Burger Continental - Greek flair, tasty fare

Burger Continental in Pasadena

Behind the cafe store front of this restaurant in Pasadena lies a dining experience you don't want to miss!  Though at first glace it looks like any other mom-and-pop restaurant, a look at the menu will give you the first hint of the treasures within.  Aside from its wide variety of tasty burgers, as proclaimed in its name, Burger Continental  has an amazing variety of Mediterranean dishes.  It is well known locally for its amazing  buffets, served 7 days a week before 3pm, which includes table after table of delicacies from around the world, and champagne on Sundays!  If the menu alone isn't enough draw you in, the atmosphere and entertainment make this a must see location.  Beyond the typical restaurant/cafe front lies an open air dinning hall with gas lamps, canopies and live entertainment!  Wednesday nights feature live Jazz Bands, but its the Mediterranean bands and belly dancers Thursday through Sunday after 7pm that make this spot truly unique.  The family atmosphere and boisterous energy on a weekend night give this location a true old world Greek feeling that any adventurous diner will appreciate.

Go wild at the LA Zoo!

Up close and personal in The Lair.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has some fantastic animal exhibits that have recently been added or updated.  If you haven't gone lately, its time to rediscover LA's wild side!  There are hundreds of animals to view and discover, from all over the world, from land and sea.  The newly renovated Elephants of Asia habitat features live Elephant training displays in the morning, while The Lair allows visitors to get as close as they dare to reptiles from across the globe.  The Aviary allows you to walk through a forest filled with rare birds.  The Animal Care Center houses many young and newly born animals that need special care, and is a great place to see some of the more shy creatures up close.  It's a great learning experience for the kids with hands on exhibits and shows, or a fun date as you go on a world safari in a single day! Defiantly get a souvenir cup, as it only costs slightly more than the standard drink and allows for discount refills throughout the park.  Go for the day, or get an annual pass and make your morning or afternoon jog an adventure!

Porto's Bakery & Cafe:Cuban Culinary Excellance

Some of Porto's delicious desserts!

Porto's Bakery & Cafe is no secret to the citizens of Burbank and Glendale, and with a new location in Downey it is sure to be making new fans all across the Southland.  Crowds of people fight for limited parking in the lots and stand in lines that weave back on themselves three times, and every one of them feels it was worth the wait.  Porto's has a huge selection of cookies, croissants, cheesecakes, mousse cups, cakes and other pastries, as well as breads by the loaf.  There is a full assortment of specialty coffee drinks and sandwiches in the cafe, but what makes this cafe different from all the rest is the traditions of its Cuban roots, still reflected in the menu today.  Sandwiches are served with plantain chips.  Empanadas, meat pies, and  potato balls (one of my personal favorites) are available a la cart or by the dozen.  If you're just stopping in for lunch, try the cafe express line for sandwiches and the most popular bakery items, to avoid the longer lines of the full bakery selection.  Call in your large catering or cake orders for faster pickup as well.  Whether you're looking for catering and bakery items for your next event, lunch with friends, or just a quick snack, Porto's is worth the drive (and the wait!).

The LA Arboretum: More than just trees!

This peacock struts his stuff in the flower garden at the LA Arboretum.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden has the unique duality of representing several continents worth of foliage while simultaneously being conveniently located just off of the 210 freeway in Arcadia.  Featuring lush jungles, sprawling lawns, stunning deserts and historical architecture tucked away among the trees, a day at the Arboretum is not only a stroll around the world but a walk through time.  There are classes for the whole family, from yoga, art and flower arranging to story time for the kids.  There is even a class on obedience training for your canine kin! As an added attraction, peacocks roam the grounds, sounding out their eerie cries and basking in picture perfect sunbeams.  Parking is free, and admission is low compared to other local gardens, with a free day once a month on the third Tuesday. Definitely worth a day or two of exploration, and don't forget the sun screen!

The Old Mill - Art, History, Gardens & Events

The Old Mill in San Marino, CA

The Old Mill, or El Molino Viejo, was created by Spanish settlers to provide food for the nearby San Gabriel Mission.  The mill has changed hands many times over the years, but is currently a beautiful museum and garden.  The museum allows you to walk through the halls of the Mill itself.  Dioramas, photos and displays paint an in-depth picture of the area's past, while the upper floor features local artists.  The gardens are filled with fruit, flowers, wandering paths and hidden alcoves, perfect for a romantic date.  Admission is free, but the museum has very limited hours, 1pm-4pm every day but Monday and Holidays.  Parking is extremely limited, but street parking is plentiful.  Membership to the museum allows you to attend garden dinner parties with live music in the summer.  This is a hidden gem of Southern California history, and I highly recommend it for both locals and tourists alike!

Griffith Observatory - Out of this world

Compare the planets of our solar system - Griffith Observatory.

Griffith Observatory has much to offer both the traveling tourist and the local visitor.  With its amazing views of both the Los Angeles basin and the stars and planets beyond Earth, the Observatory has enough to see and do to fill an entire day!  You can stroll along the outer walkway and spy on the city below with handy telescopes, learn astronomy in the many exhibits, take in a show at the planetarium, or join the dozens of amateur and professional astronomers in viewing the heavens at the monthly star parties held on the Observatory lawn (see my calendar to receive alerts!).  There is a cafe and gift shop, and minor fees for planetarium shows, but entry to the Observatory and Museum is free, meaning you could bring a picnic lunch and spend the whole day without spending a dime!  The trickiest part of visiting is the parking, which can stretch for a mile down the hillside in either direction.  Weekends are especially busy, so be prepared to walk for about 10-20 minutes on you way up, but don't forget to enjoy that view if you do!

Ice Cream Cookies on the Westside

Chocolate Chip with Chocolate Chip. 



One of the hot spots every student at UCLA knows about is Diddy Riese Cookies in Westwood.  Lines can stretch out the door, and around the corner, for a taste of cookie and ice cream heaven.  What makes Diddy Riese so popular?   Prices and selection.  Diddy Riese offers 10 different kinds of cookies and 12 types of ice cream to make your custom ice cream sandwich dreams come true.  There are coffee and cookie, cookie and milk or ice cream sandwich combos, each for $2 or less, making it the #1 destination for a quick study break, and a must visit for tourists.  Parking can be tricky, and its cash only, so take the family or buy in bulk to make your trip worth while.  There are dozens of restaurants and architectural wonders in the area as well, so you can justify your cookie quest to the non-believers.  Just one taste will help them see the light!

Travel Town - Trains, Trains, Trains!

Trains at Travel Town Museum.

Trains played a large role in the creation and foundation of our country, and Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park gives visitors a chance to walk through and interact with that history.  In addition to picnic areas and displays of historical engines and train cars, visitors can climb up and pretend they are driving the engines, walk across the tracks, and even have parties in the dining cars.  There is a miniature train giving rides around the park, a gift shop and vendors with snacks.  Best of all, admission is FREE, and the park is open most days 10-4, with an extra hour on weekends and special children’s events throughout the month.  A great place to play, explore, and learn!

Secret Garden of San Marino - Huntington Gardens

Chinese Gardens at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino.

The Huntington Gardens are perhaps my favorite hideaway in Los Angeles, and a must see for tourists and locals alike.  The grounds include several themed gardens, including the newest Chinese garden (pictured above), a Japanese garden, Greek statues and fountains, rose and herb gardens, large sprawling lawns, and even an extensive desert garden which I highly recommend on a rainy day!  There is an interactive children's garden for the younger guests, or the young at heart, with interactive exhibits, fountains, tunnels, mist sprays, musical rocks and magnetic dust!  Annual passes are available, as well as one day admission, and the first Thursday of every month is free admission with reservation (call on the first day of the month before as tickets go fast!).  There are cafes on the grounds and picture taking is encouraged.  There are also several museums, a library with exhibit, and a tea room, all of which I will address in future blogs!