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Posts Tagged ‘california wine tours’
Nasty Nellie Tour
In my opinion, there was no bigger show in the 1970s and early 1980s than Little House on the Prairie. The resident bully, Nellie Oleson, is still considered a “Character Most in Need of a Time-out.” Allison Arngrim, the actress who played Nellie, described her role as “having PMS for seven years.” In addition to acting and volunteering, Arngrim is a comedian and occasional Hollywood tour guide.
Nasty Nellie Tours is an exclusive tour of Los Angeles hosted by Arngrim, who shares her insights and humor with guests. She has rich stories to share from being a former child star, living at the Chateau Marmont during the 1960s, and having been to all the celebrity haunts of Hollywood. I booked one of Arngrim’s tour vans Los Angeles as a special treat for myself and some girlfriends. It was absolutely worth every penny! Arngrim is an entertaining delight as a tour guide.
Exploring Los Angeles
If you’re planning a trip to California, there are many must-see hotspots and tours you will need to visit or attend during your stay. Driving by the Hollywood sign is first on most people’s lists of what they want to see, followed by strolling through Hollywood Boulevard to see the handprints and footprints of celebrities that have been decoratively cast into the cement.
Next you’ll want to tour Los Angeles with a professional tour guide to get an insider’s peek at all of the amazing celebrities’ homes that stretch for miles of private roads along the rolling hills. The terrain is quite beautiful in the LA area, with a phenomenal skyline, waterfront houses nearby and a backdrop of gorgeous mountains.
Wine-tasting in the City of Angels
Although Northern California receives most of the acclaim for being a premium wine-growing region, it’s not the only destination in the Golden State where you can find a classy glass of red. The Wine Country of the north is somewhat remote when compared to the excellent wineries right in the Greater Los Angeles area. Wine connoisseurs with more on their mind than just a nice beverage could benefit from the many activities L.A. has to offer.
By now you’ve probably heard that Los Angeles is a top-notch tourist destination, and part of that owes to the sheer variety of experiences attainable on just one tour. It’s even possible to find an elite-level tour that California wine tours with a helicopter ride, and a roll through Hollywood in a luxury vehicle. With all of the different ways you could spend your time in L.A., it’s nice to have someone you can trust to take care of the logistics.
Cupcakes: Beverly Hills Style!
There is a line that forms daily on Little Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills, CA. Sweet cakey goodness like no other is what makes Sprinkles so special. I always gravitate back toward the Red Velvet Cup Cake; but there is simply no way to go wrong.
Do not let the line outside the door intimidate you. There is very little standing room inside the front door and it creates the illusion that the line is longer than it is. I have never waited more than 20 minutes, which is worth every second if you have to. Enjoy them fresh! The perfect guilty pleasure before or after star tours Hollywood. Sprinkles Beverly Hills is located @ 9635 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. (310) 274-8765
Brother Klaus Puck
Prior to a Clippers game, I was finally able to try Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, at LA LIVE downtown, and loved every aspect of it. The restaurant is masterfully designed by Tony Chu, serving excellent food from chefs John Lechleidner and Dustin Lewandowski.
Wolfgang’s Bar & Grill showcases his signature comfort food with a variety of inventive dishes drawing inspiration from his renowned fine dining restaurants ranging in price to accommodate varying budgets. The restaurant offers creative salads, wood-oven baked pizzas, handmade pastas, enticing entrees and meats grilled over hard wood. If you are planning to tour Los Angeles, dining here will allow you to blend right in as a “Los Angelenos.” Also, if you happen to notice a family resemblance with the General Manager, Wolfgang’s brother Klaus Puck is partner and manager! 800 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90015 – (213) 748-9700
The Malibu Country Mart
The Malibu Country Mart encompasses 6 acres of land in the heart of the Malibu Civic Center and comprises approximately 82,000 square feet of high-end retail, dining, and service providers. Its buildings are a mix of architectural styles, displaying Spanish, Mediterranean, modern, and rustic influences. Other features of the property include unique gardens and sculptures, outdoor dining and picnic areas, and a children’s playground.
Because of its high end retailers, the Malibu Country Mart has been a destination for the famous and the well heeled who inhabit the beachfront property west of Los Angeles, and a hidden gem for Los Angeles tours. The Malibu Civic Center area is the primary local gathering place, known for being frequented by locals and tourists, alike. To the city’s bemoan the area has also become an increasingly popular venue for paparazzi hoping to catch a glimpse of local celebrities, like Pierce Brosnan and his sons. Definitely stop by The Malibu Country Mart @ 3835 Cross Creek Rd Malibu, CA 90265 / (310) 456-6226
From the Vineyard to the Bar
Doing tours I have become spoiled with helicoptering into a a vineyard in Malibu for a wine tasting, but visting a great wine bar is a close second. Vertical Wine Bistro is in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, and should be added to your intinerary! This wine bar boasts over 400 wines from all over the globe. Their chef (the former chef of Opus Bar & Grill and Aubergine) has created a nice petite plates menu. This includes pan-seared Whitefish and ‘Date Poppers’ (Serrano ham, Gorgonzola and pickled Jalapenos). Up to 100 wines are available by the glass.
Outside of LA in neighboring Santa Barbara County, I have have conducted many California Wine Tours for VIP clients in addition to private tastings in LA combined with yacht and/or helicopter adventures. Yet, the ambiance of a classy wine bar in a hip part of Pasadena, is most definitely a great way to spend 2 hours. Vertical is located at: 70 N. Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91103 / 626-795-3999