Hidden hot spots in Westwood

Let's talk more about the center of Los Angeles.


Westwood is located just west of Beverly Hills and is the home of UCLA which has one of the hottest museums, "Hammer".

"Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center"

10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90024

(310)443-7000

http://hammer.ucla.edu

This is a futuristic building in the middle of a big city, however the inside looks just like a beautiful jeweled casket.

There is a good-looking cafe with a beautiful courtyard decorated by bamboo and Japanese maples.

You are able to visit here without admission so it is a great place to bring your own lunch or drinks for a picnic too.

Every Thursday at 12:30 pm, they have a free meditation session. 
http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=14938

It might be an odd and novel experience for everyone to be quiet in a museum with over 80 people.


Hammer is one of the only museums that supports a momentum in Meditation Resolution.

The Hammer museum is celebrating it's 20th anniversary now, so they offer free admission Nov.26, 2010 to Dec.18, 2010. 

Also, the museum is free on every Thursday so please go and enjoy their art collection from Van Gogh to contemporary.There is a large underground parking garage beneath this building and you can park $3 for 3 hours with museum validation.

Hidden hot spots in Solvang

Towards the end of November I traveled to Europe in my car.  I got to Denmark  in about 2 hours driving, can you believe it.

Actually, Solvang is a Danish village near  Los Angeles.  You really feel like you are in a true European town because of the people and the culture they share with you.

I stayed in town for 2 nights at the Solvang Inn and Cottages.

"Solvang Inn and Cottages"

1518 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA

(805)688-4702

http://solvanginnandcottages.com

This is one of the oldest hotels in Solvang and is owned by a Danish bakery family.You can have some fresh Danish pastry compliments of the house across the street at their cafe.

It is a fairy tale themed cozy hotel, I recommend here for a family with small children.

The reason why I chose this hotel was the location! From this hotel you can walk everywhere in the town with ease.

Solvang is also famous for wine tasting bars so....you don't want to have to drive here.

My reason to come back to Solvang is this store...

"Ingeborg's"

1679 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA 93463

(800)621-1679

http://www.ingeborgs.com

This is the only one chocolatier which is handmade by Danish people in Solvang.

Their chocolate truffles are amazing, they taste like a sweet Danish dream. 

If you are a chocolate lover, you need to try this at least once in your life!

Who is this famous person from Denmark?


It is Hans Christian Andersen who is the author of "The Little Mermaid",  "The Ugly Duckling", and "Thumbelina".


In Solvang you can visit his museum and find his original fairy tales.

"Hans Christian Andersen museum"

1680 Mission Drive, Solvang CA

(805)688-2052

http://www.solvangca.com/museum/h1.htm

You can also find the statue of the little mermaid across from the museum.


This is a replica of the famous mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I was quite interested by the mermaid actually having legs.


She looks so sad and meaningful.




























There is a wonderful playground for kids and dogs!

"Sunny Fields Park"

900 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang CA 93463

(805)688-5575

http://www.lotsafunmaps.com/Santa_Barbara/Sunny_Fields_Playground_Solvang.html

You can experience apple picking with only a 5 minute drive from the center of the town.


Apple season is August to November.


Depending on the season they have different kinds such as Gala, Golden, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples.


The apples are organic and pesticide free and admittance doesn't cost a thing. You just pay for whatever you pick.

"Apple Lane Farm"

1200 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang CA 93463

(805)688-5481

http://www.applelanesolvang.com