50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

13. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

Sitting high in the Hollywood Hills as if reaching for the starry sky, Griffith Observatory keeps watch over Los Angeles. The beautiful domed building is one of many iconic LA landmarks. Built in the mid 1930's, through gifts and grants bestowed on LA by namesake Griffith J. Griffith, an avid astronomy enthusiast, as a public gathering place to learn about the science of the sky. He's quoted as saying, "If all mankind could look through that (Mt. Wilson) telescope, it would change the world!" And of course, we now know it has; in no small part due to the Zeiss telescope and the Oschin Planetarium located at the observatory. The planetarium show is spectacular and presented with a live narrator. The recent addition of the interactive spaces and halls encourage independent exploration. Once a month there is a docent lead Sunset Walk and Talk which addresses the objects seen in the evening sky and other questions about the observatory and Griffith Park. Explore the larger universe from the Los Angeles sky during your visit.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

12. SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK

"And away they go".

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California is home to Oak Tree Thoroughbred Racing. Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountain Range, the track, one of California's preeminent, sits next to a gorgeous art deco grandstand built in 1934. Live racing happens intermittently throughout the year so best to consult the website for track schedules and other pertinent information. A day at the races is a exhilarating and unpredictable event, although the handicappers will profess otherwise. Watch the horses prance around the paddock and blaze around the track while playing the odds. Often, the long shots outshine the star performers making for a really thrilling time. Make a comfortable day of it by dining in the Club House or even taking the Seabiscuit Tour - a guided trip through the paddock and stables.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

11. HOUSE OF BLUES GOSPEL BRUNCH

Angelenos love to brunch. Nothing says Sunday in LA more than a sunny, buzzy, lingering brunch straddling morning and afternoon leaving you the perfect excuse not to make any other plans for the day. The brunch at the renowned House of Blues on Sunset Bl. by contrast is a particularly raucous experience. Part Sister Act, part  Mardi Gras, and beaucoup energy, the seating is arranged in a dinner theater format set in front of a stage and includes a traditional southern cuisine buffet. Put the crossword puzzle down, push yoga off till tomorrow and go worship LA style at HoB.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

10.WATTS TOWERS

You have to see it to believe it. In the middle of an inner-city neighborhood most famous for the racial riots of the 1960's, The Watts Towers rise high into the clouds and spear the sky. The historical landmark consists of 17 spires constructed of steel and concrete mortar and shrouded in mosaics of recycled glass, porcelain, shells, rock and other found objects. They were erected over a 30 year span by one immigrant man, Simon Rodia, as a nod to "nuestro pueblo" (our town). It is a wonderful art installation of whimsey and creativity and
truly awe-inspiring to see this magnificent contribution made by one man as a labor of love, indeed, a symbol of love embedded in the earth for all time and humanity.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

9. HUNTINGTON LIBRARY

So much more than just a library, The Huntington is a cultural destination where precious literature, art, and botany collide. LA has some of the best galleries and art collections in the world and Pasadena, a rich epicenter of Los Angeles' history, is home to two of my personal favorites, The Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum (see another post). It will set you back a pretty penny ($23 for an adult pass on the weekend) but admission includes access to all the art buildings and gardens on the 207 acre property. To meander immaculate gardens like the spectacular rose garden are indeed highlights of the visit but not to be missed are the succulent/desert landscapes and Japanese tea and bonsai gardens. Inside the galleries you'll find some of the most recognizable and important works of the the last three centuries. Spend the day and immerse yourself in a swath of refinement.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

8. THE LAST BOOKSTORE

A trip to Los Angeles wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Last Bookstore. This quaint downtown landmark is appealing to bookworms, architecture buffs, vinyl enthusiasts and history fanatics alike; not discounting the countless "philes" who will assuredly find something of interest on the shelves of this amazing book/record shop. Housed in an old bank, the store boasts over 10k square feet of literary bliss including both a vault and a labyrinth. It is also home to art galleries, an extensive vinyl record collection, and hosts various reading and open mic events. Spending a little time in the wonderland of books will give you a shot of smarts and connect you with the best of the past.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

7. THE MOTH STORY SLAM

Held a couple of times a month in various locations throughout the city, this is quite possibly one of the coolest things you can do while visiting LA. The Moth Story Slam format is accessible to everyone. A theme is preselected for the night and posted on the website along with the venue. Tellers prepare a truthful 5 minute story around the central theme and rehearse the presentation as it cannot be read. When you arrive at the venue, usually a bar, the m.c. or host asks you to drop your name in a hat. The event is about 2 hours long and they have time for 10 stories and tellers are picked randomly from the hat. Audience members are chosen to judge the stories based on a loose set of criteria and scores are awarded. At the end of the night the presenter with the highest score advances to the grand slam, who has the opportunity to compete in the grand slam event. It is a $8 cover on a first come first serve basis and often sells out. Everybody has a story. Tell yours at the Moth.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

6. KOREAN DAY SPA

One of the most interesting things you'll do in LA is visit a Korean Day Spa. It is unlike any other so reset your expectation and welcome the surprise. We have an entire neighborhood devoted to Korean culture where most of these spas are found. I personally recommend, Olympic Spa, exclusively for women. Once in the spa clothing is forbidden, a challenging endeavor for the modest, but smocks and towels are supplied. Reservations are highly encouraged and whichever treatment you choose be sure it includes the signature body scrub. It will leave you feeling like a newborn. Plan on spending at lease a couple of hours to completely relax and rejuvenate.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

5. WHALE WATCHING

This is the best time of year to take to the seas with a virtual guarantee of spotting the majestic mammals (mostly grey whales) as they make their way from feedings grounds in the northern Bering Sea to the southern waters of Mexico for mating.  This has been a record year for sightings with statistical counts double that of last year's collected data and reports of other rare species like orkas, sperm whales and a humpback being spotted. It has also been an exceptionally warm season which makes a day on the ocean that much more comfortable. I recommend Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. Launching out of Dana Point in southern Orange County, the captains have an uncanny way of knowing just where to find whales, dolphins and sea lions, creating an unforgettable experience for their passengers.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

4. VENICE CANALS

Venice Beach lours tourists with its funky hippie culture and free love vibe and turns them into voyeurs down on the famed Boardwalk or Muscle Beach. Agreed, this is something everyone should witness once in their life but I suggest a much cooler way to experience Venice - take a stroll along the canals. Lined with million dollar cottages, the canals are a pedestrian paradise dating back to 1905 when Abbott Kinney sought to emulate the romantic canals of Venice, Italy. Today they are deemed a historical treasure and are quite picturesque. They run from the Marina to the South to North of Washington Bl. Each side of the Blvd. offers something different and water levels vary depending on the tide and rainfall. Explore on your own or take a walking tour of Venice by joining Venice Beach Walking Tours.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

3. STAND-UP PADDLE YOGA

How's your side plank? What if you were rocking on the pacific ocean on a stand-up paddle board?

SUP is all the rage. It's accessible and inexpensive to rent the equipment and most people can do it no matter your fitness level. It's challenging and relaxing all at once and really gives you a different perspective out on the open sea, allowing you to cavort with marine life from the surface.

As if that's not exciting enough, Yogaqua has masterfully combined the the water sport of SUP with the athleticism of yoga, challenging your concentration and balancing ability. Our group met in Marina Del Rey, paddled out about a half mile and anchored next to the jetty in the harbor. With boats passing through creating a wake, Vinyasa Flow begins. It takes a minute to get your bearings but just as on terra firma a rhythm sets in and you're actually doing it. And then you fall in, which is a welcome refresher. Life preservers and all gear is provided you just have to provide the fun and self-honor.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

2. LAKE SHRINE - SELF REALIZATION CENTER

Just a half mile from the congested intersection of Sunset Bl and Pacific Coast Hwy lies a hidden oasis relatively unknown to the masses. Dedicated by Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, Lake Shrine is a peaceful spiritual sanctuary honoring the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The World Peace Memorial in the garden enshrines a portion of Gandi's ashes and celebrates the free worship of all religions. The lake, brimming with fish and turtles below the surface while swans and ducks glide on top, is nestled among the eucalyptus and surrounded by lush tropical vegetation all lovingly cared for as a center for reflection and meditation.This glory is visible from anywhere in the garden but is especially spectacular near the rose garden. The lakeside temple is open intermittently and occasionally holds services and meditation while the Self-Realization Temple sits on the hill overlooking the pacific ocean and hosts 2 services each Sunday. 

A visit to Lake Shrine is a definite must while in LA to shake off the stresses of our
hectic pace. Sshhhh, we want to keep it a secret.

50 Amazing "Off The Beaten Path " Things To Do In Los Angeles

1. LA RIVER KAYAK SAFARI

I'm pretty active and always looking for an interesting adventure so when I'd heard that you could run a kayak down the LA river I was intrigued. I'd been hearing some buzz about a revitalization project underway but that they were touting recreation on the river was big news and I had to check it out. There are only two qualified companies permitted to kayak on the river and summer 2013 - from Memorial day to Labor day - was the trial period to determine viability as a recreational sport. I chose LA River Kayak Safari, ran by resident, enthusiast and activist Steve Appleton, offering 2 trips - morning and sunset cruises - daily. Reservations were difficult to come by.

The Los Angeles river runs approximately 50 miles through LA County from the San Fernando valley down to Long Beach. Historically the LA river is filthy. If winter yields good rain, the river is high, fast flowing and downright treacherous in winter. In summer it runs barely above a trickle. Until this past summer it was illegal to be in/on the river and quite often you'd read of harrowing rescue stories in the news. There's an enclave in central Los Angeles just NW of downtown called Elysian Valley that sits along the banks of the river. It was late August and our group met at a tiny little community park about 4 pm where we were fitted with beach cruiser bicycles and started off on the 3 mile meandering bike path along the river. When we reached the put in point our bikes were swapped for single man kayaks. All gear, safety lesson, river orientation and FUN are included.

We dropped in and the river swiftly swooshes you along. I have some kayaking experience but there were a few newbies in the group and some of them fell in. At least at this time of year the river is not more than a few feet deep in most spots. It is tertiary water but it's treated and not foul. Steve and his team are terrific and experienced guides out to ensure you have a safe, fun and educational ride on the river and all levels of experience are welcome.

There are some dark times in LA history and some that have had lasting blemishes on the quality of life here. I wasn't sure what to expect on this expedition since not that long ago the river was polluted and contained in a concrete aqueduct covered with graffiti and no doubt littered with loiterers. To my utter surprise the river is a rich, thriving eco-system home to myriad species including egrets, frogs and even osprey! As the vegetation grew up through fissures in the concrete and indigenous flora took hold the fauna followed. This habitat is nothing short of a miracle. The trip is a round trip which means the kayak portion of the journey is as long as the bike ride, roughly 3 miles, under the canopy of all this beauty. Steve is very well versed on the river and the restoration project and adds a lot of value through his wealth of knowledge. The most surprising aspect of all was the rapids! Really, white water on the LA river? Believe it. Class 2 at the most but some really great spots to navigate. I was working the entire time. There are a few places where you can just coast and let the river take you but mostly you have to navigate the rocky bottom and keep yourself upright. It was a total blast.

From start to finish the trip was about 4 hours long. I found the $65 price tag to be an exceptional value considering the expert guiding and all gear included. It appears as though the season was a success and trips will resume in May so book early to secure your spot on this most unlikely and amazing LA experience. It is, after all, in the heart of a dense urban area and the juxtaposition of the lush greenery growing up out of a concrete backdrop seems like something you'd only see in the movies.


Visit LA River Kayak Safari on Facebook to see photos and keep updated on the river haps.

Check back tomorrow for another amazing off the beaten path adventure in Los Angeles!

The Un-Tourist in Los Angeles - 50 Amazing Things to do in LA

People visit Los Angeles and tend to gravitate to the iconic and typical attractions like Disneyland and Hollywoodland. In my view this is a serious faux pas and dismisses, er overlooks, everything great about LA.

LA has so many wonderful hidden spots to explore if you just get off the beaten path. There is something for everyone and every budget. Debunked is the myth that LA is devoid of culture, which is abundant, but we have so much more to offer, especially for the outdoor enthusiast. Here I'll offer 5o things to do in and around the city promising to give you a uniquely LA perspective you can't find in the movies.

I'll post my nominees; one each day and not in any particular order. Rest assured they have all been tried and tested by yours truly, a discerning tourist even in my own city. 

 

My Personality Type: The Analytical Thinker

My Personality Type: The Analytical Thinker

Obamacare is Obamanable!

This is not to say that I think people should not have access to affordable health care. I do. But we do NOT have an insurance problem we have a WELLNESS problem. And we have skyrocketing, out of control healthcare costs problems - not an insurance problem to reiterate the point. And the only seeming beneficiary of the Affordable Healthcare Act are the insurance companies. Not citizens like me, a member of the middle class who continues to be squeezed and bear the brunt of lousy policies as demonstrated below.

The healthcare offered by my employer has gone up to $450/month for an individual due to rising healthcare costs and an aging population of participants in our plan. This is simply unaffordable. So I decided to check out the Covered California website to see what my options are. Frankly, they are not very good. I was trying to compare apples to apples with the existing plan that I have, where I love my doctors and medical group, and have been for 20 years without incident. Mind you, I'm healthy. But the reason we buy insurance is for the "what if" and "just in case" scenarios. When I first logged onto the site back in the fall it crashed and was unavailable for a least a few days. When I was finally able to get a sustaining few moments on the site and navigate around there was not an option to shop for plans until you created an application which, incidentally, is an arduous process. I did not do this but when I returned some weeks later they have brilliantly added this feature. I perused the available plans and determined that it would cost me about as much to buy from the marketplace since my current plan is purchased with pre-tax dollars. Not to mention having to change all of my records over to a new carrier. I decided to stay out. Well now it is mandatory that I purchase through the California exchange and lo and behold the plan I chose, although it is the highest tier Platinum plan with one of the highest monthly premiums, does not accept my doctor or medical group even though our champion of change Obama himself has promised that I could "keep my doctor".

Once I learned this information I decided to change the plan I had enrolled in noting that I could keep my doctor if I went to a lesser coverage plan with premiums in the ball park of better plans. Since I'm healthy I thought this the best course of action in the near term. I called the phone number listed on all Covered California correspondence and the automated voice says they are not able to take the call due to high volume and refers you to the website. Luckily I have a computer and went to the website where I was directed to a live chat page. I waited 2 hours for an attendant to assist me but since they finish work at 8 pm and it was 7:56 I was disconnected without having all of my questions answered. So I continued the hunting expedition to try and change the plan. This is not possible. It forces you to terminate your participation and gives you a nasty warning message about it being the law to have health coverage. Moving on it now gives me the option to choose a plan but as soon as I click to do so an error message pops up preventing this action.

I am an educated person with advanced computer skills and a general knowledge of how insurance and healthcare works. If this ridiculous and frustrating first step of choosing a plan is an indication of the service provided if you need it than I'm just as happy to sit this one out and take my chances on not having insurance. As touted, the model only works and is only affordable if healthy people are part of the pool. Well, Obamacare, you just lost this healthy chick cause you can't get your act together.