Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives. - Socrates
The Griffith Observatory is a stronghold of space, a command center of the cosmos. And every night up to 600 people filter through its hallowed halls to peer through the original telescope installed on the roof of the observatory in 1935. Planets, moons, comets, and other celestial bodies have all been objects of attention from this regal collection of tubes, mirrors, and lenses perched atop the classic art-deco structure.
But visitors don't...
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In the middle of Los Angeles, the ruins of a once-great cultural site sit in stony silence. Like so many other archaeological sites, this place tells a story. It was a gathering spot for the people of the era. It was a place for families, a place for children.
But unlike most ruins, these ones aren't ancient.
They're the remnants of the old Los Angeles Zoo, and they're open free everyday for visitors to explore.
The History of the Old Los Angeles Zoo
The zoo was built by the city of Los Angeles and entertained residents and visitors alike during its 51 year run. But by the 1960's, the zoo was obsolete....
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I'll be honest, I'm not much of a beach person. Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean, but laying on the beach all day has never really interested me. I much prefer exploration to relaxation on any of my travels. But I don't let that keep me from visiting beach destinations. In my past travels, I have learned that there are often many other diversions besides sleeping in the sun at beaches.
When researching Malibu, California, one theme kept coming up - go to the beach. Sun, sand, and the added bonus of potential celebrity sitings seem to be the lure for these beaches. But while Malibu may be known...
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Venice Beach, California - "Here we are again!" I slammed the car door and turned towards my sister. Her one request on our trip to LA - "Let's not go to Venice Beach again." Every time I visit Los Angeles, I somehow end up back in Venice, and I always drag her along. A restaurant, an event, or a particular site seem to bring me back to this bohemian seaside community.
I like Venice. It abandons the attitude that can be found in so many other areas of Los Angeles County. Everyone can be themselves in Venice, and nowhere is this more evident than on the boardwalk. The diversity of people here...
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The Pacific Coast Highway snakes its way down the California coast, alternating between plunging cliffs, serene beaches, and quiet seaside hamlets. Roadside berry stands, scenic vistas, and the cool ocean winds are the norm on Highway Number One between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Malibu is the last of this tranquility on the southbound PCH before reaching the chaotic megalopolis that is LA.
A few years ago, I drove the entire length of the Pacific Coast Highway and ever since then I've been trying to get back and spend more time in the towns along the way that caught my attention....
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