One of the best parts of living in a large city like Los Angeles is the opportunity to visit so many museums, not necessarily all free but definitely easily accessible. On my last visit to The Broad, I totally did not realize that the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) was right across the street (if you can believe it)! But I did intend on visiting and glad I finally found the time. Here are a few things to know before you go...

3. The ticket center is on the plaza level as is the gift store but to enter the museum, you will have to go down a flight of stairs. The entire museum is on just one large floor – you don’t quite realize how large it is until you are inside.
4. There is a little courtyard café called Lemonade right before you enter the museum in case you need to grab a bite. Remember though that there are food trucks aplenty right outside The Broad if you need another option.

5. The works inside the museum are displayed in chronological order covering art across several decades as you go from room to room. It is organized in one big loop so you end where you started.
6. Each hall is pretty open in its floor plan with lots of room to view each piece at leisure. My special place was the Rothko Room – I could sit there all day reading if only they’d let me bring in some hot chocolate!

7. The museum staff are really nice to talk to. They know so much about each piece here and have probably been asked any and all questions you have right now so simply ask them instead of wondering why. Also, I am pretty sure they are going to be thankful for someone to talk to after all day of standing around tirelessly making themselves available to guests.
8. The last room is a lounge area with a dual screen and some interesting clips. I won’t say much but the clip is about ten minutes so ensure you stay for one whole loop of it. You will recognize many on that show and maybe that will help understand more when you read the descriptor.

9. When you head downstairs to the restrooms, there is a little library nook hidden way, which would make for some great reading time, if you have the time to spare. Now I can see why they don’t let you bring in beverages.
10. As always, remember to walk along the outside of the building. While we usually focus on what’s inside the museum, the building that houses the museum is a piece of art itself.

​Given that this is the only museum in L.A targeting contemporary art, I am sure you will find something here that piques your interest. Let me know in the comments if you have visited and what your fave/not so fave work was?

Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!​

Located on Wilshire Blvd, if you live in Los Angeles you’ve probably driven past it at some point and not known the Marciano Art Foundation museum was housed in here because from the outside it looks like a masonic building. The museum officially has been in this space only since May 2017 and you can find more information about the building here. It was originally built as a Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in the 60s. Most of the art here is from the 1990s onward. 

​Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Visits to Pasadena are few and far between given the expanse of Los Angeles but I made my way to this gem on a weekday and the drive wasn’t as unforgiving. In fact, the quality of the art despite the small space was a pleasant surprise. They don’t waste any time here – the folks at Pasadena Museum of California Art. The artwork begins from the parking garage! You might mistake it for graffiti but it is the work of native Kenny Scharf and the pop aesthetic he is known for is immediately recognizable. The Kosmic Krylon Garage is a permanent exhibit since he first showed here.

​Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Stopped by the California Science Center to check out a limited engagement exhibit and decided to make a day out of it!

An amazing educational experience and an exhibit you will not forget easily, the Body Worlds Pulse is a traveling show and created by Gunther von Hagen who is also the inventor of plastination, the process using which many of the human bodies on display have been preserved. These are real human bodies, by the way, that have been donated to the cause of science and research.

​Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Not many know of this gem of a museum located just ten minutes right behind the busy Los Angeles Airport. If you are visiting, live here or are simply out for a long transit or layover, this is certainly a worthy stop if you don’t want to venture too far out from LAX. I am surprised the airport itself isn’t doing much to promote this space, which is truly a treasure trove of aviation and space history and general knowledge.
 
The building is pretty unassuming and resembles nothing close to any of the museums the city is known for. In fact, it is situated in an industrial complex where other flight service businesses are located so if you are looking for a big model plane or some other signage outside then you will definitely get lost. Follow the directions on your map and you will find the spot. 

Once you enter you know you are in the right place though as all the airline paraphernalia makes an appearance. A receptionist will possibly welcome you at the front desk area and give you a quick lowdown of what’s around. There is no specific organization to the space as such so you might want to keep track of the order in which you are visiting each room.
 
The museum is almost like one large floor level building split into multiple smaller rooms. As you walk along you will notice that some rooms seem set up for a presentation with chairs laid out and they do actually host speaker sessions so you might want to look into that if of interest. There is no map and no arrows giving you a route to follow so it’s pretty much a free for all after you enter here.
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All of the exhibit areas seem stuck in the '80s at most and there isn’t much in terms of the use of technology or even interactive methods to get your attention. There is, however, a lot of information that anybody would take interest in. If you are an aviation geek though, this museum will feel like a goldmine. I spent well over an hour here and met another couple that had already been in there for an hour.

There is a space exploration section filled with all kinds of fun facts and historic achievements, there is a room full of model planes and posters and ads from the glory days of flying and then there is this larger open space that forms the main area of the museum where there is a timeline of aviation history and some of the highlights over the decades.
 
This room also holds an exhibit on the first five airlines to first begin operations in the LAX airport and shows some of their staff uniforms, service utensils, inflight reading, etc. The wraparound windows provide a nice view of the LAX runway so you can see flights taking off and landing pretty clearly. They also have the radio on here so you can hear the live feed from the air traffic control tower.

The rooms further in are dedicated to air cargo fleets, airline uniforms, and other airline related items. I was impressed to see a small section dedicated to the flight services crew like ground staff and technicians, and their uniforms were on display as well. The museum also has a small library and while you cannot borrow books, you can reference them and also make copies of some of the material.
 
Its here that the arrangement of the museum gets confusing – the administrative offices of the museum staff are interspersed with the museum itself so there’s hesitation in entering this space but there are displays on the wall that are interesting and cover some of the earliest celebrities that flew to or from LAX. The staff didn’t mind but some signage to that effect would have been welcome. 
 
There is an unannounced exit so you are clueless about whether this is the end of the museum or not, or you can loop around and head back into the main area again and leave as you entered. There certainly seemed to be several areas that could be converted to event spaces and host gatherings of large numbers if required. I’ll need to head back to one of their talks sometime.

You will also see a model airplane standing outside the museum, which is part of the exhibits and can be visited but a staff member needs to show you out. Again there was no signage on this and it was my request to a team member that had them accompanying me to the Douglas Commercial DC3 that was parked outside. Strongly suggest visiting it if you are interested as you can climb all the way in.
 
The parking and entrance here is free, though there is a suggested donation of $10. Restrooms are available too but I am unsure about wi-fi and there didn’t seem to be a café or food court onsite. While there is something simple and sweet about this little space, it also feels very bare bones and removed from this day and age. For the fact that it’s an aviation museum, it certainly feels terribly outdated.

Everyone that was visiting was surprised that this was located so close to the airport but nobody knew about it. I do wish they would do more with the space as there is so much potential for it but to cater to today’s audience, they will need to update their exhibits and displays, and give a first time visitor some sense of direction on viewing the area to take in all of the information laid out. 
 
Definitely do visit if you are into all things airplanes and adjacent or if you are in the area and would like to give the space some love. They could certainly do with more exposure and online shout outs for a spot that holds such great information all under one roof. I am not necessarily an aviation nerd and I found all the nuggets here captivating enough to stay on for more than an hour!
 
If you’ve visited here, do let me know your experience in the comments. And if you do visit after reading this post and seeing the pictures here then do tag me on your social so I can see how your experience was. Enjoy!

​Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Located conveniently across the street when you get off at Little Tokyo station on the Gold Line, this museum’s permanent exhibit offers a much-needed introduction to the role of the Japanese community in the US. While this occupies prime square footage, there are other visiting or rotating exhibits as well. The museum is open to the public all week long but offers free entry every Thursday 5pm-8pm and full day free entry on the third Thursday of the month. They do have a donation box out to pay what you can/want at the entrance. 

For me, seeing the exhibit titled Common Ground: The Heart of the Community was an eye opener as I had limited knowledge of US history in general and especially relating to the different communities contributing to the local economy and culture. All of my education was divided between India and Oman, and even in Oman I went to a school for Indian kids, so our history lessons provided sort of an overview of world history but then almost entirely focused on Indian history and in no way tried to relate that to anything current, which is kind of a downfall of that educational system in a way.
 
The exhibit is very clearly organized so simply look for the numbers along the display area and you will see that there is a clear path for you to follow the storyline of the community and all that they experienced. All descriptors are in English and Spanish so if you speak any other language, you might want to check at the front desk. Some visitors appeared to be wearing headphones with translated narration so that could be what you’d need to ask for. It is always interesting to me how a group of people find themselves in another place that is not their own and then work to make that experience theirs – I certainly learned a lot about the first Japanese to arrive in America, the war, incarceration and present day community.

As somewhat of an extension to this is another exhibit titled At First Light, which is a multimedia presentation exploring the Asian Pacific American identity. The audiovisual wall panel at the end as you exit this space is pretty innovative so don’t miss out. The other exhibit on right now is on Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys, which looks at the kaiju characters and toys in Japanese culture and one toy designer’s life experience. If you are a comic book fan, love cartoons or toy design, or any related fields, this would totally be your cup of tea.
 
Speaking of which, the Chado tearoom here is a hidden gem that I recommend enjoying before or after your visit to the museum. You actually don’t have to enter the museum to get to the coffee shop. There is a separate entrance from the outside or after you enter the museum and before the front desk. I suggest after if you want to rest your feet from walking around the museum – the space isn’t very big compared to some other venues but it’s a decent size for a community and cultural focus. There is a little water garden space attached to the tearoom which is also a pleasant surprise.

They offer tea and pastries but also full-fledged menu with a few meal options and also a high tea if you are so inclined. I enjoyed their regular high tea while getting some reading accomplished and spent a good hour at least in there. The space isn’t too large but also wasn’t too crowded late afternoon on a weekday so definitely not a noisy spot. I will warn you ahead that they have a darling collection of teapots, cups and other accessories that I would have splurged on if I hadn’t traveled by train that day.
 
The museum store has a lovely collection of goodies so for unique gifts or something specific to the culture, this is a great spot. I enjoy the creative gifts you can purchase at museum stores and this one, albeit tiny, had a might fine collection to offer. Additionally, they have a pretty large resource center here that you can ask to visit for research or reference and you can check their website for any special programming like talks, walks, screenings, etc. If you have time to spare, head on down the street into Japanese Village Plaza Mall – you will see diagonally across from the museum entrance. It’s a great concentration of Japanese restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops and small gift stores. I hear some of the best-rated Japanese restaurants are located along the stretch right outside the museum but didn’t have a chance to head there when I visited.

Instead the husband and I chose to head to the area for date night another day. We grabbed drinks at Far Bar, dinner at Kagura Downtown (their entrée bowls are delicious) and then dessert at an ice cream truck right there called Merci Clement. A little detour into the mall gave us an unexpected surprise (see image below for the four legged star attraction!) and we did want to stop by the bakeries for some steamed curry buns but were too late so we will just have to come back another day. Saw plenty of street parking available and I believe there is parking available at the mall as well but if you choose to get there by train then remember to look up the schedule so you can time your ride away from there.
 
I will be heading back again and often to enjoy more of Little Tokyo area. If there are any spots I must visit where restaurants or other places of cultural and historical interest, please let me know in the comments below. Is there a Japanese museum near where you live? I’d love to know if I ever do visit your area. So leave those details in the comment below as well. Arigatōgozaimashita (that’s the one word I learned to say perfectly during my visit to Japan in 2015!).

​Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

My introduction to Autry happened almost more than a year or two ago I believe when I first attended a press event there and made a mental note to return but never did until yesterday. Unfortunately they didn’t have free entry on Tuesdays anymore as mentioned on their website but luckily the fee was only $14 so I didn’t have to turn back after having driven over to spend the day there. This isn’t a very large space to cover in a day but if your interests are in western history then you might spend a lot of time in just that area. Thankfully that’s their permanent exhibit so you can head back often if you live in the vicinity. 

They have a main lobby level and then a lower level leading out to a garden and their central event space. I was glad I got to learn more about the art of Harry Fonseca, an American artist of Nisenan Maidu, Hawaiian and Portuguese heritage. I had seen his coyote paintings before but never looked into it. Learned more here and was enlightening to see what his thought process was behind some of his pieces or where he gained inspiration from. There are videos of his partner speaking about some of the pieces that was helpful to watch. I never realized that much of his work had political undertones or was used to express himself and his surroundings as a gay man and a person of a mixed background. I am also still learning the names of different native tribes and this is the first time I came across Nisenan Maidu so I have a lot of reading up to do about both his work and his origins.

Somewhat related is the work of artist David Bradley seen through the exhibit titled Indian Country. While his art does focus on Indian history and culture, his references are to current scenarios. So don’t be surprised when you find the Clintons in one of his depictions! I really liked his style – am not an art aficionado and don’t know the terms associated with that world but his paintings have clean lines, crisp tones, solid colors and you can immediately recognize something about the subject matter as opposed to more modern and abstract art where a lot is left to either your imagination or the artist’s interpretation. There are no photos or videos allowed in this gallery so I only have this one image shared on the blog but they have a walk-through video of his space on the museum website.

One of the smaller temporary exhibits was titled On Fire by Michael Scott and you will notice the change in the room right away as these are life size painting of land and fire. They have a seating space here so take some time to enjoy these paintings. This area is dimly lit and makes for a great contrast against the paintings that are all fiery but not disturbing, more appreciative of the elements of nature than anything else.  I would have loved to see him working on one of these in real time. In this same area is a huge exhibit on Art of the West and also on the role westerns played in the movie industry, which are both equally large and interesting. You will end up spending a lot of time here.

Take a break and head downstairs for the outdoor garden area with a waterfall and lots of plant life that you can learn about or simply rest in between your visit on the benches here. Inside right next to the garden is a seating space called California Road Trip, which is video footage of a few spots in the state. If only they would let me bring a snack along, I’d just sit here and enjoy the sanctuary it provides. I completely expected the lower level to be a shorter visit but nope – they’ve got so much to see here.
 
The exhibit called Human Nature walks through all the natural resources of the west, the people and places that it comprises and the delicate but necessary coexistence between humans and everything around us. I certainly had no idea about the number of native peoples or tribes that called California home so this was an eye opener. The manner in which this area is organized is quite interactive and caters to audiences young and old. Plenty of spots to sit down and read everything around or experience some of the audiovisual resources. Pause to read some of the blurbs – lots of native wisdom that can be applied to life today.

This flows into Western Frontiers, which looks at cowboy culture and history, the origins and lifestyles, and has an interesting gun collection as well as section on law and order in those times. You will see a chuckwagon set up that’s almost a thing of the past except for entertainment value in many places in the country. I walked in here twice and found something new every time I turned around so this is also an area you’ll spend a lot of time in reading up as well as enjoying some fun activities like testing your cowboy vocabulary and braiding leather. The central area here called the Heritage Court has a huge wall mural by the way that you should positively check out. There is also a section on community and journeys, which is great to stop by if you like seeing how transportation worked back in the day.

The latest exhibit here is one called Investigating Griffith Park and I love what they are doing here. They are basically looking at everything GP related, from its history and people, to natural sites and manmade attractions, and everything in between. What’s fun is the way they are going about it – with community participation and collaboration. Expect to see a lot of questions for you to leave your thoughts and comments on and many ways to learn about the neighborhood and its past and present. I had to leave about this time but will certainly be back again to spend more time at the museum and in this area in particular.

​The museum does have a gift store and outdoor seating area. They also have a café with a few food and drink options. You actually don’t need to enter the museum to access the gift store or the café, which is nice. Also plenty of parking for free and should you find yourself with extra time then the city zoo is right across the street. Their outdoor lawn is a common area and you can bring along a picnic to enjoy here or find a spot among some of the wooden benches to spend the afternoon reading. Check out the museum website for events – they host a bunch of stuff that is open to the public as well as special programming for members if you decide to buy a museum membership. For instance, Thursdays in the summer they have live music and dance nights with Latin bands. They also host movie screenings and special lectures and workshops. I noticed a few children’s’ activities and believe there is a calendar online to view programming for that as well. Overall, a great venue and would recommend a visit or experiencing some of their community programming.
 
If you’ve been, I’d like to know what you enjoyed here the most or if you are planning to go, let me know in the comments and maybe I will see you on the lawn for some music or a movie! Hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed reading, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

​Located in Pasadena, Norton Simon Museum is one of those hidden gems many don’t know about. I didn’t until a few years ago and though I live quite a distance away, I do try to visit when I can. The museum held a special preview for a new exhibit titled All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food which I attended but the permanent collections here are fascinating too so I hope you do visit the premises anyway. 

​As for the exhibit itself, it was in the lower section of the museum and about 60 paintings, photos, and works of art were organized strategically across three rooms, each in a theme related to food — Hunger, Excess, and Sustenance. The works were from the 1500s-1900s and looked at how artists depicted food culture in Europe. 

​We see food and drink in European art and some of the most famed pieces that catch our eye are ones that show tables laden with fruits and vegetables and meats, but this exhibit also showed works that depict the lack of food at times. Some of the pieces on display were created when the artists themselves were experiencing hunger. 

​The very last room offered some interaction to visitors with a reading area filled with cookbooks and other culinary publications. There was also a display wall where you can leave behind a recipe or other food and drink related artwork. Many pieces had a code next to them to scan for more information which is helpful.

​Works by Mexican, French, Dutch, English, Flemish, Spanish, and American artists were on display. The exhibition was organized by Assistant Curator Maggie Bell. A series of in-person and web-based programs and features including a few different tours and talks were offered as part of the exhibition. In general though I enjoy this venue for multiple reasons!

1. Free parking. If you've spent any time in Los Angeles, you know parking is a topic here. If venues provide free parking, that's a plus in my list. 
2. I forget which days but check their site before you visit. There are certain times when the venue is free and open to the public. Even otherwise, their admission fee is minimal and they have quite a few different categories they provide free admission to including caregivers and museum colleagues.
3. This is one of the few American museums and maybe just a handful in the LA area that has a permanent South and Southeast Asian collection. It's located on the lower level here. See some of my favorite pieces above and below!

4. The sculpture garden here is one I enjoy browsing through as well. They do sometimes have to close the area for events or due to inclement weather but on a nice sunny California day, it's a lovely spot for a little me-time, beverage from the cafe, or indulge in a book. 
5. Diego Rivera. They have the girl with lilies painting on display here by the famed Mexican artist. It's quite something to view up close. 
6. Events and tours. They have a ton of special programming here so if it were up to me, I'd say plan around spending a few hours here and also attending one of their special events.

7. The website also has so much information that is great additional reading. And their on-site audio tour is recommended as well. It's nice to listen to some of the commentary as you go room to room and also gives your eyes some respite. 
8. Most importantly, this is a great location and you can head to a bunch of restaurants, shopping, and other activities before or after in the city of Pasadena. 

Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

I always maintain that living in Los Angeles where so many world-class educational institutions exist means that we are lucky to have amidst us some fabulous opportunities for learning and leisure. That includes venues like the USC Pacific Asia Museum, part of the USC campus in Pasadena and a fantastic museum to visit if you are in the area. Please check dates and times when it is open before you go. Sometimes they have free entry days, special events, and other happenings so you might want to plan to be there then. Read on for my recommendations! 

Let's begin with the courtyard. I love an open, welcome space inviting you in and feel courtyards do just that so this spot with its lovely courtyard and tables and chairs outside to enjoy the lovely California weather is one I'm fond of. They have free parking and admission here but the lot can be small for events so you'd have to find an alternate spot and special exhibitions might have a charge so check at the reception on those details before you enter. I don't remember any tours being available but you might be able to request one for a larger group.

When I visited, there was an exhibit about the silk road that was extremely educational and informative. I walked away learning quite a few things. They also have a pretty large permanent collection. You may want to view information online before you visit. They have more than they can display so you might be able to view additional resources on the site. The exhibits include Korean, Japanese and Chinese art, ceramics, textiles, and more. There are also sculptures and painting including some from India, Nepal and Tibet in the arts from the Himalayas and south and Southeast sections. Hopefully you'll find a few things that are interesting to learn more about. There is also a cute gift shop at the end as you exit so make sure to spare some time to spend there. 

​Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Heard only great things about The Broad since it opened doors late 2015 and had a tough time getting tickets initially but made it today just after they celebrated their first anniversary so here’s the scoop!

​Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

Firstly, the Getty Center and the Getty Villa are two different venues so get directions for the right place please! Not that I made that mistake, but I heard of plenty others who did. Also, if you arrive too early, then you will be turned away and asked to return closer to opening time. This I know because I did do it – I am known for over-planning so was at the front gate to the parking deck 15 minutes ahead of opening at 9.30am on a Sunday and was promptly turned away by the security staff. They did smilingly welcome us back again at 9.30 on the dot though like we were old friends!

​Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!

World War II Museum, New Orleans
Among the many things on my agenda, this happened completely by chance since the hotel I was staying at happened to be within walking distance. I don't think there will ever be enough to know and learn about the wars humanity has witnessed. 
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Not that I wanted to intentionally leave on a serious note but there you are, the top museums I've had the opportunity to visit and enjoyed. What are some of your favorites? If you leave a note here, I promise to try visit whenever I am at the destination its located at!

Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Museum Reviews on the site or also plan an Around the World in LA day for yourself with my book as a reference resource!​

Once we spring forward and that time change gives us the extra evening light, all the outdoor movie screenings are announced around Los Angeles, and it truly is one of the best things about living here. All the fun outdoors activities you can participate in and mostly for free. This post is on movie screenings, ones I’ve experienced and others I plan to but feel free to let me know if I am missing any. 

I live close to Hollywood, so I’m biased  The outdoor movie screenings at Ovation Hollywood (previously known as Hollywood and Highland) are held at the main green courtyard in the center. If you RSVP online or on location then you get free popcorn coupons – you must go get them from the theater – and free blankets, cuz LA nights can get chilly y’all. You can bring your own chairs or also reorganize the outdoor chairs and benches they’ve got around the area. Bring a picnic and blankets – we saw families setting up for dinner and a movie right there on the lawn, board games et al. I believe there are discounts from restaurants, but we opted for some snacks from home and a pizza from CPK in the same mall. We received raffle coupons for movie tickets, but nothing was announced so my guess is it’s an online thing. The movie selections are more family-friendly so expect a lot of animated content, but we watched The Secret Life of Pets, and it was fun!

Marina movie nights is free and runs in the summer. Most cities host their own little movie screening nights so check on your city’s website or the events calendar for a listing and save those dates right away. In the downtown area, there’s Rooftop Cinema Club, so basically watching a movie on a rooftop which is about as LA an experience as it can get. It is a paid event though, so you’ll have to purchase tickets online for your seats. Most movies are adult themes, so you’ll see that the audience is 18+ only. I haven’t been to this one but that’s just because I’ve been going to the other free screenings hehe. There are a few other locations in LA where rooftop movie viewing occurs but none that are free screenings. Another is at The Montalban.
 
Then there’s Street Food Cinema which is also ticketed and usually held in large outdoor venues. As the name suggests, there is food involved - sold at food trucks so you can buy on location, but you can also take your own picnic if you prefer. I haven’t been to this one, but I believe they also have music and MCs, and it’s one of the longest running movie screening events in LA. They even sell a season pass! Cinespia movie screenings are another option. Also ticketed and held in huge outdoors venues like the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and The Greek Theatre. I haven’t attended these, but I hear it’s a lot of fun, and garners much larger crowds just given the locations they are hosted in. There’s also the Skirball movie series. 
 
Any I missed out on and must add here? Let me know in the comments. 

The Inspiration Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - and we have three teaser videos to entice! Read our destination stories to plan your travels to Barbados, if you are seeking an island getaway, or Cleveland in Ohio and Denver in Colorado for U.S. options. As always, we have a great themed playlist for you to listen to on Spotify as you read through this edition and enjoy some of our regular departments covering new and unique products, experiences, activities, travel locations and gear, and more, for you to indulge in. Grab your favorite beverage and nestle into your cozy reading spot for this one - Enjoy! Need to subscribe to the mag? Head here!

The Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show is an annual event that is highly anticipated by travel enthusiasts looking for inspiration and great deals. Part of the excitement includes the access to travel celebrities but also presentations and panels hosted by different countries. This year, fresh off the closing of the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Government of Japan exhibited at the show and showcased the legacy of TOKYO 2020 by organizing a large booths pace up front and center on the show floor and hosting a stage talk with two gold medalists: Jessica Long, U.S. Paralympics Swimming, and Yuto Horigome, Japanese Olympics Skateboard Team. 

​Beyond Tokyo 2020 efforts are divided into seven themes to further strengthen the great work already accomplished by Tokyo in hosting the Olympics amid many unprecedented challenges. The different themes are: Achieving a Harmonious and Inclusive Society; Reconstruction/ Revitalizing Regions through Host Towns; Tourism-Destination Country and Japanese Culture; Security and Transportation; Health and Sports; Sustainability; and Operational Model for Large-Scale Events. In fact, Japan was the only country to have a sign language aid onstage during the talk with the Olympians at the travel show, holding true to efforts to achieve a harmonious and inclusive society. 
 
Both Long and Horigome shared the individual experiences of participating at the Olympics, their win in their respective sports, and the splendid facilities offered in Tokyo for sportspeople, including all pandemic-related safety and health measures. Both praised the Japanese authorities in offering local and international teams a home away from home as this edition of the games was held without the large crowds and groups of supporting family and friends cheering them on due to COVID regulations in the country. But local volunteers and the general public more than made up for that with their hospitality.
 
Other highlights at the Japan booth included the diverse initiatives undertaken toward the recovery of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, including the hosting of competitions in affected areas and the provision of foods from affected areas at Athletes' Village cafeterias. "Host Towns" were designated during the games, aimed at regional revitalization by exchanging activities between local municipalities throughout Japan and participating countries/regions in varied fields, including sports, culture, and economy. 

The exhibits at this year’s Japan booth displayed videos and panels speaking to the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Prior to the talk by the gold medalists, a video message from Noriko Horiuchi, Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Tokyo 2020 Games, which for the first time marked the second hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games by the same city, created a legacy of achievements that people can show with pride to future generations. Both Olympians shared a few minutes of their time for an exclusive interview...

​Jessica Long, U.S. Paralympics Swimming
 
Q. What’s next for you now that you’ve won gold?
A. Just enjoying the moment. With a year’s postponement, we are a year ahead for Paris so just trying to take it all in. This is a really important time to talk more about mental health because it has been a really hard time, that’s what all of us Olympic and Paralympic athletes do, we go from highs to lows to highs, I am just trying to get back into a schedule. I lived away from my husband for a year so that was very hard, but I am still celebrating, and everything will start picking up again later this year to prepare for Paris. And I don’t want to be just good, I want to be great and continue to lead my legacy with the Paralympic movement just to see how far I can go.
 
Q. When will you be back to Japan next?
A. I love Japan, I’ve been there three times. I don’t know when, but we do this thing called the world series once a year, so I hope they have Japan host it next year.

Q. How were the facilities for practice in Japan?
A. It was incredibly clean. One thing lot of us swimmers always worry about is not having enough towels and there were plenty. It’s such a silly thing but you don’t want to pack a ton of towels and then you can’t wash it. There were moments where I’d be swimming in the pool and a lot of it was recycled, they were going green with some of it, but man, this would have been really, truly, such a great Paralympics if my family was here, but I also knew they were watching and just being adaptable is important especially with what we all went through.
 
Q. Were you able to interact with any of the Japanese sportspeople?
A. I met a lot of great competitors. When we go to a new place, Team USA tries to learn the language, so ‘hello, how are you, thank you’ and just being kind, giving lots of pins out, making sure all the Japanese volunteers knew we were being appreciative. We want to hold ourselves to a high standard and say thank you and be respectful. 
 
Q. Any culture shocks experienced while in Japan?
A. No culture shocks but something fun and cute…I love how out of respect you bow to each other. When I first went to Japan, I learned how to bow. When I got back to the US, I did it at Starbucks. The guy gave me my coffee and I bowed to say thank you!

​Yuto Horigome, Japanese Olympics Skateboard Team
 
Q. What are your plans next now that you’ve won gold in Tokyo?
A. Paris and another gold medal!
 
Q. How are you training differently for that?
A. Skateboarding is not just about the Olympics, it’s part of street culture as well. So, practice-wise, not something particularly different but I want to continue with street culture and keep recording what I do there, which is different from a nice, clean park like in the Olympics.
 
Q. This time the Olympics was in Japan, next time it will be in Paris. How do you feel - will that be a challenge or a benefit to compete in another country and not your own?
A. Hometown is different because I had lots of sponsors, friends, and support and I got the gold medal. For next time, I want to be more prepared and be more goal oriented. 
 
Q. Does you mentor anyone younger?
A. Now that the games are over and skateboarding has become popular in Japan as well, now he wants to mentor kids and have his own exhibition to do that.
 
Q. If not skateboarding what would you be doing?
A. Skateboarding taught me a lot, not just manners and respect but everything, I cannot imagine doing anything else!
 
Here’s wishing both the Olympians the very best for the future and congratulating Japan on a commendable job hosting both the Olympics and the Paralympics this year!

The Nature Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - and we have three teaser videos to entice! Read our destination stories to plan your travels to Huntington Beach in California, Lake Charles in Louisiana and Stockholm in Sweden. As always, we have a great themed playlist for you to listen to on Spotify as you read through this edition and enjoy some of our regular departments covering new and unique products, experiences, activities, travel locations and gear, and more, for you to indulge in. Grab your favorite beverage and nestle into your cozy reading spot for this one - Enjoy! Need to subscribe to the mag? Head here!

Germany has always been on my list of places to visit, and I could not resist this invitation from Visit Berlin to learn more about what’s happening in the city this year and onward. Here’s to scheming my trip over! The lovely luncheon was hosted at the Drawing Room at the Kimpton La Peer West Hollywood – a fitting venue for a city so closely associated with art and décor and design and architecture…I could go on. 

With pandemic protocols somewhat reduced and folks more freely mixing and mingling, it felt lovely to see many familiar faces and meet some new ones. The event began with a few pre-lunch libations as guests sauntered in. The luncheon itself was a seated presentation featuring some highlights from what’s new and upcoming in Berlin, shared with guests by none other than Visit Berlin CEO Burkhard Kieker and Director of Culture Lutz Henke.

Among highlights shared were Humboldt Forum, Berlin’s new top sight is now open. It is Europe’s largest and most significant cultural construction project. The New National Gallery - Mies van der Rohe Modernist Icon is also now open after completing a six-year renovation. The iconic steel and glass building is a landmark of modern architecture. And the Samurai Art Museum Berlin—the largest samurai museum outside of Japan and the first in Europe—opened doors to one of the world’s biggest samurai collections including some 1,000 exhibits covering sophisticated armor and helmets, unique sculptures, and the world-famous samurai swords. 

Other attractions to look forward to beyond 2022 include House of One—bringing three religions under one roof; Berlin Museum of Medical History—comprising 10,000 pathological and anatomical specimens; National Monument to Freedom and Unity—dedicated to all who fought for the fall of the Berlin Wall; and the Museum of the 20th Century displaying 20th century art collections. 

Travelers to Berlin will be happy to know there are now more partners and discounts signed up with the Berlin Welcome Card which offers sightseeing deals, and the new subway line U5 connects major cultural highlights to make sightseeing even easier. So whether you want to visit Bradenburg Gate or Museum Island, or head to Memorial Church and Eastside Gallery, finding your way there is fairly easy and convenient. 

I’ve always wanted to check out the Christmas markets in Germany but now I think I might need to spend more time there, especially in Berlin. If you’ve been, I’d love to hear your insights in the comments below. I might just make a dash for it this year if you entice me just a tad bit!

Read the Spring edition for what to see and do, where to dine, and which activities we recommend in three beautiful destinations: La Paz in Mexico, Mesa in Arizona and Highland Lakes in Texas. Check out the three teaser videos and click on the Spotify playlist for music to accompany your reading! Our regular columns such as recipes for food and drink, reading recommendations and other products and services that are travel and lifestyle-related are available as usual. Grab a drink and enjoy flipping through this month's issue!

The highly anticipated “Nights of the Jack” Halloween event will return for its fourth year to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas from October 1 – October 31. This season, the interactive walking trail filled with thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins is back and brighter than ever, now spanning two-thirds of a mile to provide a safe and festive fall outing. Tickets for the once-in-a-lifetime production are on sale now at https://nightsofthejack.com/. I've visited in previous years and enjoyed the experience where you can easily spend a few hours walking around the installations, taking pictures and then indulging in some libations too. 

​Nights of the Jack is the ultimate Halloween attraction for Angelenos and has become a staple of the Southern California Halloween season. Vast grounds of elaborate, larger-than-life pumpkin installations greet visitors as they walk through the trail around the history-filled ranch. Guests can treat themselves to hot cider, seasonal cocktails from the Spookeasy bar or festive fall treats while they feast their eyes on the spooky sights. Nights of the Jack is committed to ensuring the safety of all patrons and staff. The event encourages attendees to follow all health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19. To see what measures the staff will be taking, visit the Health & Safety page. 
 
​Nights Of The Jack is a Halloween Jack O’ Lantern event tailored for all ages. The immersive experience showcases thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins, situated throughout the stunning property at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA.  The team behind this Halloween happening is a partnership comprised of production and hospitality industry veterans Ben Biscotti, Co- Founder & President of 1iota Productions, Award-winning event producer & designer Tony Schubert of Event Eleven, and hospitality & marketing impresario Bobby Rossi of Motley Projects.

Select invited Los Angeles media members were in attendance at the recently held Andaz West Hollywood dinner spotlighting the brand’s Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya with a ‘From Mexico to Andaz’-themed media dinner. The seated dinner showcased creative culinary and immersive cultural experiences from Mexico and Andaz Mayakoba, sharing more about the luxury Mexican resort and its sister property, Andaz West Hollywood. 

The intimate event included a joint, multicourse menu between the two properties with Mexican-inspired cuisine, a mixology demonstration, vibrant art, authentic cultural gifts and more. Starting with a cocktail reception at the Riot House restaurant located in the lobby level of Andaz West Hollywood, the dinner celebrated authentic Mexican culture and cuisine with specially crafted cocktails for the occasion and a beautifully decorated tablescape. 

Local brand Mezcal Amaras was highlighted as was local artist Angélico Jimenez whose alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk-art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures) were part of the tablescape. Jimenez was also present to talk about the fabulous wood carved pieces, the detail that goes into each intricately fashioned work of art and the meaningful symbolism behind the colors and patterns. 

The chefs from Andaz Mayakoba were Chef Miguel Gomez (Executive Chef) and Chef Omar Barquera (Chef de Cuisine) and they teamed up with Andaz WeHo culinary staff who set out to treat guests to quite the delicious meal starting with beef tongue tacos and lobster zucchini squash blossoms, followed by a colorful beetroot salad with burrata cheese and baked conchiglionis, and a mole de olla entrée. 

Dessert service featuring bunuelo al viento followed in the penthouse, accompanied by breathtaking panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline. The penthouse is a unique offering of the property, furnished to the nines to fully indulge in living in the heart of Hollywood. All guests left with a bag of souvenirs created by local and regional artisans, as part of the Hyatt Loves Local initiative to help local communities. 

​Andaz Mayakoba will turn five this year and is a fairly new Hyatt property. It is a secluded paradise on the beachfront, surrounded by mangrove and lagoons. From the design of the rooms and suites to the bathroom amenities, various dining options available on-site and daily activities to choose from (including an eco-cruise), and the 10,000-square-foot hideway spa, every detail has been taken into consideration to ensure a wellness and nature-connected experience.

​Stay One Degree, a community which allows luxury travelers to experience the finest vacation homes around the world directly from like-minded homeowners, offers a brand-new Coast to Desert: Relax & Rejuvenate California Style experience. Spend four nights overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean in a breathtaking home in Malibu followed by a private helicopter experience to the incredible contrasting desert scenes of Palm Springs where you spend three nights in an architectural masterpiece. 

​Guests who book the relaxing retreat will stay four nights in a four-bedroom / four-bathroom stunning home in Malibu offering private beach access, rooms with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean, large floor-to-ceiling glass windows bringing the light in, a hot tub with stunning ocean and sunset views, al fresco dining facilities and much more, for the coast part of the experience. You also enjoy private yoga lessons on the deck while taking in the beautiful views and can request additional experiences that can be catered to your liking such as private hikes and dinners in some of the area’s top restaurants.
 
After four nights, take a limousine to your private helicopter to go from Santa Monica to Palm Springs for the desert part of the getaway where you stay three nights in a vibrant architectural masterpiece home. Experience ultimate relaxation with spa treatments from a dedicated therapist, a personalized dinner with private chef service, and a beautiful pool with two infinity edges. The three-bedroom/four-bathroom home features 200-degree views of the three mountain ranges, cityscape of Palm Springs and the valley floor. Concierge services can arrange additional experiences including private hikes, art tours and much more. The Coast to Desert: Relax & Rejuvenate California Style experience starts at $41,000 (based on 4 persons).

Pulled Oats®, a Finnish innovation from Gold&Green Foods, is the perfect protein, made with just five simple plant-based ingredients: Oats, Yellow Peas, Fava Beans, gently pressed Rapeseed Oil and Salt. It absorbs flavors superbly and can be spiced to perfection, making this Vegan Sunday Supper’s surprisingly sensational secret ingredient that tastes just like meat, but is 100% plant-based, of course. 25% of the profits from Vegan Sunday Supper will go directly toward benefitting and funding Support + Feed, a nonprofit organization created during the pandemic by Maggie Baird (Actress, Voice Artist, Screenwriter), while fighting climate change one meal at a time. This incredible group based in LA provides plant-based meals prepared by local businesses to people experiencing food insecurity. The organization works tirelessly to nourish those in need and has now established itself as a community resource in four cities, assisting local nonprofits with nourishing plant-based meals and informational resources on its nutritional benefits.

A private media dinner was held recently to introduce the brand and its offerings to Angelenos. Among the many menu items were mini pizzas, arancini and meatballs - all made by Vegan Sunday Supper using Pulled Oats. Take a look at the slideshow below for a sneak peek into the evening's going on. Feeling like you'd give it a try? Well, you are in luck! You can order Vegan Sunday Supper’s new gourmet ready-to-bake 100% Plant-Based Lasagna today, it can be delivered anywhere nationwide and the full expanded menu is available for delivery throughout Los Angeles via DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats starting this month. Buon appetito!

In an exclusive virtual event, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery hosted a Facebook Live “Be a Winemaker For A Night,” tasting, hosted by Founder Justin Baldwin and Winemaker Scott Shirley as they took guests on a journey through how they blend their flagship wine, ISOSCELES. During the virtual tasting, both were available to guide guests through a behind-the-scenes look into the blending methods used to create JUSTIN’s ISOSCELES wine. Each winemaking selection included one bottle of 2018 ISOSCELES and three half-bottle barrel samples of the individual component wines: 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Merlot, and 2019 Cabernet Franc. This was the first time that JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery has made barrel samples available to sip. You can also view the tasting notes here.

Inspired by the First Growth wines on the Left Bank region of Bordeaux, most notably Chateau Margaux, Justin Baldwin began his career in the wine industry in 1981. Baldwin purchased JUSTIN® Vineyards & Winery, the 160-acre parcel and immediately planted three of the five principal Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In 1987, grapes from the Estate resulted in the first wine homage to Margaux, a wine that would later become the iconic ISOSCELES Bordeaux-style blend. Today, ISOSCELES, the “Left Bank” expression and icon of the JUSTIN portfolio, is over 25 years old and is complemented by its Bordeaux-inspired “Right Bank” counterpart, JUSTIFICATION. For over a quarter-century, both luxury blends have enjoyed an incredible legacy of accolades as the hallmarks of the JUSTIN portfolio.

Since JUSTIN’s founding, Paso Robles, where the winery is located, has experienced a true renaissance, and attracted dozens of world-class winemakers seeking a similar dream. Now, 35 years later, JUSTIN is recognized as a pioneer of luxury wines on California’s Central Coast and is one of the only destinations in Paso Robles that combines the luxe ambiance of a tasting room with stunning views of its estate vineyards, an award-winning, full-service “farm-to-table” restaurant, and five-star accommodations at the JUST Inn®, all located on one property. In September 2018, JUSTIN opened a second tasting room location in the heart of Downtown Paso Robles. Highly recommend the wines and the tasting experience if you are so inclined!