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San Diego Padres Baseball Game – Petco Park

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 23:12:18 GMT

San Diego Padres Baseball Game – Petco Park

By: Paul Benevich

A great day/evening in San Diego is dinner or drinks in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego and then a baseball game at Petco Park. Or, start at the game and then head out for drinks or dinner after the game. Petco Park is one of these incredible stadiums that is an anchor within the city of San Diego, but not built to necessarily be a destination, but part of your day or evening experience in Downtown San Diego.

The stadium is situated directly adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter, a phenomenal section of the city with wonderful shops , hotels , restaurants , and bars . In fact, Petco Park was designed to melt into the Gaslamp Quarter of the city so it never feels like you exited a stadium before arriving at the hotel , shops , restaurants , or bars . They just seem part of the whole experience. This is one of the many charms of attending a baseball game at the park.

Click on any of the links above for more information on the Gaslamp Quarters.

Not a baseball fan – not to worry

If you're visiting San Diego, you don’t have to be a Padres fan to truly enjoy the experience. I like baseball, but don’t love it, but I love the experience of Petco Park. I have taken my international friends to Petco Park and had a wonderful experience and they hardly watched the game.

When attending a Padres Baseball Game, it’s not about the game, but the experience. For my friends that are less interested in the game and more interested in the experience, I recommend we purchase standing-room-only tickets which allow you to casually watch the game in a section called “Park at the Park” beyond Center Field. Tickets are only $20. With those tickets, you can bring a blanket and hang out on a manicured elevated grass section and watch the game or leverage it as an inexpensive way to enter the park and explore the rest of the Stadium. The Park is very fan friendly and will allow you to explore many areas of the park once you are in.

Family-friendly experience

If you are traveling to San Diego and have kids, Petco Park is one of the most family-friendly baseball stadiums you will find. The lawn seats beyond center field allow for the kids to run around. There is a small kid-friendly baseball field next to the lawn seats where children can hit Wiffle balls, play catch, run bases, etc. They even have a large sandbox named “ Toyota Beach ,”

This outdoor area is designed with the idea that kids will be exposed to baseball early, but really only have attention to watch the game for 1, 2, or 3 innings before they get bored and need additional activities to occupy them. This also fits my baseball attention span as well. They designed the stadium with the idea that you make it a fun and affordable experience for a young family and as the kids get older they become lifelong diehard fans.

Walk the stadium

With the purchase of any type of ticket whether it is a purchased seat or standing-room-only tickets, you have access to walk the stadium. This is why I bring my visitors here when visiting San Diego. In each section of the stadium and on each level of the stadium you have wonderful terraces both inside the stadium to watch the game or on the backside of the stadium with fantastic elevated views of San Diego.

Make sure you take time to walk to each section of the baseball park and consume the different views such as Coronado Bridge, San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, and the beautiful convention center. This is why Petco Park is such an extraordinary park and differentiates itself from most of the other baseball parks around the country.

Buying tickets

If you are a diehard baseball fan, then purchasing premium seats close to the action will be ideal. But… if you are going for the stadium experience then I recommend standing-room-only tickets or buying seats in the upper levels of the stadium. If you purchase seats on the upper level, you may be farther away from the action, but you also get to experience beautiful vistas of the city while still enjoying the game. The ballpark was designed so one can enjoy the stadium from any seat.

Some stadium history

In 2003 Petco Animal Supplies purchased the naming rights for 22 years for $60M and revenues from the naming rights helped fund the completion of the park. The San Diego Padres had their first game in the stadium against the San Francisco Giants (arch rivals) on April 8 ^th , 2004.

Before the San Diego Padres moved to Petco Park in downtown San Diego they played in Mission Valley at Jack Murphy Stadium and shared the stadium with the San Diego Chargers. Jack Murphy Stadium was later renamed Qualcomm Stadium. To say the least, the move to downtown San Diego and Petco Park was an absolute upgrade for the San Diego Padres.

Cost to build: $449.4M
Opened: April 8, 2004, against San Francisco Giants
Owner: City of San Diego (70%), Padres (30%)

Must-see at Petco Park

If you are lucky enough to attend a game at Petco Park make sure you experience the following: Batting Practice from Left Field, Western Metal Supply Building, Tony Gwynn Plaza, Gallagher Square, Toyota Terrace, Beer Alley, Petco Park’s Craft Pier.

Click here for a great article that briefly describes each of these experiences.

Click here for information on Parking at Petco Park and getting to the Stadium.

Terranea Resort, Los Angeles, CA

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 22:49:48 GMT

Terranea Resort, Los Angeles, CA

By: Paul Benevich

Terranea Resort is my “staycation” day destination. When I want the amenities and beauty of a coastal day vacation close to home, this is my choice. What I love about Terranea is how welcoming the resort is to guests not staying at the resort. The resort welcomes the general public and appears to treat everyone with the same high-level service, and for this reason, I bring almost all my out-of-state friends and family to this wonderful place when they visit Los Angeles. Plus, the resort is extremely dog friendly. I can attest to this as in one of my first visits to Terranea, my previous dog did an epic boot-scoot across the entire hotel lobby carpet (much to my horror); but I was relieved when both guests and staff applauded upon her completion.

There are few places in Southern California that one can experience such beauty with magnificent ocean vistas and scenic rocky coastal cliffs. The back-drop of the ocean just a few feet away with its ever-changing blues and greens, along with the view of Catalina Island just 22 miles away, are pure eye candy.

Terranea Resort location

Terranea is located just 16.9 miles south of Los Angeles Airport, so it is convenient to visit.

History of the area

The Palos Verdes Peninsula , which is where Terranea Resort is located, used to be part of the Channel Islands millions of years ago. Over the years it fused to the mainland coast, bringing a unique collection of rocks and plant species that can only be found along this coast.

In 1954, this site became home to Marineland of the Pacific, a seaside animal park, which was the world’s largest Oceanarium when it opened. Since Marineland, Hollywood also found this location to be of interest, and this was the backdrop to the series Sea Hunt starring Lloyd Bridges. This series ran from 1958-1961. Other Hollywood productions that filmed in this area include: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Aviator, Charlie’s Angels, This Is 40, and Savages.

When you visit, make sure you stop for lunch or a sunset dinner at Nelson’s. The food is ok, but if you can get one of the outside picnic benches, there are few better outdoor dining locations. Nelson’s is not about the food; it’s all about the dining ambiance.

Whale of a time

I would say about 70% of my dining excursions at Nelson’s also seem to come with a whale sighting or a large pod of dolphins. There is a bell at the restaurant and patrons are encouraged to ring it when they spot one of our largest mammal friends. In fact, the annual whale migrations take place right off the coast between Terranea and Catalina Island that increases the chance of spotting a spout.

Some Walking Trails

Terranea is a 102-acre estate and has a wonderful coastal trail that hugs the Ocean. The resort has installed plenty of benches to allow visitors to sit down and consume their cocktails and get a front row seat to the coastal view or one of our West Coast patented sunsets.

While visiting for the day

You don’t have to be a hotel guest to participate in some of the local adventures. Feel free to stop at Pointe Discovery at the hotel entrance to schedule a guided kayak or standup paddle board tour along the scenic coast or even take an archery lesson. My wife and I had the opportunity to do the kayak tour a few years ago. We were amazed at how clear the water is and how many fish we were able to see as we floated over the kelp beds.

Golf

The Links at Terranea features a Par 3 to 9-hole golf course. I played it once late last year with my dad and sister. It’s a beautiful setting for a course and might be the reason I lost so many balls☺ In my opinion, the price is reasonable for a resort like Terranea between $50-$65 per round. After our round of golf, we treated ourselves to some drinks and apps on the outside terrace lobby bar at the hotel resort with its spectacular view of Catalina Island.

Restaurants

There are eight dining locations: Click here for more info on dining at Terranea Resort.

I have eaten only at Bashi , Nelson’s , The Lobby Bar & Grill and Sea Bean . Bashi has wonderful Japanese food and great sushi. At Nelson’s and The Lobby Bar & Grill , the food is ok, but the ambiance with the wonderful views makes the experience. Sea Bean is my go-to pastry, ice cream, and chocolate desert place.

Paid parking is $15 for both golf and valet parking. Before you get to the valet, you can park on the left-hand-side of Terranea Way along the hill, for free, if you can find parking.

Hermosa Beach, CA

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:00:39 GMT

Hermosa Beach, CA

By: Paul Benevich

Hermosa Beach is near and dear to my heart and the place where I lived for over four years. It Is still my volleyball mecca on weekends. A beach community where I gather with my group of 20 friends for the past 13 years and pretend to be AVP-quality volleyball players. But in reality, we are just a bunch of friends having fun, talking smack, and corrupting a beautiful sport. 

Hermosa Beach is anchored by the Hermosa Beach Pier. This beach community is only 1.4 sq miles and nestled between two much larger beach communities of Manhattan and Redondo Beaches.

In my opinion, Hermosa Beach is one of the last true beach communities in Los Angeles. It’s relaxed and casual and still has a beach bum flavor to it. Fortunately, enough of the old-school beach lovers that were lucky enough to purchase their homes when properties were somewhat reasonable, continue to live in their appreciating homes, so the city of 30 years ago still lives today.

Many of the shop and restaurant owners are locals, growing up surfing, hanging out at the beach, and playing volleyball, so the beach vibe is inherently part of the culture in this town.

The beach

Hermosa Beach is my favorite beach in all of Los Angeles. The actual beach is clean and groomed and has some of the best coastal sand, along with its sister beach community, Manhattan Beach.

In my opinion, if you are seeking a day at a beach in Los Angeles, then Hermosa Beach is hands down the best place in LA, with easy access to ample parking, restaurants, and small gritty boutique shops.

There are plenty of shops that will rent you critical beach amenities such as beach chairs, and surf and paddle boards. There are bike shops that rent electric and regular bikes so one can enjoy the beach pathway that runs for miles along the coast. If you are into volleyball, there are plenty of courts with well-maintained nets along the pier, and all you need to do is bring your volleyball.

The Pier – make a day of it

The Hermosa Beach Pier anchors the town, and everything happening emanates from it. From Pacific Coast Hwy, you can turn onto Pier Avenue, and the half-mile drive to the beach passes plenty of boutique shops and eateries. Pier Avenue dead-ends into Hermosa Beach Blvd. and this is where you can find parking, pick up some beach gear, set up on the sand, play some volleyball, head to the water to surf, boogie or paddle board, take a break and grab a meal, and then take a short walk to The Comedy and Magic Club for some laugh therapy.

Click here for a list of local eateries.

Parking

There is plenty of parking and one can find both street meter parking or you can head to the 4-story parking structure adjacent to the pier. During the week, parking is generally no problem, but on weekends and holidays during the summer months, it is advisable to arrive earlier in the day.

Kayak / Paddleboard Alamedas Bay and Naples Island Canals – Long Beach, CA

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 23:21:42 GMT

Kayak / Paddleboard Alamedas Bay and Naples Island Canals
Long Beach, CA

By: Paul Benevich

An afternoon kayaking or Paddleboarding on Alamitos Bay in Long Beach and then rewarding your exercise with lunch or dinner and drinks on 2 ^nd street makes for a great day. This is a fun excursion for your more active visitors. The Bay has more than six miles of navigable water and is a large harbor with 1,624 slips for recreational boaters and plenty to view.

When we decide to go Kayaking we rent our kayaks from Kayakrentals.net which is conveniently located one block away from 2 ^nd street, one of the more social areas of Long Beach with great restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Kayakrentals.net makes it extremely easy to rent Kayaks or Paddleboards and can be reserved online so one can be on the water having fun within five minutes after arrival.

Naples Island Canals

When either Kayaking or Paddleboarding, don’t forget to visit Naples Island Canals . This is always one of the highlights of this adventure. It was originally built to replicate a village in Italy with most of the streets having Italian names. The canals are lined with both Duffy boats and sailboats and the homes on both sides of the canal are beautiful and unique. Along the way, you may also spot Gondola Boats with Gondoliers singing to their passengers floating under the four bridges of the canals. In December, it is tradition for the homes that surround the Naples Island Canals to go to great lengths to lavishly decorate their properties. If you are around in December make sure you either walk the canals or rent a Gondola to explore this area.

Moon Jellies

During your excursion, head over to Jellyfish cove where you can see bunches of Moon Jellies. Ask one of the workers at kayakrentals.net to show you a map of how to get there. Moon Jellies like warmer water and are more prevalent between July and September.

Take a Swim

There are numerous nice sandy beaches scattered around the bay. If you are kayaking or paddleboarding pull up to one of the beaches, secure your kayak, take a swim and cool off. We were warned that if you jump out in the middle of the bay to swim you could get a $250 ticket. So if you want to swim make sure you enter from a beach.

Floating Park

Adjacent to where you rent Kayaks one will discover a floating park designed for kids that looks like pure fun. If you have children, then this is an activity that will certainly catch their attention. Kids just queue on the beach and lifeguards manage the traffic at the floating park. There is no fee to participate.

2nd Street for Lunch or Dinner

After a couple of hours of water fun on the bay, jaunt over to 2 ^nd Street just one block away. If you found parking close to the Kayak Rental location then no need to change parking spaces. On 2 ^nd Street, you will find plenty of places to dine and have a drink. A few of my favorite places include Georges Greek Café ; Legends Long Beach ; Panama Joes ; Simmzy’s Long Beach ; Nick’s on second ; Open Sesame Long Beach ; and others.

Click here for a list of restaurants on 2 ^nd street.

Parking

Parking can be a bit unpredictable. Depending on when you arrive at the Bay, there can either be a lot of free street and metered parking or not. Obviously, summertime and weekends can be a bit more challenging, but even when it is busy, there is generally enough car turnover to find something relatively quickly.

Pantages Theater – Los Angeles

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 22:56:30 GMT

Pantages Theater – Los Angeles

By: Paul Benevich

There are few places in Los Angeles as iconic as the Pantages Theater located adjacent to the storied Hollywood and Vine. When you walk into the Pantages theater you feel as if you are being transported into the 1930s. A night out at the Pantages is so much more than watching a great production, it’s also about immersing yourself in one of the most beautiful theaters ever built with a history that is as compelling as the shows you are attending.

For a calendar of shows click here .

The architecture

The interior of the Pantages is stunning with its classic Art Deco style consisting of trapezoidal, zigzagged and triangular shapes, chevron patterns, stepped forms, sweeping curves, and sunburst motifs. The moment you pass through the doors of the theater you are instantly transported into another era. The entrance hall of the theater has beautiful staircases on either side to take you to the balcony seating.

If you are fortunate enough to attend a show at the Pantages, make sure you take time to relish the exquisite interior design details. Explore the exotic figures on the walls and look to the ceilings at the grand Art Deco-styled chandeliers both in the entrance into the theater as well as in the theater itself. The level of detail is impressive. Each time I visit the Pantages I take time before the show, during intermission, and after the show to consume its beauty. It’s truly is spectacular

History overview

The theater opened on June 4, 1930, with great fanfare and throughout the years has played an important role in the entertainment capital as any building in Los Angeles. The theatre's price tag in 1930 was $1.25M and was the last movie place to be built in Hollywood and the last venue erected by vaudeville circuit owner Alexander Pantages who at the height of his empire owned 84 theatres.

The theater started as a movie house with vaudeville acts between movies. As the depression continued the theater became an all-movie venue since the vaudeville acts were too expensive.

Howard Hughes purchased the theater in 1949 and it was during his ownership the theater became host to the academy of awards between 1950-1960 exposing this wonderful venue to the world. Its hosts included such notables as Fred Astaire , Danny Kaye , Bob Hope , and Jerry Lewis .

In 1965 The theater was sold to Pacific Theater and in 1977 Nederlander Organization partnered with Pacific Theater and invested in a substantial renovation to become “the place” for live theater in Los Angeles.

In 2000 the Pantages underwent another major renovation and is now one of the city's highest-grossing venues for live stage theater, hosting great productions such as The Lion King , The Book of Mormon , Hamilton , and Wicked .

Dinner and show

The Pantages is located right on Hollywood Blvd close to a dozen or so great restaurants. So make a night of it and have cocktails and drinks before or after the show at the W Hotel (Delphine) ; Wood & Vine ; Katsuya Hollywood ; Jane Q ; or St. Felix Hollywood .

For more restaurants close to the Pantages Theater click here .

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs directly in front of the Pantages Theater. So if you are visiting Los Angeles think of arriving a few hours before the show and take in the ambiance, walk 9 blocks from the Pantages Theater past star-studded names along Hollywood Blvd to the Dolby Theatre , the famed TCL Chinese Theatre , or check out the Guinness Book of World Records Museum or the Hollywood Wax Museum .

For more ideas on what to do near the Pantages Theater click here .

For a calendar of events and to purchase tickets for the Pantages click here .

Venice Beach

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 16:30:11 GMT

Venice Beach

By: Paul Benevich

I don’t think any place defines Southern California like Venice Beach. I mean, Southern California is naturally a place for misfit toys, and Venice Beach personifies this. I say this as a compliment and as one of those misfit toys.

For approximately a mile of California Beachfront, you can experience characters as diverse as Harry Potter’s Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. This is where every facet of American and International human spice exists in unique harmony.

It is an amalgamation of street painters, roller bladders and dancers, skateboarders, musicians, artists, basketball players, weight lifters, street performers, gymnasts, and the homeless. It’s purely wonderful.

Talk about candy for the senses. The combined smell of cannabis, pizza, burgers, and candy is almost as engaging as what is visually in front of you. Make sure you take some time to just people-watch. Everyone is walking to their own beat. It’s fun to see the hustle.

This is a mile of Southern California Coastland that is truly without judgment.

Be a part of the hustle

We brought a family friend who is 14 and he wanted to play his first street ball game in the infamous Venice Beach where he had just been exposed to White Men Can’t Jump and the Mecca of American Streetball. We were sitting on the side of the court when someone approached us and tried to convince my mom (who is 80) to purchase a few trinkets. My mom a hustler herself, said she would if he could get our 14-year-old friend into one of the adult pick-up games. That’s all it took. He was playing in the next game…and the street vendor got a big tip.

That personifies Venice Beach. It’s all about the hustle and finding a way to get what you want.

What to explore in Venice Beach

Street Performers - Bring a few extra dollars to tip them, because for the most part they have talent and are quite entertaining.

Basketball - Nothing like a basketball pick-up game in Venice Beach. As I mentioned above, if you want to play, be creative to get into a game. From someone who spent years playing streetball, the talent is just ok, but the trash talk is epic.

Venice Beach Skatepark – It’s a mix of beginners and experienced street and bowl skaters and is always a fan favorite for Venice visitors. It’s fun to watch the skaters battle a single trick, but a few can link multiple tricks for a glorious ride.

Venice Art Wall - Have fun watching artists spray paint and re-spray paint the walls. This is where graffiti meets the beach. Go ahead anyone can try it.

Muscle Beach – Get a day pass for $10 at the iconic Gold’s Gym Venice Beach . This is the gym Arnold Schwarzenegger made famous.

Walk the strand

You can easily pass an entire day at Venice Beach. It really never gets boring and make sure you take time to enjoy it all: The professional street performers juggling chainsaws; skateboarders skying through the air; roller bladders dancing to their music; entertaining trash talk on the iconic basketball courts; touring Muscle Beach made famous during Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding days, and the Graffiti artists creating walls of fun.

Also, don’t forget to explore the many pop-up tents where you can: try henna tattoos; purchase a grain of rice with your name on it; have an artist create a cartoon sketch of you and your family; shop for hundreds of creative trinkets. And let’s not forget the many retail shops on the boardwalk for ice cream, cannabis, pizza, and burgers, since they all go together.

And… if you are a novice to the cannabis industry, don’t be intimidated and stop at any of the cannabis shops and they will be happy to educate you on everything cannabis. It’s like taking a cannabis 101 course with very nice instructors and it is impossible to fail.

For a list of Cannabis dispensaries around Venice click here .

For a preview of dining establishments in Venice click here .

Click here for more on attractions.

Beach Rentals

Venice Beach is a true visitor destination and will cater to just about any rental needs including beach cruisers , e-bikes , surfboards , boogie boards, scooters , and roller-skates . If you desire surf lessons , well this is your place.

Parking

Parking fills up fast in Venice Beach so plan on arriving earlier rather than later. For everything on parking in Venice click here .

The Comedy Store – Sunset

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 16:17:16 GMT

The Comedy Store – Sunset

By: Paul Benevich

If you are a fan of comedy, then a night out at the Comedy Store is a must. Of all the comedy venues nationally, The Comedy Store on Sunset is one of the most famous and storied venues. It has fostered and matured some of the nation’s top comedians, and alumni include Richard Pryor, Dave Letterman, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Kevin Hart, Andy Kaufman, Michael Keaton, Sam Kinson, Martin Lawrence, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Howie Mandel, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Joe Rogan, Ray Romano, Bob Saget, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Pauly Shore, David Spade, Jimmy Walker and Robin Williams to name only a few.

A little history

The Comedy Store was launched in April 1972 by Sammy Shore and Rudy De Luca and shortly after, Mitzi Shore (Pauly Shore’s mom) acquired the venue in her divorce from Sammy shore.

From that moment on, Mitzi Shore became, the mother of comedy. The Store was one of the first venues where you could find a night of comedy. Before that, comedians were generally opening acts for a night of music and dance. Mitzi Shore helped foster a comedic night out where an audience could watch one comedian after another.

Launching comedic national talent

Mitzi created a platform where inspiring comedians could practice and mature their craft and Mitzi was the gatekeeper to America’s comedic talent. Every inspiring comedian that wanted to perform at The Comedy Store had to audition. The Store is famous for its Potluck Monday which still exists today, where hundreds of inspiring comedians sign-up on Monday and then 15-20 lucky participants are randomly picked for a 3-minute audition, and when Mitzi was still alive, it was Mitzi that you had to impress. If you were able to catch Mitzi’s attention, she would pull you aside and invite you to perform again as a non-regular. The current talent gatekeeper is Adam Eget .

When Mitzi was running the show, if you were lucky enough to be invited back, you had to start as a doorman working at the club, to get additional time in front of an audience. Even today, almost anyone you see working at the Comedy Store is aspiring comedians trying to earn another opportunity to perform in front of a live audience and improve their craft.

This framework was amazingly successful and the reason why there are so many successful Comedy Store Alumni.

Although Mitzi is no longer with us, the Potluck Mondays live on. The Potluck Mondays are in the original room. Click here for tickets if you want to watch these comedic hopefuls perform on Potluck Mondays. As an audience member, don’t expect polished performances but appreciate the guts it takes for these want-to-be famous comedians to get on stage and perform live. Most will bomb, but perhaps you will get to experience the emergence of a future national star.

For Comedy Store Tickets click here .

The Tonight Show – national stage

When Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1972, it put The Comedy Store on the map. Performing on the Tonight Show was a way a comedian could attract a national audience overnight. In the ’70s and 80s every comedian wanted a chance to perform on the Tonight Show and the Tonight Show sourced much of their talent at the Comedy Store.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Just as Malcolm Gladwell suggested in his book “The Tipping Point,” It takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a Master. Well, the Comedy Store was where comedians could perform show after show leveraging three different stages to work jokes, perfect their style and find their voice, and hopefully master their craft. Mitzi created this platform that allowed talented up-and-coming comedians to push their boundaries and get the live audience practice necessary to capture the national stage.

When an audience buys tickets to one of the three stages to watch comedy, you are participating in the development of these comedians. You get to watch as these comedians try and test new comedic bits and share in their success and failures. Testing new bits on stage is vital to perfecting a joke and this is the process whether you are an aspiring up-and-comer or a successful and nationally recognized comedian.

A night of comedy and some surprise guests

What is great about heading to the Comedy Store is you get to watch a mix of experienced and less experienced comedians in a given show. Also, the Comedy Store has such enormously successful alumni, that on any given night, you might have someone unexpected drop in to practice a bit.

According to The Comedy Store Showtime Documentary, the night before the 2020 Oscars that Chris Rock and Steve Martin were co-hosting, both were residing at the famous Chateau Marmont and they wanted to work on some of their timing. They dropped in at the Comedy Store and at the end of a comedic session, they took over the stage and practiced their Oscar bits in front of the audience. How crazy would it have been to be in the audience that evening and get to watch two of the most accomplished comedians on the stage together? The crowd obviously went nuts.

These drop-ins are very common at the Comedy Store.

The Comedy Store has infiltrated America’s pop culture. The Comedy Store alumni are everywhere including in sitcoms, movies, and talk shows. Whether you live in Southern California or traveling to Los Angeles, this is one of those iconic venues everyone should visit.

Make a night of it

The Comedy Store is a great place for a couple of drinks – Note: There is a two-drink minimum required when you attend. If you want to have dinner before or after a show there are a slew of restaurants within a ½ Mile of the venue. Head out to Carney’s Hollywood for a burger or to the Pink Taco for great gourmet Mexican food.

Click here for a list of restaurants.

Parking

When I last attended, they advertised parking directly adjacent to The Comedy Store for $16. According to the Comedy Store Website, they do not have parking at the venue.

Click here for more info on The Comedy Store.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Goat Yoga – Goods & Goat Market

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:24:12 GMT

Goat Yoga – Goods & Goat Market

By: Paul Benevich

Hahaha – I know many people view Goat Yoga as some Crazy Hippy Dippy Stuff, but after trying it, I’m hooked. If you are looking for a unique experience that is loads of fun, then Goat Yoga at Goods & Goat Market in San Juan, Capistrano is a wonderful experience. I was certainly hesitant the first time I tried this, but one time is all it took to make me a lover of this experience. I now take everyone that visits me from another state to this “truly unique experience.” BTW – it is one of the highlights of everyone’s trip.

I always lead with – “Hey, are you up for a crazy California experience that you will talk about for the next year?” I know that this isn’t only in California, but all my friends think it is!

If you’re looking for an experience that includes a ton of laughing and smiles, this is your ticket.

This isn’t a yoga class with a couple of goats that have to be teased on to you. This is a yoga class with almost as many goats as people. Probably the best part of this experience is that the goats look like they are having as much fun in the yoga class as you are.

And fun It Is

This experience attracts a very interesting and outgoing group of adventurers, and everyone we have met during these classes is ready to have a great time. We have invited friends and family members of all ages (from 12 years old to my mom’s age at 80 years old).

Let’s not forget about the goats

All the goats are less than a year old and some are as young as a few weeks old. It’s an experience to see our goat playmates interact with their yoga guests. All backs and shoulders are fair game and wonderful obstacles for the goats. Down Dog and Child Pose are invitations for climbing expeditions. All mats are lined up right next to each other so the goats can easily move from one person to the next and everyone has ample experience to enjoy the goats.

Don’t forget your camera

My favorite pictures are of anyone doing a Warrior Pose with a goat on their shoulders. But the greatest thing is that all pictures involve laughter and pure joy. Loni, who is the owner of this wonderful experience and the “Goat Mom,” suggests that people put their cameras right on their yoga mats so that it is easy to take selfies with their goat guests on their back and shoulders.

Also, non-yoga participating family and friends who prefer to watch are certainly welcome to walk around the yoga class and take pictures. I guarantee you they will have as much fun.

My dad, who is 80 years old, was sitting in a chair in the corner of the outdoor class and even he had a goat jump on his lap. So, he also got to experience the fun.

Goat yoga location

As they say, “Location, Location, Location.” It would be hard to find a more Zen place to do Goat Yoga. Lonie has created a wonderfully inviting environment that is nestled in the hills of San Juan Capistrano surrounded by greenery, plants, and flowers. It is very rustic and removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Yoga experience not needed

This class is for all levels of yoga – from novice (first-timers) to advanced.

Make a day of it

I generally like to combine the experience of Goat Yoga with a brunch or a day at the beach.

Please see my brief article on OLD TOWN San Juan Capistrano which is about 5 minutes away as well as my article on San Clemente Beach which is 10 minutes away.

Things to make the experience even more enjoyable:

Arrive 20 minutes early to interact with everyone and get the lay of the land. This is a farm environment so there are lots to see (several chickens, two awesome dogs that will be excited to greet you, and obviously, lots of goats). This great place is also a market so there are fun things to buy.
I recommend you wear a long sleeve shirt. The hooves of the goats can scrape you (certainly nothing to worry about) as they jump on and off your back, so it is a little more comfortable to have some cover on your shoulders and arms.
You will be barefoot in the yoga area. So don’t worry about the type of shoes you have.
The yoga class is on a dirt floor so expect to get a little dirty.
Bring your own yoga mat or you can rent one for $5.

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:17:29 GMT

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego

By: Paul Benevich

In a previous blog article, I mentioned that The Hollywood Bowl is my favorite outside music venue experience in California; but the most beautiful, in my opinion, is the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego. I can’t think of a better location for an outdoor bandshell. The only reason I tend to prefer the Hollywood Bowl is that they allow you to bring in your own picnic food and… at certain concerts, your own alcohol. This is a true differentiator.

Oh so beautiful

The Rady Shell is located on a peninsula that has stunning views of the San Diego city skyline. On the northeast side of the venue, you have a beautiful marina; to the south, you have a perfect view of the magnificent Coronado Bridge. At the edge of the south side, you have the stunning San Diego Bay, and across the bay on the west side, you have Coronado Island. It’s probably the best place to visit in the entire area of San Diego downtown and the Bay.

All I can say is ‘Wow.’ The view is spectacular enough during the day – but wait until sunset when the lights of the city, the bridge, and the bandshell illuminate with the backdrop of one of San Diego’s patented sunsets. If that isn’t enough, then there is a concert to complement all this. It’s like nirvana. Last year, I attended the showing of The Return of the Jedi with the San Diego Orchestra playing the music. I had to pinch myself. I couldn’t believe I lived within driving distance of such a wonderful venue.

Food and drink

While the Hollywood bowl allows you to bring food and alcohol, The Rady Shell does not. With that said, I was impressed with the variety of gourmet food and the lack of long lines. Click here to get a preview of the types of food the venue offers such as Gourmet Tacos at Lola 55 or Napoletana Wood Fire Pizza at Biga . They also have an Urban Kitchen with some scrumptious sandwiches, salads, and vegan wraps.

Patron seating

There really isn’t a bad seat at the venue. You are either closer or farther away from the stage, but there are no obstructed views that I could see. The seats closer to the stage had more room between the seats for comfort. According to their website, for many of the events, you can bring your folding chair for lawn-section seating. They indicate that you can’t rent chairs, but they have blankets available to rent.

Dress warmly

San Diego can get chilly at night. After all, it is right on the San Diego Bay, and the Bay has a way of bringing in some chill when the sun sets. So be sure to bring layers or you might be a bit uncomfortable.

History

The Rady Shell opened in 2021 during the heart of the pandemic. This was an $85M piece of interactive art and five years in the making. What is most impressive is that it was funded almost entirely by private philanthropy. Hats off to you, San Diego.

Getting to Rady Shell

Click here for everything you want to know about getting to the venue including ferry, waterfront shuttle, walking, ride-share, and driving.

Click on the link here for a Calendar of Events

Drag Queen Bingo – Palm Springs

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:12:40 GMT

Drag Queen Bingo – Palm Springs

By: Paul Benevich

If you have a chance to take a road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, make sure you have Drag Queen Bingo on your list of crazy fun things to do. But only do this if you want to have a really fun time. This is now my second time attending Drag Queen Bingo, and it certainly is not your stodgy stereotypical bingo we all grew up with. I assure you this will be one of the highlights of your Palm Springs trip.

This event is held at Hunters Nightclub in Palm Springs , located right off the main strip of Palm Springs.

The MCs of this event are Rusty Waters and Alexa Steal and they are welcoming to all. They are very social and constantly interact with the participants, keeping the fun at level 10 for the entire show. I attended with my wife, my parents, and a few family friends and it was the talk of the trip. I mean, doesn’t everyone go to Drag Queen Bingo with their parents?

Our favorite Bingo game was Cock & Balls – please see the pictures at the bottom to get a better visual of this game. I bet this wasn’t one of the bingo games my grandparents played in the Midwest.

And if Rusty or Alexa calls “O 69” – the crowd erupts and all participants get a free Kamikaze Shot, which seemed to happen just about every game. Rusty and Alexa would then grab their bottles of booze and go table-by-table to pour drinks, which allowed for fun pictures and fun banter with our favorite MCs.

Oh, by the way, hats off to the bartenders at Hunter’s who are not shy at pouring a stiff drink. My Manhattans were rocking and I was buzzing before the bingo started. To say the least, this only adds to the overall rocking experience.

Below are some of my pictures of our experience. Interestingly, Hunter’s does not seem to promote Drag Queen Bingo on their website, but it happens every Wednesday from 6 pm-8 pm. For maximum fun, I would recommend you get to Hunter’s at least 45 minutes early to get a table or couch and a couple of drinks in you before you start.

Costs

There is no cover charge to attend Drag Queen Bingo and we spent about $5 per game per person to get three bingo cards each.

Make a Night of It

Since Hunter’s is located so close to the main strip, we mainly had drinks at the show and then walked to the strip to have dinner. They do serve food, so you can order apps at the show if you want.

The Hollywood Bowl

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:08:09 GMT

The Hollywood Bowl

By: Paul Benevich

The Hollywood BowlWhen I have guests visiting me in California, I always try to schedule a trip to the Hollywood Bowl. It’s my favorite outdoor concert venue in Los Angeles and was my favorite in California until I visited The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego which recently opened. The Rady Shell might be the most beautiful in California, in my opinion, but The Hollywood Bowl is the best overall experience.

The Hollywood Bowl has such a casual, but elegant feel to it. Part of the experience is the ability to bring a picnic basket with food, wine, beer, or champagne. By allowing patrons to bring in food and drink, the excursion becomes more than just a concert. It is a very fun evening out.

There are lots of picnic benches where you can sit down and/or reserve to eat your late lunch, dinner, or appetizers before the concert. Heck, I often just set up my food at my seat or bench and eat during the show.

Yes, there are plenty of restaurants and vendors in the Bowl that will serve a variety of tasty items. So, if you are unable to bring food or drink, you can certainly get some at the venue. You can pre-order picnic boxes or have your supper delivered to your box seat if you choose. You can taste great wines at Ann’s Wine Bar or have something grilled in the backyard .

Food and drink at the Hollywood Bowl

Since food and drink are a big part of the Hollywood Bowl experience, it is important to note, per the website Food & Drink at the Hollywood Bowl : “You're welcome to bring your own food and drink to the Hollywood Bowl.” Bringing alcohol is dependent on the type of event you're attending. For LA Phil-presented events, feel free to bring wine bottles, wine glasses, and beer bottles inside. For Lease Events, however, alcohol isn't permitted.

The beauty of the Hollywood Bowl

There is a natural beauty to the Hollywood Bowl as it is nestled in the hills of Hollywood. It is hard to imagine that you are only about one-fourth mile from the 101 Freeway, or the iconic TCL Chinese Theater (formerly called Grauman's Chinese Theatre) and Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame . The way the Bowl is set up, you just don’t hear the city noises. It feels as if you are miles away from anywhere when in fact you are at the intersection of Central Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

The season

The Hollywood Bowl starts its season around April 15th and the last show is generally the first week in November. Click here for 2022 season calendar events. I’ve had the opportunity to see a diverse genre of concerts including Van Halen; Paul Simon, and Kenny Rogers, along with numerous Los Angeles Philharmonic events led by the legendary conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Some of my favorite events were screenings of famous movies such as JAWS or Star Trek with the symphony playing all the music.

Gustavo Dudamel

One of the main attractions when visiting the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl is Gustavo Dudamel, a fiery conductor who made his Philharmonic debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 and then became the music director in 2009 at the age of 27. He is now also the music director for Opéra National de Paris.

Make a day of it

If you want to make a day of it, take a few hours to explore the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the famous TCL Chinese Theatre . This is just a one-fourth mile walk from the Hollywood Bowl.

Getting to the Bowl and Parking

– Click here for everything about getting to the Hollywood Bowl – Ride Share, Bowl Parking, Shuttle Service, Park and Ride, etc.

Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail – Portuguese Bend Reserve

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 23:08:38 GMT

Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail – Portuguese Bend Reserve

By: Paul Benevich

This is one of my favorite hiking trails in Los Angeles County. The trailhead starts on top of Palos Verdes at the very end of Crenshaw Blvd. and offers one of the most stunning vistas in the Los Angeles area. It sits approximately 1200 feet above the ocean with stunning views of the coastline as well as Catalina Island.

A world away

When I want to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, this is my hiking sanctuary. On the trail, you feel as if you are miles away from civilization, yet it’s only 15 minutes away from Torrance or the South Bay community. One of the primary reasons I love to live in Los Angeles is that no matter where you are in the city, you are generally only about 30 minutes away from escaping the mayhem of the city.

About the trail

The trail is a moderate-level trail with an elevation change of almost 600 feet. Alltrails indicates that this is a 2.7-mile loop, as you can see from the map below that there are numerous trails and loop extensions that you can explore. I easily cover 5+ miles on my typical hike.

Trail highlights

I love this hike any time of the year, but it is truly spectacular in the spring (March, April, and May). Brassica Nigra, more commonly called Black Mustard Weed, is in full bloom. It is not native and was brought to Los Angeles more than a century ago; it’s considered a dangerous pest since it displaces native plants. Even so, it is very beautiful when it blooms and the hillsides are covered with these yellow plants as you can see from the pictures below.

Eye candy

On a clear day, the view of Catalina against the backdrop of the deep blue Pacific Ocean is stunning. Most of the time, you will see one of the mega freighters passing between Catalina Island and the cliffs of Palos Verdes. This is when you truly appreciate the enormity of these freighters.

Recalibrate your senses

This is a trail that will certainly recalibrate your senses. As you initiate the trail descent, the sounds of Los Angeles fade, and one can then experience the numerous and various sounds of nature: the hawks squawking above you, the hum of the thousands of bees and other insects pollinating the flowers, and the buzzing of a hummingbird behind you.

Hiking recommendations

Pack enough water since the hike can get warm as you descend and ascend 600+ feet. I also recommend packing some cheese and crackers and/or other snacks and finding one of the many places to sit down, catch your breath, grab some fluids and snacks, and take in the beautiful vistas this trail has to offer. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your camera.

This is a popular hiking trail and on weekends can get a bit crowded. Monday-Thursday, I often have the trail to myself. Friday-Sunday, it is best to start the hike before 10 am to avoid some of the crowds; either way, after 10 am, it’s still an amazing experience, but a bit more crowded.

Parking

If you want to park within a block or two of the trailhead, you need to make reservations at least one hour in advance and the cost is approximately $11. If you want free parking, you will have to park a one-quarter-mile away on either Crenshaw Blvd. or Crest Road.

Hiking & meal combination

When you are finished hiking, drive down to Terranea Resort – it is just five miles away – and have lunch/dinner or a drink. Visit my blog article on Terranea Resort.

Huntington Library, Art Gallery, and Botanical Gardens

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:10:48 GMT

H untington Library, Art Gallery, and Botanical Gardens

By: Paul Benevich

This is one of my favorite places to take friends and family when visiting Los Angeles. As one can detect from the title of this article, there is a lot to see on this excursion. For the sake of this article, I will call it Huntington Gardens, but it is so much more than this.

What is great about Huntington Gardens is that it appeals to everyone from children to teenagers and young to old. Since Huntington Gardens has a Library, an Art Gallery, a magnificent Garden, and restaurants throughout the 207-acre property, it has a little bit of everything and will certainly touch the interests and curiosity of just about everyone who visits.

The property is elegant and impressive, and I was informed that 1400 volunteers and employees work to maintain and run the property. I mean 40 volunteers work and maintain the Rose Garden alone. So this is quite the operation.

I have visited the Gardens twice recently, in March and May, and spent over eight hours exploring the property – and I still haven’t viewed everything there is to see and this is what I love about it.

The entire property is a living organism and that means it is constantly changing. The Gardens have different seasons for flowers and the featured books and artwork exhibits are constantly rotating.

The first time I visited in March, it was all about the annual spring flowers and camellias at the Shakespeare and Camellia Gardens as well as the magnificent cherry blossoms at the Japanese Garden . During my visit in May, it was about exploring the Rose Garden , Desert Garden , and Chinese Garden . During this second visit, I had more time to also enjoy the impressive Library and elegantly staged Art Museum which was the mansion where the founders of the property, Henry and Arabella Huntington, used to reside.

Location

The Huntington Gardens are located in San Marino, CA approximately 12 miles from downtown Los Angles and approximately 3.2 miles from Old Town Pasadena. The Gardens are located adjacent to the Verdugo Mountains, which act as a beautiful backdrop to this property.

The Garden

In my opinion, the Garden is the main attraction, but the Library and Art Gallery are certainly worth seeing. 130 acres of the 207-acre property are maintained as botanical gardens, although it does feel much bigger when you are walking the property.

The property exhibits around 13 different gardens and each of the gardens has its own story: feel free to click on the links below to get more detail about each one.

Camellia Garden has 80 different species of Camellia and more than 1200 cultivated varieties.
Chinese Garden is impressive with its Zen-like quality, beautiful pond, authentic architecture, and numerous walk bridges. I was told that the Chinese Garden is 15 acres and cost more than $60M to create. Feel free to grab a bite to eat or drink at the newly opened clear water cafe and take in the beauty.

Palm Garden is one of the first gardens you encounter and has more than 200 different species of Palm Trees which is especially impressive when you realize that California has only one native Palm Tree . This is a great place to hang out to get a bit of shade on a hot Pasadena day.
Herb Garden is arranged according to the uses made of the herbs which include: medicines; teas; wines and liqueurs; cooking and salads; confections; cosmetics, perfumes and soaps; potpourri and sachets; insect repellents; and dyes.
Japanese Garden opened in 1928 and has been a visitor favorite and has hosted more than 20 million guests. The garden has a moon bridge and Koi filled pond and if you’re lucky to visit in February or March to see the Cherry blossoms in bloom, it is a wonderful treat.

Jungle Garden is a refuge from the heat. The canopies of trees along with the ferns, vine trees, and Cycads, keep the air humid and cool within the hot and dry Pasadena climate.
Rose Garden is three acres with 2,500 individual plants and 1,300 cultivated varieties. During peak bloom season, the fragrance is spectacular.
Shakespeare Garden is peppered with flowers that were cultivated from England during Shakespeare’s time and many that were mentioned during his numerous plays.
Lilly Pond consists of two large ponds and three smaller ones and home to turtles, bullfrogs, Japanese koi, aquatic plants, and a Mallard family.

Huntington Library

The Huntington Library is one of the world’s prominent independent research libraries. I believe someone mentioned that it is second only to Washington D.C. The library has over 11 million items spanning the 11th to 21st centuries.

The library includes eight million manuscripts, 440,00 rare books, 454,000 reference books, 900,000 prints and ephemera, 800,000 photographs, and 300,000 digital files. So this is quite a collection of books to say the least.

Only a select number of items are on display at any given time, but even the small sample on display is quite impressive.

Art Galleries

There are three art galleries at the Garden; 1) The Huntington Art Gallery ; 2) Virginia Steele Scott Galleries ; and 3) MaryLou and George Boone Galleries .

Since I have visited only the Huntington Art Gallery, I will provide you with a brief preview below. I have provided links for more information regarding all three galleries above.

The Huntington Art Gallery is certainly worth a visit and was once the home of Henry and Arabella Huntington, the creators of this magnificent estate property. Henry was an avid collector of books and English Art, and Anabella loved the sophistication of Art and Design of late 18th century France and its association to the royal court of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoniette.

Henry and Arabella tastefully and elegantly merged their passions for collecting and staged the rooms in their house to showcase both the artwork and the 18th-century furnishings throughout the many rooms of their estate.

Touring the Gallery is less like walking through an art museum and more like taking a peek into someone’s elegant estate. Pasadena can get quite warm and this is a nice detour to cool off during your Garden tour.

Food

There are two main restaurants at the Huntington Gardens: 1) the 1919 Café located at the entrance of the gardens; and 2) the Jade Court Café within the gardens on the west end of the Chinese Gardens.

The 1919 Café is a high-end food court with some tasty bites. I had BBQ chicken and vegetables and was impressed with the presentation and quality. You can dine at the 1919 Café without having to pay to enter the gardens. It has an indoor patio and an outdoor one that overlooks the gardens

I did not eat at the Jade Court Café but I did stop by. This is a great spot to grab a bite to eat within the gardens and it looks to have a tasty Asian menu. During my next visit to the Gardens, I will plan my lunch here.

There are also two cafés to grab a coffee, soft drink, and a variety of pastries as well: Fresh Water Pavilion between the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden and Red Car Coffee Bar next to the parking lot.

There is a Rose Garden Tea Room which will be opening in the fall of 2022. It overlooks the Rose Garden, and I am confident that it will be quite popular.

Pace yourself

When planning your visit to the Huntington Gardens, make a day of it. My recommendation is that you don’t try to visit everything. If the Library interests you, visit it and stroll around a few gardens. If the Galleries are your thing, pick one or two and visit a couple gardens along the way. The estate is way too large to consume everything and enjoy it all in one visit.

There are Free Garden Tours on Wed-Mon between 10 AM and 2 PM. They are 90 minutes long and give you a preview of the estate. These are very informal, but you get some great history and fun facts. It is a great way to get an overview and then circle back to those gardens or areas of interest to pursue in more detail later in the day.

have-fun-socal

San Diego Padres Baseball Game – Petco Park

San Diego Padres Baseball Game – Petco Park

Not a baseball fan – not to worry

Family-friendly experience

Walk the stadium

Buying tickets

Some stadium history

Must-see at Petco Park

Terranea Resort, Los Angeles, CA

Terranea Resort, Los Angeles, CA

History of the area

Whale of a time

Some Walking Trails

While visiting for the day

Golf

Restaurants

Hermosa Beach, CA

Hermosa Beach, CA

The beach

The Pier – make a day of it

Parking

Kayak / Paddleboard Alamedas Bay and Naples Island Canals – Long Beach, CA

Kayak / Paddleboard Alamedas Bay and Naples Island Canals Long Beach, CA

Naples Island Canals

Moon Jellies

Take a Swim

Floating Park

2nd Street for Lunch or Dinner

Parking

Pantages Theater – Los Angeles

Pantages Theater – Los Angeles

The architecture

History overview

Dinner and show

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Be a part of the hustle

What to explore in Venice Beach

Walk the strand

Beach Rentals

Parking

The Comedy Store – Sunset

The Comedy Store – Sunset

A little history

Launching comedic national talent

The Tonight Show – national stage

Practice, Practice, Practice

Make a night of it

Parking

Goat Yoga – Goods & Goat Market

Goat Yoga – Goods & Goat Market

And fun It Is

Let’s not forget about the goats

Don’t forget your camera

Goat yoga location

Yoga experience not needed

Make a day of it

Things to make the experience even more enjoyable:

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego

Oh so beautiful

Food and drink

Patron seating

Dress warmly

History

Getting to Rady Shell

Drag Queen Bingo – Palm Springs

Drag Queen Bingo – Palm Springs

Costs

Make a Night of It

The Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl

Food and drink at the Hollywood Bowl

The beauty of the Hollywood Bowl

The season

Gustavo Dudamel

Make a day of it

Getting to the Bowl and Parking ﻿

Kayak / Paddleboard Alamedas Bay and Naples Island Canals
Long Beach, CA

Getting to the Bowl and Parking

Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail – Portuguese Bend Reserve