Historic Filoli

Filoli nestled just outside San Francisco is a historical home that became famous world wide as being the home featured in the opening scenes of the television show Dynasty.

 

The home in the television show was meant to look like this National Landmark. The home is extensive with equally impressive grounds. It features a full Olympic length pool, a Lilly pond (used in the famous Dynasty catfight), green house and gardens. The gardens feature fruit trees, multiple different variations in roses and many other flowers. While the entire home is not open to the public, the downstairs is open.

 

The tour is self guided and you are free to walk through the home at your own speed. I loved the grounds of Filoli, it was just beautiful! The grand staircase was impressive, along with the library and all of it's furnishings. If you ever get the chance to tour this historic landmark then don't pass it up!

 

The La Brea Tar Pits

 The La Brea Tar Pits located in Los Angeles, California is home to the world famous Page Museum. The famous Page Museum features the largest and most diverse collection of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the known world. 

The Museum also features a viewing room where visitors can watch bones being cleaned and repaired of animals that roamed the Los Angeles ares 10-40,000 years ago during the Ice Age. Once outside of the facility patrons are free to observe the open tar pits and enjoy the flowers and plants inside the compound. 

The Tar Pits are open and free to the public. 

The Museum is open 9:30 a.m- 5:00 p.m. daily.

Admission prices range anywhere from $2.00-7.00

The Tar Pits and Museum can be found at 5801 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Amoeba Music

Amoeba Music is the worlds largest independent records store, located in California with three separate locations in Hollywood, Berkley and San Francisco. 

Amoeba Music has been supplying the music needs of everyone since 1990. Offering everything from the current top 40 to underground, this is a music lovers dream. Cd's, vinyl, hard to find, you name it, and Amoeba's got it. Used, New or Collectible. 

Apart from music they also offer dvds, posters and some clothing. They also have frequent performances on site by artists. 

They buy and sell, so if you've got something you're thinking of getting rid of stop in at Amoeba, you might just be able to turn your cast offs into cold hard cash. 

The Hollywood location is located at 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Open: Monday- Thursday 10:30a.m-11:00p.m. 

Sunday 11:00a.m-9:00p.m.

For more information and to check out their other locations visit Amoeba.com

Swingers

One of the best meals in the Los Angeles area can be found at Swingers.

Photo Credit: swingersdiner.com

Swingers diner offers patrons a fun, kitschy dining environment while serving up scrumptious food. Their menu which boils over with options features everything from breakfast to dinner to deserts and spirits. They also offer many organic choices.

the swingers menu

On one of my visits to Swingers, I tried their Organic Eggs breakfast platter which features 3 eggs any style, choice of bacon or sausage served with breakfast potatoes and toast. It was also reasonably priced at 7.25 $

Swingers is Open Daily from 6:30a.m-4:00a.m.

Located at 8020 Beverly Blvd. for other locations check their website 

So the next time you're in Los Angeles and Santa Monica stop by Swingers... trust me, you won't be disappointed!

The Roosevelt Hotel

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, California, I had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel Roosevelt. The Hotel Roosevelt is located in downtown Hollywood and is within walking distance to many well known attractions such as the Kodak Theater, Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater.

The Hotel Roosevelt has long been a hollywood haunt. Everyone from movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe to music legends such as Blondie have stayed there. The hotel was also the location of the very first Academy Awards Presentation. Most recently the hotel has been seen as the backdrop on MTV's The Hills. The pool and outdoor bar area is a mecca for celebrities to hang out and be seen.

During my stay, I found the front desk staff friendly, welcoming and helpful. The valet was also friendly and even suggested great places to dine at and spot celebrities. However, wait time for the vehicle was sometimes long, so call ahead! That way the car is ready and waiting.


As for the actual room, we had a Deluxe room 2 double beds which was roughly 400 square feet. The room was clean, included a mini fridge with a mini bar and snacks, had a flat screen tv and came with C&O Bigalow bath products for the bathroom. The beds were comfortable and the decor was brown and white with a sepia tone celebrity photograph as the wall decor.

All in all, I'd say if you were looking for a hotel in Hollywood that's close to all the attractions and even has it's own history then the Hotel Roosevelt is the choice for you!