Local Hidden Gems

Above: scenes from a vacation to Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead this year.

While on an airplane last week, I had the privilege of sitting next to a young mother in the process of moving from Salt Lake City to greater Los Angeles. She seemed excited about the move, but a little apprehensive about what to do with her kids down here. As a 10-year-ago immigrant from Portland to LA, her story pulled my heartstrings and reminded me how hard it was to adjust here, especially after having kids. The Northwest and SoCal ... say what you want, but no one can deny they are truly different. But different doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Sitting next to her allowed me to dig deeper than Disney for all the incredible hidden gems for the family to visit around Southern California. By the time we had landed, I had scribbled a short list on the back of a business card and left her with a hearty "good luck." I think I needed to be reminded of all these gems as much as she did, so in honor of appreciating our greater community, I'm sharing a few here with you!

GREAT DATES
The Hip Kitty in the beautiful city of Claremont off the 10 Fwy and Indian Hill. This wonderful little Jazz and Fondue joint has intimate tables, glitzy-awesome decor and great music for a range of prices most people can fit into a monthly date budget. It's great to go with groups, the meat fondues easily feed four. I love their dessert menue like chocolate and berries, while Jeff loved stabbing raw stake with a skewer and boiling it in delicious hot oil. Win-win all around.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, Malibu. Jeff and I have been here many times, and love to take out-of-town visitors. This place is a real slice of history. Formally called the Sandcastle, it has been in Malibu for 100 years. It's the only restaurant in Malibu with it's own beach right on the sand. The food is great, fresh and affordable for folks like us even though celebrities frequent there as well. It has the feeling of a quaint little crab shack, up-scale-tailored for the stars. When we are done eating we love to walk on the beach and explore the rocks when the tide is low. One time we went after a Hawaii storm, the surf was so high that the patio was closed and the waves almost licked the windows! Fine with kids, fun for grown-ups.

The Stinking Rose, off N Cienega in Beverly Hills, CA. MUST. LOVE. GARLIC. This California-Italian cuisine leaves my taste-buds dreaming amazing garlic dreams for days afterward, so make sure to bring your date, or plan on heartily avoiding them after coming here. They have wild California-surfer murals on the walls mixed with intimate Tuscan-style tables and booths with long velvet curtains and lovely lighting. The prices are still affordable for that once-in-a-while treat, but Valet is mandatory on this busy road so plan on bringing a tip.


HIKES/OUTDOORS
Big Bear Discovery Center off Big Bear Lake, CA. Stop by this Center to get great maps and tips for fun all over the mountain. We went on a short hike right out from the Center that the kids and us all enjoyed.

The Foothills Great hikes include the trail straight up Loarraine Ave, Glendora, which takes 15 minutes or less with small kids to see a great field overlooking the valley, while more experienced hikes can wander on much farther up the hill. Watch out for cougars, the signs warn, but I've never seen one and we hike during the day. Garcia trail is another great, steeeeep hard hike best for grown-ups or energetic dogs in need of wake-up-call-type exercise.

Eaton Canyon Falls, Altadena Ave to New York off the 210 Fwy, another great easy hike through trees and fairly flat paths to see a stream and falls. It's set in a canyon so LA traffic finally disappears.

The Observatory and Griffith Park off the 101. We had a picnic near Bronson Caves or "The Bat Cave," where many shows including Adam West Batman TV shows were filmed there. You just can't go wrong in this area.

Laguna Beach, CA has a great park for kids, wild and beautiful beaches, incredible places to eat and an incredible artist community. Head to Johnny Rocket's for the classic California diner at the end of a great beach day.

Newport Beach, CA. We have NEVER been disappointed here. Dolphins, seals, lots of wildlife. Great surf, boats and whale tours, an amuzement park area, a ferry ($2) to Balboa Island where the family can enjoy great restaurants and a 1-mile walk to main-street fun, not one, but TWO of the best frozen banana shops in town.

KID STUFF

Discovery Science Center ("The Cube"), Santa Ana. Mon-Sat 10-5pm. If you carry a Bank of America card you get in free the last Saturday of the month, or at least I did about a month ago! Otherwise adults are $17.95 and kids are $12.95, parking is $4, so be on the lookout for deals. Credential teachers are free every visit. The place is huge with rotating exibits and a great outdoor dinosaur space full of science-themed fun. Great for kids about 2-12 years old, much older and they could get bored in my opinion.

LA Zoo by the 134 and I-5 Fwy. open 10-5 every day, it is much nicer than I ever expected, very well laid-out and while full of hills, worth the trip. $14 Adults, $9 for kids. Plenty to see, fun treats in the summer. We love the roasted almonds that fill the air next to the rose garden by the entrance shops. Cheap yearly passes that pay for themselves even if you just go with the family twice!

Apple picking at Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, CA. Seasonal apple picking around October-November. U-Pick Apples, U-Press Cider, Hayrides, Archery/Tomahawks, Living history & Hoedowns. Call for hours because it changes: 909-797-4061

CAFE'S/TREATS
Swork of Eagle rock boasts a play-place for kids, great home-made-granola and incredible drinks.
Bean Town of Sierra Madre boasts amazing food and drinks in the scenic small-town setting up the hills of Sierra Madre. Very near several parks to enjoy.
Some Crust Bakery, Claremont, CA. Incredible fresh breads, great coffee and healthy sandwiches for all ages. Kids drool over their desert displays.
Donut Man, Glendora, CA. World Famous strawberry donuts. They use fresh in-season ingredients and un-rivaled delicious recipes hot each morning.

GARDENS/MUSEUMS
LA Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, off Baldwin and the 210 Fwy. Open 9-4:30 daily, 8am for members. $8 adults, $6 students, kids $3 and under 5 years old are free. AMAZINGLY affordable for this incredible garden with over 300 acres of changing landscape and historic buildings. Totally worth it for a great picnic date for everyone. I believe it is free the last Thursday of every month, but check the website for details.

Huntington Gardens and Library off Allen and the 210 Fwy. Open 10:30-4:30 most days, closed Tuesdays. It is spendier than the Arboretum, but worth it for that special trip. Adults $15-20, Studetns $10, kids $6 and under five years old are free. It's also bigger and easy to spend all day here. The children's garden is a hidden gem that we only discovered on our last visit here, I couldn't believe I had missed it before. It is full of hideaways, fountains, chimes and amazing corners for kids about 1-10 to absolutely fall in love with. They also have tea, a great Chinese garden and a plethora of art.

The Getty Center, Los Angeles, off the 405 Fwy. Read: FREEEE. I think there is a small parking fee ($8?). Pick a clear day to head out to this INCREDIBLE cafe view of Los Angeles and amazing architecture and of course, the exhibits. This is definitely more of a grown-up adventure, but so many kids come and if they are too wired for the indoor exhibits there is plenty of outdoor play to escape to. The kid's section is newer and pretty fun for younger kids.

That's it for now gosh, what more do you want from me I'm only one woman. But yes, I have been to all of these places multiple times and highly, highly recommend them for a great way to appreciate greater LA!