This is last story from my Torrey Pines series, featuring its ocean shore. Although Torrey Pines was named for the pines trees that have prevailed for centuries, a major part of the park is the ocean and it’s view from the ground level. I’ve shown it to you from afar, but not up close and personal. The day [...]

As of 2002, two-thirds of children, 18 and under, who live in Los Angeles do not live within walking distance (which is defined as ¼ mile) of a public park, according to the study, No Place to Play, by the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation organization. "From a public health perspective, the benefits of [...]

One of the great things about Los Angeles is that you never know when you’re going to literally encounter or find fantastic entertainment. On any given day, also, there’s a plethora of creative things to do, go, and to see. For example, on Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were at the Los Angeles Sports [...]

What was once only a dream not too long ago is now reshaping downtown Los Angeles–culturally, physically, musically, economically, and communally. On May 15th, 2002, the LA City Council established the City Center Redevelopment Project Area, and with each new building completed, it’s becoming a major destination point for entertainment, sports, industry, hotel, office, music, television, [...]

After researching the history of the Santa Monica Pier, I was fascinated by its history, in particular, its Ferris Wheel. Since my days of growing up in the shadow of Cedar Point, I have long been a fan of amusement parks, and Ferris Wheels in particular. With the slow ride to the top, riders are afforded unique [...]

When we last left Torrey Pines, I was at the top, looking in all directions. A few yards down from the trail, I saw that several people were looking out at the ocean; so of course, being the naturally curious person I am, I stopped to see what they were looking at. Low and behold, as you [...]

Every Sunday for the last five years, Veterans for Peace have created the stunning tribute for our troops entitled, “Arlington West.” It’s physically located on the north side of the Santa Monica Pier. Quoting directly from the Veterans for Peace Statement of Purpose, the Arlington West Mission Statement is: to honor the fallen and wounded to provide [...]

Tess Marshall, of The Bold Life, was gracious to share one of the favorite spots in her neighborhood for today’s Guest Post—the Desert Botanical Garden. Tess is a remarkable and accomplished businesswoman, life coach, psychologist, author, mother, wife, grandmother, and natural bon-vivant. She embodies exactly the motto that she lives by and promotes: “Take Action and Make [...]

A friend invited me to share Passover Seder at their house in beautiful San Diego. Of course, I brought myself, my appetite, and my Nikon. So I graciously accepted her invitation, and after the evening sunset, when the Seder began, and dinner had been served, I was already contemplating my next sojourn for Travelin’ Local. Although I’ve been [...]

Millions of people from all around the world have enjoyed one of California’s most famous landmarks, the Santa Monica Pier. Although it was slated for demolition in 1973, the community rallied to save it, only to have Mother Nature destroy about ⅓ of its length in 1983 during a huge ocean storm. And, just like before, the [...]

Los Angeles, like many other cities worldwide, is trying to implement across-the-board alternative modes of eco- friendly transportation and mass transit, to improve our quality of life. In Southern California, all new mass transit and strategies for transportation improvement, must also take into account their costs, economies of scale, and environmental impacts that any new program [...]

On Saturday, I spent the morning learning how to grow tomatoes at Ocean View Farms (OVF). What is Ocean View Farms? It is among the largest of more than 70 community gardens in Los Angeles County, with over 300 gardeners, ranging in age from 18 to 90. Working in 500 garden plots, OVF is a vibrant community spanning [...]