Southern California, with its temperate climate is an "open" playground for outdoor water sports and stand up paddle boarding year round. There are a variety places to test your skills in the southland - whether its surfing the legendary waves off the coast in big name coastal waterfronts such as Newport, Huntington, or Laguna Beaches or trying your skills at paddle boarding in some of the inland lakes and rivers. Legends SUP™, based in … [Read more...]
Hiking Mt. Hollywood & Endeavor Appearance
I had another epic few days in Los Angeles. As like nearly all my visits to town, this one was a whirlwind event filled few days. I was invited by LA City Councilman Tom LaBonge on a hike of Mt. Hollywood to honor the London summer olympics as well as the closing of summer. This is a great hike - 1.5 miles to the summit nearly all up hill. The day was hot, the day was clear - I sweated as I climbed with fellow travelers @michelleyam and … [Read more...]
Hanging out in Los Angeles
It is always a thrill to be able to see how fast one can get around town on the freeways in Los Angeles. I love freeway hopping especially when the traffic is light. The mission of this latest trip to town was to find my great great grandfather's grave in Forest Lawn. In that regard, I failed miserably. Ran out of time to search the hundreds of graves in the section that I had previously pinpointed. Will be back. For those who have never been … [Read more...]
LACOT Travel Meetup, Xbar Century City
Live in the Los Angeles area? Going to be in town next week? Are you a travel blogger or a writer? Working in the travel and tourism industry? Stop by our monthly meetup of the Los Angeles Consortium of Online Travel Writers - Tuesday, June 12 at the Xbar in the Hyatt Century Plaza, 6:30 – 9:00PM. This is a great opportunity to network with other area travel bloggers - some who make the trek up from Orange County during the dreaded rush … [Read more...]
LACOT Meetup – JW Marriott, LA LIVE
Got into LAX on Friday afternoon and it was so cold as I stood outside waiting for the Flyaway bus I could see my breath. The fog persistently hung next to this part of the coast most of the day while the inland was much much warmer. Classic California micro climates for you! Love the Flyaway buses - they get you right to Union Station downtown where you can connect directly with the metro or metrolink. So easy. Jumped on the red line and like … [Read more...]
JetSet Extra Social Los Angeles
It is always fun to catch up with other LA Travel writers and the perfect venue for this was Union Station downtown at the Jet Set Extra social. I caught the metro from its furthest west side reach - Western & Wilshire so didn't have to worry about traffic on this Oscar Awards night. While the networking part of this event was obvious - the speaker's panel was the highlight. Trends in social media were discussed. It was interesting to hear … [Read more...]
The Wende Museum, Culver City
I've been visiting Los Angeles and Orange County museums for a number of years - taking advantage of the variety and numbers of museums in the area whenever time permits. A few days ago I had the opportunity to visit the Wende Museum located in a suite in an unassuming business park in Culver City. All visits are arranged in advance by appointment only. Wende, in German means "turning point," making reference to the fall of Communism. The focus … [Read more...]
Time Flies – Hanging in LA, upcoming trips
Ooops another month just went by - and haven't updated the blog. Was in Los Angeles again last week enjoying a plethora of activities, very warm weather and very clear skies. See video below taking from Mulholland overlooking the valley. Have a press trip up in Napa starting this weekend - first press trip where I'm actually an expert on the destination - and could easily lead a few of the tours! Then back to town for a week and off on our … [Read more...]
Meet Plan Go Event, Los Angeles
Join us Tuesday October 18th for the National Meet Plan Go Meetup in Los Angeles - there will be wine - courtesy of yours truly and the Napa Valley - followed by a number of inspirational travel talks - and dinner. All this is included for $15/person - and of this $5 per ticket is being donated to buy books for the "Books for Bhutan Library Project" … [Read more...]
Fun at Los Angeles Events
Rode in to town on the 5 on the inspirational wings of Don MaClean's American Pie blasting away on KRTH 101.1 FM. Needed some inspiration in the form of music as I certainly wasn't getting it from staring into the haze and smog that often hits the Los Angeles area this time of year. I was in town for only about a day and it was packed with events. I always like how whenever I spend any sort of time in Los Angeles events just seem to materialize. … [Read more...]