Being stuck at an airport is never any fun, whether it’s long ground time between flights, or a flight cancellation and serious delay.  Wandering an airport can be fun. . . for the first couple of hours, at least.  But when you’ve checked out every last gift shop, book store, restaurant or bar, and what have you, it’s easy to become bored to tears.
So what are you going to do?  Well, at LAX, if you have enough time to get away, you can leave the hustle and bustle of the airport and head to the beach!

he Ocean Express trolley service …read more

Shopping is one of the top vacation activities, and that’s part of the reason why I’m always on the lookout for great shopping places to write about.  Of course, the other reason is that I love a good shopping spot myself!
A great LA shopping experience, from both the shopping and the experience point of view, is the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  This is not some lightweight flea market, no sirree!  This is a monster event, with over 2,500 vendors attracting 15-20,000 buyers.  Operating the second Sunday of every month, you’ll find vintage jewelry, clothing, handmade crafts, antiques, plants, collectibles, …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday comes from Matt at The Chicago Traveler.
It’s from The Rooftop Bar at the Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles (550 South Flower at Sixth Street).
In addition to its sweeping views of the city, the Rooftop has a heated swimming pool, a dance floor, outdoor fireplace, vibrating waterbed pods, and a grassy knoll with sculptured topiary.  DJ’s play music nightly, and there are lots of special events.  Sounds like a great place a drink with friends.
Lunch, dinner, and a bar menu are offered noon – midnight, and bar service extends to 1:30 am.
Matt claims that this is …read more

Olvera Street (845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles), also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles.  The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see.
The street was originally a short lane, called Wine Street.  The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles.  Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the …read more

When you think of the day after Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? 
Relaxing around the house and eating leftovers?  Watching football?  Listening to holiday music and putting up the holiday decorations?  Or are you one of the many, many people who will be heading out to the stores for the kick off of the holiday shopping season?
No matter how we may rebel, there’s no getting around the fact that the upcoming holiday season means shopping.  I hope to make that process a little easier for you, by showcasing a variety of products and services that would make great gifts for travelers …read more

Here’s a quick Halloween stop off!
For 54 years, ConocoPhillips (yes, the Petrochemical company) has turned out the World’s Largest Jack-O-Lantern:  a 3-million gallon storage tank, located at the ConocoPhillips Los Angeles refinery, all dressed up like a pumpkin.
To get the pumpkin ready for public viewing takes more than 100 gallons of paint.  And refinery engineers estimate a real pumpkin of this size would be make 26,800,000 pies.
The refinery is located at 1660 West Anaheim Street, Wilmington, California.
The Jack-O-Lantern is open to the public on October 30th-31st, from 6-9 pm.
Via Neatorama

Claiming it’s the largest Halloween street party in the world, West Hollywood, California is preparing for its 19th Annual Halloween Costume Carnaval.
Join in the festivities as close to half a million people take to the street ““ Santa Monica Boulevard in this case ““ in crazy, eccentric costumes.  While some might argue that some West Hollywood residents always look like they are in costume, Carnaval is the perfect excuse for people of all ages and diversity to come out and par-tee!
The highlights of the event are, of course, the Halloween Costume Contest and the crowning of the Honorary “Queen of the …read more

I haven’t been to Santa Barbara for quite awhile, despite some urging from friends who have recently moved there.  They keep telling me how much the area has grown and changed, yet the city hasn’t turned its back on its origins as a quirky art community.
Located a couple hours north of Los Angeles, between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is an easy day trip from the area.  Home to a thriving art community and the artists who support it, the galleries, studios, museums and art events feature both world-renowned and emerging artists. 
Santa Barbara is an …read more

You can’t miss seeing it when you fly into (or out of) LAX.  Although it looks like something out of The Jetson’s, the Theme Building, home to the Encounter restaurant, is an oddly comforting sight.
The Theme Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Los Angeles.  It looks like a giant insect hovering over a building, and with its ever-changing lighting scheme, an alien insect at that.  Those parabolic arches are over 130 feet tall!
The building was originally completed in 1961, and housed a coffee shop where travelers could grab a quick meal.
A few years back, Walt Disney Imagineering …read more