The Hobbit's House is just a cute house to see if you are in the area. It is not a must stop. The…read morehouse actually has an owner and there is an apartment there. It was built by a former artist for Disney Studios and the builder, Lawrence Joseph worked on all of it for decades. There are adorable cottages and a view from the street is super. I think some of it may be occupied, I am not sure, so I did not venture far, just the front and back yard and stopped when I saw what looked like an apartment building. It is an LA Historical Landmark and just so cute. It is near Sony pictures. It almost looks like you are walking into a movie set. There is a great garden and a pond and it really does look like a Hobbit house. We were not there long, maybe 15 minutes and did not need to be. So, if you have 15 minutes and want to see a super cool house go take a peek.

When in LA on a rainy bank holiday (dramatically less traffic) do what Angelenos do! See the…read moresights!! These are people's homes aka the Lawrence and Martha Joseph Residence and Apartments, commonly known as the "Hobbit Houses," located in Culver City, California. The structures were designed and built by Lawrence Joseph, a former artist for Walt Disney Studios, starting in the 1940s and continuing construction for decades. Now surrounded by high rises it is difficult to land a parking spot but worth it to get a closer look. For a moment imagine yourself on a walk through emerald green grass & fields of wildflowers. And then look up & see these enchanting cottages.

You find out new things each time you come here. I've been loads of time but usually for lunch or a…read morestroll through the mall. There's nothing fancy there but since it's there might as well walk through. But along the main strip, they do have a good amount of restaurants, bakery and quick and easy dining. Not to mentioned some shopping along the way. We came for dinner with some friends which I didn't even know that that had a night market happening. I was told that it goes on during The weekend. It's nothing to fancy just a few vendors with homemade gifts and a few food stalls. It's a good way to showcase your business as it right along the strip where the movie theatre and restaurants are. I've also been to a Yelp event just along here which was fun. Downtown Burbank isn't crazy but it does pack a lot into it. With Finney's, Yardhouse, Granville to name a few of the bigger chain restaurants. You have the movie theatre, more restaurants and shopping along the strip. Then there's the mall at the corner. It's a few block radius which isn't too big but all packed in together. Also loads of sushi restaurants which I love. Plenty of parking at one of the many parking structures. There's street parking if you get lucky.

Gotta love DTBK, Downtown Burbank in the city of Burbank is a central hub of food, entertainment,…read moreculture and more. From the local Burbank Town Center to the AMCs (16, 8 and 6) to the cool statues like Batman outside of the Slice House by Tony Gemignani Enjoy fun vendor marts, the Taste of Burbank festival and gatherings throughout the year. Parking garages are plentiful, but they can absolutely fill up on weekends as well as holidays. Walking is fun with easy navigation (very pedestrian friendly) - I'm often around exploring from Angeleno Avenue to Burbank Blvd/San Fernando Blvd, which breaks up but highlights the center of Downtown. Enjoy sandwiches at the Wild Carvery, ranked #30 among top sandwich shop spots in 2025. Dine in at Granville, Wokcano and other little big chains. Another Broken Egg Cafe is very much a popular spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Shop it up at Burlington Coat Factory, Macy's and more. Selfcare at Purpose LA Barbershop, The Local Salon inside the mall (aka BTC - Burbank Town Center) and Eden Nails & Spa to name a few. Laugh it up at the iconic Flappers comedy club off the corner of 1st Street/Magnolia Blvd. Take the Downtown Burbank Metrolink, local city LA Metro or Burbank Busses, Pink and Orange routes. Some parts of Burbank do have an incline, especially in the down of town area. Easy but busy freeways like the 5, the 134 being the closest connection. Depending on your destination to or from Magnolia Blvd, Glenoaks Blvd and even Burbank Blvd can be the next best thing. For the nightlife Fantasia Billiards is a fun place to shoot some pool and have a drink, nice patio overlooking the main Boulevard. And Round1 Bowling & Arcade stays open until 2am w/ karaoke rooms, eats and solid beverages #FunForAll The cost of living ranges (2k for a one bedroom), but the area is very inviting, rich in life and culture, not to mention cuisine. Summers can be quite hot, but also enjoyable. Winters and fall will definitely see some exciting season holiday decor, plus happenings. Explore, visit and thrive in Downtown Burbank.

Randyland is the best! It's unique and beautiful on its own, but to make the experience extra…read morespecial, you'll want to reach out to schedule a visit with Randy in person. Depending on the season and the weather, he'll be able to tell you what time of day is optimal for the best light. In my case, he responded quickly and made it so easy. I'm drawn to quirky people who are compelled to do something, do it well, and keep trying out new ideas simply because they love it. That's Randy in a nutshell, and his enthusiasm and creativity are infectious! You'll leave feeling inspired to see the world a little differently and to make your OWN art more often. Enjoy!

OK, I have had this place on my list of things to do for years. I saw it on Atlas Obscura and then…read moreI saw a video about it on YouTube. It was definitely worth the wait! What an amazing experience! Went with my sister, mom and dad on a Sunday afternoon. Beautiful light in October...beautiful light sculptures and what an interesting interaction with the universe. Randy was just a lovely individual. Like a really interesting, eccentric artist who just is behind what he is proffering 100%. Great talk. GREAT art. Great day. I really recommend it 100%.

If you are a lover of both history and art, take some time to go over to Burbank Blvd. and…read moreColdwater Canyon in Van Nuys and walk the length of the Great Wall of Los Angeles. Told in a series of murals, the Great Wall of LA tours you through time. The Dust Bowl...The Zoot Suit Riots...World War II...Rosie the Riveter...the Japanese internment camps...the Baby Boomer era...the era of covered wagons...The Gold Rush... all are depicted in beauty and tragedy alike. There is so much history here told in art that I cannot write it all out. Go for yourself and see how much you know -- how much you learn.

The great wall of LA spans, many yards. I don't know how long distances really, but it goes on for…read morea long time and has a lot of different paintings murals in pitchers in the school to check out.

I enjoy looking at this house, whether it be in person or at the photos of it. It reminds me of a…read morehobbit's house because hobbits aren't good at making straight lines. It is said that a hobbit house can be peaceful. I would next like to investigate the amount of hair on the top of the owner's feet, only to confirm my suspicions. Thank you

Molhulland Drive, California…read more If you're looking for a chill, romantic drive, Mulholland Drive is a great pick!!! The views are beautiful, especially in the spring and fall when everything is green and wildflowers are blooming. The road winds through the hills, so you get nonstop scenic views. Driving with the top down and the wind in your hair makes it even better ~ super relaxing and enjoyable. It's the kind of drive where you just take it slow and enjoy the ride. There are several lookout spots where you can pull over, catch an amazing sunset, and later see Hollywood and San Fernando Valley city lights at night. Plus, there are plenty of spots perfect for Instagram ~ worthy photos. Definitely worth the drive.

Mulholland Drive is one of those famous roads built a hundred years ago just to show off the…read moreamazing views of the city and the valley. I first drove up there way back in the early 90s, and I remember being totally blown away by how big Los Angeles looked from up high. I have been back plenty of times since then, and that twisty drive along the top of the hills honestly never gets old. It is a great place to just cruise around, especially when you pull over at the dirt patches to look down at the city lights. Even though the world down below has changed a lot, driving that road still feels exactly the same as it did on my first trip.

The little big neighborhood city of Toluca Lake was established in the roaring 1920s with a mostly…read moreresidential make up encompassing some great hidden streets, avenues and sites. Moorpark Street being to most roaring part a century later in the 2020s. From longstanding historic eateries like Bob's Big Boy (on the border of Toluca Lake in Burbank) to the local Trader Joe's, Fresh Brothers Pizza and Tocaya Moden Mexican fast casual restaurant. Incredible personal favorites such as Something Vegan, Forman's Tavern and Paty's Restaurant. It's a fairly accessible area both by car and on foot with easy streets, a fairly function LA Metro system, the 155, 222, 224, 501 and Commuter Express not to mention the Pink Route bus via the nextdoor city of Burbank. Historical gems such as the Gary Marshall Theater are here as well as other small theaters and/or playhouses. Your main freeways are the 134, 101 and 170, but surface streets are very much the way in Toluca. The Lake of T resides alongside the Lake Country Club & Golf Course on Clybourn/Toluca Avenue. Toluca Lake Elementary and Toluca Crossroads School, both off Cahuenga Blvd, are the only schools in Toluca Lake. Bordering Burbank, Universal City, Studio City and North Hollywood in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley the T Lake has great places to eat, shop and stay with most of your essential needs within the "city limits," but also very closeby. Parking can be a challenge like almost anywhere in Greater, however you can definitely find it and find your way. The cost of living is steep with studios starting around $2k, one bedrooms around $2.4 for a one bedroom. Homes are worth a pretty penny as well and for the comfort and luxury of living in a little big slice of SFV/LA County greatness, you can definitely see why visiting, passing through and exploring is definitely something a lot of us can enjoy without breaking the bank, that said they have most bank branches (Chase, Us Bank, Wells Fargo, etc) here as well as a Fire Station (number 86), US Post Office and Neighborhood Council. The nearest library is in North Hollywood and the closest medical facilities are the UCLA Health Toluca Lake Primary Care and the Toluca Lake Medical Building on the cusp of North Hollywood. Toluca Lake is a skip over to Warner Bros Studios as well as Universal Studios. With some awesome accolades for cinema, television and digital mediums such as Pulp Fiction, the Netflix series Never Have I Ever, and T.J. Hooker to name a few. This overall neighborhood in the city is charming, intimate and inviting even more so for seasonal occasions like Halloween and Christmas, they go all out!

In my humble opinion? This is the cutest neighborhood in Los…read moreAngeles. I have yet to come across a cuter little village like city. The shops are mom and pop owned. The restaurants are super cute, and the people are cute and friendly. Yes, I used cute a lot...it's because Toluca Lake is SO DAMN CUTE! I've been planning to move here for a while, I just didn't have the financial means to relocate. I'm getting married in August and my fiance and I are looking for a place in Toluca Lake. When he proposed to me I agreed only under the condition that we move to Toluca Lake. Yep, I love this place that much. Even looking long term it makes sense. The house value will only increase in such a great neighborhood. Its a great little town to raise kids, and the schools here are spectacular. Oh and they have a lake and a car show every sunday during summer! What more can you ask for?!

Phone home phone home!!!! Lol. It is absolutely amazing to me how iconic the E.T. home still is -…read morealmost thirty years after the movie was filmed!  As the Grim Cheaper and I drove up the hill where the residence is located and the property came into view, we both immediately recognized not only the actual house, but the cul-de-sac and neighboring residences which surround it.  Being that I haven't seen E.T. in almost three decades (I only watched it once, when it first came out, and I became so hysterical when E.T. left Elliot that my parents had to drag me out of the auditorium kicking and screaming and I've never been able to re-watch it since), I find that to be absolutely amazing!  The long, sloped driveway, the cul-de-sac, the mountains in the background - for better or for worse, those images of the house are indelibly engraved in my memories.

This was an amazing place…read more It was super easy to drive down the street and find the cul de sac and park next to the house. This was great! I've wanted to come here forever! The house looked the same - so did the backyard. But there were less trees. You can stand in the driveway and take pictures with the house too. There were cars in the driveway but there was no one out in the neighborhood. It's a super quiet spot. My favorite destination I've been to!!