The Mandalorian and Grogu was a fun afternoon matinee for my husband and me today. Action, drama,…read morecomedy, the triumph of good over evil, great special effects--it's got it all. Because I joined the Lamdmark membership, I got a $15 discount for my birthday last month and it came to $4.23 for the online tickets. Great savings! Which we of course immediately spent on a cocktail and popcorn at the theater: a watermelon bourbon smash and a Oaxacan Fashion. Highly recommend this theater!

Clean movie theater with good showings! The seats are lowkey a bit uncomfortable even though…read morethey're supposed to be more "premium". Definitely recommend taking advantage of their Tuesday specials ($7)

cutest park ever, well maintained, clean and lots of shade from the mature trees. very nostalgic!read more

We've been to this park a few times, it's hit or miss with the crowd. One major concern is that the…read morestructures are all made of cement so prepare for some injuries. It's also all sand so that might lessen the falls. There's a smaller park for younger kids closer to the parking lot.

The Soaring Tea Pot is a mesmerizing sight at the intersection of Rosemead and Las Tunas. Cloudy…read moreday this morning. We passed by here and my colleague wanted to stop to see it up close since she was fascinated by the illusion of a magical floating tea pot. The Soaring Teapot is said to symbolize peace, good fortune, and prosperity to all societies. Really cool photo op if you're ever in the area!!

I have Yelp friends for strive to become the Duke or Duchess of this beloved teapot... 3 stars!!!…read more Located in the corner of Las Tunas Drive and Rosemead Boulevard, this art piece looks like a magical teapot suspended in midair when the water is turned on. Definitely a beautiful art piece that gives tribute to the Asian heritage of Temple City and San Gabriel Valley residents. The teapot wishes everyone prosperity, peace, and harmony, definitely three things that our planet needs a little bit more of. The teapot is hard to miss, even if you are just driving by the area. It's located in Camelia Square, where one can find Baekjong, Meet Fresh, Summer Rolls, and many other food places worth checking out. Make sure to check this beautiful art piece if you're in this shopping area!

Cascades Park is a great place to hangout at, but lately it's been on a hydration strike (no…read morewaterfall). Still, you show up, because the vibes are solid!! It's got that whole sloped setup, so you can climb up, pretend you're earning your post-snack calories, and then chill at the top like you've conquered something. The view's nice, especially if you're holding a boba or street tacos like a true Monterey Park foodie!! At night though? That's when it redeems itself. The lights come on, everything glows, and suddenly it's giving romantic picnic energ even if the waterfall is still ghosting you.

I wish I lived near this quaint little park! My friend and I…read moreactually drove here with some egg tarts to have a snack but it's not exactly a destination spot. More of, we live in the neighborhood and are so lucky to have this park, type of spot. No playground or even a lot of grass to frolic on. There is parking though if you do want to venture for a little scenic outdoor dining like I did. That being said, it's gorgeous! I could see this being a great spot to take photos or just enjoy a book on one of the benches. There are also some stairs so you could get some steps in if you took a few loops around. The beautifully man-made waterfall is lovely! Peaceful, serene and a lovely asset to Monterrey Park!

I've driven by this sculpture dozens of times and thought it was interesting and wanted to pull…read moreover to take a closer look, perhaps some pictures but never did. Recently I learned the rusted metal beam is from the fallen World Trade Center and the two hands holding it up are made of nearly 3,000 silhouettes of doves, each representing a life lost on 9/11. The sculpture, named 'Reflect' was created by local artist Heath Satow, and it was completed and unveiled in 2011. Since then, memorials have been held there in the anniversary of the terrorists attacks. The memorial sculpture sits in front of Rosemead's City Hall in the middle of a public plaza and serves as a remembrance of the somber day, yet it's a beautiful and meaningful art piece for people to see.

This place is located near the Rosemead City Hall as well as the Rosemead Recreation Center with…read moreplenty of parking, and is only a minute to walk towards. It faces towards the street, showing two hands that are holding an iron bar. The weight of importance is truly visible as you walk around this small but incredible memorial with plaques on the ground with numerous names per family and community member, not to mention the Vietnam War memorial right besides it doing the same. One may not see it if you're driving by it on Valley Blvd but for those who take a closer look, they'll be greeted with a bunch of tiny doves that make up the hand which symbolizes the ever longing desire for peace.

Ambassador Mansions & Gardens is a very quiet, peaceful, and truly beautiful place. It's hidden…read morebetween buildings, and if you don't know it's there, you might easily miss it -- which makes it feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city. The territory is incredibly well maintained, with huge mature trees, beautiful flowers, fountains, mini waterfalls, and small ponds where you can see fish and turtles. There is also a lovely grassy area in the center where you can sit, relax, or have a small picnic. Geese walk freely around the gardens, and colorful parrots fly overhead, adding even more charm to the atmosphere. In April, the garden looks especially stunning -- the pergola and trees are in full bloom (I wish I remembered the names of those gorgeous flowers!), and the whole place feels alive and magical. Honestly, this garden is beautiful in any season of the year. You can come here with dogs, which is a big plus, but it's important to respect the property rules: pets must be on a leash, owners are responsible for cleanup, professional photography requires a permit, and activities like skateboarding, drinking alcohol, or organized sports events are not allowed. These rules help preserve the calm and cleanliness of the space. There is also a secondary school located on the property, which adds to the unique character of the place. Parking-wise, we were able to find free street parking nearby without any issues. This is a perfect spot to slow down, enjoy nature, and escape the city noise for a while. Highly recommended for a peaceful walk or a quiet moment surrounded by beauty.

What a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the grounds. It is a private property so make sure…read moreto follow the rules and don't litter. Ambassador gardens is a luxury residential community with beautiful homes and condos. The grounds are beautiful with big trees, water features and seating areas. We even saw turtles and big birds by the waterfall. Really lovely place to take a stroll at. We parked on Green Street and walked towards the ambassador auditorium... see my videos and pictures. So pretty.

Limited hours, limited parking. Hidden in the residential area of San Marino. Don't let that…read moredeter you. This was a VERY quick see of the old mill interior as it was closing before its scheduled time. There is a gallery occupying one of the rooms. There are a lot of succulents and plants that surround the building which are green and vibrant against the rustic molino viejo.

The past is the way to the future. Without further ado let's begin the landmark review…read more El Molino Viejo aka The Old Mill (est 1816) is a two-story architectural landmark with huge grounds and tranquil gardens in the city of San Marino. It was the first ever grist mill constructed in the early 19th century California to serve Mission San Gabriel; and personally designed and supervised by Padre JM de Zalvidea. It's facility was powered by a waterwheel. Impressive!! Walking around The Old Mill you'll notice it has a fortress-like design with five ft thick brick walls surrounding the mill's 43,500+ sq ft grounds. It serve as a protection in the event of disturbances during that time. Moreover, throughout its history it was vandalized, foreclosed, sold and passed down to state/city, to prominent California families and a company. Blimey! At present time, the El Molino Viejo is a lovely museum and event space. I bet most LA locals were oblivious that this exist; who knew this historical landmark was right under my very nose. I spent 35 minutes and 30 seconds to visit and explore the entirety of the museum grounds. Street parking only. Admission is free. Hours are limited. Beverage is permitted in and around the museum. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and recommend you visit.

A very nice and charming home in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood in South Pasadena that is…read morefamously known as Pee-Wee Herman's house :D ! Interestingly, according to Zillow, this house was built in 1922. So it is a little over 100 years old. It was our first time ever visiting. But it brought back wonderful childhood memories of watching his show, even though this was actually featured in the Pee-Wee Herman movie that came out in 1985 :) ! You can only take photos outside. But we were totally fine with that since the house exterior itself is really cute :) ! You can't go inside because it is currently owned and I believe it is currently being rented out. So I think there are current tenants living there. He was truly one of a kind :) ! May he rest in peace and no longer suffer after a long battle with cancer.

We Stopped by the House from Pee-wee's Big Adventure…read more Fyi the secret lever for the bike room is not there. I'm going to have to go to Francis' house next, though I believe the Buxton's live in a gated community. I hope you find a creative endeavor that makes you feel like a kid. This movie helped inspire Googy. Cheers. I do feel bad for the people who live here because even though it brought me joy to see the house, I bet they get too many visitors. Please don't trespass or bother these people.

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!

Here's a sentence that I never thought I'd ever write. Pyrenees Castle made infamous due to…read morelegendary record producer Phil Spector's unique solution to relationship discord and conflict resolution makes for a smashing wedding venue and party space. The homicidal music savant and notable wig aficionado once rambled around this nearly century old French chateau only to see it's lush grounds and mid-century aesthetic launch more than a few happy couples into wedded bliss. I just loved the gestalt of the entire property and applaud any couple brave enough to not settle for the same old, same old wedding factory homogeniety. Five easy stars.

The architecture isn't exactly gothic. It isn't exactly modern. It's more of a mishmash of an…read moreattempt at medieval. Just the same it has an extensive history and is very interesting. Most people will remember this when it was in the media referencing the house that was built in 1925, owned by Phil Spectre & that actress Lama Clarkson was shot in. You cannot access the property it is behind a huge wall. So please do not trespass. But you can get glimpses of it as you drive around its perimeter or head up to higher elevation.