Kirsten Anderberg's URBAN ADVENTURES: Things to Do in Los Angeles

I grew up as a child in the Los Angeles area from the 1960's to 1970's and have lived in Southern CA off and on throughout the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's, as well. When I look at tourist websites for the Los Angeles area, I am constantly amazed at how many of these websites just recite the same obvious attractions. There are many things to do in L.A. that you will not necessarily find in tourist brochures at the Chamber of Commerce. I have decided to list some of my favorite things to do in the Los Angeles area, as a native of the area.

Paradise Cove in Malibu
I only know about Paradise Cove because we went there as kids. Our family used to load up the station wagon with kids and then we would go to Paradise Cove. The parents went into the restaurant/bar and the older kids watched the younger ones on the beach. Paradise Cove is a private beach, and there are lifeguards on the beach provided by the restaurant. The restaurant also delivers "to go" orders from the restaurant to you on the beach on your blanket! You buy 4 hours of free parking and beach use with a receipt of $25 or more from the restaurant. You can also eat on tables, in chairs, on the beach, during the day or at night, dine on the sand while listening to the crash of the waves! What could be nicer than that?!

20th Century Fox Ranch - MASH, F Troop, Kung Fu, Planet of the Apes, Swiss Family Robinson, and more...
We used to go to the 20th Century Fox Ranch first for parties with our parents, but soon the older teen girls in our family became friends with the people who lived in the house on the property and they let us go in and just wander around whenever we wanted. My older sister Jan, and I, used to cut high school and go to "the ranch" where we would play in the sets leftover from the Planet of the Apes, MASH, and more. The place was mysterious due to the streams and odd rock formations that ran through it and you would walk up the streams and stumble on more sets. We were usually alone (and smoking pot, it was the 1970's) and that gave us a surreal feeling in sets like Planet of the Apes. My sisters were given MASH 4077 coats from the MASH set at "the ranch" and we used to wear them to high school. This history-rich property is now owned by the state and is located in Malibu Creek State Park, where all can walk around the place that is shown in the opening shot of every episode of the TV series MASH. There is an informative article about this ranch at http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-malibu21oct21. This is also an excellent place to camp and hike.

Malibu Hills Nature Trails by the Ocean
Malibu has some beautiful public nature trails (such as the trailhead above) throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and foothills neighboring the Malibu Colony.

San Fernando Mission Convento, 17th Mission in the series
At the San Fernando Mission, located in the north end of the San Fernando Valley, in Mission Hills, you can learn about the history of Los Angeles in an active and intriguing way. This beautiful site is complete with palm trees, peacocks, and fountains in front of the old adobe buildings. In the back, through the northern door of the church, you will find the graves of the Bob Hope family, along with a graceful "Hope Garden."

Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Bel Air
If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, why not take some time out for the afternoon tea at the Hotel Bel Air? This wonderful tradition includes a glass of champagne, with an assortment of finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire Cream and fresh preserves, pastries, cookies and tea, enjoyed by a lake with swans. Seating begins at 3 PM and ends at 4 PM. You may also enjoy their Sunday Brunch, which is a great way to treat your mother to breakfast! For more information, call (310)472-5234.

Self-Realization Center in Pacific Palisades
I found out about this place via the Source Family. The Self-Realization Center is off the map, but very worthy of a visit. The site was commissioned by Hollywood executives, thus it is very larger-than-life in ways. The grounds contain gardens surrounding a lake, and there are quotes from great religious leaders hidden among the plants. At one end of the lake is a spectacular shrine, and the lake has swans, etc. There is a sunken garden as well, and a chapel with an altar displaying great religious masters from many different cultures. I found this place to be very healing, and very inclusive spiritually. I first visited this site in the early 1980's, I brought my own son there in the 1990's and he remembers it vividly as it is so unique, and it is still hosting visitors Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays). Just a short drive up Sunset Blvd. from Santa Monica in Pacific Palisades.

Vasquez Rocks - Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, The Flintstones, Bonanza, Rifleman, Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Lassie
Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, is a large park located in Los Angeles County, between Santa Clarita and Palmdale. It is a great place for picnics, camping, horseback riding, etc. but the main attractions are the odd geologic formations. The Vasquez Rocks are uplifted at odd angles which is why there is such an impressive list of sci-fi movies and TV shows that were filmed here. The rocks are named after Tibercio Vasquez, a bandit who hid out in the rocks during the late 1800's. Like Chatsworth Park, which has unusual and interesting rock formations as well, Vasquez Rocks are a natural wonder. This area gets very hot and dry, take precautions.

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
The Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Orange County are ridiculously affordable, renovated rental beach houses. Situated on the beach, these houses can sleep either one in a dorm room, or you can rent a whole house out for up to 9 people to sleep. These cottages offer a beautiful beach setting for casual vacations that are hard to beat. A great spot for a mini-vacation out of town but they book up far in advance, so plan ahead.

William S. Hart Park
The William S. Hart Park in the Santa Clarita Valley is a wonderful old West setting. The estate of silent Western movie star William S. Hart, was left to the state as a museum. I have been going there since I was 3 years old and still love it. There is an old wooden homestead down on the lower part of the property, along with a park for picnics, etc. Then as you walk up the path to his mansion, you pass a dog cemetary, many beautiful cactus and oak trees, and as you ascend, the scenery becomes magnificent. You can see out over the Valley in two directions from above, and you can only imagine what a grand estate this would have been in the day! Sitting out on the terrace with friends at dusk, looking over the Valley, must have been wonderful. The mansion up top is full of Western memorabilia and American Indian rugs, baskets, etc. There is also a lovely little tea house in back of the mansion, as well as hiking trails that go up into the hills. There are posted warnings of rattlesnakes, cougars, etc. at the trailhead. Old and tall palm trees also grace the area below, and a replica of an old Western town is laid out behind the Hart Park, called Heritage Junction, which includes the actual old Saugus train station.

La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits are located in Hollywood, and host an interesting museum full of fossils found in the tar around the area but they also have current digs going on in tar pits on site. The area still has tar and oil bubbling to its surface, you can even see it bubbling up in local parking lots and school playgrounds. There is an outside exhibit around a still bubbling tar pit and lake in front of the museum, with artifical mammoths, etc. reenacting the past events there. A trip to the La Brea Tar Pits is an educational and interesting time for young and old alike. And admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month!

Bouquet Canyon Waterfall - A bit of nature close to the city...
The Bouquet Canyon Waterfall in Bouquet Canyon, just outside Saugus, CA is located just a bit north of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, in the Santa Clarita Valley. It is easy to get to and really beautiful. Experience shallow pools, several waterfalls, and more...(Read more)

Catalina Island/Avalon
Catalina Island is a short boat or plane ride from Los Angeles. My dad used to rent out small planes at the Van Nuys Airport and fly me to have breakfast or lunch with him and family friends on Catalina. We also had family friends who were making a bed and breakfast on Avalon and we used to stay there overnight at times too. The island is unique as cars are few and bikes are the common mode of transportation. The beaches are soft and the water mild, I used to swim in the ocean there as a young child without any problems.

Bouquet Canyon Rocks and Trails
Besides having a waterfall, Bouquet Canyon is also home to gorgeous canyons with huge oak trees and sandstone rocks, caves, etc. I was walking through a gulley in Bouquet Canyon taking pictures of the rocks and caves when I happened on the above mountain goat! Be prepared for mountain lions or cougars, rattlesnakes, and I guess mountain goats, in Bouquet Canyon!