Christmas is in the air! After the tree lighting ceremony in San Marino, my boyfriend and I took a…read morenice, scenic walk along Christmas tree lane (AKA, St.Alban's street right off of Huntington drive). It's a hop, skip, and a stone's throw away from the San Marino Christmas Tree/Fire Department! It was a nice, quiet walk past the beautifully decorated million-dollar homes. Although it's not as vast and expansive as most Christmas Tree lanes in Southern California, it is definitely a sight to see each year!

BIG TREES! I wish I could say more about this but it is not like the other where you see hella…read moreChristmas decorations on the house. Just really big trees that are decorated. It cool if you happening to pass by, not to seek out and visit. Just remember BIG trees!

I really do miss live shows and getting a chance to get that feeling of happiness when you go to…read moreshows with friends, listen to great live music, and make memories. With the pandemic still very much so at large, we are very limited to these types of experiences, but Insomniac was able to pull this off, while still keeping everyone safe. The only downfall (and quite big IMO), was the wait time to enter the first weekend. We waited over an hour to enter GA, and eventually was asked if we wanted to upgrade to VIP for $50. I wish we were asked this in the beginning, but I wonder if they've been able to fix this problem since then. Also, if anyone has attended this and knows the link to the official playlist on Spotify, please send it my way! I'd love to bookmark this entire playlist to listen in my car.

Tickets are $69.99 during the week, $89.99 Fridays and Saturdays, $79.99 on Sundays. An additional…read more$59.95 to upgrade to VIP (up to 8 people per car) and another $20.00 for the service fee. Yeah, it adds up and it doesn't seem worth it, but if there's 8 of you in the car and split the tab, it isn't too bad. We came through on a Friday night. We opted for the VIP package and bypassed pretty much everyone (that line looked like a thousand miles long, so that alone threw all regrets, doubts and second thoughts out the window!) Bypassing the long line was one thing, but then my passengers' bladders decided to go in sync and in unison all needed a bathroom break BEFORE the drive. The VIP package came in handy once again - they have a separate set of porta-potties for VIP peeps, too! Needless to say, there were no lines there either. So, yeah, off to a good start. I didn't really know what to expect, so I decided not to expect too much. There were a lot of mixed reviews on Yelp (complaints were mostly about the cost) so I kept an open mind. THE VERDICT: Totally WORTH IT. This whole production was well put-together. It was beautifully created with a lot of imagination. The engineering and construction alone were astonishing, how long did it take them to put it all up! And I really liked that they coordinated all the lights' movements with the music coming off the assigned radio station (107.9.) And those souls braving the cold as they entertained us with their dance moves... KUDOS! (I didn't get to see what's in the VIP box but going by how each of my passengers went through it like the Tasmanian Devil, I'm gonna assume whatever was in there was fun!) If this is your thing, here are a few tips: 1) Entry is at Holly and Huntington NOT at the main entrance. If you do end up at the main entrance, they'll reroute you. No worries. 2) You can come through as early as 30 minutes before your scheduled time, but try to be there within that window just for the sake of being considerate. The whole thing is about 45 minutes to an hour, all depending on how slow or fast you go. 3) CLEAN YOUR WINDSHIELDS! I meant to, but I completely forgot. But even with the semi-dirty glass, it was still pretty good. 4) Sunroofs are great! I didn't have one (wouldn't have mattered if I did since I was the one behind the wheel) but I was sorta jealous of the peeps who made full use of it. I imagine that's the best way to experience it. 5) You are allowed to open your windows. Just watch out for fog machines... 6) Take your time and let it all sink in. If you can afford it, I highly recommend it, something cool to do social distancing style. It's an event for all ages and a great excuse to get out of the house more especially during these challenging times.

My mom and I took my kids to see the Christmas markets in France this past December. It was a…read morebucket list trip for my mom, and while my boys had a great time, the travel was complicated and arduous, mostly because of my wild three-year-old Wade B. A couple weeks later, my husband and I took the boys to the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. They had an absolute blast, and my five-year-old Leo B. declared, with utmost sincerity, "I think this is the nicest place I've ever been." Matt B. and I had been once before, almost a decade ago, with our friends Caroline Y. and Scott S., when we were all young and childless. We came back together, this time with five kids, and as much as I enjoyed it back in the day, I found it even more compelling this second time around. The magic was amplified ten times by the presence of my sons, who absolutely loved all the beautiful, colorful lights. I did buy them shitty Christmas light necklaces, one of which broke almost immediately, causing considerable strife. The alternative, of course, was to deny Wade his request before even entering the garden, where he would badger me every time he saw another child with the necklace. I was not surprised to see that most of the children seemed to have them, every parent having made the same calculation on their way in. Smart and evil of Descanso Gardens to put that vendor right by the entrance. I'm guessing Enchanted is their big revenue generator for the year, and this is a McKinseyish way to maximize. The kids oohed and aahed at every exhibit, marveling at all the colors and lights. We oohed and aahed right with them, and had the additional pleasure of watching them play and interact with the elaborate, immersive displays. They loved the tulip fields, the model trains, the stained glass houses, the trees and music and light. There was also a large platform that served as a dance floor for small children, who partied to the ambient music. Wade was especially taken with this stage, and the one part of the night that did not go well was when I yanked him away so we could see the rest of the installations. It was cold and the kids were up way past their bedtimes, but we all had a blast at the Enchanted Forest. When pressed, Leo admitted that Paris was in fact as nice as Descanso Gardens, but the point was made. Come Christmas, we can take the boys to France or we can just drive to La Cañada and buy a few tickets that support a wonderful botanical garden. We might even manage the latter every year.

My family and I visited Thanksgiving weekend and had a blast wandering around all the light…read moredisplays in the garden! This isn't necessarily a holiday-themed "Christmas" light experience, but it put us all in the holiday mood nonetheless. The themed light displays are well curated, the event is organized, staff are friendly, and the free parking is orderly and well managed. There are ten different themed exhibits found on the mile-long path. By far our favorite was the Ancient Forest, but the Garden of Good Fortune and the Fantasy Forest were close seconds! They do a wonderful job of using the light displays to really compliment and highlight the giant oak trees and other featured plants - as well as excellent music choices to really immerse you in a serene fantasy forest type experience. Some of the exhibits are interactive, like the Symphony of Oaks where you can step on the lights to make them change colors and sing - so fun! They also had a large village of tiny stained glass houses and other buildings you could actually enter and walk through - really beautiful. Another display I loved was the giant light built to resemble the moon - it was placed directly over one of the ponds and the reflection was magnificent! And everyone loves the massive, sprawling field of tulip lights which has a rotating show that will occasionally send waves of lights towards you. We spent a good hour and a half meandering around the path, which is well maintained and mostly flat with plenty of maps to find your way around the exhibits. The staff did a great job of respecting ticket entry times and the exhibits are so well laid out that we hardly noticed the crowds. Very well done! They don't sell tickets at the door so be sure to purchase online in advance. Booking our timed entry tickets was very easy via their website. They also take advanced reservations for their on-site Farmhouse restaurant and for valet parking. The restaurant and gift shop area was packed so I'd recommend restaurant reservations. But the parking was ample, even at 6pm on a Saturday and so well staffed and managed that we found a spot easily with zero chaos. This was my first visit to Descanso Gardens and now I'm wishing I had seen it in the daylight so I could compare haha! Tickets are a tad pricey but ee loved their Enchanted Forest of Light and can highly recommend it. Plus you're supporting a local botanical garden! I'll definitely be back to see all the splendor of the garden in the daytime.

I haven't been out to the 626 Night Market in a while, but this year I actually got to go on the…read morelast two days of the market. I went Saturday because they had the Dreamstate event going on and it was fire! The music was good and the crowd was hyped. I honestly think it's really cool that they're doing something like this at the night market and they should definitely keep bringing more EDM events here lol. It seemed pretty crowded compared to the last time I came, but they also had a ton of new vendors. Everything felt more spread out, so even with all the people, the lines weren't super crazy. I ended up coming back again on Sunday for the last day. It was crowded too, but nothing unbearable. We waited in line for some squid and a few other things, and I think the longest we waited was around 20 minutes, which honestly isn't too bad for the 626 Night Market. Overall, I really enjoyed coming back this year. Lots of food to try, plenty of new vendors, and adding events like Dreamstate made it even more fun. I definitely plan on coming back the next time they're around!

I've been going to the 626 Night market every year for the last couple of years. Although I feel…read morelike prices have rose pretty significantly in the past couple of years this is an event I'm always excited for. It is peak summer where you are able to be out in a comfortable summer night and browse what feels like any and all food there is. I thought this year was especially great with the DJ and the location. Previous years they always had the DJ tucked away all the way in the back but having them front and center of the event was a great call. Always have that awesome music in the background added a lot to my experience. Some of the standout thing we got was Japadog which is a wagyu hotdog that will make you rethink what a hotdog can be. We got a truffle katsu sandwich there too which is as fabulous as it sounds. Also had salt bread which was especially exciting considering I have been craving them ever since visiting Korea. Lastly, I got a fried Reece's cup which I have been in the hunt for some time since they seem pretty rare, so of course that hit the spot. Overall, this was an awesome 626 night market better than previous years. This is something I'll continue to look forward to every year!

10/4/25 Saturday We…read morearrived around 6:45 PM and stayed for about an hour. There were a lot of vendors, but only some of them served dumplings, so the event name is a little misleading. The $60 pass only gets you unlimited beer, not dumplings. Only tried one dumpling truck and it has mostly typical flavors we could get elsewhere. Not to mention it took one hour for us to get our food. Parking near the venue filled up quick, but there is another lot a short walking distance away with plenty of spots. However, the entrance and exit is the same spot and only allows one car to pass, so be careful. Free performance near the blossom hall and on the other end of the festival, there is a live DJ and Kids Zone. No entrance fee for this festival, thankfully.

San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest is a small event festival held at the Mission district of SGV…read more They only have 10 food trucks, 4 souvenir stands and a beer garden. Furthermore, the line to get your food is extremely long which is not worth your time. Food prices are extravagant for pork dumplings, crepes, etc. Plenty of parking in and around the event. Overall, it's a small nice event for the SGV-Mission district community. I'd say visiting it once in your life would suffice.

I absolutely love this festival and highly recommend checking it out! Buying tickets online was…read moresuper easy, and even parking at Santa Anita was a breeze. There was a shuttle that picked us up and dropped us off right at the festival, which made everything incredibly convenient. I went on the very first day, Friday evening, and it wasn't too crowded. The food was delicious, especially the grilled meats--they were cooked to perfection. I do wish they offered additional lamb chops à la carte, though. The three chops served on top of the fries just weren't enough for me it was soooo good. The desserts were fantastic too, and I loved that they weren't overly sweet. There was also plenty of seating for dining and enjoying the live music. My only regret is that I didn't arrive a little earlier so I could participate in more of the festivities. Definitely a fun event that I'd happily return to!

Something to look forward to every year in east Pasadena. A great celebration of everything Greek!…read more Great food! Great performances! Great little retail shops! Dancing and a lot of fun during the later afternoon once the live performances start. Great for dates, foodies and family! Support the Greek community!

Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

Rooftop Cinemas: Star Wars, The Force Awakens on a Saturday evening, 06/25. Free tickets on…read moreEventBrite's website with no transaction fees too. I am so there for this show on a warm summer evening. This is a really popular movie so definitely a really large interest. That means it's going to be a long wait and finding a spot to plant your camping chair. A really cool thing is if you visit a local business on South Lake Avenue, you show your ticket for the VIP seating area. It's like priority seating with plenty of elbow space. Tonight on This Saturday night, 08/20, they are at a different parking structure showing Hook. Not such a huge crowd like the Star Wars movie but still a VIP seating area. You still bring in your own chairs and you bring in your own food and drink. In case you're wondering, yes, any sort of drink you want with your whole crew. It's like a potluck for a few groups here. Just claim your area with your chair and wait for the sun to go down. There's much more space here so there are jumpers for the kids. A pirate ship, hook's square, a huge fort in a shape of a pirate's ship in one of the corners. There is still food for sale like caramel popcorn and lemonade. Downstairs is where the restrooms are along with a food truck in the loading dock. Rounds is the truck here to feed hungry movie goers. Bring your food back to the top floor where your seats are. There is security so leave your dangerous weapons in the car. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

So much fun! Lots of interesting games and the food is delicious. I'm so full and sleepy now.read more

The Moon Festival was so much fun. The event was well organized. There was lots of parking. The…read morewere lots of booths and great entertainment. And there was a hands on moon cake area. Awesome experience.

I wrote this review mainly for the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone event at Whittiers Narrow Park today…read more I'm so glad I had the opportunity to attend the Official FIFA World Cup Los Angeles 2026 Fan Zone today! They had a giant 21' × 37' LED screen for the live viewing of today's match between Spain and Belgium , creating an incredible atmosphere for all the fans. The Fan Zone also featured cultural activities, live performances, DJs, interactive fan experiences, a community marketplace, and delicious local food. Best of all, I met fellow World Cup and soccer fans from different places, making the experience even more memorable. What an amazing day celebrating the beautiful game! We reserved our tickets on Eventbrite but we got there early with my friend, and even though we waited in line for more than an hour to get in, it was totally worth it! We were able to get in before it became too crowded. My friend also found us a great spot in the shade, so we stayed cool and comfortable with a nice breeze throughout the day. Meanwhile, many people who arrived later couldn't find any shade and had to sit out on the grass under the hot sun. We also received some awesome FIFA World Cup Fan Zone goodies, including a commemorative bracelet and a special team poncho. Such great souvenirs to remember this amazing experience! Only one con, they only have porta-potties, and they were very dirty. They still have the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone tomorrow starting from 12:30-9pm. I couldn't believe we were there for 5 hours. Congrats Spain advanced to semi-finals.

This is for across the street where they have the baseball and soccer field along with the BMX…read more Today is so not the day for me to get irritated by this place. I'm in pain, having trouble walking and have a headache. Its's sketchy here. I'm more mad about the parking situation. I've been coming here for a long time and they keep charging me the wrong price. I have all these colorful tickets and some white ones. White ones are for handicapped and Senior. Colored ones are for regular people. They just can't seem to get it right and of course they do not refund the price difference but they keep making the same mistake. At this point, I think it's on purpose. The people in the white trucks are also annoying I don't know how many times they've come and sat in front of me. I thought it was maintenance, but I was told the office people who use the white trucks. Are they after a peep show? This park isn't always crowded it's usually pretty empty except for some weekends when they have games. So there's no reason for you to sit in front of a person with your car running being a lookaloo. Do you see my problem? With all these sketchy things that I see going on here you have really other better things to do than to sit in front of me. You should be harassing people who are on foot and on bike scouting the parking lot for an opportunity to steal something else. Or how about when they're harassing someone. Twice I've had an issue here with those people on foot and on bikes trying to steal. Where were you then? Where were you when my phone was stolen out of the front seat of my car? Where were you when the guy on the bike tried to steal my stroller? Where were you when someone tried to solicit me? My point is, if your trying to catch someone committing a crime, go do it. You don't need to be watching me watch a webinar, you're sure not protecting me from anything or anyone. What you can do is try and fix that water fountain that's been on for weeks. I still see the cones around it and tape but the water still running and it hasn't been fixed it's been running all summer. Probably either before then.