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The Mid-Century Fairytale of LA's Cast Study Houses

It’s not often that we get to witness experiments in architecture while they’re in motion. Yet, that’s exactly the experience case study houses offer. Arts & Architecture magazine challenged notable architects to create affordable homes to address the U.S.’s residential housing boom. With World War II finally coming to an end, millions of soldiers were retu...

No Plans for the Holidays? Check Out These 8 Options

Los Angeles treasure Sparks wrote the original anti-Christmas carol with “Thank God It’s Not Christmas” as part of their solid 1974 record Kimono My House. During the chorus, Russell Mael gratefully imparts, “Thank God it’s not Christmas when there is only you and nothing else to do.” But there are much worse places to be than LA during Christmas…...

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History Alive With These 5 Ways to Celebrate New Years Eve Los Angeles-Style

If you’re looking for a traditional New Year’s Eve celebration, it’s tough to beat Times Square in New York.  And Las Vegas is also always a great time. That being said, New Year’s Eve Los Angeles-style is a completely different animal. And while New Year’s Eve is often about looking to the future, these five local options pay reverent tribute to our...

Best Ice Cream Shops in Palm Springs

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM (especially in Palm Springs)! With Palm Springs weather showing no signs of cooling down, it’s time to treat yourself to some much-needed ice cream. So, where is the best place to go for ice cream in the Coachella Valley? We couldn’t choose just one place! So here’s our list of some of the top places to get ice cream in Palm Sp...

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Palm Springs' Mojave Maxine Gives Groundhog Day a Run for Its Money

Featured image credit: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Groundhog Day, the annual tradition you sort of forgot was a thing, is coming up on February 2. And while the rest of the U.S. (and, believe it or not, Canada) will have to wait until then for the prophetic Punxsutawney Phil to  predict the coming of spring with his startling shadow, California moves at its own pace. Or, shou...

8 Things to Do on Catalina Island to Soak Up Its Unique Vibe

Featured image credit: Ken Lund On a clear Los Angeles Day, you can see the Pacific Ocean glittering in the distance from the Griffith Observatory. And on the very clearest of days, you might even see a considerable landmass punctuating those gleaming waves. For a lot of Angelenos, this is their introduction to Catalina Island (formally known as Santa Catalina Island). In days gone ...

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Ranking the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil Residency Shows

  Cirque du Soleil has become such a fixture of the Las Vegas experience that it’s hard to recall that the first permanent venture was a major risk. Up until then, the expectations of Las Vegas nightlife were drastically different. While most will agree that Siegfried and Roy did the heavy lifting of the Vegas entertainment revolution, Cirque du Soleil provided more than...

Southern California Adores Its Giant Pumpkins

Featured image credit: Jim Heimman from his book California Crazy & Beyond – Roadside Vernacular Architecture It’s understated to be sure, but there’s something special about the autumn in Southern California. You wouldn’t think our arid, sunny, and often sweltering atmosphere would be particularly welcoming of cinnamon and spice. And, sure, you won’t f...

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The Seal Beach Sun and Beauty

The Seal Beach Sun (formally known as the Journal) has been The Local Paper since April 1967.  This keeps neighbors and local residents up to date on what's going on with local businesses, new restaurants, residents and fun and cool events. The famous car show is coming soon with the live music bands on Main Street for the family to enjoy while taking a stroll down th...

The Queen Mary's Life

The Elegantly Haunted Queen Mary Keeps Legends Alive in Long Beach Featured image credit: Russ Allison Loar The Queen Mary has quite the reputation. No, we don’t mean a disgraced monarch. We’re talking about the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary permanently moored in the Port of Long Beach. You know, the allegedly haunted Queen Mary? She ferried the world’s ultra-...