It is with great gratitude and respect that I write this review of Lake Shrine because I found it…read moreto be the best free experience that the Los Angeles Basin has to offer and this is not an exaggeration, nor is commentary sponsored by ad funds. I am feeling pure and substantial admiration and thus I will try to convey it on to page in hopes of celebrating the gift of serenity this place offered me without asking for anything in return, from me. The serenity that this place induced within me, so quickly and firmly, was so strong that I dared to think of scenarios that would challenge it. Meaning I was so in peace in the Lake Shrine grounds, that I wondered what would disturb this seemingly unshakable peace? And my mind went to a dark place. I will eventually know the heart-woe of being an orphan and I wondered if my biggest grief would be lessened in this environment. I know that this was a quirky maybe even macabre way of describing the grandiose peace of this place but I wanted to be honest to the experience because the serenity offered by this place was extreme and unique because I had never felt something quite like it. Thus the question becomes: How did this place achieve this new sense of peace/serenity within me? First, the ground themselves were tranquility in soft, barely moving stillness. As soon as I was walking down the 100 or so steps to get to the bottom of this sunlit, open-air cathedral I felt the calming colors of nature all around me, plus the absence of city sounds. Like the freeway was near the Shrine. And I could hear it. But the traffic was not a reminder of a city near, it was more like rumors of cities that were somewhere in the horizon but not near because the stress of these distant cities and their bills and heinous crime did not belong amongst the quietly pulsating, encompassing peace. As I walked the grounds, I saw koi fish and a swan swimming amongst its central lake that was clear as I hoped my mind would be while engaging in the meditative practices that this placed offer. In fact, in one of the videos I clipped I followed a white koi with my video camera. As it swam in the water that was not hit by sunlight the fish was white. As it continued to swim to the part of the lake that had water hit by sun, the koi fish turned a little bit green, like a turqouise shade. And I thought about why the fish would turn green, just slighthly? And that is is where I understood that the clear blue water and the yellow sunlight came together to make green. In fact, the play of light across the grounds was one of the reasons why I loved! this place. I took a picture of a tree drenched with sunlight. But to my eye, the tree did not get covered with sunlight, it was more adorned in sunlight. Like the green was present and the yellow light was present, but they did not become one, it was like the skin of a female was covered in golden lace. Take these moments and add the duo of mingling butterflies I spotted, the small but mighty waterfall, and all of the majestic roses around I feel great comfort in describing this place an Eden of curated nature. I was also fortunate enough to arrive at a time where I could wait an hour and attend one of their guided meditations, inside a windmill. And this was an experience that made me feel the power of meditation in full scope. At the end, the guide, asked all of us to say om three times. The first time I joined, the second time I did too, but in the third om I remained quiet. I heard the symphony of om's around me and together they made music that verberated within my skin. I did not feel goosebumps, instead I felt my skin shimmer with waves that come an in-rest mind. The meditation focused on feeling love from the heart and have it encompass us, our neighbors, our family, and all people who claim the world their earth. The words of the guide, the peace of the spot, the sounds that could not be heard but felt, made me feel like I was pulsating with love vibes that were being transmitted from me to all in golden, circular vibes. Like I said when I first started to write this Yelp, I am not exaggerating, those images and feelings came to my mind. What I fear is that I will visit this place a second time and not feel the wonders of my first visit. I mean that is a common situation, people will never feel the same pleasure they first felt, when they heard their favorite song. I asked a working gardener if he ever lost the love for the wondrous garden surrounding him. He said never. I hope he was right. I don't plan to go hear regularly, but enough for the peace to feel needed and true. I also took a tour of the garden with another guide. She described the lotus frame next to the lake as a "wallless temple" which made a lot of sense. I was at a pier not too long ago after my visit. And I was at the pier's edge facing the water and I realized this was also a wallless temple. I hope this Yelp is a peace pulse, too!

SRF Lake Shrine is a beautiful and deeply peaceful place to visit. Admission is free, but a…read morereservation is required in advance. The shrine honors many spiritual paths, with plaques and iconography representing different faiths, creating a sense of unity and respect. The lake is filled with huge koi fish, turtles, ducks, and swans, and the surrounding grounds are full of lush trees and colorful flowers. There are many lovely benches where you can sit, meditate, and simply enjoy the serene views. Being here feels incredibly calming and cleansing for the soul. Visitors can meditate inside the houseboat, which adds a very special and intimate experience. If you are spiritually sensitive or simply looking for a quiet, reflective place, this is highly recommended. There are restrooms on site, a small gift shop with items from India, and a small museum sharing the history of the shrine and the fellowship. The area itself is not large -- you can walk around the lake in about 15 minutes -- but it's a place meant to be experienced slowly, with time to pause and truly take it all in. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

It was beautiful! I want to come back with my Wife and show…read moreher the gardens! The staff are really sweet and helpful. There's plenty of Parking. If it gets hot, it's nicely air conditioned in the buildings where there's also bathrooms.

This place is a true gem in the heart of Los Angeles. Tucked away near the Los Angeles River and…read morethe Arroyo Seco, it feels like a secret garden you stumbled upon. The Mission Revival architecture is stunning, with lush landscaping and beautiful courtyards. It's a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, perfect for a quiet stroll or a picnic with friends. There's also a small visitor center with exhibits about the history of the Los Angeles River and the surrounding area. There's also a gift shop with a variety of local and nature-inspired items. And if you're looking for a unique event space, the center offers beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities for weddings, conferences, and other special occasions. I recently attended their Family Day, which was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and explore the area. The center hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, workshops, and family-friendly activities. Additional notes: The center is free to visit There is ample parking available on site. The center is accessible to people with disabilities. There are several restrooms located throughout the grounds. Be sure to check their website or social media for upcoming events. Bring a picnic lunch or snacks to enjoy in the gardens.

Dawooljung - A Harmonious Gathering Place is very small but so quiet and worth the visit. They have…read morea small but amazing garden and there are places to just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of such a place. There are several gardens, you need to look, but they are there. They have a beautiful Pagoda and you will love it. Again is is small but worth the drive. Enjoy.

This place is kinda cool but the area is a horrible nightmare. Stinks so bad, people lying on the…read moresidewalk. Horrible experience

We got married here a few months ago, and it was absolutely perfect. This venue is perfect if you…read morewant to add your own personal touches as it can be as diy as you want with decor, or if you have the budget to get your own personal vendors they allow outside ones! I love that you can provide your own catering, we had our family business cater the food for our event and that was nice because no other venues we looked at allowed that. Our wedding coordinator Katie put in so much work for our wedding and we are so grateful for everything she did for us. She gets things done! My best tip for someone looking to book is to be very organized and clear with every item you want if you are planning to bring your own decor, they are great and will get it done! But being organized will make things easier. The venue closes at 10pm, but we were able to book an area 12 minutes away at one of the bars in Downtown Fullerton. We had a good turnout of guests there for the After Party! We got so much compliments on our beautiful wedding and ceremony, and many compliments on the venue. Thank you Griffith house for being the perfect venue for us !

The Griffith House was great venue to take photos and have our wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and…read morereception dinner - all in one place. We started planning our July wedding in January 2022, and we wanted to have everything outside so that guests wouldn't worry about masking indoors during the time of Covid. The Griffith House has huge space for everything. The other great thing that others have already mentioned is that, other than table, chair, and bar rentals, you get to choose your own vendors and bring your own alcohol - provided you pay for their bartender and security, of course. You do have to work with (and pay) one of their in-house day-of coordinators from Hutchinson Weddings, but Amy, who we we worked with, was very helpful working through the rentals that we used from the venue, as well as coordinating our outside vendors on the day of the wedding. We really wanted to choose our own caterer and bakeries, to choose wines and beers that we liked, and to bring my own pro audio equipment for the ceremony and music. The Griffith House let us do all that.

Want to watch your kids play baseball? Want to walk around…read moreand get steps in? Any Pokémon Go players want a bunch of Pokestops or gyms? Want fresh air? Available restrooms? This is one good spot for all ages!

As I was searching up info on Crystal Caves for a similarly named national park, I happened upon…read morethis one. The day I paid a visit it had just rained a bit in the afternoon then cleared out for the rest of the evening. Up above this hillcrest on any given day I suspect would be ideal for watching the sunset or perhaps flying a kite. There was a consistent light breeze which felt refreshing, free from the congested traffic down below. Among the offerings include a baseball field, a modern jungle gym, basketball courts, and tennis courts. Specifically, tennis takes priority over pickleball. Further up the hill there's a small Japanese garden with a gazebo which while a bit worn out has a lot of charm. Street parking was plentiful and it never got really crowded. One thing I noticed was that my mobile network became somewhat spotty, but 'tis a minor inconvenience. If I'm free, I'd love to visit more often.

Vibiana once was the formal Catholic Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It was damaged…read morein the 1994 Northridge earthquake. As a result, a lengthy battle ensued between the archdiocese, who wanted to demolish it, and preservationists, who wanted to designate it as a historical landmark. The preservationists won and it's now an event space with an adjacent restaurant called Redbird - both are owed by Redbird Chef Neal Fraser & Amy Knoll Fraser. Naturally, it's popular for weddings but has also been used for events & parties. I've attended many fashion shows here during LA Fashion Week. The venue is charming and the courtyard is a lovely spot for receptions. I recently came here for a cocktail seminar - TOTC. Some aspects of the church remain, including the beautiful hardwood floors, altar, confessionals, & choir area. Tastings were held in the cathedral and classes in the adjacent building, which was once the rectory. The staff here were all friendly and accommodating. It is a lovely & functional venue for events. *Metered street parking or lot across the street $12.

We did an ocular visit at Vibiana Cathedral as part of planning for our upcoming gala, and it was…read moreabsolutely unforgettable. The experience was magically beautiful from the moment we stepped inside. Vibiana's historic elegance, immersive visuals created an atmosphere that felt timeless and enchanting. Walking through the space honestly felt like time traveling back to the 1800s, with a romantic, cinematic vibe reminiscent of Bridgerton. The lighting, architecture, and overall ambiance transformed the cathedral into something truly extraordinary grand, dramatic, and full of old-world charm. It was the perfect setting to envision a gala: sophisticated, immersive, and memorable. If you're looking for a venue that blends history, art, and a sense of magic, Vibiana Cathedral is absolutely stunning and leaves a lasting impression. 4 stars as we felt rushed and didn't fully sit down for the pricing.

Loved the little hour I spent at Velaslavasay Panorama! Perfect little quiet spot to think and…read morechill for a bit. Arrived before our 3pm reservation and were the only ones here. I loved the solitude and being able to experience this place. Of course my favorite was the giant panorama, the shenging panorama. So beautiful and intricate. I loved watching how the lights interacted with the paintings and really brought it to life. The garden was lovely as well. Spending a few moments out there was wonderful. Cute little trip to this Panorama! I've never explored one before and it was great going doing so.

I love discovering hidden gems around Los Angeles, and this one is not to be missed. Tucked inside…read morethe historic Union Theater in the West Adams district, this spot had been sitting on my bookmarks from social media for a while. To the left of the main entrance is "the only Arctic Trading Post in the Lower 48" exhibit, which already sets the tone for how quirky and unexpected this place is. From there, you continue down the right side of the building and up a winding staircase, and you're transported to a Shengjing Panorama. This is a massive 360 painting and diorama of Shenyang city from 1910-1930. The lights and sound effects bring the cityscape to life, making the whole experience immersive. Interestingly, this panorama section used to be an old circular Chinese takeout restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. Once you're doen make your way back down, you'll see the main theater that has a number of quirky displays and chachkies. We were there early enough before their movie screening of the evening, so we got to walk around a bit. Then past the past doors, you'll stumble upon a lovely hidden garden filled with unique details and decor. Now, the technical details. They don't have a parking lot, so only street parking. Entrance fee is $7 ($5 for Seniors or Students). You book your appointment online, but everything is self-guided. Stay as little or as long as you'd like. You can get through the exhibit fairly quick, but we made sure to take our time and soak in the quirky and uniqueness of this place!

I really working with Brian and his team. They were very professional, arrived on time, and the job…read morewas beyond my expectations. They put together a 3D design and executed in a way that exceeded my expectations I have already recommended them to all my friends and Family, as they really went up above and beyond Thank you so much LA Plants and Bryan

Brian at LA Plants transformed our backyard completely. What used to be a space we avoided is now…read moresomewhere we actually want to spend time. He was thoughtful and strategic about where everything went, choosing and placing foliage in a way that turned an awkward, undesirable yard into something genuinely enjoyable. On top of the great work, he communicated clearly throughout and was just easy to work with from start to finish. Highly recommend if you want a backyard makeover done right. Great value too.