Lindsay & Jason
Things To Do & See
The Getty Center (Cindy's #1 Recommendation)
The Getty Museum, completed in 1997 and designed by Richard Meier, is an absolutely beautiful collection of contemporary travertine buildings. Located on the top of a picturesque hilly site in the Santa Monica Mountains, the property offers stunning skyline views of the city. The installation artist Robert Irwin designed the Central Garden, and it alone is worth your visit! The restaurant and cafeteria are top notch! Accessed by a comfortable tram which winds its way to the top of the mountain, you can wander around simply taking in the city views and gardens, or choose to also enter the museum and visit the many exhibitions. *** If you are staying at the Hotel Luxe, the Getty Center is very close by
The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa houses the J. Paul Getty Trust’s extensive collection of Mediterranean antiquities. There are over 200 artifacts organized under such themes as Gods and Goddesses and Stories of the Trojan War. The location is on a hillside which offers a panoramic view of the Santa Monica Bay. *** If you are staying at the Hotel Luxe, the Getty Villa is about 20 minutes west on Sunset Blvd.
The Broad Contemporary Art Museum
This contemporary art museum in Downtown LA is comprised of pieces from the extensive private collection of philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who financed the museum with a $140 million donation. Current exhibits include: Expansive Presentation of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
It really doesn't matter that the concert hall is currently closed, because this amazing building, designed by world famous (and Santa Monica resident!) Frank Gehry, is worth a visit just to walk around the outside. Trust me, photos do not do it justice.
Will Rogers State Beach - Life Guard Tower #15
Where the famous 1990’s television show Baywatch was filmed! YES, there are restrooms, lifeguards, beach volleyball, bike paths
Santa Monica Beach - Lifeguard Tower #26
Walking distance to the Santa Monica Pier & Carousel
Biking - Santa Monica Bike Path
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a 22-mile paved bicycle path that runs right behind the Santa Monica Pier, connecting Santa Monica to other beach-side cities ... RENTAL OPTIONS 1) Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals perryscafe.com 310 260 1114 2) Santa Monica Bike Center thebikecenter.com 310 656 8500 3) Surf Lessons in the Santa Monica Bay Aqua Surf aquasurf.com 4) Explore Santa Monica Bike Path on a Segway Segway.la
Hollywood City Bus Tours
Tours start at 6437 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood but they offer pick up and drop off in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. 1) Original Hollywood Tour (2 hours) 2) The Grand City Tour (7 hours) *** the concierge at your hotel may be better able to recommend a tour bus company
Hiking - Will Rogers State Historic Park (Cindy's favorite)
This beautiful park encompasses 186 acres of hiking trails, the Rogers family 31 room ranch home (now a museum), stables, and a polo field (which holds polo matches and lots of AYSO soccer games!) There is a nice (4) mile loop which includes a beautiful lookout called Inspiration Point, where you can see the mountains and the sea (and a few movie star houses!). At this junction you can also split off onto a more challenging trail which narrows and climbs up (3) miles a bridge that crosses over a deep canyon and offers an amazing view. At this point you can turn around and head back down... or keep on going!
Hiking - Los Liones Trail (Bill's favorite)
7 mile round trip Off Sunset Blvd. turn onto Los Liones Drive and go to the end for parking and trailhead
Temescal Canyon Trail
Off Sunset Blvd turn into Temescal Gateway Park at Simon Meadow (across the Pali High School) 15601 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades (parking lot on the left)
Shopping - The Grove
For a unique, fun and safe shopping experience, I recommend visiting The Grove, a retail and entertainment complex in West Hollywood, which includes the historic Farmers Market. This beautiful outdoor mall was built by developer Rick Caruso, who has perfected the shopping experience to be one of a pedestrian culture where the outdoor space is designed to “transport people to a better place and time… to create a Main Street for a city that does not have one.” The Grove features dancing water fountains, outdoor music, grassy areas to relax in, and a trolley car which connects shoppers to the old Farmer’s Market. It’s fun! The Grove is anchored by Nordstrom.
Shopping - Palisades Village
Dubbed by locals as “Carusoville”, this mini version of The Grove was built in our hometown in 2018, replacing a run down street of empty storefronts. The Palisades Village offers many lovely restaurants, high-end retail stores, McConnell's ice cream, See's chocolates and a little park in the center where people come to relax with family & friends. On the opposite side of Sunset from “Carusoville”, there are many wonderful locally owned stores, including (high end) Elyse Walker, Gift Garden, Kier Design, BlackInk, and many more. If you are looking for a small spot to have lunch, we recommend Matthews Garden (across from CVS).
Shopping - Rodeo Drive
Just for a looksee… photo… then bye!
Shopping - Malibu Country Mart & Malibu Lumber Yard
If you are looking for a nice drive along the beach, take Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Malibu, about 20 minutes north of Palisades. The Malibu Country Mart is a large outdoor lifestyle center, or “boutique mall” with lots of small shops and restaurants centered around a children’s playground. The Malibu Lumber Yard is a shopping area right next door. We love Taverna Tony Greek restaurant – come hungry! Keep your eyes open for celebs! On your way “back down to the Palisades” - if you have time to spare - turn off the PCH at Topanga Drive and wind your way up the mountain pass to the top where you will enter Topanga, a groovy village which seems a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of LA. There are lots of little offbeat shops and galleries and an organic grocery store. That said, I recommend Topanga mostly for the beautiful drive through the canyon.
Outsider Art - Watts Towers Arts Center
Call to see if you can sign up for a guided tour – it's a must! 213 847 4646 For those of you with a rental car and an adventurous spirit , visit this "Outsider Art" masterpiece in South Central Los Angeles. Yes, it’s located in South Central but I’ve been there many times and just keep your door locked like you would in any city, and tank full of gas. A collection of 17 interconnected sculptural features and mosaics, with touches of glass, scrap metal, broken pottery built by one man in an obsessive manner with no ladders or scaffolding over a period of 30 years… who one day stopped work, gave his property to a neighbor, and took a bus to Northern California never to return.
Baseball - Los Angeles vs. Oakland A's Game
If you are interested in baseball, there is a game on Sunday Aug 1st! Los Angeles Angels vs Oakland A's Game Starts at 1:07pm Get Tickets at Ticketmaster or Stubhub
Disneyland Resort
What can I say - you are in LA and if you have a day, you gotta visit "The Happiest Place on Earth"! Check online for tickets