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!

The atmosphere is friendly and warm .The food is organic and locally sourced. Eclectic art and…read moreitems . The staff was warm, friendly and attentive.

Move over Trader Joe's (and big thumbs down to all their anti-union tactics lately) and allow me to…read moreintroduce you to the El Sereno Green Grocer, an authentically social justice-oriented, community-centered, cozy, colorful, and quaint grocery store in the northeast area of LA. The Green Grocer was founded by two folx of color a year or so ago and is at the intersection of El Sereno, South Pas, and Alhambra (next to the neighborhood favorite Charles Trio). Co-owner Erika will welcome you with her big smile and vibrant spirit. As you browse their well-curated selection of breads, beverages, veggies, spices, desserts, and so much more...you start to notice the products by women of color small businesses and many hyperlocal growers (the lavender is from Bell, my hometown!) and it makes you feel good. Good to know that even though some prices might be a bit steeper than the box chain stores, you have confidence that your money actually supports a small business and in turn our community. Personally, I align with their overall ethos and feel at home every time I visit. Invest in yourself through yummy locally sourced foods (vegan options available) and stay for the good company and conversation (don't forget to check out the community cork board, too!). All the staff are very knowledgeable and super sweethearts. Stop by when you're in the neighborhood but don't forget to check their open hours beforehand. Also, there is a hidden little parking lot down a short alleyway behind the laundromat. I would recommend following them on IG for all the updates, weekly specialty foods, and weekend pop-ups where they feature a small cafe, bakery, etc. Who knows...I might just run into you there right before closing as I grab their chipotle crab ceviche and house chips to-go (my fav)!

Neat to see. There was even a lighted pumpkin out. What nice owners!…read more Highly recommend. Don't forget to see the Halloween House a walking distance away.

Another major location from the original Halloween movie in downtown South Pasadena. You can…read moreliterally walk to it in less than 5 minutes from Michael Meyers original house location. It was surprising how close they are to each other. This is a regular house located right across from the public library! It is a private residence so be mindful of that. I read that the owners put pumpkins everywhere around the house during Halloween time and offer them to visitors. So another visit might happen in the near future. Since my husband is a major Halloween and John Carpenter fan, visiting the location for Laurie Strode's house in the area was a great bonus. Looks the same, easy to spot for all the Halloween fans out there!

"I don't wanna be a chicken…read more.. I don't wanna be a duck... So I shake my..." clap clap clap clap Welcome to a slice of Route 66 in the Highland Park, Los Angeles, California must visit list. Where you'll see the one and only Chicken Boy! This 22 foot statue of a man meets chick sit on top of the gray building in-between to Bionicos la Palapa juice shop and La Fuente Restaurant across from Delicias Bakery and Some on Figueroa Street. If heading east up Figueroa toward 56th it's much easy to spot versus heading west as it's behind a billboard, but even then you might see that red polo shirt, blue jeans and beak poking out. It has the 2010 Governor's Historic Preservation Award as well as the Highland Park Heritage Trust Preservation Award (2009/2010). Originally located downtown as the top display for the 1960s Chicken Boy Fried Chicken Restaurant it was relocated to its new home on Route 66 in 2007. Parking in the area is almost all metered or paid, but some residential parts of 56th, 57th and closeby have some classic street parking available. It's a fun photo op, located in a cool area and definitely one you'll remember.

This Chicken Boy Statue looks more like a chicken man, but... ok. Most boys aren't this muscular…read more It is an odd statue in and of itself. Have you seen any Muffler Men? I'm sure you have! They exist in various forms all around the country! Here's a few examples in Southern California: Porsche Experience (he was Golf Man previously) in Carson, CA, El Salsero in Malibu, Edwin in El Monte, Sergio in East L.A., and more! A Muffler Man torso plus a chicken head equals Chicken Boy. He's also known as (AKA) "The Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles". The arms on the man were tinkered with so they could hold the bucket of chicken instead of a muffler (Muffler Man) or an axe (Paul Bunyan). These Muffler Men have been altered to hold different objects depending on what they're advertising. This statue is made of Fiberglass and is 22' tall. Originally, this Chicken Boy sat upon a roof above a chicken restaurant near Grand Central Market on Broadway between 4 & 5th Streets. It resided there from 1960 to 1984. The owner died and the statue was given to Amy Inouye. For 20 years, this thing was split in half and each half went into different storage units. In 2007, Chicken Boy was permitted to be back on display, but in a new location and as an Art Installation on the roof of Future Studio Design & Gallery. Interesting fact is that both locations are part of the Historic Route 66! It is kind of difficult to view the entire statue. If you stand across the street, the view is better. Still can't see the shoes or feet from there. If you want to check out this quirky statue, you'll find him in Highland Park.

Stopped by for their Wednesday night Beerfest Street Vendors and Dodgers watching event…read more Love how they're all about community and supporting both small local and food/street vendors. It was a fun night and event with great dj mixes. We enjoyed the game with beers from Frogtown Brewery, Arts District Brewing, and Beavercat, plus great Micheladas by the Chacafe guys and others. We ordered some delicious food from GordoHobachi, great price and large portions. The staff and organizers were so nice and friendly, they went out of their way to make sure people were having a good time even after the beer ran out. Worth checking out. Pet and kid friendly. Bring cash. Street parking.

The market opens on Wednesday night. I stopped by after work as I drove by it all the time, and I…read morealways wondering how the food will be. Food options is a bit limited as it is only 1 block. There are also vendors selling jewelries and other items. I choice a taco spot at the entrance, and bought a drink across the taco vendor. Food was worth 2 stars. We ordered el pastor tacos and mulita de cabaza. The meat was lack of flavor. Sadly, the food and drink were not cheap. Will probably not stop by again as I have tried it. Parking could be difficult as only street parking is available.

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.

Happen to be passing by while driving, such a cool stop in Boyle Heights! Fernando Valenzuela's…read moremural is bold, full of that classic East LA energy. You can feel the pride the neighborhood has for him the moment you see it. The artwork is vibrant, and honestly even better in person than in photos. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth taking a minute to swing by and check it out.

Former Los Angeles Dodger, Fernando Valenzuela is being honored today for his contributions to the…read moreCommunity and the world of Baseball. Panel #1 is on view. Panel #2 will be unveiled at noon. Fernando #34 is a legend, born in Mexico on November 1, 1960, he was recruited by the Los Angeles Dodgers (1980) and became a World Series Champion in 1981. Born: 11.01.60 Passed: 10.22.24 Survived by his wife and four children . REST IN PEACE "EL TORO"

Thanks again to our food guide Nancy for the K Town food tour! Delicious and minimal walking as…read moreeverything yummy is so close by & learned some new Korean facts (like the silverware!) It was a memorable work outing & will be back! The only tricky part was figuring out parking nearby but it all worked out. Thank you!

We had an awesome Six Taste Tour today with Darlene in Downtown LA!! We learned a lot of history…read morethroughout our walk and had so much tasty food along the way! Love the commitment to family-owned businesses! For five people who all grew up and live in LA - we re-discovered DTLA today! Can't wait to check out which Six Taste Tour to try next!

I cannot explain how amazing our experience was with Cava Tours. More specifically we had the…read moreabsolute pleasure of Maurice as our tour guide. Our day started when Maurice picked us up in San Diego and drove us over the border (a super easy and simple ride). Once over the border, Maurice took us to three wineries, all of which were amazing. Our experience included live music, dancing, a four course meal, a stop at a local cheese market, incredible wine pairings, and of course the wonderful company of Maurice who knew all of the owners of the wineries and we were treated as valuable guests. Such a good price, too! Simply cannot wait to go back to the Mexico wineries with Maurice and will take my parents next time.

Awesome adventure in Baja wine country! Maurice clearly knows the intricacies of the culture. Plus,…read morehe knows the vintners and staff at some of the most amazing wineries, getting us a very personal and authentic experience.

We had an amazing experience at Charlie's Trio! The food was delicious and the service was truly…read moreoutstanding from start to finish. We hosted a small celebration for my son's paramedic graduation, and the staff went above and beyond--they even made a cute custom sign for the occasion, which was such a thoughtful touch. I also arrived a little earlier than expected, and they were incredibly accommodating without any hesitation. A special thank you to Junior, the manager I was in contact with--he was very communicative and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend this place for both the food and the exceptional service

For the last three years, almost every Friday night, a friend and I have gone to Charlie's Trio…read more We usually spend between $60 and $80. Tonight, may have been the last time we go. We usually get there around 4:30, so the restaurant is not usually busy. Tonight, we went in and there were three or four regular tables open and they were setting up a big party table in the middle of the main room. All the open tables had been bussed. When we approached the hostess, she said, "can I take your name, we will be with you in a few minutes." I looked around, and asked, "have you started taking reservations now?" Since there were open tables and no people standing around I thought maybe they were waiting for people who had reserved a table. She said, "no just walk-ins." She said it would be 15 to 20 minutes. I realized there were no other people waiting, so we ask again if we could sit at one of the tables over in the corner and she said, "yes, in about 15 minutes." I went to talk to the manager. Nothing he said made sense. He said they were waiting for other people who were ahead of us. There was nobody waiting and there were open tables. Multiple open tables. I thought possibly they were down a couple of servers, but I saw all the usual servers there. I am diabetic, and I take medication before I eat. I usually plan the time I go to a restaurant (early, before they get busy) so my medication will have kicked in when I start to eat. I even shared that with the manager and he said they would seat us in a little while. We decided to leave. My friend went in and told the manager that we would not be coming back. That makes me incredibly sad. It makes me even sadder that the manager did not even apologize or explain. Do kitchens get backed up? Yes. They were expecting a big party. Is there a reason they could not have seated us and then told us that they were busy and that it would be a while? Of course they could've seated us. I don't know what was going on and they didn't make any effort to explain. It was our favorite place to go for dinner and I often recommended it to other people, I would take people from out of town there to eat. I'm really bummed that they made such a crap move tonight.