What’s your favorite cheat meal?
Be sure to visit this fun & interactive museum that is here until February 1st.
Every so often, I enjoy playing "Tourist" in my own city. By that, I mean I take the day "off" of work to pretend I am a tourist in Los Angeles.
I am always stunned to find that despite living in Los Angeles for almost 30 years, there are places, restaurants, and attractions I have yet to experience!
Yesterday, I visited the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles. This is a hidden gem tucked in the middle of the jewelry district.
I would highly recommend all the foodies out there to make it a priority to visit. Visiting this attraction just reminds me in fact, how culturally diverse Los Angeles is! You have the option to try Thai, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Italian to name the few in one place!
There's delicious coffee, a beer garden, spices, and even candy to purchase! You can learn more about the Grand Central Market here.
We ended our day visiting the beautiful Vista Hermosa National Park that I shared on my website a few months ago. You can learn all about the hidden park in L.A. here.
We're so privledged to live in L.A. that it is easy to take it for granted. I enjoy pretending I am a tourist every now and then so I can remember how lucky we truly are.
This small park honors Army soldiers Cpl. Joseph Anzack, Jr., 20, Cpl. Micah S. Gifford, 27, and Capt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24.
For today’s tourist in my own city, I visited the beautiful Terranea Resort.
This resort has been filmed in many movies including Pirates of the Caribbean, has delicious restaurants, coffee shops, a golf course, and has breathtaking views of the ocean.
The best part? It’s just a short drive from SoCal cities., yet feels worlds away from the busy 405 freeway.
I'd highly recommend this resort for all ages. If you're hungry, you'll enjoy the many restaurant choices they offer including Nelson's, Bashi, and Catalina Kitchen.
Full? You can build an appetite with a round of golf on their nine-hole course that totals approximately 1,239 yards from the back tees.
You won't be able to beat the coastal view.
A fun fact may not know is that it was once Marine Land (Think Sea World).
I'd give Terranea Resort a solid 4.5 stars for its beautiful scenery and delicious restaurants. I'd recommend reviewing the restaurant options in advance as some may think it is too pricey.
Have you ever walked around your own city and pretended you were a tourist? You’d be surprised how much there is to see and how little you probably know about the place you live. That’s why I’m excited to bring #touristinmyowncity back to my blog. It’s important to take time away from work and just enjoy LIFE.
I will be featuring a local place, restaurant, or nature trail weekly on my blog with a review. Today I visited Bowlero Torrance and was so amazed by the complete remodel.
Make sure you check out the neat arcade that even has Mario Cart, Candy Crush, and Pac Man! If you've had a long day, you wouldn't mind visiting their full-bar with a wood-burning fireplace and pool table.
The alley plays fun, upbeat music and even has TV projectors above every lane! The screens play funny videos, news, and music videos.
It is a great place to host an event, meet with friends after work, go on a date, or family.
Hungry? Consider their five-pound hamburger. This enormous burger will feed 5 of your friends & more!
I will rate this bowling alley 5 stars for its cleanliness, friendly staff, delicious food, and the wide selection of games, bowling balls, and music.
For more information, head to their website here.
HOURS:
According to History.com, Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—is a holiday commemorating the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
In honor of this holiday, I am sharing my TOP 5 favorite Mexican restaurants in the South Bay.
CASA PLAYA
Relaxed, counter-serve eatery dishing up Mexican classics, including burritos, tacos & tortas.
1903 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 791-2272
ORTEGA 120
Creative, contemporary Mexican dishes are served in a down-to-earth, art-filled dining room.
1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 792-4120
EL TORITO
Mexican chain featuring burritos, fajitas & a tequila bar in an informal setting.
100 Fishermans Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 376-0547
THE ORIGINAL RED ONION
Since-1967 Mexican eatery dealing in tacos, enchiladas & drinks plus breakfast in rustic house digs.
736 Bart Earle Way, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
(310) 377-5660
CORAZON
767 Deep Valley Dr, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
(310) 377-0580
If you're anything like me and love your dogs as much as I do, then you can agree that you want to take them everywhere with you!
To ease your troubles, I have shared below a few local restaurants in the South Bay that allow dogs to enjoy a meal with their families at their outdoor tables.
Hooray!
Greenbelt
36 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Rock and Brews
6300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Islands
2647 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance, CA 90505
Lazy Dog Café
3525 W. Carson Street
Torrance, CA, US 90503
Scardino's Italian Restaurant
4803 Torrance Blvd
Torrance, CA, US
In-N-Out
20150 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
&
24445 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
Ra Sushi
3525 Carson St
Torrance, CA 90503
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
23240 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
California Pizza Kitchen
1815 Hawthorne Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA, US 90278
Nelson's
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, US 90275=
Gum Tree
238 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Please be sure to verify in advance by calling your restaurant of choice!
The Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department's annual Family Halloween Carnival is held every October at Manhattan Heights Community Center located at 1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The event is designed for children ages 2 to 13. Children under the age of 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Past carnivals have included face painting, haunted house, food and game booths, and much, much more! All game booths are constructed by children in the After School REC Program and the haunted house is constructed and staffed by Teen Center staff and their teens. Download a copy of the Halloween Carnival flyer (PDF). Events, attractions, and costs are subject to change without notice.
Costume Contest and Parade 12:00 PM
Costume Categories
Individual
5 and under
6 to 7
8 to 9
10 to 12
Siblings
Parent and Child
Prize Categories
Most Original
Scariest
Judges Choice
Carnival Booths $0.50 to $2.00
The carnival booth are games are made by the participants of the After School REC and Teen Center. Booths will be closed during the costume parade. Tickets are required.
Haunted House $1.00
Haunted house is $1 sponsored by the Teen Center. Haunted house will be closed during the costume parade. Tickets are required.
3,000 Push Up Challenge Free
One of the mission statements of the Parks and Recreation Department is to "Promote Health and Wellness." To help instill that in our participants and promote that philosophy, we would like you to take the challenge and help us reach a NEW push up goal on the day of the carnival!
Inflatable Jumpers $0.50
Tickets are required.
Food Stand $1.00 to $2.00
Pizza (pepperoni/cheese), water, juice, chips, granola bars, cotton candy, and popcorn. Tickets are required.
Face Painting Price TBA
Information
Tickets will be sold at the Information Booth. Each ticket costs $0.50. Bills over $20.00 will not be accepted.
For more information or to volunteer for this event, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (310) 802-5448.
For today’s “Tourist in my own city,” I visited one of South Bay resident’s favorite activities to do during the holidays- walk through Candy Cane lane!
If you grew up in the South Bay like I did, you know all about Candy Cane lane and look forward to visiting it annually. It is located in the 5000 block of Sharynne Lane in Torrance, CA.
During the holidays, several streets in South Torrance are decorated elaborately and free to the public for viewing unique lights. Homes in the area between PCH and Calle Mayor are lit up for locals to drive through or park their car and walk.
Personally, I love walking even if it’s a little chilly outside. I love to layer on sweaters and walk through the neighborhoods with family and friends. Residents of the area are often home with company. Many sell items such as hot coca and popcorn in front of their homes.
I love walking the neighborhood to see all the joy the children feel and the awe in their expressions as they see their favorite characters from movies used as décor such as, Frozen.
Many kids will pop their head out of their parent’s car and joyfully shout “Merry Christmas” as they go through the neighborhoods and it is adorable to hear the pure excitement in their voices.
It is nice to see how unique the decorations are from surfing Santa’s to gingerbread men with Hawaiian tshirts. I love how residents use the lights to express their passions such as musical notes, animals drinking from a pond to a house with a large picture of the world expressing world peace.
My favorite house to see each year is quite simply, but the meaning is huge to me. They wrap a large yellow bow over a tree with red, white and blue lights below it with an American flag flying nearby. The yellow bow is a symbol in honor of supporting our troops and it always hits home for me.
No matter how young or old you are, visiting Candy Cane lane is a must during the holidays.
For those unfamiliar with finding Candy Cane Lane, I suggest parking your car at Seaside Elementary located at 4651 Sharynne Ln, Torrance, CA 90505 and walk towards the residential area. Also, avoid entering from PCH. Instead, turn on Calle Mayor or try turning on a side street like Carlow or Susana.
Dress warm and enjoy the lights and fun decorations!
