Los Angeles' Griffith Park is huge. Among other amazing features for nature lovers, it’s home to the Griffith Observatory, a national leader in public astronomy. When I began planning my first visit to the Observatory, I had no intention of taking The Big Explorer. I figured he was too young to find much there of interest. But my step-mom was convinced there’d be something … [Read more...]
The Old Zoo at Griffith Park: An Unexpected Place for Nature Play
Griffith Park is huge – both its best and its worst feature. On the plus side: A sprawling 4,200-acre park is a dream in the very urban Los Angeles setting. The trick is navigating your way through the park to discover all of its hidden gems. Earlier this week, we discovered one of them: The Old Zoo at Griffith Park. It’s tucked away near the Merry-Go-Round but doesn’t … [Read more...]
Visiting the Elephants of Asia at the Los Angeles Zoo
The big explorer loves elephants. So it’s been tough going not having ready access to them locally at the Los Angeles Zoo. The good news is that after a long absence, they’re back – the Elephants of Asia exhibit is now open for visitors. We made a special trip to the Zoo earlier this month just to see them. I’ll admit that with all the controversy surrounding the new … [Read more...]
Favorite Places to Explore Nature in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is synonymous with movie stars and Hollywood. When folks visit for the very first time, they want nothing more than to see a famous actor up close, watch a live television show taping, or maybe even stumble upon a film shoot at some exotic location. Those of us who call this place home know just how much more Los Angeles has to offer. This list of our favorite … [Read more...]
The Best Spots in Los Angeles for Winter Outdoor Fun
Los Angeles has its fair share of traffic problems, smog, rude, stressed-out drivers and overcrowded attractions. But as a native, I can tell you that the amazing weather almost makes up for all of that. We’ve had some cold and rainy days this winter, true enough. But more often than not, we’ve had sunny, clear skies with plenty of reason to be outside and enjoy it. … [Read more...]