Randy’s Donuts is a Los Angeles icon. Even if you’ve never been there, you’ve probably seen the giant donut erected on the roof. It beckons all who pass by, bringing you to a Homer Simpson-esque state of mind. “Doh-nutsss.” Did you say that aloud? It doesn’t matter. You find your car automatically pulling into the […]
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, AKA The Ultimate Stair Master
There are over 300 public stairways in Los Angeles. Bob Inman knows… he’s hunted them down and walked them many times. But none are as epic than the 282 steps up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. These giant-sized steps go straight up the hill, making this quite possibly the ultimate outdoor StairMaster. This is a busy place, especially […]
Breakfast at S & W Country Diner
Sometimes you need a good old-fashioned diner-style breakfast. You know the kind… Eggs, hash browns, bacon and a side of toast or maybe even pancakes. But without the bad coffee and greasy spoon. This morning was one of those times, and S & W Country Diner in Culver City was the place. We drive past here […]
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
I have a love-hate relationship with Starbucks. On the one hand, Starbucks has given me a taste for better coffee. On the other hand, there is often even better coffee to be found. But sometimes, the familiar calls. Such was the case on a Saturday morning after a short hike up the stairs at the […]
Brewery Art Walk
The ArtWalk takes place in the Spring and Fall, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. The next Brewery ArtWalk takes place on October 12 & 13th, 2013. Admission is free and so is parking. Come and support LA’s finest artists, take home some great works and dine at the on-site restaurant. History The creation of the […]
Neptune’s Net
Today we took a hike up to Sandstone Peak — the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. And as it happens, the road to the Circle X Ranch where the trail begins, leads us right by Neptune’s Net – a Malibu institution. We stopped in for lunch after our hike. We were hot — it […]
Java Alchemy at Portola Coffee
There are few coffee places that are worth going out of your way for. Portola Coffee is one of those rare exceptions. Portola baristas are the mad scientists of coffee. They roast their own beans on premise. They offer three varietals that change regularly. And you can order your coffee prepared in one of three […]
Driving in LA… in the 1950s
What did it look like to drive around Los Angeles back in the 1950s? Very different. Can you spot what has changed and what is mostly the same?
Peets Coffee in Beverly Hills
Peets Beverly Hills. Quiet caffeination. I have to admit, I’m a Starbucks guy, with the Gold Card to prove it. But this Peets is pretty sweet. Spacious. Quiet. Even the music they play (classical, at the moment) makes for a great place for a meeting. Hell, you can even hear yourself think. Most of the […]
Brunch at Luna Park
Weekend brunch at Luna Park. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Over Labor Day weekend, we wanted to find out. Luna Park is within walking distance for us, and I received an email that their brunch menu would be half-off if you greeted your server with “Happy Labor Day.” Secret handshakes aside, we had been […]