Cute spot to walk around and watch the the scenery…read more..... featuring a rotating collection of modern sculptures in a peaceful setting with paved paths, seating, but very small. Located right next to the library. Glad we came to check it out.

Absolutely stunning and yet not overwhelming sculpture garden. This garden was created in memory of…read morethe tragic airplane accident that took place over the City of Cerritos. It's beautifully landscaped and the perfect size for a quick visit if you live or work in the area. Apparently, some of the sculptures were moved here from other locations. The memorial sculpture itself is quite beautiful and moving. A peaceful place for meditation, contemplation, or just to eat lunch. Free admission.

This is probably the most unique place I've ever visited in Southern California. Three of our…read moredocents were actual workers on the castle, so we got an inside view of its origins. I'll never forget the experience and highly recommend that you make it a priority to visit. When a person has a vision and spends 25 years fulfilling it with hundreds of friends and neighbors, you have a masterpiece! Go as soon as you can!

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.

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."

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%.

We wanted to try a new trail and took the Baxster Stairways to get to the Elysian Park Trail. Being…read moreout of shape, going up the stairs was tough but the view was amazing and it was a great way to exercise.

15 sections of stairs. I started from the bottom of the steps and the steps end at a private…read moreresidence driveway so it's a little odd. Once you walk onto the street you are above Elysian Park with a view of the Downtown LA skyline. There are no handrails here!

Well, its just what it says it is. There is a fork in the road at the fork in the road. As long…read moreas you do not set your expectation too high, if you want to see a fork in the road, definitely go check it out. If you're expecting anything more than that you won't get it. We were on our Route 66 journey from Chicago to Santa Monica and while this was a side trip (not on Route 66) we thought it was worth it.

It is really curious a piece of art. Please, pass by car around. It is closed to the Bush Garden…read moreDrive that it was the first garden of Bush! They shot the barbecue in the movie Gone with the wind. Two hidden gems of the city. Also, close to the fork, there is a British scone house with Va gem thrift store. Yo should knock the door off the open sign is there.

This is definitely not my favorite Frank Gehry building, but it's still architecturally interesting…read moreand famous. And if you're in Venice, absolutely drive down Main street and see this. It's stunning. As it is now a Google building, if you're taking pictures of this wonder of architecture, security WILL come out to question you. Because, you know, Google cares about privacy. Theirs.

Do you like spotting the "world's largest" types? e.g. world's largest ball of yarn, world's…read morelargest picnic basket, typically strewn out around rural parts of Kansas or Idaho, places you'll likely never need to visit? If the answer is yes, then boy, this spot is for you! Although not officially named the "world's largest pair or binoculars," it probably could be! Good for pulling over, snapping a photo, and then moving along.

Summertime in the LBC. The weeklong public mural festival has been renamed Long Beach Walls and…read moreArt Renzei. Read all about it here: https://lbpost.com/hi-lo/pow-wow-is-now-long-beach-walls-heres-your-guide-to-the-colorful-mural-festival https://www.longbeachwalls.com/ https://www.artrenzei.com/ https://www.instagram.com/longbeach_walls/ There are events centered around this week. One past year, Sun Bum (sunscreen) was a sponsor and held an event at the beach that ended in a movie showing. Some year before that, KCRW held a party in collaboration. This last time, I joined in the free yoga session (with RSVP). Led by Pedal Movement, bike tours are held during this time to visit the murals. The run club I'm involved in throws a couple of the murals in the downtown area being worked on into the running route during this time. Volunteer opportunities are available (such as being on site with the artist making sure they have what they need.) Look out for it next summer!

"Pow! It's the impact that art has on a person. Wow! It's reaction that art has on a viewer."…read morePowWow - a gathering that celebrates culture, music and art. The weeklong event that originated in Hawaii has expanded out to other parts of the country and world, including its 5th year in Long Beach. I was a bit disappointed the first year or so because they brought in a lot of outside artists when there are so many talented ones here. It also seems as if there is little collaboration between the artists and the places they paint. Businesses offer their walls and artists are given the freedom to create whatever inspires them at the time. Sometimes, the pieces seem random, whereas, others perfectly reflect the feel of the establishments. This year, I was happy to see a lot more local artists represented in the community. Some of them even took the time to collaborate with either the business or Parks & Rec to design pieces that emulate the nature of the places. I live close to Drake Park and was happy to see 3 artists beautifying it by adding more color and character. By request from neighborhood folks, Crisselle Mendiola and Jason Keam added butterflies to match the playground while Bodeck Luna depicted young people shooting hoops along the wall facing the basketball court. Another highlight from Pow! Wow! Long Beach was the closing party in the Promenade. I absolutely loved that KCRW DJs Mathieu Shreyer and Anthony Valadez came and served us some eclectic dance music. I can't wait to see what's in store next year!