During my recent bus ride to Malibu, my first stop was at the Malibu Lagoon State Beach, a 13 acre shallow water embayment occurring at the boundary of the Malibu Creek Watershed, the second largest watershed draining into Santa Monica Bay. The sand-barred lagoon, just off Malibu Point, is a resting and feeding estuary for more [...]

When I recently took a trip to the beach, I was amazed to find the wide variety of nature which presented itself. The ebb and flow of the beach’s water and waves creates a perpetual motion that hits nature right between the eyes, which then nature turns into art. What do you see when you [...]

1. Don’t run with your mouth full. 2. Don’t bury your head in the sand. 3. If it itches, scratch it, but be discrete. 4. If danger is approaching, feel free to fly away. 5. Although I might be a little rusty, I can still get the job done. What lessons did you learn today?

I’ll be featuring a new weekly column section on Travelin’ Local, called Metro Monday. Every Monday, after I select the destination for my Travelin’ Local story, I’ll take the specific Metro ride to and from my destination. As part of the story, I’ll share with you my experiences on that particular bus ride, and telling [...]

At the end of my bike ride on Ballona Creek, I reached the beach at Playa del Rey. On the beach was a lonely shoe, which upon further reflection, created many questions for me including:   Where did the shoe come from? How did it end up on the beach? Who owned the shoe? Does the tanker [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Ok Mr. Wave, I’m comin’ to getcha! ~Crying Loudly~ Mom, Mr. Wave knocked me over. Ok, I’m gonna to try this again. Oh yeah, this is cool!! Mom, did you see me? Did you see me? I did it!!

This post is a summer teaser; especially for those that live in winter climates. Hopefully you’ll think of me, not cruelly, but in the spirit of Travelin’ Local–of and about Southern California–as an invitation to visit. Soon spring will arrive, which means summer is right around the corner; which quickly reminds us of our favorite [...]

I am a seashell waiting for somebody to see me.   I am shiny and curled up like a cinnamon roll. I’m rough and sandy.   I swim with the sea and the sea with me.   I am cold inside so if you touch me you’ll shiver and quiver.   I swim around the sea with animals living inside of me.   I’m joyful in the sea with fishes and sea creatures surrounding me.   I like being [...]