A Peek at the LA County Fair: Pomona, Ca

September 18, 2015September 19, 2015Leave a comment

Thinking about checking out the LA County Fair this year? The 2015 fair schedule is actually one week shorter than past years, running September 4 – 27. If you haven’t made it out yet, you better hurry because you only have about two weeks left to go! Here’s a peek into my trip opening weekend. My favorite things to do are ride the ferris wheel, check out the craft exhibits, go wine tasting, visit the bunnies, and eat chili cheese fries. I didn’t get a chance to grab ice cream during this trip, but I highly recommend visiting Dr. Bob’s. The ice cream is amazing! 😊

Game Prizes

At the wine tasting booth

Wine samples and goldfish

Picking out the wine samples.

Nighttime water fountain

Fireball infused caramel banana donut

DJ Night

High line

Grilling Corn on the Cob

live Bands, Djs, and dancing!

Multiple Ferris wheels located all around.

Mobile bands driving through and playing as they go.

Racing game

So many goodies!

Illuminati a entrance

Beautifully done.

Overhead view of the park from the Ferris wheel.

If you purchase an official cup, refills are given at a discounted price.

Chili cheese fries from Pinks. My favorite!

Bacon wrapped hot dog

They give you celebrity names when you order from Pinks

Olvera Street: A walk through ‘La Placita Olvera’ in Downtown LA

August 27, 2015September 14, 2015Leave a comment

Here’s a look of a stroll I took down Olvera Street one hot summer day. Olvera Street is an outdoor marketplace that houses stores, sit-down restaurants, food stands, museums, historic monuments, and a performance plaza. It is an area that is colorful, vibrant, and full of culture. Talk about history, ‘La Placita Olvera’ is considered one of Los Angeles’ oldest historic sites. There are seven museums and four historic monuments located on the premises. Among these buildings includes the oldest existing residence of Los Angeles, Avila Adobe, which dates back to 1818. Strolling through the grounds you can stop to watch a live performance, listen to a mariachi band, drink a fresh fruit water (agua fresca), or munch on delicious rolled tacos (taquitos). There is so much to see and do. I was only able to capture a small portion. Hopefully it inspires you to take a stroll.

“The Olvera Street Mexican style outdoor marketplace is an internationally renowned space for visitors to casually stroll, people watch and enjoy foods, cultural souvenirs and traditional live entertainment.” – Calle Olvera

Entrance by plaza tree

Olvera Street

Taquito stand

Shops

Aztec dancers

Restaurant

Performance area

Watermelon and Horchata

Aguas Frescas

Clothes

Olvera Street

Native Dancers

Museum

Dolls

Pico House

Plaza tree

The Last Bookstore: Books, Art, and Records in Downtown LA

August 25, 2015August 27, 20152 Comments

Here’s a peek inside The Last Bookstore. The store is various levels with rooms within rooms and things to see around every corner. If you try to go visit, be aware that certain rooms and stores close before the rest of the bookstore. I missed the chance to explore a couple of rooms because of this. But other than that, I was able to peek around the majority of the place. The Last Bookstore looks like something that should belong on the set of a Harry Potter movie. When I saw the wall of photos I was almost expecting the faces to start following me across the room. It’s a truly unique place and a really fun find.

“The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. Currently in our third incarnation, we began in 2005 in a downtown Los Angeles loft.” – Last Bookstore

Scary books

Wall of paintings

Book loop

Up close of flying books

Drawings on the wall

View from above

View overhead

Book ailses

Windy book aisles

Books flying in the corner ceiling

Secret light switch

Half mannequin

Star Wars books

Alice in Wonderland style sign

Inside book hall

Random book aisles

Industrial art

Up close wall of paintings

Book aisle with book light switch

Flying bookshelf

Vaulted book room

Curved book hall

Inside vaulted book room

The Last Bookstore Mannequin

Check out my previous post for the address! 😉

Four Unique and/or Weird Things To See in Downtown Los Angeles

August 17, 2015January 17, 20161 Comment

Los Angeles is where I call home (for the majority of the time that is). So it’s funny for me to think that I’ve never really explored the downtown area. Now that I have a friend that lives in the area, I’ve been spending a significant amount of time falling in love with the city. Here’s a list of four weird and/or unique things to see in downtown Los Angeles. The best part, it’s all within a two block radius so you don’t have to worry about parking. 😉 Enjoy!

Downtown Los Angeles Map, center point Main and 5th – Click to enlarge.

The Varnish

118 EAST 6TH STREET
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Imagine yourself entering a French dip restaurant. Walking past the host to the back wall only to find an unmarked door which leads to one of downtown LAs oldest speakeasys. If this sounds like fun to you then make your way to The Varnish, located in the back of Cole’s restaurant. It is a small dark intimate space which offers amazing cocktails and an exclusive vibe. They don’t allow overcrowding so you have to wait outside of the speakeasy for a table. Grab a seat at the bar at Cole’s while you wait. Where else can you grab a French dip sandwich one minute and then sip a Moscow mule in a speakeasy without ever stepping outside?

PEDDLER’S CREAMERY

458 SOUTH MAIN STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

Have you ever heard of an ice-creamery where you can pedal for a free scoop? Well I hadn’t heard of it until I stumbled upon Peddler’s Creamery. Now the thought of having to exercise for 20 minutes before I can get some ice cream isn’t the most appealing thing to me, but some people go for that kind of stuff! So check this place out, even if it’s just to be a lookey loo to watch others bike for their scoop.

Angel Wings on Main by Colette Miller

ANGEL WINGS ON MAIN

448 S Main STREET
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located right next to Peddler’s Creamery is the Regent Theater. What makes this place unique are the art installation pieces by Colette Miller. A pair of angel wings located on the sliding gates. Make sure to get there before the place opens, or else you’ll miss your chance for a photo-op.

The Last Bookstore. Not sure if that was a reflection on my forehead or an orb. ;p

THE LAST BOOKSTORE

453 S Spring Street
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

Now, The Last Bookstore may not really be the last bookstore but it is considered one of California’s largest. The store carries new and used books as well as records and art installations. You’ll find surprises around every corner… literally!

Moonlight Beach Sunset: Encinitas, California

August 1, 2015August 3, 2015Leave a comment

Do you have a favorite spot to watch the sunset? Or a special place to go to think?

On a recent road trip down the coast to San Diego, I discovered the most amazing location in Encinitas, Moonlight Beach. I got there right around 8pm and just stood at the edge of the water, taking in the scents, sights, and sounds. The waves washing up the shore, my toes dug into the sand, and the smell of salt in the air with a faint scent of a bonfire burning nearby. There’s just something so serene and mysterious about the ocean. I stood there for a while, allowing the space to clear my thoughts, closing my eyes for a bit to just listen to the breaking sound of the waves. As the sun set, I tried to capture the imagery as best as possible through these photos; however, photos just don’t do it justice.