Hidden hot spots in San Pedro

San Pedro is one of the most exotic places in Los Angeles.

The Point Fermin Lighthouse was built in 1874, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

 

I met some local cats at the park, they seem to have a great life with the breeze.

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This place has a gorgeous ocean view park. It is a perfect place for either a romantic date or a birthday party.

"Point Fermin Lighthouse

 Historic Site and Museum"

807 W. Paseo Del Mar

San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 241-0684
http://www.sanpedro.com/sp_point/ptfmlths.htm

Near by the Lighthouse, there is another beautiful park on the hill.

In 1976, the people of the Republic of Korea donated this huge bell to the people of Los Angeles for friendship  between the two countries .

It took 30 Korean craftsmen 10 months to construct this site. It had a cost of about $570,000. 

This place is up on a hill so you can look down to the ocean and all of the city of San Pedro. 

"Korean Bell of Friendship"

 San Pedro, CA 90731

(310) 548-7705

http://www.sanpedro.com/sp_point/korenbel.htm

My most favorite spot in San Pedro is White Point.

There is one of the most diverse tidepools in Southern California here.




It is an easy access beach and you can find the sea life everywhere.

I call this spot, "Crabby Beach".

This is also a Nature Preserve. If you come here one time you will now why this is a place we would want to protect for the future.

"White Point Nature Preserve"

1600 W. Paseo del Mar

San Pedro, CA 90731

(310)561-0917

http://www.pvplc.org/_lands/whitepoint.asp

From the beach you can look up the cliff.

On the top of the cliff, there is a cute park and panoramic view of the Pacific.

On the way from the beach to the freeway, there is a traditional Hungarian Bakery.

From outside to inside, it is a totally East European style cafe and sells the best strudels (cabbage, Spinach, Beef, fruits, or chocolate ) in Los Angeles. 

Every first Thursday there is an Artwalk in old Downtown San Pedro, and Mishi's is featuring a variety of performers such as opera singers or theater actors for late night.

"Mishi's Strudel Bakery 

and Cafe"

309 W. 7th St

San Pedro, CA 90731

(310)832-6474

http://www.mishisstrudel.com/News&Reviews.html

Hidden hot spots in Fountain Valley

One beautiful day I went down to Orange County for shopping.

There you can find the cutest dance wear store in Fountain Valley.


If your little one is into ballet this is an especially great place!


There is adult dance wear and shoes too. Also they sell perfect gifts for your princess.

 

"Cathy's Paradise Dancewear"

18589 Brookhurst st

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

(714)962-5600

http://www.paradisedancewear.com

This store is hidden in a big shopping mall, try looking in the corner!

Fountain Valley is one of the prettiest towns in Orange County.

The oasis "Mile Square Regional Park" is in the middle of the city.

You can meet some duck families in the pond.

There are more squirrels than people.

"Mile Square Regional Park"

16801 Euclid St

(714)973-6600

http://www.ocparks.com/milesquare/ 

This park is a perfect picnic spot to enjoy the beauty of Jacaranda Trees.

Right across from the park entrance, there is a Vietnamese Seafood restaurant.

"Nhu Y Ca 8 Mon Restaurant"

10830 Warner Ave 

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

(714)963-1700

http://www.nhuyrestaurant.com

Fountain Valley has a deep Vietnamese culture so you can find real Vietnamese restaurants everywhere. I enjoyed their Pho and Lemon Soda.






From the restaurant you can see the OC blue sky and Jacaranda. This is the color of Orange County in May.

Hidden hot spots in Pasadena

Pasadena is famous for it's "Rose Parade" on New Year's Day, however you can see the winning rose anytime at the garden of "Pasadena Tournament of Roses"

"Pasadena Tournament of Roses"

391 South Orange Grove Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91105

(626)449-4100

http://www.tournamentofroses.com

May to June is the best season to see roses in Los Angeles.

All the roses have very pretty names. I liked this pink rose named "Marilyn Monroe".

My favorite Candy Store and Cafe is on the other side of the bridge from the old town which has a nice neighborhood park near by.

"Little Flower Candy Co."

1424 W. Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91105

(626)304-4800

http://www.littleflowercandyco.com

They sell many kinds of original handmade candy and caramels, also healthy salads and soups!

They have enough parking in back of the store so it is very easy to stop by real quick.

If you are an artist or art-lover, you can't miss the Norton Simon museum..

 Classic to contemporary, you will find various art from all over the world.

This is a very photographer friendly museum because you can take pictures anywhere you want in the museum as long as you are not using flash.

There is a perfect lunch spot at their beautiful garden.

The water lilly is in full bloom now in spring.

"Norton Simon Museum"

411 W. Colorado Blvd

Pasadena CA 91105

(626)449-6840

http://www.nortonsimon.org

Their museum shop is a perfect place for finding the most curious art posters.

In Pasadena, spring is busting out all over..

Del Mar Blvd

Jacaranda in Pasadena 

Hidden hot spots in Downey

Downey is the place where many parts of the Apollo Space Program began.  

The Space Shuttle and its systems were born here..

At  "Columbia Memorial Space Center" you can experience the elements of space such as driving the space shuttle, wearing space suits, and checking out the rocket system. You can also experience gravity on the moon.

They renewed the center in 2009 so it is a very clean place and all the staff were very helpful. Besides the admission is only $5, it is worth to see it!"Columbia Memorial Space Center"

12400 Columbia Way

Downey, CA 90242

(562)231-1200

http://www.columbiaspacescience.org/

San Fernando Valley's most popular bakery "Porto's" finally opened in the south of Los Angeles!

"Porto's Bakery and Cafe"
8233 Firestone Blvd
Downey, CA 90241
(562)582-8888
http://www.portosbakery.com

I had a "Caprese" (prosciutto, Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and carpers)  and it was very juicy on crispy cuban bread. I promised myself to come back very soon.

May is the season of Jacaranda blooming all over Southern California. Downey has some of the most gorgeous spots for sure.

front of "Rancho Los Amigos Rehab"

Adwen Steet

All of Los Angeles will become a Jacaranda Purple paradise from May to June.