Built slightly after LA's Venice Canals but there is nothing to be disappointed about here…read more The housing architecture is equally as diverse as the Venice Canals. The plant life may not be quite as nice as Venice but the SPACE here is the big plus. The walkways are wide and roomy and homeowner's have more space for their outdoor space around the sidewalk and in front of their properties. There are way more boats here compared with LA given the wider canals and more spacious environment. I believe there are more canals here as well given our walk through the area. Some teens were jumping off the bridge and into the water. I flashed back to my youth, and it looked like fun on this hot day. Until I overheard one scooter referencing all the sting rays doing "blow bys" in the water around them. It made immediate sense as I looked at the outlet to the ocean and a quick Internet search confirmed it. The waters are full of paddleboarders and small boats. If I had to choose, I would say this is the more enjoyable spot for a stroll. The ability to take a gondola ride through at night is very cool for those who have not been dating or married long. We're well beyond that so we passed on the offer, sadly. ;)

After a great day of the beach and lunch, our friends wanted to show us their favorite spots to go…read morefor a walk to get their steps in. Naples Canals is a beautiful neighborhood. Beautiful homes nestled around water and gondolas rides coasting by. We actually drove around for a couple of loops just being that crazy looky loo's at the beautiful neighborhood. We found parking and went for a walk. There's a cool bridge overlooking the canal. We got to see the gondola ride! Our friends told us this was a great neighborhood for seeing Christmas lights displays. All the neighborhood decorates their homes. How cool is that?!?!

Parking is god awful, I'm gonna be real, but mostly is free if you can find street parking or in…read morelimited lots so it's not the biggest evil in all of LA. Lots of culture, history, and art on these streets. Love the painted stairs all around and the artwork for the local school and other various buildings. Nice to see hills and the palm trees lining them and the main road as well. Eclectic and "hipster-y" vibes and community, so you get lots of interesting community shops, businesses, and eateries, but also some really high end ones as well. I really liked the super friendly cats that came out to say hi and get some pets at a local hookah lounge and that the local school there has a community garden and chickens. Can't say it's a place I'd regularly seek out and visit, but nice to stop by here and there.

"I've been waiting…read more.. I've been waiting for this moment all my life..." Reflecting on the history of Silver Lake over the last several decades it's amazing to learn and have seen it evolve with time from days of activism in the 60s advocating for equality across the board to present with much more inclusivity. I was born in LA near LAX, but didn't truly start exploring this side of the bustling streets of Los Angeles until about 12 years ago and even in that short span. Neighborhoods have changed, new businesses have popped up and a few great long-standing ones shut their doors. If you're visiting or local walking around this little big neighborhood can be quite fun with a little of everything from cuisine to cocktails. Clothing to cars and even the occasional local events like Off Sunset recently-ish (usually early Springtime each year), a collection of vendors and businesses supporting each other as well as the city of Silver Lake... Open to all and for all much like the city itself!! Transportation of the public variety isn't too bad as local city orange Metro busses such as the 2 or 4 (which run frequently and connect to the Metro B Line aka the Red at Vermont /Santa Monica and/or Vermont/Sunset). Some streets and areas are inclined with certain residences (homes, apartments, condos, and so on) being oddly placed out of the natural foundation, but it's part of the charm much like the Micheltorena Stairs off Micheltorena Street & Sunset Blvd, which does have a metro stop of course. The education system is primarily preschool, elementary, and middle school within the area with a private school going up to 12th just beyond Los Feliz. LACC or Los Angeles City College isn't too far outside Silver Lake for high education, but I'm not sure of too many other trade, career, or college-level schooling facilities within close proximity, but we do have plenty beyond that. Silver Lake has one of the best Los Angeles Public Libraries out of any you might visit, plus it's near the Silver Lake Reservoir and other hidden gems. Some of my favorite haunts in this city are definitely Intelligentsia, Akbar, El Cid, 4100 Bar, My Vegan Gold, The Black Cat, yes... that Del Taco!, Big Mac Liquor, and the Eagle bar to name a few. The best thing/upside about Silverlake is that it's very all-inclusive and welcoming, but the down thing besides the parking is the cost of living. It's creative, artistic, and very trendy.

Great looking house…read more I saw it in the movie and then I saw it in real life. I mostly like looking at things and this is one of the things I looked at. What a pleasure for me. Thank you

"Bueller?.... Bueller?.... Bueller?...."…read more For fans of the iconic 1986 John Hughes film, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," the "Ferris Bueller's Day Off House" is a must-see. Nestled in a quiet Long Beach neighborhood just south of Virginia Country Club, the home where portions of the legendary movie were filmed unassumingly sits on a beautiful mature tree-lined street known to be a favourite of the movie industry when selecting properties to film on-location. Although this is the house where Ferris & his family "lived," don't expect to knock on the door & find Ferris, Jeannie, nor their parents --- this is a private occupied residence. Although it may be tempting for some, please do not trespass, & please do not disturb the occupants. If you're a fan of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" & just happen to be in the Long Beach area, take a few moments to check out "The Ferris Bueller's Day Off House"....it'll put a smile on your face! Tips: * Address: You'll know it when you see it! ;) * Privately owned home. Not open to the public. Tours not available. * Please be respectful of the occupants & neighbors * Be sure to check out the house across the street...it just may look familiar! ;)

One of my favorite streets in Los Angeles. Abbot Kinney has a unique atmosphere with local vendors,…read moreboutiques, cafés, street musicians, and interesting architecture. It's a great place to walk around, grab a coffee, and enjoy the Venice vibe. Every visit feels a little different, and there is always something new to discover.

Abbott Kinney is only a mile long but there's so much to see. Whenever I'm in Venice, I never miss…read morecoming in here and strolling around the neighborhood. So many things to see in here such as checking the small businesses , view the colorful murals and attending pop up events. Also love dining here as there's so many different options as well. I love hanging out the stores which has either front and back patios. I really like the vibes and atmosphere here.

Soundwalk 2008 50-something installations scattered about…read morethe Long Beach Art District. What an adventure. Random galleries and installations in random areas. There were some were on street corners, some roaming ones crusing on bikes throughout the path, some in rundown lofts. You never know when you're going to run into one. (T.V. sitting on the concrete on a dark street in front of an empty studio) Some invovled wires and circuits and there were some like a small platform w/ plastic megaphones. Pros: Free event, a little bit of everything, very nice area. Eh: Barefoot trio on streetcorner singing about Star wars.

Some of my writer friends participate in this event, so I was convinced to try it the first year…read more It was exactly what you'd expect from MFA folks: experimental and odd, yet inviting to all. I was amazed at all the strange sounds coming out of random objects, like street lamps and bushes. There was a guy walking around with a Seussian noise-making machine, too. I was into it! Being the extroverted winos that we are, my friend and I weaved our way in and out of the shops, sipped some free wine, did a wine tasting at Vin de Pays, and chatted with gallery owners, all before we ended the night at Utopia. It was a wonderful way to get to know the neighborhood better, all the while under the self-satisfying pretense of being "cultural."

Los Angeles Chinatown is a hybrid of classic Cantonese Chinatown, commercialized China Town, new…read moreimmigrant South East Asian, Vietnamese Asian Town and the new rejuvenation of "Hipster" elements, a modernization and removal of antiquated tradition. Chinatowns were originally Chinese Ghettos, the designated regions where White America would allow Chinese laborers (and subsequently their families) to live. Typically undesirable lower socioeconomic regions. It became commercialized in the late 1960's through the 1970's as a tourist attraction, a cultural curiosity of sort. New York and San Francisco had, has and have a more "authentic" if there is such a description "Chinatown" with East/West coast snobbery towards those Cities over Los Angeles' C-Town. Chinatown is still kind of dirty 'tho, much as New York's and San Francisco's that on a hot humid day you can smell the overrun of sewage stench along the curbs of the streets. It's not quite as filthy as Seattle and Honolulu Hawaii's Chinatown 'tho. Parking can be difficult, but they have ample paid parking lots, and is also off of a public metro transit system. It's nearby Little Tokyo (aka Japantown) as well as kind of close to Dodger's Stadium, Downtown LA, Crypto (aka Staples) Centger, LA Live, the Financial District, the Garment District, etc. So, as a tourist or local running errands, there's many stops along the way and perripherally adjacent. If you crave Chinese Food however, I'd recommend the SGV San Gabriel Valley or The OC, Orange County area of Irvine as great alternatives or greater destinations for dining. If it's visiting something historic, this Chinatown is gritty and a nice experience during the day. The nightlife is mediocre, 'tho if you're driving and want food past 11pm, Chinatown has some really good eats! There is a "Bruce Lee" statue for a photo op for visitors as well as a sitting statue of Sun Yat Sen in the townsquare area. Golden Dragon Restaurant is a good place for authentic Dim Sum. There's an annual Chinese New Year Parade (Lunar New Year, typically sometime in Jan-Feb annually) held here too.

THIS IS CHINATOWN?! (3 stars)…read more Not going to lie, I'm use to San Francisco's Chinatown so coming here it was like "this is Chinatown?" It's really rundown and I feel could have potential is the right businesses and attractions were put in place. 1) if was so easy to find parking - yes, in LA, and in a Chinatown. 2) the streets were empty with a few local elderly walking around but packed in areas where there were groceries being sold 3) not many attractions to look at. I kind of felt sad for this part of down. It has a great view of downtown LA and prime for development but it feels like a washed up and forgotten area.

Let's start off with a true fun fact about this community that is highly diverse ethically and is…read morean example of complexity to others. See what I did there, LoL! Besides that it's also known for 24/7 economy and spas and if that's your jam then you need to come get it man! For us foodies it's a paradise of the late night coffee shops, restaurants and Oh Yeah them sweet dessert shops! Yes I know parking can be an issue but that's an easy fix if you come early and make a day trip out of it. And yeah some people make that complaint of homeless and the streets are dirty but you know what, it's OG and that's what's up because it keeps on thriving. And I say this. I drive on her streets cause she's my companion, I walk her streets cause she knows who I am. It's the city I use to live in, the City of Angels, we were once lonely and together now we never cry. No judgment here like some other cities in deep orange and no worrying about labels and what you look like. That's how it should be, a place where you can be you and not looked down upon. Mix that up with amazing food and a fire nightlife and you have yourself this very special place. I'm not writing this because I grew up here I'm just stating the facts! And that's my take on it, Peace out my peeps...

Nothing beats the magic of LA's KTown…read more Koreatown is a neighborhood bordering Downtown LA as well as Mid-Wilshire, Hollywood and so many other get areas in Los Angeles. It resides in the central east side of town with amazing eateries, siperies, bars, taverns and even music venues like the iconic Wiltern theater off Wilshire/Vermont. You can access public transit via LA Metro, LADOT DASH and it's very own D/Purple Line and B/Red line - though the Purple Line is being extended and serviced the early half of the summer. Driving is still fairly easy, though traffic is extra real during the day and early evening. Loads of scooters, bikes and of course ride share in the area. One of my favorite places to eat is still Monty's Good Burger on Western Avenue between 5th and 6th. Which is also next to Franks and Hanks dive bar and The Artist Tree, both places I support. Discover a ton of karaoke popular spots off 8th like Rosen Karaoke or karaoke w/ cocktails, video games, vendors, patio fun and dancing at the speakeasy Break Room 86, located on the side of The LINE LA hotel off Ardmore Avenue/Wilshire Blvd just across from the Wilshire/Normandie Metro Station. Do K-BBQ at Baekjeong, now on 8th and a local favorite of my favorite k-town human Sarah S. Take in historical buildings, admire the new huge apartment buildings, support small grocers and markets. Get the big essentials at your local Jon's, Ralphs, Vons and of course H Mart. Good bars, fun shopping, magical eats, city scenery the glam and the gritty. Reading at your local Pio Pico Koreatown Branch Library is fundamental as well as at local mom & pop bookshops and stores like SeJong or Happy Bookstore, both on Western Diversity, culture, art, in a foodie and walkable slice of flavor where local meets tourist in this melting pot inspired and thriving with Korean and Asian Culture. It's not the most cost affordable area with so many lavish buildings popping up monthly if not weekly, but it's still KTown at its core. There's nearly two doesn't schools including the Southwestern Law School and the Wilshire Private School (formerly Wilshire Elementary among other names). Festivals and gathering throughout the year especially for major holidays like Korean New Year and Chinese New Year both also often referred to as Lunar New Year in many parts of the world. What is LA if not a city blended of all kinds of people learning, growing and thriving as best they can. Koreatown is without a doubt a huge part of that.

Fabulous boat parade! Highly recommend getting your family or friends together to watch. There were…read moreabout 70 boats this year. A couple even had a live band on board playing upbeat music. Most had music and some had passengers singing Christmas carols. The boats go through all the canals...definitely gets you into the Christmas spirit and so happy that people are getting outside and celebrating again.

What a fun way for our family/ friends to kick off our holiday season. Arrived early- found free…read morestreet parking near the park on Appian/Attica. Took advantage of the restrooms at the park before walking over to the canal. There is also paid parking in the lot at the park. Although parade started at 6pm we arrived at 4pm to locate parking, meet up with others and have dinner. Walked to the canals and first watched the large boats ( walk over canal bridge- go towards and pass fountain to open water to view large boats) then walked along the canal and viewed the gorgeously decorated homes, listened to some live music, and watched the small boats. It was our first time but will now become a family holiday tradition.