Another local secret is venice canals, not just around Christmas...quiet peaceful neighborhood, of…read morethe rich and famous, hard to believe you aren't too far from the going ons of the city! Park nearby and you can easily get lost and look at the beautiful homes and canals

tl;dr: It used to be better. I question whether it's worth seeing anymore…read more.. **** This year's parade was kind of a dud and a disappointment for me. I had such high expectations after stumbling upon the parade a couple of years back and there was greater participation. There used to be a flotilla of big barges filled with singers in costumes, lots of singing and lights, spaceships, etc... I read that there used to be something like 40 entries in the recent past but this year there was barely a dozen... For the entrants, I want to give them props for participating. I remember a couple of Christmas crooners like the guy in the tacky gold lounge suit, and another barge with a bunch of black guys singing a capella, these guys were cool. But, my biggest adoration goes to the mom who was in the water dragging her raft along with the kids and grandma in tow. That's dedication! I know this is just a local community parade and that I shouldn't be complaining but I remember it for what it was and I was hoping to see more of the same... Seems like this has gone the way of the Pasadena Doodah Parade when that was once bigger and more fun too...

Another fabulous year of fireworks at the MB Pier! The weather held (no rain) but the temperatures…read morewere chilly. The fireworks display was fantastic, with some pyrotechnics that I had never seen before. We watched from north of the pier, and had some background music from one of the neighbors. Lots of parties and open houses for a lot of merry holiday cheer as well, makes for a great evening.

The was the best time ever. I got there early in the afternoon. The atmosphere was so positive…read more Good people having a good time. I ate at Hennessey's and then set up camp on Manhattan Beach Blvd. The live music was very festive, the kids loved the snow and Santa and the fireworks show was incredible. It very much helped that it was a wonderfully warm December night with an amazing sunset. This is a must for SoCal families and I think, like me, you all will quickly make this a holiday tradition.

Love this place..every year the line up of musicians are worth the wait…read more Yayayayayyayay

The Culver City Summer Music Festival is A LOT smaller when you compare it to the Santa Monica…read moreTwilight Dance Series. Both are free concerts that occur on Thursdays in the summer. I prefer the Santa Monica concert more, because it's at the pier. Or, you can also watch the concert on a megascreen on the beach! The Culver City concert is located at city hall. Minimal grass space. Mostly concrete for you to sit on. There is free parking underneath city hall. Or you can park at the nearby Culver City Garages for 2 hours free. We got there at 6:30, when the concert was scheduled to arrive at 7. There was no place to sit. Every inch was taken. There isn't too many places to stand either, without blocking the sea of people sitting down. Luckily we managed to find a tiny spot in between two groups near the stage. If you get there early enough, the city of Culver City puts out chairs right in front of the stage for people to sit on. (About.. 30-40?) I don't know if I would come back. It's nice. And parking was relatively painless. And the concerts in Culver City have better acoustics. I guess I would . . . if there was a good band playing that night. *Two thumbs up*

First time visiting Little Ethiopia, which finds itself located mostly on Fairfax Avenue with a…read moremyriad of shops, store, and other businesses. You can easily walk through the entirety of it in an afternoon and I'm sure they host community events and celebrate here too. I'm not usually in this area, so it was a treat that the Gintama Art Exhibit was randomly hosted here. There are so many options for dining here, so hopefully one day we'll be back in the area to try more or to get a drink from one of the businesses. We saw some shops selling vintage goods and a grocery store too. There were casual coffee spots, sit down restaurants that were banquet style, a buffet, and much more. Way too much for an afternoon and for only 1 stomach in that sense. Strong community feeling here as I saw the businesses owners chatting with each other and locals coming in and greeting them like lifelong friends. Parking can be free, but just be wary of where you park and READ THE SIGNS.

Back in Little Ethiopia!…read more This small slice of culture in the mix of Central Los Angeles with awesome eats, artsy beats, cool shops and bits of tranquility. My primary doctor is a short stroll away so I pass through and by a lot, but actually got to have a nice sit down post routine check up meal and go in for the frills. Rahel's Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine is a must stop dream! I enjoy them when they do pop ups at events for sure, but nothing beats an in person experience. Vintage Treasures and Repairs is a great vintage jewelry, clothing furniture as well as repairs shop. Cannonball & Tilly is a fun thrift store that encompasses a good portion of the neighborhood and 45 Three Modern Vintage Home is thee used, vintage & consignment one truly should explore with so much amazing art. Fun markets via Merkato and Buna, which both double as restaurant/cafes. Don't forget to enjoy the iconic Paradocs Coffee and Tea featured on Infatuation LA last year, and a personal favorite of mine. That coffee is 10/10. Open to all, teatastic teas, and good vibes for everybody. You'll discover fun flyers and/or posters for music nights, events, etc., Take in the greenery throughout and large sidewalks with a mid street crosswalk, for a very pedestrian friendly area. I've only driven over once or twice, but parking is pretty adventurous. I recommend metro or rideshare. And often catch the LA Metro 217 bus over from the Hollywood area over, which goes down Fairfax and even stops at The Grove along the way. Always a great part of the city to enjoy #SupportSmallBiz #SupportCultureinLA

9/14/24 Taking advantage of a flex OFF day, visited the Thursday Redondo Beach farmers market and…read morethen headed down to RedondoLanding just to walk around. It was a nice leisurely stroll snd seeing some shops probably closed for the down time, I was a little sad. Hoping it's just temporary because of the lull. I remember when we were kids, during summer we'd go to Redondo Beach on the weekends & have a picnic in the grassy area where now sits a playground. Great memories. I like going to the pier & watch people fish, most catch mackerel. Best time to see more action is around Lenten (Easter) season. Great little visit & a walk down memory lane.

I was born and raised in Southern California, and for the almost 60 years I've been on this planet,…read moreI have known about Palos Verdes ("PV" as I always heard it) for most of those years. When I moved to Arizona back in the 80's, there is a part of Phoenix called Paradise Valley, and they refer to that as "PV." Having come from CA and knowing the REAL "PV" is out there, I would have none of this Paradise Valley "PV." But I digress. I have old, old movie footage of walking with my mom (dad was shooting the movie) in and around Marineland. Marineland, however, faded into oblivion long ago, and for so long, all that remained was a parking lot overgrown by grass. That was it. Until 2009, I think, when the lovely Terranea Resort came to life........ but my heart remains with Marineland, and if you were a kid back when I was, you know why. It's just hard to let go, that's all. Then, there's Wayfarer's Chapel, so exquisitely situated on Portugeuse Bend of the peninsula.....an all glass chapel where thousands have wisely chosen to marry amidst all that beauty and scenery. It can't be beat, and thank goodness, that is still here to view. PV is quiet, lovely, breathtaking, and pretty much out of my price range for buying a home overlooking the dazzling Pacific Ocean.........but driving around is for free, stopping by some of the sights is also free, and I'd encourage you to do that. I have my own little history here........ you can make your own, too !

Although it is such a far drive from my area, it was so worth the drive…read more I had an amazing time on this hiking trail to the beach. It was a beautiful day, not too hot nor sunny for an afternoon walk. The Trump golf course was a pleasant site too. I saw plenty of seagulls flying by, lizards, rabbits, dolphins swimming close to the shore, people walking their dogs on the beach, and sadly a deceased seal. You don't have to pay for parking. It was a pretty fun hike that didn't take a lot of effort. Definitely a great place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. I loved it. FYI: Even if it's not that sunny outside, you should still put on sunscreen. I learned the hard way -_- ugliest tan-line ever! Good thing I have the entire summer to even it out. Enjoy.

Wanted to show my friend from France, searched for exact location, found a wrong address. Even…read moreasked the police if they knew where to go,they said no clue. We were at Parks and Recreation building and told another mile north on the beach, too far to walk carrying drum, chair and bags. Had already paid for parking. Ended up window shopping and excellent lunch from vendor out of the parking lot. Someone needs to improve the location post and inform the authorities, put up written notices please.

It's a fun experiance but it's not as good as it used to be. Definitely worth checking outread more

If you love doing Taco Crawls in Highland Park, then you'll love the Boyle Heights Latino Food…read moreFair. Imagine all your fave Latino street food vendors congregating in one parking lot and this is pretty much what the place is. It started informally a few years a go with just a few vendors, but now when you go there in the evenings, its a full blown food fair. A variety tacos, including fresh hand made tortillas. Check. Champurado? Check. Pupusas? Check. Agua fresca? Check. Taquitos? Check. Fresh churros? Check. Heck, they even have a cart lady that makes crepes. I think the only missing were missing was a paletas vendor. You name it in terms of Latino street food and odds are they will have it here. The vendors are sell primarily Mexican and El Salvadorean street cuisine. They even have the El Salvadorean style tamales that I prefer over the Mexican ones. The food vendors start arriving in dusk and by 8 PM or so, they are out in full force. Best time to visit is on a weekend night, but many of the vendors are also there during week nights. Most of the dishes cost between $1.00 to $2.50. Its basically a Latino smorgasbord. And the food quality? It ranges from good to excellent, depending on what vendor and what item you purchase. This is a CASH only place. They will not accept credit/debit cards. however, if you forget to bring cash and have an ATM card, the Fair is conveniently located beside a BofA with 2 ATMs. The only downside is that there are no restrooms nearby. So arrive with an empty bladder before you load up on the agua frescas and other specialty beverages the various vendors offer. They take over a parking lot beside a Bank Of America. Its between the I-5 freeway and Soto Street. When driving on Cesar Chavez, just look for the B of A and the Big Buy Foods. The cross street is Breed. There is still parking available on the lot - you can pay by quarters or credit card. Its $1 per hour. after 9 PM, parking is free. Or you can look for parking in the nearby streets as well.

This place was such a gem to find and I owe it all to Robert H.!!! We have been back now more than…read moreonce and I can't say anything bad about this place. I mean it is what it is which is.... a bunch of Latin food stands in a parking lot behind the B of A. You can find anything from sopes, empanadas, tacos, arroz con leche, gorditas, quesadillas, pig skin, hand made tortillas, churros, squash flower, pupusas, bananas, strawberries and yogurt, crepes, bread friend in pork fat, I mean I don't know the names of alot of this stuff because lets face it, been a while since my 9th grade Spanish class and we certainly didn't cover street foods. Point is it is hot, it is fresh and made to order with the price totally right $1-3 for just about everything. Check it out some weekend in the evening if you get a chance.