LA Sweet Treat: Saffron & Rose Ice Cream

Because ice cream is always a good idea. Especially this place.

CLICK THROUGH TO KNOW WHY...

Los Angeles: California Science Center

Almost three years after the space shuttle Endeavour was moved to the science center, I finally made it a point to go and visit. I wanted to see for myself this thing that was in space and the journey it took from here to there and back. In any case, I'll take any reason to go to The California Science Center.

The California Science Center in Exposition Park is a great place to visit and discover. Aside from the fact that it's next to/part of USC's campus #BruinPride (haha JUST KIDDING rival USC folks – it's only semi-personal), it's a really great place to go on any afternoon and learn about science in an interactive and fun way. Plus, it's free to the public which is always a plus.

Some things you might have to pay for:

• Parking – $10 (unless you take the metro which is lots cheaper and a short walk from the station to the entrance)
• IMAX movie – around $8.25 (for 18 years and older) this is an experience worth getting tickets for though. The IMAX movies aren't like the 3D movies you see in a theater; they really make you feel like you're part of the ocean or in Jersualem (depending on what movie you choose to see). Right now you have three different films to choose from: Hubble 3D, Jerusalem 3D, or Humpback Whales 3D. We chose Jerusalem in lieu of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.
• The Endeavour – this can actually be "free" too if you buy a ticket to one of the other exhibits or IMAX movie, otherwise it's a $2 processing fee when you make an online reservation (a reservation is required through September 7)
• Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit – you can get a combo deal with the IMAX movie purchase – $26 (for 18 years and older), but the exhibit alone is about $20 (for 18 year old and older). This is one thing I didn't get to do when we recently went, but Yelp gives it a four out of five star rating.
• There's also attractions like the high wire bicycle (where you're riding a bicycle on a wire at the top level), a small rock wall, and a motion-based simulator which you can buy an "attraction pack" for all at $7. 

Basically you can really choose how much or not at all you want to spend. The point is that this is one of the coolest museums for all ages in LA and is right next to a rose garden, California African American Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Just throwing that in there.

CLICK THROUGH TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT SCIENCE-Y THINGS OCCURRED

Los Angeles: Watts Towers

Welcome to my childhood dream in real life: visiting the Watts Towers.

We had a hands-on-art project in elementary school where we learned about these towers and used wires and beads and clay to pretend like we were replicating their sheer amazingness. My "art" piece is long gone now, but the desire to see the towers in real life remained.

Fast forward about sixteen years and I finally made it a priority. 

READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE

Afters Ice Cream

If you're looking for a really sweet treat this weekend, go here.

Afters Ice Cream is another experimental mix of two good things coming together to create one great thing. This seems to be the trend nowadays — beginning with cronuts — but I'm not complaining.

They've chosen to combine donuts and ice cream into one very sugary ice cream sandwich. And that's not even including the interesting choices of ice creams they have like Cookie Monster (which includes a vanilla base mixed with oreos, chips ahoy, and something else she told me that might explain why it's blue), and Milk & Cereal.

Pasadena Chalk Festival

Flashback Saturday (I'm making it a thing — #FBSaturday anyone?) to that time three years ago I went with a friend to the Pasadena Chalk Festival. And guess what? It's happening next weekend! So in case you didn't know, now you do. It's a festival, so other than incredible chalk art, they've got food and performances throughout the weekend. When I was there, Grouplove performed (who I didn't initally recognize until I looked up their single "Tongue Tied" later).

Palos Verdes: Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes is what I think of as a real getaway without really getting away.

While I was working a recent event here, I got off early and just went out onto the deck to soak up the sunshine on one of their comfortable chairs. It just feels like everything that you thought was really important and had to get done now can really be put off awhile longer. The scenery demands attention in the most non-aggressive way.

In our own Backyard

I saw pictures from where my co-worker lives in Northern California – she has cows in her backyard. Like 50 of them all in a line. And she's backed up to a meadow so you know, pretty flowers, beautiful sunsets. All that greatness. I usually imagine her frolicking in the fields up there. It's not the California I know, but I can romanticize it.

Not that it's all bad here. There's always something to do or experience. It's a nexus of amazing activities. For me, living in the South Bay area, I've always had the beach as a refresh and a recharge away from the close-knit houses, tall buildings, and people.

Plus, I've always found other ways to make it more of what I romanticize about living in the country, or in an area where there's not as many activities and all you have are the people around you and nature and maybe that cute little diner that everyone gathers at.

Things like when my friend had the idea of getting a projector so we could watch movies in her backyard. That's what I'd imagine I'd be doing in the country.

Kodaline at the Wiltern

The Wiltern is one of the most beautiful inside concert venues I've been to in Los Angeles. The detail in the architecture, the ceilings, the chandelier's are gorgeous representations of the art deco era. It's a treat to see any performance there.

That particular night I got to see Gavin James and Kodaline perform.

Portraits of Hope: The Spheres at MacArthur Park

If you're feeling colorful and in a painting mood, sign up to help paint spheres for the Portraits of Hope project! The last time they were here, all the lifeguard towers became bright and colorful in what seemed like an overnight transition for a summer. I didn't realize this organization was behind it. And now they're back and it's an opportunity not to be missed!

Headquarters will be in El Segundo for the next three months or so until all the spheres are complete (I believe there's a thousand or more?) and will then be taken and displayed at MacArthur Park in Downtown LA.

Essentially, you get to paint giant beach balls with pre-lined forms on them. It's fun, it's creative, it's colorful, and it's just happy. You just have to paint somewhat inside the lines (which is harder than it looks) – but even that isn't a qualifying condition. You just need to be able to paint. Or watch paint dry.

It was seriously so fun to be a small part of this Los Angeles community project. It's for people of all ages so kids to not-kids are able to participate.

Some Good Times at Davey Wayne's

Another cool night spot is this swanky bar in Hollywood – Good Times at Davey Wayne's. All you need for this experience to be memorable is entering through the refrigerator door.

San Pedro: Sunken City

The Sunken City in San Pedro felt like a small part of Venice Beach had left an imprint here. There was graffiti, and palm trees, and areas where it seemed like you could make it into a skatepark. It also felt like it's own treasure, hidden from view until you climbed over a wall and down a dirt road.

San Pedro: Marine Mammal Care Center

Near the Korean Bell of Friendship is the Marine Mammal Care Center. It's kind of tucked away but completely worth stopping by and learning about. The smell of fish is strong, but don't let that deter you.

The care center provides a place of rehabilitation for sick or injured marine mammals in Los Angeles County.

Malibu: El Matador State Beach

Between the last post, and this one, and the upcoming post (spoiler), it should really be called "Adventures with Brittney." Or something along those lines. But due to ease of search within the blog, and SEO obligations, it shall remain as boring as "Malibu: El Matador State Beach." So basic.

This was quite the adventure of highs and lows.

El Segundo at night: Old Town Music Hall

Looking for something different and fun to do on a Friday or Saturday night? Go back in time to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.

Ever since I went to this place a year ago, I fell absolutely in love. It's a special experience to come here. And it was completely unexpected. I've lived in the South Bay my entire life and had no idea something like this existed here. All I knew was that it played old movies. But the experience is so much more than that.

There's no electronic ticket system, you go to the window and buy your ticket. It's very informal and there's only one movie room to walk into. The small lobby and bathroom area are in their own way a preservation of history and have fun elements to them.

Entering the actual theater is a treasure. There's chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a stage up front with various musical accompaniments including a player piano.

Each time I've gone, there's been an introduction to the theater as a man in an electronic wheelchair comes up to the stage. He maneuvers himself onto the chair and starts playing the organ. The lights dim, the curtains open, and this massive 1925 wind-powered pipe organ is revealed. It's incredible. I don't know anything about organs, but every time I see it, I'm impressed. They've also highlighted the different areas on the organ so while the song is being played you can actually see the notes that are being hit. The music is an audible show, while watching the organ play is it's own visual experience.

Then there'll be a sing-a-long that feels slightly embarrassing (can people really hear my voice?), but then exciting when more people catch on to the tune. Finally, a silent film is shown and an intermission before the actual movie.

So far, each movie I've seen I've actually loved. I've never heard of them beforehand too, but they've been engaging, and it's made me think of what it must have been like for the people watching it when it first came out. The last one I came to – "Anchors Away," had Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in it. I didn't even know Frank Sinatra was an actor. Gene Kelly I knew could dance, but after watching that movie, I've been pretty inspired to learn some tap dancing for fun.

Around since 1968, they not only show vintage silent and sound films, they also present live concerts in varying styles of music. I have yet to witness one of these shows but I'll share with you when I do!

Side story: When I came here on a date, an earthquake took place during the intermission, and my date suggested we should probably go outside, but I completely forgot about any earthquake safety drill (earthquakes happen so often, sometimes it just doesn't seem dangerous) and didn't understand why he would suggest that, until I kind of noticed the chandelier shaking above us. Don't worry about it though – that place is safe! And other than realizing I need to maybe be more pro-active about earthquake safety and listening to other people about it, we survived just fine!

Santa Monica: Camera Obscura

Kind of random, but I think this is now one of my favorite things Los Angeles has to offer. Possibly because out of my whole life living here and being in Santa Monica quite a bit, I've only heard about it recently, and therefore it seems to me this sort of visibly hidden wonderful treasure if that makes any sense.

The Camera Obscura is visibly located on Ocean Ave. near Santa Monica Pier. But it's also easy to miss. Aside from the very cool sign on the outside of the building, there isn't much that makes it known. The building itself is actually used as an adult/senior activities center, and you have to ask the lady at the window for a key to the Camera Obscura – almost like it's a secret code name.

Once you've got the key, and enter in, the Camera Obscura shows itself as a dark square-ish room with a white table in the middle and a hole at the top. The hole acts as a portal where light comes through and has mirrors that reflect images outside 360 degrees to show on the white table. It was built in 1898 by Robert F. Jones and was originally located on the beach.

Fowler Museum: Pascale Marthine Tayou

In case you're looking for something inspiring and funky to see this weekend, and you happen to be near or on the UCLA campus, go check out the World Share: Installations by Pascale Marthine Tayou at the Fowler Museum. Such a cool exhibit! The artist takes every day objects and materials and transforms them into something meaningful.

LA Hikes: Burma Road Trail, Rancho Palos Verdes

Hiking in Los Angeles in general is one of my favorite things. Everyone is friendly and looks at you and smiles or says "hi" as they pass. Usually, everyone's pretty busy or preoccupied with what they're doing to make an effort. But out in the wilderness of Los Angeles, paved trails and all, it's a different atmosphere.

One of my favorite trails in Palos Verdes is the Burma Road Trail. It starts at the southernmost end of Crenshaw Boulevard and offers the most spectacular views.

Aside from the views, the trail never gets boring, no matter how many times I've done it. There are so many trail options that I start to feel like Robert Frost at every turn, asking, "Which path should I take?"

On this day, I ventured out into the LA unknown with my friend Brittney who was visiting from Utah. We're always joking about the difference between a "Maddie hike" and a "Brittney hike." My hike's are usually her nature walks. But this time, it was different. By the time we were ascending back, she was saying how this was definitely the most challenging hike I've taken her on (finally!).

An afternoon at the Getty Center

One of the best things to do in LA (that's free – aside from parking), is visiting the Getty Center.

On a gorgeous sunshiny afternoon, I was able to go with my UCLA Extension class, led by Head Designer of the Getty, Merritt Price. Our focus was looking at the process of putting together an exhibition, which was a different perspective than whenever I've visited before. There's a lot that goes into planning an exhibition including lighting, layout, curator needs, storytelling and concept planning etc. in case you wanted to note these aspects when you visit.

But really, just taking the tram ride up the hill to this place that feels far removed from the busy LA freeway and life below is all you need to understand that this experience goes beyond a quick museum trip. It's a getaway that you could, and should, enjoy all day.