at Casa Vertigo in Downtown LA was so much fun! It was the perfect way…read morefor my friends & I to celebrate Halloween! What a spectacular experience! Premier Tickets: My 2 friends & I had Premier tickets; No line, expedited entry, as well as 5 craft cocktails of our choice (non-alcohol or alcohol) & truffles curated by a chocolate sommelier, yum! The truffles had me at hello, so delicious! One of my favorite drink combos of the night: Clever Fox Rum, Pineapple, Banane Du Bresil, Coconut, Liquer & Lime! Yum! Bartenders were friendly & we tipped them at each station! Dress Code: Your choice of Halloween Costumes, Cocktail Attire or Period Piece Attire! I combined two & was a Princess; wearing an elegant gown I purchased for the event & a sparkly crown, which I already owned! My friends went all out, dressed as 2 of the characters from a popular movie! Fun! Vibe: The crowd was amazing, friendly & often complimented each others costumes, as well as took photos together! Fun! I even had a few people bow/curtsy because of my costume! So funny & friendly! Also, the venue was so spacious; there was a ton of space to move about throughout the venue! Lights, Camera, Action: What a show! Whether the actors were on stage performing, including singing(incredible voices!) or walking around in phenomenal costumes & staying in character, I was excited at every turn! I was in awe of the details & energy that went into the costumes & performances along the way, as we navigated numerous rooms on about 4 floors of the venue!(Wear comfy shoes; stairs!) Interactive: There is a storyline; characters walk around giving you clues & tell you stories! While watching an onstage performance, they called for volunteers & my friend was incorporated into the scene, which was awesome & she had fun! I will admit to screaming a few times when the characters would suddenly appear, while walking through the maze, but it was good fun! Hahaha! Fancy & Talented: Chandeliers were everywhere, which I love!! The rooms were moody & had a glow about them! There were mazes, stories that were told, numerous photo opps, spectacular theatrics & so much more! There were even dancers pouring drinks while twirling & doing acrobatics while suspended in the air! Wowsers! Incredible! Overall: Loved House of Spirits at Casa Vertigo! The event was above & beyond what I had imagined! The production & presentation of it all was impressive on every level! I'm looking forward to going again next year! Fun times with friends! Happy Halloween, Everyone!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

5 star service! 5 star food! 5 star sightseeing! 5 star hotels!…read more If you want to enjoy your trip without any worries, signet is your choice.

Went to Vietnam for 9days. Excellent tour guide, 5stars…read morehotels. wonderful food. Trip arrangements were suit for the weather.