1.  Best Places to see the Hollywood Sign:  There’s no charge to see and visit the iconic Hollywood Sign. It’s both a quality destination point for the locals, and is a world-wide popular tourist attraction.  However, it’s not always easy to find the best places to hike and see it.  Therefore, we’ve attached this map as a permanent resource and guide to find the best locations to see the Hollywood Sign. Included are routes via Beechwood Drive or Griffith Park.

2. The Hollywood Walk of Fame:  Is actually a series of streets which feature, among other things, the thousands of movie stars, entertainment icons, and other important industry participants of today and yesterday. With Hollywood’s ongoing revival and redevelopment, it’s always fun to see and visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than checking out  your favorite movie stars, people watch, and being able to shop and eat a meal at the Hollywood/Highland Center.

3.  Santa Monica: This beach resort city is busy 24/7/365. Traversing between the Third Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Pier–and the miles of beach shoreline–the Santa Monica Walking Tour, provides a visual map of places you’ll want to go to. Santa Monica is an easy going beach city, where you have the choice of having lunch, seeing a movie, or always taking a dip in the ocean. The Pacific Ocean is a never ending place to enjoy the sea’s fresh air, and long strands of seashore for walking, fishing, and other wonderful free activities.

4.  The Mid-Wilshire District: Within a four mile radius, you can discover art at the LA County Museum of Art (LAMCA); or learn about pre-historic history at the La Brea Tar Pits and the George C. Page Natural History Museum. As well, the Hancock Park neighborhood, The Grove shopping center, Farmers Market, and the Pan Pacific Park are nearby.  Don’t forget LACMA is free every evening after 5:00pm.

5.  The Venice Canals:  A highly unique feature of Venice are its beautiful and picturesque Canals, which were originally designed to be a physical reincarnation and taste of Venice, Italy, but with a totally California feel. In between a relaxing walk, enjoying the local architecture, and just getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Venice Canals are a must see attraction.

6. Graffiti Walls:  Public murals are both ubiquitous here, and are a natural part of our urban landscape.  You can see them all over Los Angeles, but a great place to start a tour of these gigantic public canvases, is at Venice Beach.  In addition, the Graffiti Walls are situated right on the Venice Boardwalk, so people watching, shopping, and great food are but a stone’s throw away.

7.  Olvera Street:  At the heart of Los Angeles’s cultural, physical, and ethnic history, is Olvera Street. A walking tour of Olvera Street provides its visitors a famous venue to see LA’s oldest house, eat Mexican food, and shop at its tienda’s. Only a short walk away, is where you can find more of LA’s history and roots.

8.  UCLA:  Between the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden, Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, and the Fowler Museum, you’ll find plenty of things to do. With its grand physical structures and beautiful landscape, UCLA is a Mecca for art and relaxation.

9.  Pasadena:  Preserving history is second nature in Pasadena, where you can visit their Civic Center. Other attractions to enjoy in Pasadena include strolling around Old Town Pasadena, shopping at Paseo Colorado, and visiting  the famous and beautiful Plaza Las Fuentes. With easy access via Metro’s Gold Line, Pasadena is a world class city, that can be enjoyed on a budget.

10.  Exposition Park:  Here, they have the Rose Garden, the LA Colisium, and the LA Swim Stadium, plus many more attractions. There’s nothing not to like here, as it’s home to the Natural History Museum, the Children’s Science Center, and the California African Amercian Museum.

For sure, there’s also many other free activities to be enjoyed in Los Angeles, including the sights and sounds of Chinatown, Little Toyko, and a myriad of other places to go and things to do.

As we’re continually visiting new places, you can be sure that Travelin’ Local will bring you the best of the best of what to do and where to go in Los Angeles and Southern California. We guarantee that our online magazine’s list will expand and grow. 

As a denizen of our fair city, I know LA can be expensive, but it doesn’t take much looking to find plenty of free attractions–especially when you’re able to use Travelin’ Local’s online tours, walks, guides, lists, and maps. 

The phrase "20-minute living" has been credited to a development firm, Gerding Edlen, based in Portland, whose goal is to build projects that provide "all of the necessary and enjoyable things that make life great," including open spaces, grocery stores, workplaces, libraries, events, and schools, within 20 minutes of the home.  As the firm’s website notes, "twenty minutes on foot is ideal, but 20 minutes by transit, bike or even auto is a reasonable goal.

Remarkably– as Hidden LA recently pointed out—Los Angeles is ranked 9^th on Walkscore’s list of America’s Most Walkable Cities. To further illustrate LA’s raison d’être, we’ll feature local zip codes to illustrate both their rating, and walkability rankings:

Like the picture above.

90291’s Walkability Score is 77 out of 100 – Very Walkable

90012’s Walkability Score 80 out of 100 – Very Walkable

90731’s Walkability Score is 83 out of 100 – Very Walkable

Of course, not all areas rank high:

90068: 17 out of 100 – Car Dependant

For your neighborhood’s ranking just take a look. Many of us are already living the “20-minute neighborhood” dream. The truth of the matter, is that in order to accomplish this lifestyle–in our urban sprawl– takes planning, time, effort, sometimes money; but most important of all—the desire and will to want to live a more sustainable life is what’s at the top of the list.

Although Travelin’ Local features many walking maps covering a wide range of things to do, and places to go—as this story illustrates, walking isn’t limited to “tours.” If you’re ready to change your lifestyle and life, what are you waiting for?

I know I’m ready; are you ready to “Walk your Neighborhood?”

Beach Park is a fantastic park for kids:

With its toddler friendly playground, many families camp out, bring their lunches, lawn games, and small tents for a full fledged day outside.

If you forget your kid’s bikes, you can always rent a few:

Further down the Boardwalk, is Ocean View Park, where you can enjoy a tennis match on one of its six tennis courts.

The last park on today’s tour of Santa Monica’s Beach Parks is the South Beach Park. One of the main features of the South Beach Park is both its easy entrance to the beach and bike path accessibility.

By adding these three parks to Travelin’ Local’s previous Santa Monica Walk, you’ll have increased the total amount of your walk for all four parks to a total of almost 4 miles.

View Walking Tour of Santa Monica in a larger map

Don’t forget:

On Wednesday, September 9^th, the Santa Monica Pier will be celebrating its 100 Anniversary, so be sure to attend for a fun evening celebration which will include the biggest fireworks display in almost two decades.

Because you’re Travelin’ Local for a centennial commemoration, always remember to celebrate with moderation.

The scene when you first enter the park is pictured above.

As you see the grandeur and beauty of the ocean now so could Joe Brown, the park’s namesake, back in the day. Joe Brown was a third generation Laguna Beach resident. In his own words:

It all began when my grandfather, Charles Bergfeldt, a businessman from Kansas City, but an artist and painter at heart, discovered Laguna Beach in the 1930’s. After his wife died, he remarried a businesswoman who had a millinery shop in Anaheim, California, called The Mary Millerick Shop. During World War II, they would drive to Laguna Beach for weekends. Problems with gas and tire rationing, and a very narrow, winding canyon road prompted them to think about buying a place in Laguna. So it came to be that “551 South Coast Blvd.,” as it was called then, became a part of our family. My father would sit for hours watching the ocean view; it was a dream come true, and I believe that it added at least ten years to his life. My wife and I spent our honeymoon over 40 years ago at “551,” and the last trip we made, shortly before her death, was to see Laguna and “551” one more time and just look out over the ocean.  Source: My Hero

In 2002, an El Niño destroyed the beloved “551.” So what did Joe Brown do? He conceived and developed a park where the house had once stood. So, instead of selling the property, worth an estimated $2 million dollars, Mr. Brown donated the land to the City of Laguna Beach. Today, everyone can enjoy the view that the Brown family enjoyed for 50+ years.

When you first enter Brown’s Park, you’re immediately drawn toward the carved metal fence at the end of the walkway.

After reading the inscription, the ocean calls:

Upon heading back to the sidewalk, you notice the chairs and table you failed to notice when you first passed:

Just before you pick up the book to browse its contents, you quickly realize that these are bronze statues, entitled “A Tranquil Moment” by Jason Kopydlowsld. Many a weary and tired visitor surely has rest their tired bones on these two chairs.

Here’s a poem written by Joe Brown’s father wrote 40 years ago which is relevant, topical and true to the present day:

Browns’ Park – A Legacy

Let me live in a house

by the side of the sea,

Where men and women wander by

Where there’s beauty and grace and excitement that’s free.

On the beach, in the sun let me lie.

Let me listen to the ocean’s melodious roar,

and its rhythm, so soothing to hear,

As the foam-covered waves

seem to reach for the shore

Under skies that are sunny and clear.

To Joe Brown, his father’s words meant a lot more:

Probably these words, more than anything else, painted for me a legacy that this small strip of land on the oceanfront should be made available to everyone as a public park in perpetuity. This donation will mark the end of a long and wonderful stewardship that my family and I have experienced. It will mark a new beginning: one where everyone will be able to enjoy the wonders of nature in one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

So, if you’re ever on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, look for Brown’s Park just south of Ocean Avenue. While Travelin’ Local, there’s no place like home or a place that’s meant for you to be at home.

Laguna Beach has the distinction of being the second oldest town in Southern Orange County.  In 1900, Laguna Beach had approximately 5 families struggling to make a living via farming.

Because its lack of water and land was ill-suited for farming, the founding Laguna Beach families decided to rent its property to surrounding inland communities to escape the summer heat. Thus began Laguna Beach’s dedication to tourism, which remains the mainstay of its current economy. By the 1920s, Laguna Beach was discovered by a group of landscape artists who laid the foundation for its art community, which still thrives to this day. Over the years, other groups have celebrated and discovered the magnificent beauty and artistic culture of Laguna Beach including hippies, yuppies, rock stars, movie industry professionals, business executives, beach lover’s and everyday people.

View Laguna Beach Walk in a larger map

In Travelin’ Local’s inimitable tradition, I took a walking tour of the Main Beach area for today’s Walk My World Virtual Tour. Known the world over for its splendorous beauty and artistic community, I highly recommend a visit to Laguna Beach’s beaches, parks, galleries, unique boutiques, and great restaurants. Feel free to click each of the yellow markers to enjoy the local flare. For my next Walk My World Tour of Laguna Beach, I’ll be walking its other outstanding areas and neighborhoods.

For some, if I mention Smashbox Studios, many people will say “What in the world are you talking about;” but others will nod accordingly and acknowledge out loud that “Culver City is hip and happening.”

With its modern and restored architecture, world class restaurants and redeveloped buildings for mixed use, physical beauty and parks, Culver City is now lookin’ like one of the cool and in places to be in Los Angeles.

Walking Tour

Although my walk yesterday was short, it was sweet—there were many interesting sights, from Sony Pictures Plaza, to Culver City’s City Hall. I took many pictures for this tour below. But I didn’t just stick to the main thoroughfares though; when you get off the beaten path, Culver City offers one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the Metro area.

With a history spanning three centuries, Culver City’s rich past is leading it to a vibrant future. If you can’t get to the heart of Culver City right this moment, or if you’d like a preview of what you can find there, take a walk with me now.

I promise you won’t be disappointed by the art filled and quaint family friendly streets of Culver City:

View Culver City Downtown Walking Tour in a larger map

Literally on the road to see, hear, and learn about the history of Los Angeles, to find its heart, spirit, and soul is through walking the inner and outer sanctums of Los Angeles to discover its often forgotten roots.

Starting at Union Station, the hub of Amtrak and Metro in downtown, I followed the faint echoes of sound and music emanating from the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument across the street from Union Station.

Where you can literally touch, see, and experience the heart of Old Los Angeles, lays the site of one of its oldest structures–the Avila Adobe, which was built in 1818.

Letting my feet take the lead from my head; blasting through my own urban journey, I was to make not only a fertile historic visit to Los Angeles’ landmarks–city block, by block—but in doing so I was able to discover the city’s history at every turn.

In the near future, Travelin’ Local will cover and feature many of our cultural and historical locations, many times not in the front and center of our awareness; but nonetheless for today’s story here’s a walking map and some pictures from today’s march.

View Walking Union Station in a larger map

Just as with my previous Walking in LA article, if you click on the various markers, you’ll discover a photo of each location.

Travelin’ Local is just as much as what’s happening new and exciting today as well as knowing and understanding how we’ve come to this place in our history.

By walking when Travelin’ Local you can do both.

View Walking in LA in a larger map

Follow the Map’s Lines and Markers for Walking in LA

For today’s Travelin’ Local’s Walking in LA street tour, check out the walking map above. When you click each one of the little markers on the map you’ll see  a photograph of an interesting building, site, urban image or landscape.

So as you enjoy today’s Travelin’ Local’s Virtual Walking in LA tour, check out the sights, scenes, and places that we here call a small part–of a much larger Downtown Los Angeles.

And for a fun “Blast from the Past” here’s Missing Person’s video:

After an unusual rain shower this morning, today turned into a gorgeous day, sunny but with some cloud cover, a light breeze flowing with straight shot visibility of the Hollywood Hills and beyond.

When Travelin’ Local, and Walking in LA, by mapping my stops, visits, and local places, it’s a combination of being on vacation and having fun doing my vocation.

It just gets better and better.

Third Street Promenade is an all pedestrian street in Santa Monica, and is considered one of the premier shopping destinations in Los Angeles.

Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean–coupled with Los Angeles’s Mediterranean climate—the Third Street Promenade draws crowds from all over the Los Angeles basin.

The Third Street Promenade is a great example of what government, business, and a community can accomplish while working together. Until recently, the Promenade was a rather shabby part of town, filled with vacant, dilapidated storefronts.

Third Street has been a center of business in Santa Monica since the town’s inception in the late 1800s. The Promenade’s roots date back to the 1960s, when the Santa Monica Mall was developed as an outdoor shopping promenade similar to the one known today, though less upscale in nature. By the late 1970s, it was in serious decline.

But that all changed, in the late 80s into the 90s, when the area went through a rejuvenation that’s continuing until the present.

After a two-year planning process to develop a new approach to the area, a 1986 bond issue to fund the project and a 1988 groundbreaking, a new and revitalized Third Street Promenade launched in September, 1989. A key driver for the economic vitality of Santa Monica, the Third Street Promenade continues to thrive 20 years after its redevelopment.

The former asphalt of old Third Street has been overlaid with hexagon-shaped tile and both ends of the avenue are now guarded by large, topiary dinosaur fountains.

Here on The Promenade you can always find a crowd of people enjoying the sunshine while visiting its upscale boutiques, trendy sidewalk cafés, and shops.

Although biking on the Promenade isn’t allowed, biking to the Promenade is the perfect way to get there. In fact, to help increase the ease of biking to and in Santa Monica, new bike racks have been installed on Second Street and the Promenade.

Although we’re spoiled in Los Angeles because of our temperate and bountiful sunny weather, not everything in life is free—so with April’s spring showers and cleaning almost over, if you need to purchase a few items to enhance your summer, the Third Street Promenade is the perfect place to get ready and prepared to enjoy the soon upcoming summer season.

Along with stores and restaurants including Starbucks, Pink Ice, the Gap, and several movie theaters, here’s a complete list of all the stores, eateries, and business’.

What I found—and everybody else–interesting and alluring about the Promenade, is that not only can I enjoy a day of shopping and walking, but on any given weekend, the streets are lined with performers; singers, musicians, dancers, and acrobats.

After a day of walking, window shopping, and taking pictures, I’m feeling good knowing that I’m saving money, time, energy and being green, by both shopping and having a chill day vacation by Travelin’ Local.

In fact, recently, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to limit the scale of new development projects in Larchmont Village because:

“Larchmont Village is the model for all neighborhoods in Southern California,” said Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge. The ordinance calls for a 35-foot height limit on all buildings, a five-foot setback and a 50-foot limit on linear street frontage. Source: Beverly Press

Heady words and true as well. I’m so glad the Council approved this measure because Larchmont Village literally extends out from the residential areas from the south and north. With its Spanish architecture, palm trees, pastiches of different colors on its stuccos–it’s a tight and succinct “tucked in” area that the word Village is both apropos and not a misnomer.

Larchmont Village is the kind of place you want to sit with a cup of coffee, a scone, and the Sunday newspaper.

Or do some window shopping.

Or walk your dog.

Or enjoy a romantic dinner.

Or listen to some live jazz.

Check out the laid back atmosphere.

Did I mention shopping?

By the way, Larchmont Village is holding its Semi-annual Sidewalk Sale this weekend. If you’re in the area be sure to stop by and get some great bargains while “chilling” with friends and family.

What’s happening in your neighborhood this weekend? Do you have any special plans for Travelin’ Local?

I’m on my way back down to the base of Temescal Canyon. If you’ve been following me on my trek over the previous two posts, you were able to watch me as I made it to the waterfall, and then to the top of the mountain.

Going down a mountain, especially one that’s a little slick due to all of the recent rain required watching every step. One wrong move sometimes means you’ll fall down or find yourself in a tumbler–which isn’t nor can be a good thing.

And even though I was watching my steps, I was also watching the panoramic view. Probably not the greatest nor the latest news—but I still was basking in the glory of the moment and the bountiful California sunshine that the day afforded me.

People often say that hiking is boring–this particular hike is one in which “boringness” never entered the equation. In-between the initial steady uphill climb to slow dissent, I was totally captivated during the entirety of the 1+ hours I spent here. Indeed, afforded the opportunity I could and would spend even more time here, but such is life.

With the ocean on the left and multi-million dollar homes on the right, who could get bored? Temescal Gateway Park is located in one of the higher end real estate areas of the city, known as the Pacific Palisades.

Each and every home has a uniqueness all its own. I’m continually fascinated by houses that are built in and on hills. Part of my attraction to hillside houses, I’m sure, is because I grew up in Ohio, which isn’t known for its hills—because it’s mostly flat plains and farming country.

The other thing that Ohio isn’t known for is sailboats. There are some boats on Lake Erie; but my family was more into camping than boating.

As I said, we’ve recently had quite a bit of rain, but looking at this part of the trail, you wouldn’t have guessed that, being as its dirt brown. If you look closely, you can see the deep trenches made as the water flowed down hill; however, with the direct sun on it for most of the day, this part of the trail has already dried up.

I’ll leave Temescal Canyon and you with this thought:

Not too far from the end of the trail is a fallen tree spanning an even smaller creek. I’m sure many people have walked across the tree, maybe just to see if they could do it or to see what was on the other side, forging a new path.

Are there any trees you walk across in your neighborhood or parks you love to visit over and over again?

Whichever it is, Travelin’ Local, is all about what you like, where you want to go have fun, and hang out in your locales.

To strike that right balance only you know for sure but keep coming to check out what’s next here in our community.

Until then, please enjoy this video featuring Jeff Beck singing and playing “Goin’ Down”

"I’ve Been to the Mountaintop"

By Martin Luther King, Jr.

“..I would move on by Greece and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon. And I would watch them around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality. But I wouldn’t stop there.

I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But I wouldn’t stop there.

I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the Renaissance did for the cultural and aesthetic life of man. But I wouldn’t stop there.

I would even go by the way that the man for whom I am named had his habitat. And I would watch Martin Luther as he tacked his ninety-five theses on the door at the church of Wittenberg. But I wouldn’t stop there.

I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating President by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn’t stop there.

I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent cry that we have nothing to fear but "fear itself."

But I wouldn’t stop there.”

Source: American Rhetoric: Delivered on April 3,1968 Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee

Well, I did it and I made it.

Yesterday I posted about my trip to Temescal Gateway Park and walking the Temescal Canyon Trail to the top.

Reaching the waterfall and being able to document it and experience its changes was great; but after that, I still had a half mile climb to the top, plus I still had to make my way back down. In total, the trail is about 2.5 miles, however it feels much longer because of the long up and then the long down.

Was the climb worth the effort?

Absolutely, making and setting goals, then executing and accomplishing them is both tremendous life lessons and enable us to move forward in life. How many times do we read an article, blog, and/or listen to somebody who reminds us of this daily?

I’ll be going back for more soon:

Here you can see the grandeur of the city, spreading for miles and miles, plus the beauty and depth of the Pacific Ocean.

I then turned my head to the right side, and was greeted with this shot:

Although the sun does detract a little, if you look closely over the horizon, you can see a small island out in the distance. No sooner did I snap this photograph, I was then told by a fellow hiker, that this island is only visible from the mountaintop a few days per year.

As I followed the trail a little further down, the views just kept getting a little better:

That’s downtown LA in the center frame–with Beverly Hills, Westwood, and the San Gabriel mountains off in the distance. In total, the view length of this is about 20 miles, which to me is just amazing and comprises the perfect way to be able to actually look and to use the camera to share.

Today’s post was the tip, and tomorrow’s post will be including the views and sights on the way down.

Keep Travelin’ Local both here and where you live, by keeping it real.

Interspersed and conjunctive, for almost two miles, are celebrities, residents, joggers, bikers, drivers of trucks, Rolls Royce’s, 1997 Toyotas, and every other type of transportation is conjoined with the sites, open spaces, and beauty of a cactus garden, walking trail, statues, and flowers. Typically going unnoticed by most, especially by Los Angelino drivers, the beautiful and inviting Beverly Garden Park is best enjoyed on foot or bike.

However, even driving past in a car, these flowers can catch your eye. Taller than my 5’10’ frame and with bold colors, these tulips are unique.

Guarding the flowers is statue of a dancing four-legged animal, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. He, like the other statues in the park, adds flair and spark to an otherwise dull day.

On the left, this statue is titled Hunter and Hounds, and it has an interesting history. A banker (W.D. Longyear) went to France to visit the spot where his son was killed in World War 1. At the site, near the Chateau Thierry, he saw this statue, riddled with bullet holes from the battle. In 1925, he bought the statue and had it shipped back to Beverly Hills, where it stood on his front lawn for many years. Memorial ceremonies were held at the statue each Armistace Day. When the Longyears moved from Beverly Hills, they donated the statue to the city. It was placed here in Beverly Gardens Park. Source: Seeing Stars

I spent a total of 40 minutes in only a ½ mile stretch of this park, and was amazed at each step–something new was just done the straightaway.

Beverly Hills may be known for many things, but I don’t think parks is at the top of the list, however, I hope after this post, you see Beverly Hills not only as a Mecca for the rich and famous, but also for its possibilities as a place of relaxation, walking, and sightseeing other than a Map of the Stars.

Having only touched on 25% of Beverly Garden Park, I’ll be making another visit. Next time, I think I’ll ride my bike, taking full advantage of the trail.

Until then, where are you Travelin’ Local?

La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, tucked between adjacent sandstone cliffs, which are just breathtaking.  I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

As I stood looking out, these bird-covered cliffs were on my right, and an out of the ordinary cliff containing a rock formation was on my left. I’m very interested in all things ocean related—coves, points, archipelagoes islands, etc.

I wasn’t the only one that day taking pictures.  In fact, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. 

Walking down the steps leading to the cave, I couldn’t but help watch the muddy stairs, as I traversed my way down, so I didn’t slip.

When I reached the base, I was amazed and fascinated by the power and intensity of the ocean, and its ability to add life and form to rock formations.    If you’re a geographic aficionado and want to share any insight about the formation of land v water, by all means please feel free to share.

Between the two cliffs were the rocky cliffs where the waves come crashing into.  If you love the sound of the ocean, and find it relaxing, this is one place you’ll definitely feel right at home at the Cove.

Even though La Jolla Cove is best known for its scuba diving and snorkeling, I did see one swimmer, and he was a brave one.  Neither the air nor the water was very warm.  In fact, it was pretty cold, by San Diego standards.

Further down the beach, you can walk and see families having fun just doing what families do,–having fun spending time with each other.

You can see just how cold it was by the coats and hats these kids were wearing. 

What’s your family doing this winter?  I know the beach isn’t as cold here as it is around most of the of the country, but family fun, of course, isn’t limited just on the beach. 

I’d love to see some snow pictures—I’m originally from the Mid-west, and additionally lived for about 20 or so odd years on the East Coast, so I know that snow and family fun can definitely go together.

 So, what are you doing’? Cause if you’re not Travelin’ Local, you should.

Christmas found me in San Diego, and the beauty it offers at Christmas. After breakfast, a walk on the beach is a well worn Christmas tradition in Southern California—apologies to all of my friends, far and wide, who may be snowed since the sun, surf, and sand, aren’t the normal images one thinks of when it comes to Christmas Day.

There had been a slight drizzle Christmas Eve, but now the sunshine broke free, the air fresh, and with the breeze at my back, the day looked more than promising. I was off to Scripps Pier.

Today, these surfers walk in the footprints of the original explorers both old and new. In fact, a friend of mine told me that Scripps Pier was one of the landing spots used by the legendary Jacques Cousteau.

A major part of this section of the beach is dominated by the presence the Scripps Pier, which is “one of the world’s biggest research piers.” It is used for boat launching and a variety of experiments. Data on ocean conditions and plankton taken from the pier since 1915 provide an unparalleled source of information on changes in the coastal Pacific Ocean.

The pier also provides a supply of fresh seawater, a critical resource for a marine institution, to an array of laboratories and aquaria. Seawater is pumped up from the end of the pier, then filtered and stored in holding tanks.” Source: Scripps Institution of Oceanography

As I walked down the beach, dodging the waves, the cliffs with their orange and brown hues were a startling color and psychological contrast to the surrounding blues of the ocean and sky. As I stood, watching and listening to the waves, the power of ocean water becomes quite apparent. Both the plangent sound and aquatint colors were artistically etched and felt into all of my senses.

I’m not a geologist, but it appears that over the centuries, the constant action of the waves made this intricate design. And this sofa size rock is a perfect place for reflection or meditation.

Scripps Pier is the perfect place–you get to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, while some of your friends get to frolic in the water.

If you’re looking out your window, seeing blowing snow, just remember, summertime is only a few months away.

Until then, remember that Travelin’ Local offers you a little different take on the traditional season.

What did your Christmas Day look like?  I’d love to see the pictures.  Just post a link in the comments section.