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Local Expert: Marael Johnson

Award-winning travel writer Marael Johnson has written for many prominent print and online publishers on areas as diverse as Outback Australia, Europe's Basque region, Louisiana's Cajun country, and remote South Pacific islands. She grew up in Los...

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August 25, 2008
Food

L.A. Unleashed

Got a dog that loves to run free and doesn't care about harsh legalities or deadly traffic? Lead Fido or Fidette over to one of the city's thoughtful off-leash dog parks for a romp sans restraints. Some choices:

1. Griffith Park Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/griffithParkDogPk.htm), just north of the soccer field on North Zoo Drive, offers 1.6 acres and has a separate area for smaller or more sensitive doggies. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

2. Laurel Canyon Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/laurelCynDogPk.htm), nestled in the hills of Studio City, features three acres off off-leash area plus a small children's playground (the children are fenced in, the dogs are not). Open daily; Saturday-Thursday, 6 AM-sunset; Friday, 11 AM-sunset.

3. Barrington Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/barringtonDogPk.htm), in snazzy Brentwood, provides 1.5 acres for the pooches and 40 parking spaces for their owners. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

4. Silverlake Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/silverLakeDogPk.htm), between Hollywood and downtown is popular, convenient, and features 1.25 acres of off-leash space. Parking (street only) can be a bit tricky here. Open daily, early morning until 10 PM.

5. Runyon Canyon Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/runyonCynDogPk.htm), in the Hollywood Hills and with marvelous views, is a huge 160-acre expanse with 90 acres devoted to off-leash luxury. Hiking trails and a children's play area are other features. Open daily, dawn to dusk.
August 20, 2008
Attraction

Southern California-style Rocket Town

Who knew? Well, now you do. Approximately 95 miles north of Los Angeles, the tiny desert community of Mojave (www.mojave.ca.us) is home to eight small rocket companies just waiting to take you to Outer Space. Of course, that's not there main goal, but it's definitely in the works. Home to a 12,500-foot runway, once used to train WW2 fighter pilots, the town can send off everything from fighter jets and biplanes to--yes--rockets filled with space tourists. And, it even has FAA approval to do so, making it American's "first civilian spaceport." Once a sleepy little town of approximately 2,700, the population has increased to 4,000 residents most of whom are involved in the business of rocketry and other spacey things such as conducting "way-out-there" experiments for various enterprises. In addition to rocketry and strange flying things, sightseeing opportunities include the nearby ghost towns of Garlock, Johannesburg, and Randsburg; Indian Wells Brewery (www.mojave-red.com), producer of the award-winning Mojave Red microwbrew; and the Feline Conservation Center, aka the Cat House (www.cathouse-fcc.org), an exotic feline breeding compound. Motels and fast-food outlets line Mojave's highways and byways. If you crave something a bit loftier than a basic room and a burger, try the fancier sounding Mariah Country Inn & Suites (www.mariahhotel.com) with a full-service bar and a restaurant that serves steak and seafood.
August 17, 2008
Food

L.A. Getaway: Pacific Northwest Wonder

We love L.A., we also love getting away for short breaks and then returning home. A recent getaway included all the elements of low-stress transportation, pampering accommodations, an international border crossing, exquisite scenery, and both wine country and brewpubs.

Day 1: Grab a quick-and-easy nonstop flight from LAX to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Grab a cab or the quick-and-easy Downtown Airporter (www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm) into the city center. Walk or take a connector service to the Pan Pacific Seattle (www.panpacific.com/Seattle) having reserved one of the stylish rooms that face the Space Needle. Bedding is simply the softest and most comfortable I've ever slept on: 100-percent Egyptian cotton in a micro-check; feather pillows; and a mohair throw on the bed. Views all around, naturally. You can even opt for a view from the deep soaking tub with windows that open into the guestroom. YU'I brand amenities, made especially for the Pan Pacific, include tubes of bath gel and shoe mitts, and premium rooms provide loofahs, bath salts, and dental kits. Convenient to downtown and area attractions, the calming Pan Pacific is part of a mixed-use development with residences, Starbucks, and a Whole Foods gourmet grocery store. And, of course, there are 32-inch plasma HDTVs and complimentary wireless Internet access in the guestrooms.

Day 2: If you've packed lightly, you can just roll your suitcase down to Pier 69 where the Victoria Clipper catamaran (www.clippervacations.com) will ferry you to British Columbia's picture-perfect capital city of Victoria. Arrive early, check in your bags, and take a cab or walk over to historic Pike Place Market (www.pikeplacemarket.org), in operation for more than 100 years and packed with restaurants, boutiques, arts, crafts, and--of course--fresh produce, fish, and other edibles. Make your way back to the pier for a mid-afternoon sail, through Puget Sound, and into Victoria's super-scenic Inner Harbour. After going through simple Canadian customs and immigration procedures, roll your bag over to your home for the next 2-3 days: the grand-dame Fairmont Empress (www.fairmont.com/empress), which celebrates its centennial birthday this year.  For a special splurge for your special getaway, book a Fairmont Gold room that includes the use of an exclusive living-room style lounge where deluxe Continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres are served (think things like chef's special eggs, flaky croissants, freshly made muesli, and seemingly endless slices of smoked salmon). All guestrooms and suites are wonderfully appointed, but a harbour-view junior suite on the upper floor is the ultimate: lovely antique and reproduction furnishings; white-on-white bedding; windows that open to sights of colorful watercraft, landing seaplanes, and waterfront activity. You might be tempted to just live in the bathroom with its temperature-controlled marble floor, heated towel rack, and deep jetted tub. Heaven! And, lest you've been living under a rock, the Empress is famous for its proper and delectable afternoon tea service (reservations recommended, but your personal concierge can take care of that detail!).

Days 2-4: Explore the cool sights of Victoria such as the Royal British Columbia Museum (www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca); Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (www.aggv.bc.ca); and the many interesting downtown districts, packed with unique shops, galleries, restaurants, and pubs. You'll even happen across Canada's oldest Chinatown, home to Fan Tan Alley (Canada's narrowest street) and Tam Kung (Canada's oldest Chinese temple). Rent a car and explore legendary Butchart Gardens (www.butchartgardens.com) with 55 acres of amazing floral displays; taste your way through the 10 regions of the Wine Islands (www.wineislands.ca), or venture farther afield in the Cowichan Valley with producers of fine wines, balsamic vinegars, cheeses, vegetables, and other delights. Depart Victoria the way you came, on a late-morning catamaran with views of the Olympic Mountains, arriving in Seattle in early afternoon. You'll be back in L.A. in time for bed and plenty of sweet dreams.

For more information:
www.tourismvictoria.com
www.VancouverIsland.Travel
August 13, 2008
Accomodation

Alternative Accommodations: Goin' Bananas in L.A.

It's easy to go bananas in this city no matter where you stay, but the retro-style Banana Bungalow (www.bananabungalowus.com/hollywood) will make sure you have plenty of simpatico companions as well as a cheap--albeit stylish--roof over your head. Long popular with hip international visitors, this hostel-style accommodation has become a destination on its own. What's not to love? It has a perfect right-in-the-center-of-Hollywood location, a friendly staff, fun-loving guests, and some terrific amenities. Cool, casual--and did I mention inexpensive? The choice of accommodations is as varied as your budget: if you don't require or even want privacy, a dorm room runs as low as $18 per night ($22 with kitchen); private rooms come in varying sizes and start at just $55 per night ($75 with kitchen). Weekly rates are even cheaper. Every dorm and guestroom has a bathroom with shower and premium rooms even include bathtubs. Couples or singles that opt for privacy can still join the numerous cheap or complimentary activities available to all guests; barbecues with live bands and guest deejays; mix-and-mingle dinner parties; escorted pub crawls (and, we're talking in Hollywood, baby!); poker nights and Ping-Pong tournaments; movie and Karaoke nights; soccer and basketball matches; and hiking and biking tours. And, did we mention that a light breakfast--served in the Tiki garden, of course--is free, every single day of your stay? Of course, you're really bananas if you're still feeling hesitant, so here are a few more complimentary perks: wireless Internet access; convenient parking; and 24-hour laundry facilities (including the soap).
Insider's Rating:
Banana Bungalow
5920 Hollywood Blvd.
(323) 469-2500
Web Site
View the Place Guide
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August 06, 2008
Food

Pacific Park, Oceanfront Amusements

Set on the landmark Santa Monica Pier, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and sprayed by salty breezes, Pacific Park (www.pacpark.com) charges no admission (charges apply to rides and games) to the flocks of families that come for a day of thrill rides, arcade games, and other entertainment. Often used as a location site, the park is featured in TV shows, feature films, music videos, and photo shoots. Among the TV shows filmed here have been Alias, Monk, NYPD Blue, and American Idol.  Take a whirl on the Pacific Wheel, the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel. Soaring more than 130 feet above the pier with spectacular coastline views, the wheel.is lined with more than 6,000 colorful bulbs and offers 16 dazzling special effects. Also offering great views as it traverses the park at a comparatively gentle 35 mph, is the West Coaster--the only oceanfront steel roller coaster situated on a Pacific-coastal pier. Games include the whirling bikes of Crazy Cruiser; the gentle Riptide Ring Toss; and the flinging beanbags at Beach Bash. No visit to the pier would be complete without a spin on the restored 1916 Looff carousel--housed in a historic hippodrome--a favorite haunt of three or more generations of movie stars, filmmakers, and ordinary fun-loving families.
Insider's Rating:
Pacific Park
380 Santa Monica Pier, (Westernmost end of Colorado Boulevard), Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA, 90401

Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
July 27, 2008
Accomodation

New Pools with a View

L.A. loves poolside living, whether at home or in a hotel. Celebrities, especially, love to hang around the pool to lounge, tan, text message, fall in love, and hide from (or entice) the starstruck. Just in time for summer, two hotels in sublimely hip West Hollywood have opened rooftop pools with superb views and celeb-esque ambiance. On a peaceful residential street, European boutique-style Le Parc Suites (www.leparcsuites.com) woos with its pool and spa tub, rows of roomy cabanas, and even floodlit tennis courts for those who want to tone while they tan. Complimentary wireless Internet access, complimentary Town Car service within a few miles, and a signature restaurant are added pleasures. Each of the 154 suites also has a private balcony, and some have 42-inch plasma TVs and fireplaces. Recently opened London West Hollywood (www.thelondonwesthollywood.com) blends British tradition with California cool. Set Amid the Hollywood Hills, this hotel's 10th-floor pool deck is a landscaped haven that includes a white-marble fire pit, wall-sized tiled water feature, and other interesting elements. Four cabanas can be reserved for those who desire extra privacy and pampering--each has seating for four, flat-screen TVs, cordless phones, compact refrigerators, and other amenities. Everything from poolside dining to room service is under the direction of renowned Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay. The hotel's 200 custom-designed, open-floor plan suites provide separate areas for sleeping and bath "environments" with dual showerheads and soaking tubs.

  1. Le Parc Suite Hotel
  2. The London West Hollywood
July 23, 2008
Food

The Mysterious World of Backyard Dirt, and More

Kid-fun doesn't always mean a flashy theme park or expensive resort. Use a vacation or staycation day or two for a trot over to La Habra's Children's Museum (www.lhcm.org), a seven-gallery trove of imagination and interactivity. Special exhibits include "Backyard Safari!" (through 31 August), which explores the interesting life in your (or someone's) backyard. Among the highlights in this oversized plot are burrowing groundhogs, squiggly worms, nesting groundhogs, and other dirt-filled delights; a tree stump teeming with bees, birds, and squirrel life; painted-lady butterflies in all lifecycle stages; and a garden that displays its roots. Permanent past times include interactive games at the La Habra Railroad Station (the building is actually located within the historic 1923 depot) with a genuine caboose and model train village; riding the hand-carved masterpieces on the Dentzel carousel; and a touch table that allows--encourages, actually--kids to put their hands on bones, furs, shells, and other tactile sensations. Kids can take indoor nature walks with wild (taxidermy) animals, cozy up in a living room-style area to learn about other cultures and customs, and dress up in costumes and sing into a mike on a child-size stage. Digging for fossils, driving a bus, and playing at pumping gas (sans coughing up five bucks a gallon) are other fanciful pursuits.
Insider's Rating:
La Habra Children's Museum
301 S Euclid St
(562) 905-9793
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
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