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!

Fill Your Cravings at Crave Cafe!

Crave Cafe in Studio City.

This is the perfect spot for you and your friends to stop by when you're wandering around the valley wondering what to do in the wee hours of the morning.  With a combination of salty and sweet treats, as well as sandwiches, salads and pizza, the Crave Cafe is a delicious place to satisfy the tastes of your whole group.  Prices are reasonable, but parking can be a trick durring peak hours.  With two locations in the valley, Sherman Oaks and Studio City, and open 24 hours most days (closed Sunday), I highly recommend stopping by for a crepe, burger, cupcake, pizza, mocha and baklavah!

Rock-in Hollywood - Hiking Vasquez Rock

Vasquez Rocks

 Possibly the most iconic rocks in film and television, Vasquez Rocks have been featured in such movies as Star Trek, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Austin Powers and The Flintstones, and TV shows like The Lone Ranger, 24, and Numbers.  With its slanted slopes, the rocks make an ideal chance for the whole family to feel like expert mountain climbers and hike to the summit.  There are tons of smaller formations to explore as well; the park offers a full day's hike and plenty of adventure, as well as free parking and picnic areas!

Drinking at Disney - Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

Krakatoa at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.

If you're like me, you want to enjoy the Disney experience every now and then, without the Disney prices. Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar is your chance!  With a large selection of alcohol, Trader Sam's offers the Disney atmosphere, fun and entertainment without ever entering the park.  Located at the Disneyland Hotel, with easy access from Downtown Disney, Sam's offers a variety of island themed drinks, snacks, and entertaining surprises with certain orders.  Free 3 hour parking is available at the Downtown Disney lot, making this Disney adventure cost only the gas it takes to drive there and your bar tab. 

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!

Trade Rush Hour for Happy Hour!




Credit: Reuters/Lucy Nicholson.



Cheesecake Factory Specials.

One of the biggest complaints about Los Angeles is the traffic.  From 4-7pm each weekday, LA freeways are packed with commuters trying to get home.  It can take 2 hours (or longer) to go 13 miles, and commuters find themselves tired, frustrated, angry, and wasting precious gas and time sitting on the roads.  But I have a different suggestion for the weary traveler!  Happy Hour!  Is it coincidence, or fortune, that makes Happy Hour and Rush Hour both occur from 4-7pm?  I'm not saying you should pull over and get blitzed before you drive home.  On the contrary, I regularly enjoy Happy Hour, instead of traffic, with no alcohol at all!  Many local restaurants off great food specials in addition to drinks for the hours between 4pm and 7pm, and since many commuters are trying to race home to eat, it seems to be a perfect fit!  With the rising costs of gas, it may actually be more cost effective to pull over and spend $8 for an appetizer and drink than to sit in traffic burning fuel for 2-3 hours.  And after 7pm, the roads clear and you can get home at a reasonable pace, relaxed and refreshed.  If at least half of the commuters in Los Angeles would take this advice, we may find ourselves with less traffic in the first place!  In the panic of Carmageddon, so many people stayed off of the freeways to avoid the expected chaos, that drive times were the lowest that they had ever been!  I understand that many people are racing home to spend time with family, or get to a meeting or event, and there are times when you can't spare an extra few minutes to stay clear of the madness, but there are plenty of people, like myself, who are just trying to get home to eat dinner, or relax.  So I say, why wait?  Don't worry, beat traffic, try Happy Hour instead!