L.os Angeles through my eyes

I love the outdoors so I love to go on day hikes, to the beach, to small bookstores and to great places to eat that don't cost that much but always provide a good meal. In L.A. there are a million things to do and a lot of them are free, so come and join the party--especially as summer approaches. The volleyball tournaments get under way in Hermosa Beach. There are the free summer concerts on the Santa Monica Pier, the neighborhood festivals, and the ocean is all around. So if you want to come to L. A. to relax, then I may have a few ideas for you.

Quick Tips:

Come prepared for anything. The weather is generally good so layering may be the best thing to do when visiting depending, of course, on the time of the year. Mornings can be a little chilly but by mid-day it is usually okay. I wear shorts year round. Take travel precautions seriously because, unfortunately, there are people who prey on tourist BUT we live in a great city and that is rare. Oh, and when you see that random celebrity who may be out and about remain cool and treat them like everyone else, and if he or she is not a jerk that person will be cool in return to you.

Best Way To Get Around:

Our bus system stinks but we connect to great transit systems that run in Santa Monica and Culver City. You could rent a car which you really do need to do in this city, but be prepared to deal with the infamous L.A. traffic. Taxis are plentiful, but beware of bootleg drivers. We also have a pretty good rail system. Depending where you are in the greater L.A. area you will see people getting around by skateboard, bike, rollerblade and whatever else will get them from point A to point B. Good luck in the travel wars :-)

If you like shrimp you have got to try this place it is one of my favorite places to eat in all of L.A. I must warn you that the only thing they serve is shrimp and it comes prepared only one way and that is all it needs because the shrimp and broth are outstanding.

Killer Shrimp is just that-- a large bowl of unpeeled shrimp (you can get them peeled) in a bowl of spicy broth served with a basket of fresh sliced thick French bread. I cannot even begin to tell you what the spices are. I have been trying to figure out the secret recipe for years and I don't really care anymore because everytime you go you know that you are going to get an enjoyable meal.

The shrimp can be served with angel hair pasta or rice but I usually get a side of pasta and split it with whomever I am dining with -- that is how plentiful a serving it is. Grab a couple of icy cold coronas or whatever your drink of choice is, (I usually get ice tea when not in the beer mood) and enjoy.

They give you the option of using a bib and I always do because you end up just sticking your hands in the bowl, pulling out the shrimp, peeling and eating them. If you are a Killer Shrimp devotee such as myself, I suck the juice off of the shrimp, peel, eat, and soak my bread in the bowl until the very last drop is gone or throw in my pasta and combine all of the eating styles into one, a fork full of pasta and broth, grab and peel, eat and dunk. Whatever style you choose I guarantee that you will enjoy your meal. If when all is said and done and you have room for dessert I recommend the sweet potato pecan pie. It is heavenly. It comes with a large scoop of fresh whip cream and if I do not want to take it to go I usually share it with my dining companion even if we both are full. My niece who does not like shrimp loves Killer Shrimp just for the broth and pasta. Go figure.

It is a small place but it has outdoor seating and is in a small shopping plaza on the upper level. You also get a lot of wet naps to clean up afterward and the staff is always friendly. Enjoy this local favorite.

The city of Beverly Hills is known for quite a few things but this is truly one of its not so well known gems. I happened to find out about Greystone 6 years ago when my niece found the place while scouting locations for her then job with a small cable shopping network.

I am so glad that she found it because this park is a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle that is Los Angeles. It sits on 18.5 acres of what use to be The Doheny Mansion and estates. The mansion is still standing but not open to the public. I love to walk the grounds because they are still maintained beautifully by the BH Parks Dept. and it is a peaceful setting to just go and sit on the grassy hill that leads to the stables and get a great view of the city and it is always so peaceful a place to go write, have a picnic or just look be one with nature.

On any given day you may share the park with film crews, photo shoots, wedding reception guest or just others who have found this place to come and hang out. Even with all of the activitiy it seems to always remain a peaceful spot. Amazing. There are picnic tables strategically placed through out the park and trash cans for all of the debris.

On one of the days I visited the park last spring the Princess of Japan was coming for a visit and with all her bodyguards and agents in the area they never took away from the ambiance of the place.

Just to share a bit of history with you the Mansion was the scene of a scandalous murder ages ago and you can hear all about it from a park guide or the literature that is available.

It is located at 905 Loma Vista Drive, in Beverly Hills and you can get directions by consulting a Thomas Guide the bible of directions out here. This scenic park is a great place for families and it is a place where kids can run around and burn off a lot of energy while Mom & Dad relax. I might also add that they have summer concerts in the park and at one point had a day camp that took place there, I am not sure if that is still the case.

Just take the time on your visit to L.A. to check the place out; it is a nice, relaxing place to regroup after all the touristy junk.