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Archive for April, 2010
The RUSH HOUR Farmer’s Market
Friday’s in the late afternoon is “rush hour” in these neck of the woods! Ahhh….but be smart if your schedule permits! Whether you are a local or visiting………this is one of the 80 something “one day a week” Certified Farmer’s Markets in LA that is at such a unique day and time. While private star tours Hollywood are in route, this could be the perfect stop off after a close up view of the Hollywood sign, to grab some wholesome California snacks to enjoy in your room or after your morning workout! There is so much to do in the city……I am not sure sometimes that I can get to it all; but I will have fun trying!!
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Voda Spa, LA
A blend of old world spa traditions and modern luxury, voda spa redefines the day spa experience in Los Angeles. The calming and expansive interior is reminiscent of a vacation resort, making voda the first “day resort” in the city.
A visit to voda spa is also a multicultural experience, with treatments and saunas that reflect cultures from across the globe, including the traditional Russian sauna – the banya. voda spa is an opportunity to participate in these healing and revitalizing customs in an elegant and contemporary environment.
Most importantly, visitors to voda spa are encouraged to stay for a few hours, dedicating time to personal relaxation and enjoyment. “Taking the waters” is best done at a leisurely pace – relishing in the sequence of the banya, indulging in a revitalizing massage or facial, enjoying a gentle soak in the Jacuzzi, and finishing it all off with a delicious meal and cocktail; a must stop when you tour Los Angeles. The spa can be a place for conversation and community or quiet contemplation. Everything one could need for a day of pampering and leisure is available at voda spa, all under one roof.
The Seal of Los Angeles
The seal of Los Angeles contains the coat of arms of the city of Los Angeles, a city in the U.S. state of California. The shield is encircled by the legal name of the city (City of Los Angeles) and its date of founding (1781).
Inside the circle, flanking the shield, are grapes, olives, and oranges, major crops of California, on their plants. These are also symbolized in the colors of the Flag of Los Angeles. The fruit are on a field or, bordered with a 77-bead rosary. On Los Angeles guided tours, take notice of the seal of LAPD vehicles throughout the city.
The arms are quarterly:
- upper left: the shield of the United States with thirteen stars on the chief
- upper right: the Flag of California (a field argent with California grizzly bear at bay, five-pointed star, and fess base gules), sans text and ground
- lower left: the Coat of arms of Mexico 1867-1968 version (an eagle displayed reguardant and biting a serpent), signifying the city’s history under Mexico
- lower right: the arms of Castile and León, signifying the city’s history as a Spanish colony.
Echo Park
At the end of the 19th century, when the hills were still covered with native plants and grasses, a horse-drawn streetcar line served the dirt road that is now Echo Park Ave. The community of Echo Park was founded by Thomas Kelly, a carriage maker turned real estate developer. In the late 1880s Kelly teamed up with a group of local investors, selling off pieces of what they called “the Montana Tract.” Legend says that the lake got its name after workers building the reservoir remarked that their voices echoed off the canyon walls.
The Los Angeles film industry was centered in Echo Park before the studios moved to Hollywood, just before World War I. Mack Sennett’s studio was in Echo Park until the end of the silent era, and a large number of silent comedies were shot in the neighborhood, as were several Laurel and Hardy,Charlie Chaplin, Our Gang, Ben Turpin, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, Charley Chase, Chester Conklin, and Three Stooges shorts. Tom Mix also built his studio just over the hill in the Silverlake area, and many Westerns were shot in hills of Echo Park, East Silverlake and the Elysian Hills. Some of the earliest screen performers, including Gloria Swanson and Tom Mix, bought homes in the Angelino Heights and surrounding neighborhoods before moving to Hollywood and other areas. Echo Park was named Edendale before the construction of the park itself, which can be seen vividly from private LA helicopter tours. The original name survives through the U.S. Post Office Edendale branch and the Edendale branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.
She looks SO GOOD with a Shotgun!
Private Los Angeles helicopter tours are defined by the sensibilities and desires of the client.
So does skeet shooting qualify? But of course! Chartering a helicopter and landing at a Gun Club with a Pro Club Instructor waiting for you at the landing pad certainly puts this afternoon in the running. Our tour landed us at Triple Clays in El Monte. Before I knew it my wife had a shotgun in her hands for the first time and she was knocking orange clay targets out of the sky. Our Club Pro Instructor instructor Zach Kienbaum told us, “This sport puts a smile on everybody’s face because it is instant gratification. Give me 15 minutes and I will have anyone hitting targets.” Triple Clays is an enormous Club that has Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays, which is like golf with a shotgun. As it turns out, women enjoy this sport just as much as men do and seem to catch on even faster; at least my wife did! She looks SO GOOD with a Shotgun!
Los Angeles Guided Tours
The first time my family and I took a vacation to Los Angeles, I naïvely assumed that we would be able to take in all of the sights on our own. As any seasoned travel knows, this is an effort in futility, and virtually every family member came home disappointed that we had neglected to visit a destination near the top of his or her list. When we decided to revisit LA during Spring Break this year, I took measures to ensure that history wouldn’t repeat itself.
Before embarking on our journey, I called ahead and arranged for us to go on a couple of Los Angeles guided tours. The company had several routes to choose from, so I tried to find tours that appeased everyone. After this trip, I am confident that everyone had an opportunity to take in the sites and scenes that were their top priorities.
LACA Private Yacht Adventure 4-13-10
Flying High
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Dog Friendly LA
Leaving your pet at home can be the one sad part about going on vacation. When visiting LA however, it is good to know that you have a choice if you want to bring your dog with you and not feel like you have to give anything up!
Most five star hotels in Beverly Hills allow dogs, and some in the area even roll out the red carpet for them, like The Loews Hotels in Santa Monica has packages that revolve around having your dog with you.
In addition there are many restaurants in LA that have plush dog friendly outdoor seating, and there are also private day care options available so your best friend can play for a day or two while you play! There are even private LA tours that can accommodate your pet; in fact make them the center of attention. So, erase the word “kennel” from your mind and pack a bag for the pup!!
208 Rodeo
This highly regarded restaurant has the most coveted terrace in town, perched atop the steps of Via Rodeo. 208 Rodeo offers casual dining, attentive service and a newly launched breakfast menu that is sure to satisfy. With a new General Manager and Executive Chef, 208 Rodeo is certainly aimed at becoming one of the most sought after dining destinations in town. Whether if it’s relaxing on our sun soaked patio for breakfast or a romantic dinner for two on our balcony, 208 Rodeo delivers the perfect experience to meet your Beverly Hills dining expectations, and nestled strategically in sight of Wilshire Blvd. and tour vans Los Angeles passing by.
This Beverly Hills restaurant is located on the corner of the famous Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, where outdoor terrace seating allows diners to take in the bustle of celebrities and tourists on the street walks. Delicious creations by Chef Joseph Mahon include fusion food like Japanese squash ravioli, dry aged New York strip, Chilean salmon, and coconut-curry lentil soup. 208 Via Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills CA 90210