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quarta-feira, 10 de julho de 2013

35 things to do in L.A (for free) Hiking at Runyon Canyon



 


 




My favorite thing to do in L.A is to get up early in the morning, have a nice breakfast, put on my gym gear, get a bottle of water, my ipod and head to Runyon Canyon. I've never seen anything like the hiking trails of Runyon Canyon around here. It feels like every day is a new challenge and a total new experience. You have so many different trails to choose from that it’s impossible to get bored. They also have different levels to chose from. There’s one with big stairs, a shorter one, a longer one, a wilder one.
 


Whether you are hiking for sport or to get in shape, the quality and layout of the dusty Runyon Canyon hiking trails are perfect for any age or athletic range. And the best part, as you go up, the view gets better and better and when you get to the top, the whole city of Los Angeles celebrates your victory with a breathtaking view. Every time I get to the top of the hill I feel like I’m achieving something big. I look at the city with a very proud feeling of myself. It’s like the city gets even prettier after the hiking.  So If working up a heavy sweat isn’t enough for you,the breathtaking views of the city will amaze you for sure.






You should definitely try to visit the Runyon Canyon. I recommend to bring water and to go early in the morning or after 4pm because it can get really hot there especially in the summer. I can tell that there is nothing like it.
I truly recommend!



 

 

 

 

Places of Interest

Entrances

1. Runyon Canyon – Fuller Avenue Entrance
Welcome to Runyon Canyon
The Fuller Avenue entrance of Runyon Canyon only a stones throw away from historic Hollywood landmarks and the most popular and widely-used gateway into this world-famous park. This side of Runyon Canyon offers very little-to-no on-the-street parking and is the closest to the grassy park where the FREE daily Yoga classes are held.
2. Runyon Canyon – N. Vista Street Entrance
Welcome to Runyon Canyon
The N. Vista Street entrance of Runyon Canyon; lined beautiful gardens on a quiet street this entrance drops you off directly into the heart of Runyon Canyon. When entering Runyon Canyon from the N. Vista Street entrance you will find yourself at the designated stretching area of the park and the beginning of the two most popular hiking routes.
3. Runyon Canyon – Runyon Canyon Road Entrance
Welcome to Runyon Canyon
The Runyon Canyon Road entrance of Runyon Canyon; a fun and intriguing way to enter the park. Not only does this entrance bring you directly on to the top of the mountain but it also offers an instantly-stunning view of the entire Runyon Canyon. This road connects Hollywood to the North side of the Santa Monica Mountain Range directly beside the mascots of Runyon Canyon; a horse named Wilber and goat named George who live in the ranch at the top of the hill.

Hiking Routes

1. Runyon Canyon – Route A
Hiking in Runyon Canyon
Route A is what hiking in Runyon Canyon is all about; fun, relaxing, beautiful and everything you need to unwind and enjoy a day in the park. Route A is best known for it’s lax off-leash policy, soft incline and beautiful view. Runyon Canyon’s Route A is one of the last real-life social networks left in the city, canine and owner alike.
Paired with a free yoga session, Route A is exactly what the doctor ordered after a hard day at work and the perfect way to start a weekend.
2. Runyon Canyon – Route B
Hiking in Runyon Canyon
Route B is a fun, friendly and challenging hike up the dusty hills of Runyon Canyon – not only is it a great workout but it’s a great way to see the city of Los Angeles. See Runyon Canyon like you’ve never seen it before, Route B is AMAZING!
Route B offers the best view of the world-famous Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory in the distance. The view of downtown Los Angeles from Route B is stunning and simply unbeatable; Route B is more than a hiking trail…it’s life-changing.

3. Runyon Canyon – Route C
Hiking in Runyon Canyon
Route C is not for the feint of heart nor is it a game, this route is naturally designed by tough folks to challenge themselves and challenge other champions that choose to follow in their footsteps.
Runyon Canyon’s Route C is for the highest training level users and visitors to the park. This route is perfect for intense cardiovascular and cross training. Stack on muscle and power in a hurry while burning serious calories in the meantime. Route C is the hardest route in Runyon Canyon and will hurt your body if not prepared. Not only does it offer the best workout but also the best view 360 degree view of the city of Los Angeles – on a clear day you can see from downtown to the oceans and beyond.

Hiking Detours

1. Runyon Canyon – Detour 1
The Walk of Love!
This small detour is the only path that leads you directly to the Love / Peace Spiral. If you enter the park through the Fuller Ave. entrance then this path is super easy to find and fun to explore. Along the way to the Love / Peace Spiral you will find a rope swing ready for use and guaranteed relaxation.
2. Runyon Canyon – Detour 2
The Money Shot!
You’ve come this far – now it’s time for the big pay off. Take and easy stroll through the wooded hills to the BEST scenic outlook point in all of Runyon Canyon. This is the view that makes Runyon Canyon the most beloved park in the city of Los Angeles – treat yourself to the best view in the city…of the city.

Important Runyon Canyon Spots

1. Runyon Canyon – Yoga Park
Namaste!
Take a light breeze, the shade from an oak tree, the warm sun and a soft patch of grass – this is yoga in the Runyon Canyon park. The fans of Runyon Canyon and the supporters of FREE yoga at Runyon Canyon have taken the FREE yoga classes to new heights. Come one, come all and get ready for the best yoga in the city.
The FREE yoga classes and sessions at Runyon Canyon are open and friendly to all experience levels of yogis.
2. Runyon Canyon – Stretching Area
Don’t Forget to Stretch
Welcome to the designated Runyon Canyon stretching area; stretching is the most important part of working out and this is the place to do it.
Not stretching before a workout or even stretching improperly can cause serious, permanent injuries – make sure to do your research before stretching and stretch properly before working out.
Most importantly; enjoy your workout and your time at Runyon Canyon.
3. Runyon Canyon – Tai Chi Area
Building Chi
Runyon Canyon has so many paths throughout the park, most lead to the top of the mountain and others lead to a spiritual connection to your inner self. Some look at this empty lot as just that and others see it as a place to connect with themselves. This Tai Chi area is open and ready to use, free of charge and without reservations. Connect with yourself and build your chi to it’s max – start your day off right or end your night perfectly.

Scenic Runyon Canyon Spots

1. Runyon Canyon – Scenic Outlook 1
Seeing Los Angeles in a Whole New Way
Runyon Canyon offers the most stunning view of the city of Los Angeles and this is just one of them. On a clear day in Runyon Canyon (usually the day after it rains) you can see from downtown Los Angeles the whole way to the Venice Beach and beyond. Runyon Canyon offers the best sightseeing in the city of Los Angeles and your every photo you take is breathtaking. Treat yourself to a day of fun in the sun and don’t forget to take your camera to capture all of the memories.
Nothing makes for a better postcard than a picture taken at the top of Runyon Canyon.
2. Runyon Canyon – Scenic Outlook 2
360 Degrees of Amazing!
This scenic outlook point in Runyon Canyon offers the most amazing view of the city of Los Angeles and responsible for the best photos and even better memories. This scenic outlook point is not easy to find but if you follow the map and some suggestions for other hikers in the park – you will be glad you visited.
This is the kind of view that dreams are made of and if you don’t bring a camera – you will kick yourself.

Runyon Canyon “Must-See” Areas

1. The Runyon Canyon Love / Peace Spiral
Enough Love to Go Round!
Welcome to a Runyon Canyon spectacle – the Love / Peace Spiral, designed by the visitors and fans of Runyon Canyon for other visitors, fans and lovers of Runyon Canyon. Hidden towards the back of the park amongst the trees and only visible from the top of the hills of Runyon Canyon – this is truly something special.
Nobody is sure who designed it – but we are all glad they did.
2. Runyon Canyon – Prayer Box 4.0
One Step Closer to God!
The Runyon Canyon Prayer Box 4.0 is a collaborated effort of the Style Network’s Jeannie Mai and other fans, lovers and visitors of Runyon Canyon. The Runyon Canyon Prayer Box 4.0 is located at the peak of the summit and your direct link to God. Submit your hopes, your dreams and all of the prayers you wish to be heard – this is your time.
3. The Runyon Canyon Ranch
The Runyon Canyon Mascots
This is one of the coolest ranches in the world and it just happens to be at the top of Runyon Canyon. In a foreground lives a horse named Wilber and goat named George who live in the ranch at the top of the hill. In the background lives a stunning view of the bustling city of Los Angeles that lives and breathes in front of your eyes. This ranch and the mascots that live there are a must-see during your hike in Runyon Canyon – you will be happy you stopped by.
4. Runyon Canyon Mansion
Your Dream House Awaits
If you’ve ever been to the top of the Runyon Canyon summit then you’ve seen the dream house you’ve wished for since a small child. Vacant and ready for you to claim, this mansion is packed with history and real Hollywood stories and mystery. If you have a few million in your bank account that is ready for use and burning a whole in your pocket – this dream house is real.

PARKING

There is little-to-no parking available at Runyon Canyon. Please trust what you’ve heard from your friends whom have visited the park before. Please refrain from driving to Runyon Canyon park as the frustration will ruin your experience. Your best bet for getting to and from the park would be to walk, take public transportation, take a taxi or ride your bike. We repeat DO NOT DRIVE TO RUNYON CANYON! This is NOT a joke – there is no parking available to you. You’ve officially been warned!

BEWARE!

1. Runyon Canyon – Danger Point
Watch Your Step!
This is a dangerous and scary section of the path if you aren’t ready for it. This section is steep, slippery and contains loose footings, rocks and snakes. If you choose to take this route – please be careful and wear proper shoes with a good sole – you have been warned.

 

terça-feira, 9 de julho de 2013

Paramount Pictures Tour

I took the tour at Paramount with my family and I was amazed how incredible it was. In this very intimate tour you experience 100 years of Hollywood history at the longest operating and only remaining major studio in Hollywood. A knowledgeable guide leads the entire visit. The group is very small so It's even possible to have only your friends or family within the group. The visit was very special to me. I always wanted to work in a big studio like that. I will someday...
 
I really liked to see where they used to shoot the I love Lucy Show and some classic movies. It's so especial to be in a place with so much history. I had been to Universal Studios years ago when I was taking film classes there and it was equally amazing so I can't actually chose one to be the best studio, but I can say that Paramount is magically fantastic.
 
They offer two exclusive tour options: A two hours and a 4 1/2 hours tour. I took the 2 hours tour. And it was incredible. We were able to see so much. It was great. They were not shooting anything the day I took the tour but you can actually see something if you're lucky.
If you’re planning on going to Los Angeles, you should add this tour to your list of things to do. It’s worthed. If you’re a film lover like me, You’re gonna love it.


For more information, access: http://www.paramountstudiotour.com/
 
 

sábado, 6 de julho de 2013

35 Things to Do in L.A (For free): Sunbathing in Malibu.


California is famous for its sunny days and amazing beaches. Yeah! It's true. Cloudy days are rare and it rains maybe 10 times a year. The Pacific Ocean is truly amazing. I will not compare with the Atlantic Ocean because I love the Atlantic so much that maybe I wouldn't be fare. 
 
I don't live very close to the beach, but whenever I can I jump over there. Just seeing the sea changes my mood completely. There's something mesmerizing about it, no? And the breeze is wonderful.
In my opinion, the best beach around here is Malibu. It's beautiful and every time I go there I see Dolphins playing around. That's incredible.
The weather there is not ideal for beach time.  You can only really enjoy it during summer. For the rest of the year is very cold there.

Even during the summer I think the water is too cold. I rarely go in, but on very hot days you can swim.
Malibu is famous because of the Baywatch show. For the big guys on duty: you will not find lifeguards like Pamela Anderson there. Most of them are male. For the ladies: Yes! A lot of them are very cute.
It's summer here now and super hot so I decided to cross one more item from my list and spend the day in Malibu. It was awesome. I recommend. It's beautiful!

 
 
 
 
 

quinta-feira, 30 de maio de 2013

35 things to do in L.A (for free): Griffith Observatory


 
 
The amazing Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean. The view is breathtaking. It’s a MUST go if you’re visiting L.A. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with an extensive array of space and science-related displays.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The 3,015 acres (12.20 km2) of land surrounding the observatory was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith on December 16, 1896. In his will Griffith donated funds to build an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium on the donated land. Griffith's objective was to make astronomy accessible by the public, as opposed to the prevailing idea that observatories should be located on remote mountaintops and restricted to scientists.
 
The planetarium and all the science presentations are just incredible. One of my favorite thing was the live view of the sun. You can actually look at the sun through an especial telescope. It’s very special. I recommend going there during a clear day so you can see the view of the city clearly and to be able to take a look at the sun.
It’s free to go to the observatory but there are some paid attractions such as the planetarium and some other shows.
I totally recommend!!!! I love it!!!
 
Source: wikepedia.com
 
 

 



 

quarta-feira, 15 de maio de 2013

3. 35 things to do in L.A (for free): Hollywood Walk of fame and Chinese Theater

 
Hollywood Boulevard is a street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, splitting off Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest to Vermont Avenue, where it straightens out and runs due west to Laurel Canyon Boulevard. West of Laurel Canyon, it continues as a residential street and ending at Sunset Plaza Drive. The eastern end of Hollywood Boulevard passes through Little Armenia and Thai Town.Hollywood Boulevard é uma rua em Los Angeles, Califórnia. Much of it is residential, but in the heart of it is where you can find the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, The Was Museum and the Dolby Theatre. 
 
                                                                     
 
 
 
The Hollywood Blvd is the Hot Spot of L.A.It's  crowed and there is always something interesting going on there. It is very common to find people dressed as famous characters from film and television such as Charles Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Sherek, among others.


But remember, although they accept taking photos for free, this is their job, so therefore they expect gratitute tips in return.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Hollywood Blvd is very fun place for turist and also for residents. That's where most of the city's nightclubs are. Another good thing is that from the mall where the Dolby Theatre is, you have a privileged view of the Hollywood sign.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A tip: Look for this statue of Marilyn. It's perfect and worth checking out and taking pictures. From what I understand, they keep changing the location of this statue. The last time I saw it was in front of the subway at the Hollywood Blvd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

quarta-feira, 8 de maio de 2013

35 Things To Do In LA (for free): Sunset Strip


The Sunset Strip is the mile-and-a-half (2.4 km) stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood, California. It extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with Hollywood at Havenhurst Drive, to its western border with Beverly Hills at Sierra Drive. The Strip is probably the best-known portion of Sunset, embracing a premier collection of boutiques, restaurants, rock clubs, and nightclubs that are on the cutting edge of the entertainment industry. It is also known for its trademark array of huge, colorful billboards and has developed a notoriety as a hangout for rock stars, movie stars and other entertainers.

 
The Strip contains some of the most exclusive condominium complexes on the West Coast. However, the most coveted residences in Los Angeles are in the celebrity-studded hills above the Sunset Strip. The highest concentration of celebrities living in Los Angeles are in this part of the Hollywood Hills, located just above Sunset Boulevard, from Kings Road, to Sunset Plaza Drive, to Doheny Drive. Homes in this area generally range from $3–15 million, providing incomparable privacy and breathtaking views of the entire Los Angeles Basin.
 
If you're planing on going to L.A, you HAVE to add Sunset Strip into your list of places to visit.  It's one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. It's not only beautiful but it's always full of fun things to do. It looks fancy, cool, fun and hypster at the same time and that makes it so special. Visiting Sunset Strip is free but everything else there is very expensive. It's an upscale place.



Source: Wikipedia
















terça-feira, 30 de abril de 2013

35 Things to do in L.A (for free) : Dance, dance, dance.

 





As part of the "35 things to do in Los Angeles" challenge, I danced, danced, danced in one of the coolest nightclubs in town , the Xen Lounge. The experience was great. The place is super nice and the service's very good. VIP treatment.
The owners of Xen Lounge are the actors Will Smith and Duane Martin. And maybe you're lucky enough to see them there. In addition to the club, the place is also a restaurant. I haven't dined there, but I'm sure the food is very good. I know by fact that the drinks are great. ;)
 
 
Duas amigas da minha irmã, minha irmã e eu
 
 
 
 
My sister´s boyfriend, Ingram Munford, is a party promoter. His party is called The A 945 Party and it happens every Friday at the Xen Lounge. 

VIP treatment!!!!!

The DJ Sean Prince plays the best of Hip Hop.

The next 945 The Party will be held on May 3 @8pm. The club closes  around 2 am.
 
 
 
 
  
Ingram's contact:
 
Email: ingram945@yahoo.com
Text: 310-651-4449
 
Xen Lounge:

Phone: 818-505-3513
Address: 10628 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, Ca 91604
Complimentary Valet but don't drink and drive.

Hours:
Tuesday thru Friday: 5pm to 2am
Saturday 6pm-2am
Sunday 2pm-10pm


 

domingo, 28 de abril de 2013

35 things to do in Los Angeles (for free)


 
So. I've got this challenge to do the 35 things that are listed bellow. I'm going to visit all the places on  the list but not in this order. ok? Stay tuned!
 
 
1.     Go to a Nightclub

2.     Hollywood Sign



5.     Walk the walk in Venice Beach

6.     Sunbathe in Malibu

7.     Spend the day at Santa Monica Promenade

8.     Window Shop Rodeo Drive

9.     Be a part of a studio audience for a television shows

10.  Volunteer at Treepeople

11.  Take a walking tour of Downtown

12.  Enjoy LA’s murals

13.  Visit El Pueblo Historical Monument

14.  Runyon Canyon Hiking

15.  Visit Little Tokyo

16.  Visit Chinatown

17.  Tour the Los Angeles Central Public Library

18.  Discover fossil fun: At La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park

19.  Stroll the historic Farmers Market

20.  Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels

21.  Take a self-guided tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall

22.  Visit Venice Canals

23.  Visit Hollywood Forever Cemetery

24.  Watch a movie premiere

25.  Visit The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

26.  Visit the Getty Center museum and gardens


28.  Go to Marina Del Rey

29.  Go to Palisades Park

30.  Stop and smell the roses at UCLA

31.  Take Free archery lessons in Pasadena

32.  See a live concert

33.  Go to a festival

34.  Befriend a Californian

35.  Meet a celebrity