Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

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The Best Restaurants in Santa Monica

Santa Monica used to be the redheaded stepchild of the Los Angeles culinary scene — sure, there were some good eats in the neighborhood, but restaurateurs focused their efforts on Downtown, Hollywood, and elsewhere, probably figuring our proximity to the beach was a decent enough deal. But no longer! Now we get fancy tasting menus, imported Bolognese pastas, and a sweet ocean breeze: these 30 restaurants — some old, some brand-new, all very delicious — are proof that Santa Monica has something for everyone.

COURTESY OF LAUREN DI MATTEO

Belcampo Meat Co.

Organic, grass-fed meats for the conscious carnivore
West Hollywood has Animal, but the Westside has Belcampo, where you go to binge on meat-centric dishes like grilled beef heart, goat tartare, and tallow chips. It’s an ethical carnivore’s dream, too, since Belcampo prides itself on humane practices and high-quality, 100% organic cuts.

COURTESY OF ESTATE

Estate Restaurant + Bar

Craft cocktails and farm-to-table food in an elegant setting
Estate’s good-looking downstairs bar and lounge has SaMo’s best non-basic happy hour, which takes place seven days a week from 5-7pm. While other places are content to ply us with greasy sliders, fried mozzarella sticks, and spinach artichoke dips, Estate supplies an eclectic selection of crisp, panko-breaded shrimp, filet mignon skewers, and grilled salmon salad. And then there are the well-priced (and stiff) drinks — like $5 draft beer, $7 glasses of wine, and $8 mixologist-approved cocktails.

Bay Cities

Gourmet Italian deli beloved for its substantial sandwiches
It’s easy to forget that this OG Italian deli makes over 20 different kinds of sandwiches, because most people only talk about its famed Godmother — and we can’t blame ‘em. That salty, satisfying stack of Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, ham, and prosciutto tucked into a chewy Italian sub is hard to beat, and well worth the trek west.

COURTESY OF MATTHEW KIEFER

Mélisse

Michelin-starred restaurant serving fancy French food
This contemporary French spot does things the old-school way; after all, it boasts two Michelin stars, 10-course tasting menus, and the kind of service that includes folding your napkin every time you leave the table. Bring mom and dad here for the egg caviar and foie gras.

Swingers

Late-night diner with a ‘60s vibe and massive menu
Many an inebriated Westsider has stumbled through the doors of Swingers, which stays open until 3am Thursday through Saturday. This ‘60s-style diner serves alcohol, too, but it’s better-known for classic late-night fare to help sop up all those tequila shots. 

COURTESY OF MILO & OLIVE

Milo & Olive

Warm, welcoming pizzeria/bakery with wood-burning ovens
Milo & Olive serves as the bread-making epicenter for Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan’s Rustic Canyon group of standout SM restaurants — which include Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry Cafe, Cassia, Esters, and more. The bread baked in its wood-burning ovens may sneak onto other menus, but the crust is the focal point here at this perpetually busy pizzeria. And if you judge your pizza by its crust (who doesn’t?), you’ll appreciate M&O’s crisp, thin-crust artisanal pies made from Nathan’s 48-hour, whole-wheat dough and topped with seasonal Californian ingredients.

Tacos Por Favor

Tasty, quick, street-style tacos for cheap
If you’re looking for an authentic taqueria on the Westside, this cheap, no-frills joint is it. Go for the street-style tacos — made with corn tortillas, fresh toppings, and salsa that’s legitimately spicy — and massive burritos.

COURTESY OF HERRINGBONE

Herringbone

Seafood-focused menu in a stunning atmosphere
To be fair, there aren’t enough oyster happy hours anywhere (a discussion for another day) — but Herringbone’s, which runs daily from 4-7pm, is still exceptional. For just a buck each, load up on as many juicy, fresh-shucked West Coast oysters as you can handle, in addition to $6 wines, $5 beers, and more substantial fare like shrimp louie toast and three-cheese arancini balls.

COURTESY OF PONO BURGER

Pono Burger

Charming Hawaiian-inspired burger joint with craft beers and wines
Pono has perfected the art of the creative burger. After locking down the base — patties made from organic, grass-fed, locally sourced beef and cooked over an oak-fire grill — chef Makani focused on dressing each one up with Hawaiian-fusion-inspired extras. The popular Kuawa Crunch oozes spicy guava rum sauce, the Paniolo (which is also stacked with onion rings and smoked cheddar) is decked out with Kona coffee bourbon BBQ sauce, and the Sassy Wahine includes wasabi mayo and sesame ponzu dressing.

CASSIA

Cassia

Reservations-needed Asian fusion spot with al fresco seating
This Southeast Asian fusion spot — which has been lauded a dozen times over by critics from all over the country — has much more to offer than seafood, but Angelenos know that Cassia boasts the city’s most stunning seafood tower. The other chilled seafood options are equally delectable, like Vietnamese prawns, raw scallops in chili oil, and snow crab claws accompanied by grilled country bread. As for the mains, you can’t go wrong with either a delicate black cod bathed in clear, light broth or the perfectly seasoned whole grilled sea bass. Pro tip: If the weather’s nice, dine alfresco; with exposed lights strung up overhead and plenty of heat lamps, the patio’s a looker.

COURTESY OF THE OP CAFE

The OP Café

Family-owned restaurant with consistently good eats
From its owner (a third-generation SM resident) to the surf-inspired décor and hearty breakfast dishes featuring fresh farmers market ingredients, this Ocean Park café is a neighborhood institution. Even better, the prices are budget-friendly with all entrees under $15.

INOTHEKE

Inotheke

Contemporary Greek eatery for modern palates
The name’s a mouthful, which is fitting since the modern Hellenic food here is meant to be ordered en masse. There’s no Greek mother to ensure you leave with a full stomach, but between the scallops saganaki, moussaka, and spanakopita, you’ll do a fine job by yourself.

Air Food

Experimental, beautifully plated French-inspired fare
This four-month-old gem is the brainchild of two Parisians with a love of good food and sweet sneakers. The latter might seem irrelevant, but this duo’s passion for design is all over the food, from edible egg-white filigrees decorating your mashed potatoes to artfully arranged rows of pickled veggies. There’s an unmistakable French stamp on everything, but the menu culls influences from Japan (tempura escargot), the US (fatty foie gras-topped burger), and other countries. Every ingredient — even dressings and mayo — are made in-house, but the 55 various still and sparkling waters are imported from all over the world. And while the fancy H2O offerings are actually shockingly good, we’re guessing this spot will get more popular when its liquor license is approved.

TAR & ROSES

Tar & Roses

Perpetually buzzy, New American date night favorite
When Tar & Roses took an extended hiatus in 2015 due to a kitchen fire, the neighborhood was — quite literally — starved for its phenomenal food (which, because of its kinda-New American, sorta-Asian-slash-Mediterranean-leaning feel, is sometimes hard to categorize). Luckily, the restaurant made a wildly successful comeback last year and returned to becoming a date night favorite thanks to shareable small plates (including bacon-and-brown-sugar popped corn, melt-in-your-mouth oxtail dumplings, and Sriracha-and-honey-glazed pig tails) and close-quarters candlelit dining. If you want something heavier, the star entree — a crunchy whole snapper fried to a delicate, golden crisp — serves two… and then some.

INGO’S TASTY DINER

Ingo’s Tasty Diner

Elevated diner food with an emphasis on local produce
Ingo’s does food that others have done before, but with more farm-to-table finesse (a lot of its produce is sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market). Brussels sprouts get an upgrade with tangy goat cheese sauce; juicy Jidori chicken is marinated in lemon, herbs, and roasted garlic; and the prime rib French dip boasts fatty, marbled beef just begging for a dunk in the flavorful au jus. Plus, there’s always a platter of complimentary French sea salt chocolate chip cookies by the door. And if you’re a fan of Misfit, you’ll love the similar vibe and solid eats at Ingo’s — which is owned by the same people but doesn’t quite attract the same decibel level.

COURTESY OF HIHO BURGERS

HiHo Cheeseburger

Ojai transplant specializing in quality wagyu burgers
High-quality, 100% grass-fed wagyu beef makes all the difference at HiHo, a burger joint that uprooted its Ojai operation and relocated to Santa Monica earlier this year. The lean menu has only three burger options, but take our word for it and order the HiHo — two tender, beefy patties nestled inside a squishy bun with sweet onion jam and melty cheese. It’s an uncomplicated but irresistibly tasty combination that goes well with crispy, hand-cut, perfectly salted fries and, if you still have room, a slice of made-from-scratch banana cream pie.

Sweetfin Poke

Build-your-own poke bowls with inventive toppings and fresh fish
Dozens of poke places have sprung up around the Westside to service our seemingly never-ending obsession with raw, cubed fish over rice. But, if you judge your bowls by the freshness of its seafood, no one does it better than Sweetfin. This California chain also one-ups the rest by offering unique toppings, such as wasabi-toasted coconut flakes and blistered shishito peppers, and quality sauces like citrusy yuzu kosho, or a Sriracha ponzu that packs some heat.

1 PICO

1 Pico

Upscale hotel restaurant with seafood-heavy menu and ocean views
Shutters on the Beach — a hotel with a West Coast-meets-Nantucket vibe — is a Santa Monica institution. Out-of-towners book rooms for its proximity to the water, and even locals come here for staycations, or to dine at 1 Pico, a restaurant that’s pretty much right on the beach and offers window tables with million-dollar sunset and ocean views. Naturally, the dinner menu’s heavy on seafood — fresh-tasting kumamoto oysters, delicate fluke crudo dressed in olive oil and lime, beautifully seared scallops, and the like — but there are a few pastas and decent steaks, too. On weekends, there’s also a lobster brunch: a $60-per-person affair that lets you OD on lobster-enhanced Benedicts, bucatinis, or BLTs.

Esters Wine Shop & Bar

Art deco-inspired spot offering tasty small plates and over 200 wines
Esters started off as a great wine bar that offered a few bites like gourmet nuts and charcuterie, but over time, its menu expanded to include killer “real” food. Weekend brunch means cornmeal waffles topped with Bavarian cream, or heirloom tomatoes and burrata, while lunch brings a selection of grab-and-go sandwiches made with fresh bread from Milo & Olive (both belong to the Rustic Canyon restaurant group). Dinner offers heftier fare, like crispy chicken confit or sausage served with truffle aioli and pepper relish: the kind of stick-to-your-bones food that pairs well with a robust red or artisanal beer. On select Tuesdays through January, inventive burgers created by guest chefs (like Felix’s Evan Funke or Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe’s Erin Eastland) are also on the menu.

DIALOGUE

Dialogue

Intimate tasting menu restaurant in an unexpected location
Helmed by a James Beard Award-winning chef, Dialogue is housed in a former food court on Third Street Promenade — a curious location for an 18-seat fine dining experience in LA. But foodies near and far will brave the tourist hordes for Dave Beran’s 18-to-22-course tasting menu, which changes seasonally and features farmers market produce, petals, leaves, and other natural elements, all arranged in an exquisite feast for the eyes. Dishes even come with names and stories, like “Springtime for Sean” (a composite of caviar, white peanut butter, and charred scallions designed to look like a tree) or a made-ya-look-twice mash-up of pork belly, strawberry sambal, and trout roe.

Flower Child

Fast-casual salads, grain bowls, and kombucha on tap
You can’t walk a few blocks on the Westside without stumbling on a make-your-own-salad bar, but bright, zippy Flower Child is a cut above the rest. It’s a full-service restaurant masquerading as a fast-casual joint, where soups are made in-house and avocado toast, grain bowls, and yes, plenty of wholesome salads, are all on the menu. But hearty portions and the use of interesting spices and sauces, like garam masala or red pepper miso vinaigrette, keep you surprisingly satisfied — not starving — hours later.

MEAN ON OCEAN

Meat On Ocean

Spacious, stylish steakhouse for both locals and tourists
Unless your visitors are vegetarians, this sleek, massive chophouse on Ocean Avenue will properly impress. It’s got ocean views (a prerequisite for tourists), the shiny patina of a still-newish restaurant, striking red leather booths and warm wood decor, and lots and lots of quality meat to live up to its name. The best is an order from the on-site aging room, where steaks are aged for at least 30 days, but sugar-cured pork ribs, racks of lamb, house-made terrines, a smattering of seafood, and typical steakhouse sides round out the rest of the vast menu.

Uovo

Traditional, popular pasta bar perfect for a quick bite
Before Uovo came along, there was nothing quite like it in the area: a decently good, fast-casual pasta bar where you could enjoy a plate of traditional tonnarelli all’Arrabiata by yourself in under 30 minutes. Uovo rightly prides itself on its pasta, which gets made in Bologna using special eggs that aren’t available stateside and shipped overnight to be prepped in Uovo’s kitchen. If you’re dining alone and want something a little fancier (and more Italian) than Chipotle or Lemonade, this easy-in, easy-out spot is your best bet.

WEXLER’S DELI

Wexler’s Deli

Classic Jewish deli eats including house-smoked fish and bagels
Since opening its beach-adjacent location last year, this Jewish deli quickly became a neighborhood favorite, so co-owners Chef Micah Wexler and Mike Kassar launched an expanded, exclusive-to-SM menu over the summer. In addition to being the only Wexler’s that serves matzo ball soup, this outpost now slings brunch-centric dishes, including kippered salmon on toast, an ultra-rich gooey French toast made with chocolate babka, and Cheddar-cheesy scrambled eggs.

FIG Restaurant

Sophisticated neighborhood favorite with Mediterranean flavors
Santa Monica’s got its fair share of fancy-pants hotels, but classy FIG — tucked inside The Fairmont — is a consistent favorite even among locals. Bungalow-bound day drinkers get solid brunch food, like lemon ricotta pancakes and corned beef hash, while the upbeat lunchtime crowd enjoys elevated burgers, salads, and pizzas. Dinner is a slightly more sophisticated affair, with the kitchen turning out seasonal, Mediterranean-slanting items like harissa-spiced fries, grilled halloumi, a puffed-up bread balloon, and a slow-cooked lamb pasta flavored with fennel, mint, and black garlic yogurt.

FORMA RESTAURANT & CHEESE BAR

Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar

Lively Italian spot known for its cheese wheel pastas
This always-bustling eatery is famous for serving pastas tossed in giant cheese wheels, like butternut squash risotto in grana padano or a perfectly peppery cacio e pepe in pecorino romano. But you’d be remiss not to explore the rest of the menu from chef Piero Topputo, who grew up in a small town in Puglia and now whips up fried artichokes, branzino, and panzerotto Pugliese — a mozzarella-stuffed fried pastry that’s a specialty from his region — for the Montana Avenue crowd.

MICHAEL’S SANTA MONICA

Michael’s

Santa Monica classic with an updated creative menu
Michael’s has been a Santa Monica pillar for over 30 years, but last year’s brilliant hire of chef Miles Thompson (who’s worked in the kitchens of Animal and Son of a Gun) has reinvigorated the place. While the sunken, leafy outdoor patio is still there, Thompson’s seasonally changing menu features interesting ingredients and inventive flavor combinations, like potatoes dusted with bonito flakes and furikake aioli, or hamachi collar accompanied by baba ganoush. Plus, it helps that even though Michael’s is situated on the Promenade, it’s a ways away from the tourist scene — which, over the course of the restaurant’s decades-long lifespan has grown more scene-y than ever. Look out for a new lounge menu, featuring bar snacks and wine specials, coming later this year.

STRFSH

Customizable fish sandwiches for the hungry lunch crowd
If you live or work in Santa Monica, this build-your-own-fish-sandwich spot — a recent addition to Third Street Promenade’s The Gallery food hall — is a compelling option. The Maryland-born Voltaggio brothers know a little something about well-made fish sammies — a staple on the East Coast — so they’ve produced a tightly edited menu with room for personalization: Choose between freshly grilled swordfish or salmon, a few house-made seasonings and tasty smears (including yuzu kosho mayo and jerk rub), and a toasted potato roll or tostada.

CASA DEL MAR

Terrazza

Italian-leaning restaurant with 180-degree Pacific Ocean views
Santa Monica has tourist traps, venues vying to appear trendy, and divey joints, but there aren’t many places here as quiet, elegant, and refined as Casa del Mar — which, like the aforementioned Shutters, is super nice and super close to the ocean. The hotel’s best-kept secret has to be its European-inspired lounge Terrazza, where there are floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Pacific and SM Pier, scheduled live entertainment or cool electro beats on weekends, an ocean breeze, and a menu that includes barrel-aged cocktails and tons of sashimi and shareable plates (the Dungeness crab crostini on country bread and deep-fried artichokes are standouts).

Cava

Build-it-yourself Mediterranean menu with hearty portions
Cava is yet another build-it-yourself concept in SM — but it’s very well-executed… and may very well be one of the first of its kind to offer customized Mediterranean eats. Choose between bowls or pita sandwiches, spicy lamb meatballs or falafel, handcrafted dips and spreads like harissa or roasted red pepper hummus, saffron rice or black lentils… and the list goes on.

 Story courtesy of Thrillist. 
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L.A. County Set To Build First New Freeway Since 1993

California’s Department of Transportation plans to purchase land for the development of a six-to-eight lane, 63-mile freeway in the Inland Empire, according to an in-depth report by the Los Angeles Times.

The freeway is part of an $8 billion High Desert Corridor project that would also involve rail and bike paths, and would connect Palmdale and Lancaster to Victorville, Apple Valley, and Adelanto.

Ideally this new freeway would reduce congestion in the area, including on the 210, 10, and 60 freeways. According to Ryan McEachron, coordinator of the joint powers authority working with DOT, the freeway could be open sometime within the next 20 years.

Opponents of the project argue that a new freeway would cause additional air pollution and increase sprawl, turning areas of scenic desert dotted with Joshua Trees and home to wildlife into bustling off-ramps crammed with gas stations and fast food drive-throughs. Though the project’s Environmental Impact Report has already been approved, Climate Resolve, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit founded in 2010 to fight global warming, has filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Superior Court contesting it. They are currently seeking donations to help them continue to fight the High Desert Corridor.

L.A. County’s last new freeway was the 105, which was completed in 1993.

Story courtesy of We Like LA. 

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Hidden Cultural Gems in Los Angeles

Sure, it’s great to spend your weekends watching Marvel movies and DVRing Vanderpump Rules on the DL. But sometimes, you want to do something a little more refined. A little more elegant. Perhaps, you’d like to partake in an activity with a little… culture.

If the last “art” exhibit you liked was a beauty influencer’s Instagram, it might be time to break out of your routine and tour some of the cultural highlights of Southern California. Luckily, Los Angeles is surrounded by lovely locales that offer the chance to experience fine art, dance, film, and history, all while taking a break from the city. So, plan a weekend day away and visit one of these cultural gems just outside of LA.

MISSION TIKI DRIVE-IN THEATRE

Montclair
Sure, it’s nothing fancy, but drive-ins are a dying breed and the Mission Tiki Drive-In is happily keeping the tradition alive. The tiki theme only applies to the ticket booths and snack stand (with a few tiki torches strewn about for good measure), and the theater provides a surprisingly good movie-watching experience. Its concession stand offers truly tasty Mexican food, the projection is bright and clear, and you can get huge buckets of salty, salty popcorn. Watch two movies for $9. Plus, if the double feature sucks, you can make out with whoever you came with!

If you want to make a day of it, check out the huge flea market that takes over the drive-in during daylight hours. With 300 vendors, you’re sure to find a hidden gem. Admission ranges from free to 75 cents per person — so you might need to dig into your change purse (or cupholders) to get in.

DONHOLTZ.COM

OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL

El Segundo
Pipe organ music might make you think of minor league baseball games and low-rent skating rinks, but when you see the The Old Town Hall’s Mighty Wurlitzer play, it’s truly amazing. The venue plays an array of classic, short, and silent films; and all non-talkies feature live accompaniment on the 2,600-pipe organ.

The $10 ticket gets you a live ragtime piano performance, a number from the Mighty Wurlitzer, a sing-a-long to 70-year-old hits like “Mairzy Doats,” and a full-length feature. Or you can visit the Music Hall to hear concerts of the best jazz and ragtime piano around.

The community atmosphere of the Old Town Music Hall and commitment to keeping an old artform alive is surprisingly touching. When’s the last time you could say that about the newest blockbuster?

MOISES RODRIGUIZ

HERITAGE SQUARE MUSEUM

Los Angeles
Disappear into another time without leaving the city limits. Tucked into a corner of Los Angeles proper, there lives a tiny neighborhood of Victorian homes. The Heritage Square Museum offers tours of these old homes, giving you a glimpse into the late 19th-century version of LA. Spoiler alert: There was a lot less bleached hair and a lot more cows.

Check out their rotating exhibits like Victorian Valentine’s Day Fashion & Ephemera or a collection of antique stereoscopes, aka the 1890s’ 3D technology. Yes, even in Victorian times people loved wasting their money on 3D entertainment. 

JACKHARTIN

BACKHAUSDANCE

Orange
The critically-acclaimed Backhausdance company performs contemporary dance for a modern audience, with its diverse company giving life to a mix of new and revived works. Each summer, the theater offers a pre-professional dance program to train future dancers, and gives full scholarships to over half the students in an effort to bring dance to a wider community.

And the repertory is inclusive, too: This year alone, Backhausdance is hosting the US and World premiere performances of pieces by acclaimed Italian and Israeli choreographers.Theirs is a season that appeals to contemporary dance aficionados and “Whoa, he kicked his leg real high” audiences alike.

NICO MARQUES

BRAND LIBRARY

Glendale
Sure, a trip to the library might sound like some kind of punishment. But most libraries aren’t the Brand Library. Looking like some kind of beautiful Spanish castle, this branch of the Glendale Public Library is worth a visit for the architecture alone.

Plus, these beautiful grounds hold more than just books. Enjoy performances from concert musicians, professional dance troupes, and even the California Philharmonic as part of their music and dance series. Hear authors discuss their latest works, chat about all the hot opera goss in their Opera Talk series, and even join a crafty book club where you create a piece of art based on the book of the month. It’s all free and a much more cultured way to spend a Saturday morning than accidentally sleeping ’til noon.

KAY KOCHENDERFER TOOMEY

PASADENA SYMPHONY

Pasadena
What’s classier than listening to classical music? Nothing. Classy is right there in the name. You have to spell classical wrong, but… you get the point. Pasadena is home to an incredible symphony that plays all the hits — Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven. They’ve yet to cover “Gucci Gang,” but we’re sure it’s in their repertoire.

All performances take place in the Ambassador Auditorium, a beautiful building that looks like a prettier version of the Metropolitan Opera House (suck on that, New York!). Take in the gorgeous grounds and experience the standards as played by one of the greatest symphonies in America. Season tickets start as low as $99 and single tickets usually only cost around $35. That’s the price of an IMAX Transformers movie and a small soda, so a trip to the symphony might be a better choice.

MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART

MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART

Long Beach
Los Angeles is full of museums, but you’ve got to head out to Long Beach to find a real one-of-a-kind collection: The Museum of Latin American Art is the only museum in the US to exclusively feature works by people of Latin American decent.

With exhibitions like “Relational Undercurrents: Contemporary Art of the Caribbean Archipelago,” this museum delves deep into the historical and political context of its works. For only $10, you get to see beautiful modern art from a severely underrepresented group. Plus, your support helps the museum grow and maybe, one day, we could have two whole museums of Latin American Art in the country.

RUBICON THEATRE COMPANY

Ventura
As the Rubicon entered its 20th season, the Thomas Fire threatened to wipe it out. Thankfully, the flames spared the former-church-turned-theater and the town of Ventura has helped keep this institution alive.

Though it’s about an hour north of Los Angeles, the Rubicon routinely brings Broadway-level talent to this beachside town. The theater’s adventurous mix of classic musicals, concerts, and world-premiere productions gives the citizens of Ventura some of the best theater in all of Southern California.

Plus, there’s an amazing tiki bar, VenTiki Lounge & Lanai, right down the street, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach. So, there’s really no good reason not to visit the Rubicon.

Article by Thrillist. 

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Economic update for the week ending February 10, 2018

Stock markets drop over 10% in two weeks – A 10% drop officially is termed “a correction.” This week was a very volatile week for stocks. The markets had the two highest point drops ever this week. There were several reasons experts cited. Some experts feel that stocks were simply overbought and had just risen too high too quickly.  Some said that the administration promoting the rise in stocks may have oversold the strength, which is now correcting. Interest rates were also a concern, as higher rates increase borrowing costs to companies. The reason rates are rising is because investors are  fearing higher inflation. They feel that the tax cuts basically stimulates the economy at a time when the economy is already quite strong. Usually, tax cuts occur when the economy is slow to try to stimulate it. The budget passing today has also been a concern as it massively increased spending. The increased spending will also stimulate the economy. At a time when unemployment is at a 17 year low and the economy is strong, it is feared that the tax cuts and extra spending will overheat the economy causing inflation, which increases interest rates. Both the extra spending and tax cuts also explode an already high deficit, which will increase the amount of bonds the government will need to sell to fund the deficit spending. This will also drive rates higher. Lastly, Jerome Powell took over Monday as the new Chairman of The Federal Reserve. It is widely felt that Mr. Powell is more adverse to the risk of inflation than Janet Yellen, his predecessor, and plans to increase rates at a quicker pace than Ms. Yellen would have. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,190.90, down from last week’s close of 25,520.96. After dropping 5.2% this week and 4.1% last week, it’s now down 2.1% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,619.55, down from 2,762.13 last week. It lost 5.2% this week and 3.9% last week. It’s down 2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 6,874.49, down from 7,240.95 last week. It dropped 5.1% this week, after falling 3.5% last week. It is down 0.4% year-t- date.

Treasury Bond Yields –  The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.83%, almost unchanged from 2.84% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.14%, up from 3.08% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage rates higher this week – The February 8, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.33%, up from last week’s 4.22%. The 15-year fixed was 3.77%, up from 3.68% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.57%, up from 3.53% last week.

Have a great weekend,

Syd

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Schedule of Free Museum Days in Los Angeles For February

The intent of this “cheat-sheet” is to denote specific free days in any given month where Los Angeles museums that normally charge an admission waive their entry fees (not including parking).

For this post we’re detailing the month of February, 2018, which includes a special free admission day at LACMA for President’s Day on February 19. As always please keep in mind there are over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles that offer free admission ALL the time which are not listed here.

Enjoy!

[FEB 1] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 1] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 1] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[FEB 1] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for March and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[FEB 1] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 2] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 2] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 pm)

[FEB 2] Long Beach Museum of Art

[FEB 6] ] Kidspace Children’s Museum (from 4 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 6] Natural History Museum

[FEB 6] Page Museum at La Brea Tarpits

[FEB 8] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 8] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 8] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[FEB 8] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 9] Long Beach Museum of Art

[FEB 11] Museum of Latin American Art

[FEB 11] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[FEB 13] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[FEB 13] Autry Museum of the American West

[FEB 15] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[FEB 15] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 15] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[FEB 15] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 16] Long Beach Museum of Art

[FEB 18] Museum of Latin American Art

[FEB 18] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[FEB 19] Los Angeles County Museum of Art is free on President’s Day.

[FEB 20] Los Angeles County Arboretum

[FEB 20] South Coast Botanic Garden

[FEB 20] Descanso Gardens

[FEB 22] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 22] Skirball Cultural Center

[FEB 22] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 22] Pasadena Museum of California Art (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[FEB 22] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m,)

[FEB 23] Long Beach Museum of Art

[FEB 25] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[FEB 25] Museum of Latin American Art

Schedule provided by We Like LA. 

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Rodeo Realty's Encino agent Carol Wolfe featured in Ventura Boulevard magazine

Featured in the February issue of Ventura Boulevard magazine is Rodeo Realty’s Encino agent, Carol Wolfe. Carol is highlighted for being a Valley real estate expert who knows how to get the job done well.

“For most of us, homes are the most important investments in our lives,” said the publication. “Whether buying or selling, you want an agent with experience.”

The article starts off by talking about Carol’s experience, community involvement, family, and achievements.

“In 2017 Carol had a record-breaking year as the #1 agent for Rodeo Realty in the entire San Fernando Valley,” said Ventura Blvd. “Rodeo Realty is associated with the largest recognized luxury networks, positioning Carol to market high-end properties internationally with global exposure.”

In a Q&A with the magazine, Carol is asked, “What does it take to be the best in the real estate business?”

“What I bring to the table is outstanding client representation, detailed market knowledge and high-tech marketing solutions,” said Carol. “I have always been on the cutting edge of technology. I am very good at negotiating the best price for my clients and great at problem-solving. Another thing that makes me successful is the great relationships I have with other Realtors®. I’m known to be very cooperative and easy to work with.”

Another question she’s asked, “What would you like potential clients to know about you?”

“I will take good care of them; they have chosen the best agent in the area,” said Carol. “I will work relentlessly to make sure my clients get the best possible results. My slogan is ‘Nobody Does it Better.’ I strive to provide clients with an unparalleled level of service—based on integrity, honesty and a commitment to excellence.”

The article ends with a few examples of referrals/testimonials Carol has received from her clients.

“To have clients thank me in the end for a job well done and refer me to their friends and families is the best reward,” said Carol.

To read the entire feature article on Carol, click HERE.

 

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The Best Brunch Spots in Los Angeles

LA’s a brunch town. On any given Saturday and Sunday, most of the city’s best restaurants serve some form of eggy goodness, and there’s a whole second subset of restaurants that exist on brunch and brunch alone, which makes sense: there’s no better meal. Not dinner, not lunch, and certainly not linner; brunch has it all, topped with a runny egg (and often, as an added bonus, served with bottomless drinks). That said, not every brunch is a brunch you should munch — which is why we’ve updated our list of the best all-around brunch spots in LA.

ANIMAL

MID-WILSHIRE

Jon and Vinny’s OG restaurant, and a sleeper brunch heavyweight
OK, so the brunch at Jon and Vinny’s or Trois Familia is probably what you were expecting to see here from the duo behind Animal, and for good reason: those brunches are very, very good. But Animal generally doesn’t have a wait for a table and is EQUALLY good, which gives it crazy leverage; the bodega breakfast sandwich (ham, egg, and American cheese on a kaiser roll) for less than $10 is all the reason you should need to hit here instead of one of their other spots.

MB POST

MANHATTAN BEACH

The South Bay’s go-to for griddled favorites and delicious Bloody Marys
David LeFevre basically ignited the food world in Manhattan Beach, and his first outpost is still the best brunch hang spot in the South Bay. Not only can you get the signature bacon-Cheddar buttermilk biscuits, but there’s also a pork belly bibimbap, and drinks like the mezcal-and-beet-cordial-laden Lust of Aphrodite.

NATIVE

SANTA MONICA

A longtime Westside chef’s new brunchy home
When Nyesha Arrington was at her former homebase, the Venice-beachside spot Leona, her brunch game was already A+ — but now that she’s at Native, that score’s been cranked up to A++. The unusual (and delicious) menu offerings include umami porridges, coconut brown butter pancakes, and a crowd-pleasing holdover from Leona: kimchi latkes.

NEIGHBOR

VENICE

Eat your eggs on one of Venice’s best hidden patios
Neighbor was one of the best under-the-radar openings of 2017, and its brunch launch was similarly buried under other local restaurant news. In other words, you can easily get a seat for cardamom-scented granola, aged Cheddar polenta with poached eggs and jalapeño, and bonito tuna on Danish rye, alongside delicious cocktails like the gin-and-blackberry Girl Next Door. Won’t you be her neighbor?

KISMET

LOS FELIZ

A Middle Eastern gem with an excellent breakfast spread
It would seriously be worth hitting this cute, acclaimed Los Feliz spot just for their craveable homemade bread, but it’s even more worth it when you’re dipping that bread into a tomato-stewed shakshuka, and the poached eggs that go along with it. If you’re with a group, you should definitely order the “Turkish-Ish Breakfast,” an Instagrammable smorgasbord of dips, breads, eggs, and mezze dishes that’s perfect to pick at. There’s a reason this place made our Best of 2017 list.

CICI’S

ENCINO & WESTLAKE

The West Valley’s home for eggs, pancakes, and more
The story of CiCi’s is as good as the food: CiCi, then a waitress at the Sherman Oaks brunch staple Jinkys, decided to go out on her own and open a namesake restaurant, which went on to become one of the best brunch spots in the West Valley. Over a decade later, she’s still running the game, with a massive menu that includes unique pancakes like the Night Rider (chocolate velvet pancakes topped with bananas, chocolate chips, Nutella & whipped cream), and a namesake omelette with turkey sun-dried tomato sausage, spinach, Portobello mushroom, tomatoes & Boursin cheese.

BLU JAM

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Mini-chain with truly unforgettable French toast
This beloved, ultra-casual mini-chain has expanded to six LA-area locations (and one in Tokyo!) on the strength of its all-day breakfast menu, which includes favorites like chicken chilaquiles and a wagyu brunch burger. The signature dish is the French toast, though, which is dipped in a secret eggy batter and then basted with corn flakes before it’s grilled, giving each bite a textural crunch as well as a heavy burst of flavor. You’re gonna want at least one order for the table.

26 BEACH

SANTA MONICA

Outdoor group spot that’s walking distance from the beach
There’s a ton of foliage in the back of this beach-adjacent bistro, and a ton of astonishingly creative dishes as well. The menu is gigantic, but the highlights range from burgers (topped with everything from eggs to peanut butter to spicy tuna sushi), to pasta scrambles with linguini, eggs, and homemade chili, to Hawaiian-style “Royals,” with sunny-siders over jerk chicken with red onions and bell peppers. There’s also a full bar, and (of course) sangria, mimosas, and Bloodys.

EVELEIGH

WEST HOLLYWOOD

A morning-after (and night-before) favorite with killer egg dishes
Though the menu at this WeHo mainstay changes with the seasons, one standby is the Bubble and Squeak: a hangover-buster with a hash made of corned brisket, fingerling potatoes, and greens, topped with mustard seed and a sunny-side up egg. It’s as good (and sometimes lifesaving) as it sounds, and if you’re into the boozy side of breakfast, Eveleigh also serves up pitchers of mimosas and chamomile-tequila-infused lemonade for some extra morning oomph.

SQIRL

SILVER LAKE

An all-around LA brunch classic, with a long line to match
There may be no more renowned brunch spot in LA than this now-legendary, completely bare-bones Silver Lake eggery, which started as a jarred-jam operation, but is now considered by just about everyone as one of the best breakfast restaurants in the country. Jessica Koslow, the unassuming Food & Wine-nominated chef who runs the kitchen, splashes out different specials at 8am (seared polenta cake w/ broccoli, artichoke, and fried egg) and 11am (short rib w/ sunchoke), and the must-order is the crispy-rice salad, full of texture, flavor, and love. If you come during peak hours, bring a book, or a game, or a friend — the line can take a long, long time.

INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY

TOPANGA CANYON

Possibly the best brunch buffet you’ll ever have
This woodsy restaurant’s unfairly maligned as a hippie-dippy hang. Sure, the Sunday all-you-can-eat buffet has a ton of veggie options, but it also has all-you-can-eat crab legs, turkey sausage, and more for an extra $3, plus an opportunity to eat outside on one of LA’s most legendary decks, in the middle of the mountain canyon. If buffets aren’t your thing, you can also do a la carte dishes including gravlax omelettes and turkey and artichoke panini.

SALT’S CURE

WEST HOLLYWOOD

Expanded location of a tiny-but-great brunch spot
Thankfully, Salt’s Cure expanded to a larger location than its original blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Melrose home (though you can still go there for breakfast, too), which means it’s far easier to get a table without spending the day waiting in line. Once you’re seated, you’ll want to order up the 2x2x2, for what’s basically a high-end grand slam — including sausages and bacon butchered in-house. If you’re with a friend (or two?), you’re gonna want some biscuits and gravy as well. Mmm.

LITTLE DOM’S

LOS FELIZ

Eastside favorite with an in-house deli
Here’s some irony for you: Little Dom’s was originally the younger sibling of Mid-City’s beloved Italian restaurant Dominick’s — which is now closed. This means that bragging rights belong to the Eastside-only on breakfast sandwiches with wild boar bacon and steak and eggs with fennel-pollen hollandaise, as well as reasonably priced prosecco

CLIFF’S EDGE

SILVER LAKE

Popular date spot with the best patio in LA
Cliff’s Edge is long-known as one of the best date spots in LA, thanks in no small part to their tree-shaded romantic patio, and there’s no reason that date can’t happen over eggs, especially when said eggs are over a bacon-and-Brussels-laden pork belly hash. The bar here is also not messing around: creative cocktails include the SLIT, made with Loft & Bear vodka, black tea, pomegranate molasses, lemon, honey, rosemary, and soda.

SQUARE ONE

HOLLYWOOD & SILVER LAKE

French toast, scrambles, and the city’s best fruit salad
The original Hollywood location of this also-in-Silver Lake no-frills cafe (with a breezy, similarly understated patio) sits under the looming gaze of the Scientology building on an otherwise unremarkable stretch of Fountain. What is remarkable is the food — the mustard and collard green baked eggs is one of the best brunch dishes in the city, and you should definitely get an order of the fruit salad, which goes far beyond melon and grapes and includes seasonal fresh picks including star fruit, mango, and dragonfruit.

Story courtesy of Thrillist. 

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Weekend Events: February 9 – 11

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.

Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend in L.A. (February 9-11) includes a Cupid’s Undie Run in Santa Monica, the San Gabriel Lunar Festival, a Broke Hearts Circus at Angel City Brewery, a Reggae Fest at the Queen Mary, and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday February 9th, 2018

1. Visit the Skirball Cultural Center this Friday for Open Shabbat, a communal meal, held outdoors, featuring a farm-fresh vegetarian menu. This reimagined version of a Jewish ritual is meant to be a meaningful life practice for all.

2. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early at Cinespia’s special 25th anniversary screening of Poetic Justice at Downtown Los Angeles’ Palace Theater. FREE

3. The 9th Annual Edwardian Ball & World’s Faire returns to the Globe Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday buy the day before that there will be a World’s Faire held. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

4. Greenbar Distillery will open up their facility for a tour of their organic distillery. The tour is one hour long and guests will have a chance to learn about the process of spirit making and taste some of the Greenbar portfolio. NOTE: Guests can get a free distillery tour & tasting with code LAHEART when booking.

5. There’s a one-man, family-friendly adaptation of Charles Dickens Great Expectations at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Performances will run February 8 through 11. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

6. Head to The Madelin Garden in Pasadena for high tea and a performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

7. The Last Bookstore presents a reading and discussion with Laurie Penny about the Feminist Future. Penny is an award-winning writer, critic, political journalist and author of five non-fiction books. FREE

8. The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) returns to Los Angeles February 8-19. Now in its 26th year, the 12-day festival will showcase over 100 new films and the talented artists who created them.

9. The Groundlings Theatre presents their latest main stage show, Sweet Valley Groundlingsperforming this Friday. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

10. Free admission at: Long Beach Museum of Art

Saturday February 10th, 2018

11. See more than 100 pieces from one of America’s most iconic artists when Something Resembling Truth, a new show focusing on the work of Jasper Johns, opens at The Broad in Downtown Los Angeles on February 10.

12. Cupid’s Undie Run returns to The Victorian in Santa Monica for a “brief” run for a great cause. The event starts at the Victorian in Santa Monica, where you party, run roughly a mile, then party some more.

13. Street Food Cinema presents Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining on the big screen at Downtown Palace Theatre. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

14. The One Love Cali Reggae Fest returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach February 10-11 for an entire weekend of dancing to your favorite reggae music on Los Angeles’ historic cruise ship. See Nas, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Matisyahu, Yellowman and more.

15. L.A.’s only live animated comedy show Picture This! is back with another free show at The Virgil. FREE

16. The 9th Annual Edwardian Ball takes over the Globe Theatre in DTLA  for a whimsical celebration of art, live music, riveting theatre, fashion, literature, ballroom dancing, DJs, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey. The 2018 season will focus on Gorey’s story The Raging Tide: or, The Black Doll’s Imbroglio. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

17. Positive Vibes a free Silent Disco YOGA taking place at FIGat7th is an all-day outdoor party that inlcludes disco yoga, sound bath sessions, tarot card readings, Dublab music, vegan food and much more. Attendees can also enjoy temporary tattoos, body painting, DJ sets and a live band curated by Dublab, arts and crafts, vegan food and drink options, a beer garden and lounge area by Spaceland. FREE

18. The L.A. Cookie Con & Sweets Show, at the Anaheim Convention Center February 10-11 features baking demos and workshops, celebrity chefs and special guests, five different stages and hundreds of samples all day. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

19. The San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival taking place in the San Gabriel Mission District will feature a street food fair, a marketplace, carnival games, a chalk art contest, live music, and a kids’ zone.

20. Retro style aficionados can checkout the Vintage Fashion Expo at The Reef in DTLA February 10-11. Shoppers will find clothing, jewelry, and accessories from dozens of dealers. Exhibitors will showcase their vintage couture, period pieces, fine jewelry, and more from the late 18th century through the 20th century.

21. Descanso Gardens invites patrons and newcomers to visit for a day and give back to the community during Community Service Day. FREE

22. Looking for a little free comedy this weekend in NELA? The Frogtown Show is a free monthly comedy show that takes place at Spoke Bicycle Cafe along the L.A. River. Light bites, wine and beer specials will be available for the evening. FREE

Sunday February 11th, 2018

23. FLAX Project presents “The Dialectic of the Stars,” a free art festival taking place at five iconic venues in Los Angeles in the month of February. The festival will feature stimulating arts events incorporating cinema, music, mobile artworks, a concert of motorcycles, dance and more. This Friday the event kicks off at Lloyd Wright’s iconic Sowden House in Los Feliz. FREE

24. Angel City Brewery’s festival for the lovelorn, the Broken Hearts Circus, returns to Downtown Los Angeles for a lively pre-Valentine’s Day bash. Enjoy games from Two Bit Circus, a stilt walker, circus performances from TRIBE, artisan vendors, food and live music. It’s free to attend. FREE

25. Take free dance lessons with Debbie Allen at The Wallis. The famed actress/dancer/choreographer will teach a salsa class this Sunday. FREE

26. Le Salon de Musiques presents a stage free chamber musical experience with champagne and high tea to follow at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

27. The Skirball and LA’s oldest literary arts organization, Beyond Baroque will celebrate it’s fiftieth anniversary with an afternoon of readings and discussion focused on the legacy of writer-activist James Baldwin. Alfre Woodard will host the program, which includes remarks by LA poet laureate Robin Coste Lewis and performances of Baldwin’s work by actor Jussie Smollet. FREE

28. The Seventh Annual Chinese New Year Celebration in Beverly Hills taking place at the Saban Theatre will feature the “Charming Jing-Jin-Ji” variety show with live acrobatics, musical performances and more.

29. Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Come hangout in the back patio, enjoy a cocktail, and LOL to outstanding stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. FREE

30. Free admission at: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

Schedule provided by We Like LA. 

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The 25 Most Popular National Parks in America

For many of us living in big cities, the sad truth is that the only time we remember there are parts of this great nation not covered in condos and fast-casual restaurants is when we’re Instagramming them from 36,000 feet. Which is also when we think to ourselves, “Wow, I wish there was a way I could see all that beauty up close and without a plane wing in my way.” Well, turns out, there is! And it’s called our National Parks System.

And as a reminder of the scope of America’s awe-inspiring natural beauty (and its 59-strong park system created by the coolest dude ever from New York), we thought it’d be fun to take the 25 most-visited parks in 2016 and rank them by their level of adventure and sheer, mind-blowing spectacle. Turns out, yes, it was fun.

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah
Ask anyone to name Utah’s five National Parks, and odds are Capitol Reef is the one they forget among its arched-and-canyoned cousins. You should remember Capitol Reef for the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth and a feature you won’t find elsewhere in the state. It’s also been designated as a “Gold Tier” Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, so camping here in the summer will yield some of the prettiest stars you’ve ever seen. At just over a million visitors last year, it offers much of the red rocks and striking geology of other Utah parks, without the crowds.

Hot Springs National Park

Arkansas
The top tourist attraction in the Natural State (fitting nickname, right?) is the 16th-most visited yet smallest National Park in the country, hosting nearly 1.5 million visitors every year. The big draw here is  “Bathhouse Row” — where you can bathe in the healing natural waters of the hot springs — which makes for a rejuvenating weekend getaway, especially if you like the lit-fireworks aroma of sulfur. Beyond the baths, the park is a jewel of Arkansas nature, with winding roads and a mountain tower giving a spectacular view of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains.

Saguaro National Park

Arizona
You know those comically oversized cacti Wile E. Coyote used to fall into every time his ACME contraption didn’t work? Those are modeled after the Giant Saguaro cactus, the most distinct feature is this park straddling the city of Tucson. The park, created to preserve the cacti, boasts some of the toughest short hikes you’ll find in a national park. Even during mild weather, a trek into nature here can take you up 5,000 feet of elevation in 15 miles of desert. Hiking Saguaro might not be for the novice, but a nice air-conditioned drive will take you through a Western landscape that’s unmistakably Arizona.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio
Is anyone surprised that a national park with the same name as a river that once caught fire includes an old Superfund site? And we’re not talking about the former location of the Richfield Coliseum, which housed the perpetually toxic Cleveland Cavaliers, although it’s actually in the park too. No, we’re talking about the old Krejci Dump. But why focus on 47 acres of toxic waste, when the CVNP boasts 33,000 acres (!!) of gorgeous waterfalls, caves, biking/horse trails, and historic sections of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Everglades National Park

Florida
Once upon a time, most of America’s seventh-largest metropolitan area was a river of grass where alligators crawled through black water under mangrove canopies, sawgrass stood tall under flying herons, and almost no man dared to go. What’s left of it sits just about 45 minutes west of Miami in the Everglades, a flat swath of big cypress trees and inhospitable terrain that remains the most distinct ecosystem of any National Park. Take a drive down US-41 to Everglades City and jump on an airboat ride to really get in the thick of it. Or, if you’re exceptionally lucky (and quiet), you may see an elusive Florida panther.

Shenandoah National Park

Virginia
Along the densely populated mid-Atlantic, no national park makes a faster, prettier escape to nature than this one, some 70 miles from DC and 100 from Baltimore. The main attraction here is Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers sweeping views of the valley and, in fall, an explosion of insane colors. It’s also home to a big chunk of the Appalachian Trail if you’re feeling ambitious, or smaller side treks: jaunts to Rose River or to South River Falls are both hikes under 3 miles.

Death Valley National Park

California, Nevada
The only national park that’s regularly confused with two different college football stadiums, this striking desert scape can be an acquired taste if you’re not into arid environs, but will delight anyone who wants the sensation of driving across a barren moon. This stretch of the Mojave Desert is home to the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin, an eerie salt flats sitting 282 feet below sea level. The park is also dotted with ghost towns, some of which still have concrete remnants of their Wild West heydays. For a close-to-spiritual experience, head to Dante’s View at sunrise, where you’ll see the morning light reflect of the Sierra Nevada in dozens of different colors.

Joshua Tree National Park

California
The only national park to get its very own U2 album named after it has exploded in popularity over the past decade, now the 11th most-visited park with 2.5 million visitors. They’re not coming in droves to see if the streets do, in fact, have no name. They’re coming because Joshua Tree boasts perhaps the best collection of rock-climbing faces in the US. The desert park also has 501 archeological sites, and is home to the lower Coachella Valley, making it a popular side trip for music festival goers in the spring as well.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee, North Carolina
The MOST VISITED PARK IN AMERICA spans four counties across two states, and runs through part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Accessible from both Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, the park has more than 1,660 different kinds of flowering plants — the most of any national park. Its highest point is Clingman’s Dome, where a 50-foot observation deck allows visitors to soak in some spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding beauty. More than 11 million annual visitors make it nearly twice as busy as the second-place Grand Canyon.

Arches National Park

Utah
Give whoever named this park credit: they didn’t mince words. This 120-square-mile national treasure outside Moab is all about arches, 2,000 of ‘em in fact. All formed from millions of years of sandstone erosion. The most famous is the Delicate Arch, a 65-footer that you might recognize from playing the license plate game — it’s on the Utah tag.

Haleakala National Park

Hawaii
If “climbing an active volcano” is at the top of your bucket list, well, it probably shouldn’t be — since, ya know, it involves climbing an ACTIVE VOLCANO. But if you still insist, the 10,023-foot Haleakala Mountain in the southeastern part of Maui Island is your spot. It’s got tons of hiking trails that are open to the public and is home to more endangered species than any other US park.

Olympic National Park

Washington
We’d like to think this is the seventh-most-visited national park in the nation for reasons other than the fact that it borders the Twilight fan-mecca that is Forks, Washington. Like, oh, maybe because it contains the ONLY temperate rainforest in the contiguous US, plus active tide pools and the Olympic Mountain range. But that’s probably just a bonus for people coming to see La Push.

Sequoia National Park

California
If you ever wondered what your pet iguana feels like when he looks up at you, visit the second-oldest national park in America. Here, outside Visalia, California, not only can you look up at the biggest tree in the world (the 275-foot tall, 60-foot wide General Sherman) but also at five of the 10 largest trees IN THE WORLD. They’re not easy to get to though: 84% of the park doesn’t have roads and is only accessible on foot or horseback.

Badlands National Park

South Dakota
The only National Park so awesome Bruce Springsteen wrote a song about it (that’s what that song is about, right?) is also the place where you’re most likely to find ancient dinosaur bones. The 30ish-million-year-old fossil deposits make this one of the most treasured archeological sites in America. Although if fossils aren’t your thing, perhaps unusual rock formations and sprawling prairies dotted with bison and bighorn sheep are, ’cause the Badlands has those too. Or for a truly other-worldly experience, head here at sunrise and watch the veritable moonscape change shades of orange, blue, and green.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado
No, this park doesn’t encompass the ENTIRE Rocky Mountains, but rather a 415-square-mile section of the Colorado Front Range. Split by the Continental Divide, it’s almost two parks in one; the western side is the green paradise of vegetation, while the eastern half is the arid, mountainous region. In addition to encompassing 150 lakes and 359 hiking trails, RMNP’s also a peak bagger’s paradise — there are over 60 mountains taller than 12,000 feet.

Mount Rainier National Park

Washington
Part of why Seattle has the best skyline in America is because of this snow-capped beauty that sits about 80 miles south of the city. And unlike its ornery cousin Mount Saint Helens, Rainier is a dormant volcano whose surrounding park of lava fields have been covered with vibrant vegetation, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and 25 glaciers. In addition, some of the best climbers in the world use the 14,000-foot peak to practice for Everest, as the conditions at Rainier are the closest you’ll find to the Himalayan hill in the contiguous US.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah
Technically, Bryce Canyon isn’t a canyon, but a collection of naturally formed amphitheaters. But since “Bryce Collection of Amphitheaters” sounds like chain of corporate-owned music venues — and doesn’t look as good on a postcard — these natural geological formations which sit a mile high are referred to as a canyon. Every year, this park hosts a four-day astronomy festival where stargazers are rewarded for their trip to the desert with some insane views of the skies.

Acadia National Park

Maine
The oldest national park east of the Mississippi (and the largest tourist attraction in Maine), Acadia is by far one of the most picturesque spots in all the land, offering spectacular panoramic views of Somes Sound, Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and Bar Harbor from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Located on Mount Desert Island, the park offers beaches, campgrounds, and 125 miles of hiking trails.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii
Not to be outdone by its Hawaiian counterpart at Haleakala, this 500-square-mile park has not one, but TWO active volcanoes, including one of the world’s most active, Kilauea. However, lava fields and eruptions from one of the world’s most active subaerial volcanoes, Mauna Loa, make this park a major worldwide geologic research site.

Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming
The massive peaks of the Teton Range are the emblematic symbol of this park, which also includes Jackson Hole and the signature 13,775-foot Grand Teton mountain for which the park is named. More than 3.2 million visitors come to the park annually to hike to glaciers, catch cutthroat trout, and to just chill by the park’s numerous lakes.

Glacier National Park

Montana
Glacier is another park whose name tells you everything you need to know. The mountains and lakes were formed by glaciers and make for possibly the best scenery of its kind in the United States… and in Canada! That’s right, this park is so spectacular that it stretches to British Columbia and Alberta — spanning over a million acres between the two countries. And, even with global warming and all, there are still 25 active glaciers on park land.

Zion National Park

Utah
No, you won’t find Morpheus, Trinity, or Neo walking around anywhere. That Zion was fake. This one, however, is a very real 15-mile canyon that sits at the crossroads of the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin. What that means is you’ll find red rocks next to tropical waterfalls next to sprawling deserts, as well as species of wildlife that don’t typically cohabitate. If you don’t like all that dry desert heat, you can enjoy this park from the comfort of a free air-conditioned shuttle.

Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona
Definitely the most recognizable national park in America, the Grand Canyon is a lot more than just a big hole in the ground. Sure, you can make the daylong trek to the North or South Rim, soak it all in from the Skywalk observation deck, and spend the rest of the day figuring out what to do in the middle of the desert. Or, you can take a two-day hike from the top to the bottom (bring tons of water!!!), hop a mule so that you don’t have to carry said tons of water, or even raft some of the world’s most challenging rapids on the Colorado River — just be sure to book that trip WELL in advance.

Yosemite National Park

California
Picking the most scenic part of the prettiest state in America is tough, but it’s hard to argue with the absolutely gobsmacking riot of rocks, water, forests, fields and valleys you’ll find at Yosemite. Among the first things you see upon entry is the staggering El Capitan rock face, the largest piece of granite in the world. The park is home to more than 20 waterfalls, most notably the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls and 2,140-foot Snow Creek Falls, Yosemite also offers visitors giant sequoias, behemoth glaciers, and destination hikes like the legendary Half Dome.

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Not only was it the inspiration for Yogi Bear’s Jellystone (as if that wasn’t enough), but the nation’s oldest national park — which spans three states — is also home to Old Faithful, the legendary geyser that was discovered in 1870 and erupts every 35-120 minutes. The park also boasts the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, the largest hot spring in America, and over 3,400 square miles of wilderness. Plus, like, a million chances to see buffalo and bears up close.

Article by Thrillist. 

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Moments from Super Bowl 52 that everyone is talking about

The Patriots’ dynasty has crumbled. Thanks to stellar late-game defense and a well-timed strip-sack, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to do what last year’s Atlanta Falcons could not: stave off a Tom Brady comeback and claw their way to a 41-33 victory. While the gridiron heroics were exciting to watch, last night’s 52nd Super Bowl also notably saw some crazy ads, a weird Justin Timberlake halftime show, and, of course, the birth of a new, good meme. Read on to relive the night’s best on-field and off-field highlights:

Tom Brady wore a conspiratorial outfit
Most viewers — at least those not aligned with the Patriots — turned on their TVs and got into their seats wanting to see Brady fail, still recovering from the sting of the last Super Bowl. Simply put, the veteran quarterback started the night as a villain. It didn’t help that he showed up looking like Evil Inspector Gadget.

Carrie Underwood starred in a live-action Zootopia remake

OK, not really. But while some viewers were surprised at how much of a bop the country singer’s Super Bowl anthem with Ludacris turned out to be, we couldn’t stop thinking about how much it looked like the end credits of Zootopia. Not bad! Just saying.

NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns was taking photos

Undoubtedly, the celeb with the best seat in the house was basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns. The Minnesota Timberwolves star was spotted on the sidelines sporting a “Free Meek Mill” jersey and a nice camera. Some figured he got the same photog gig for The Players’ Tribune that Kevin Durant had at Super Bowl 50, many were just jealous. Nice work, Big KAT.

Pink was not chewing gum, you guys

Right before she was set to sing the national anthem, P!nk casually spat something into her hand. Many critics tried to go after her on Twitter, assuming it was gum, but many were incorrect. (“It was a throat lozenge,” she tweeted.) Other haters were met with a good ol’ Charlie Sheen clap back: “Yeah but at least I suck while singing our countries national anthem,” she added, “and you just suck by yourself on a dirty couch. #winning.”

Eagles fans lost it during this Rocky hype video

In case all the Brady booing didn’t convince you this was a mostly Eagles crowd.

Bradley Cooper was having a great night

The only Eagles superfan who was probably more pumped to be there than KAT was Bradley Cooper. The Philly native narrated a hype video, donned moderate green, and soon after Alshon Jeffery’s first touchdown snag, did his best Shia LaBeouf “Just Do It” impression. Fly, “Iggles”! Fly!

https://twitter.com/knicks148/status/960305320772997120

Brandin Cooks got freaking powerbombed

This Patriots receiver, on the other hand, was not having a great night. He started the second quarter by hauling in a catch and trying to hurdle over an Eagles defender for a touchdown. The jump didn’t go as planned, though, and for a few moments, the football game turned into a professional wrestling match.

This field goal “attempt” didn’t go as planned either

With the Eagles up by six before the half, the Patriots tried to shave the deficit with a field goal. It didn’t happen. There were multiple missed kicks tonight, but none was more odd and mesmerizing to (re-)watch than this one. You could practically hear it go “DOINK!”

Everyone’s screens went blank

A few minutes before halftime, everyone’s screens went inexplicably and completely blank. It was either a very expensive mistake or a fantastic Black Mirror ad.

Justin Timberlake saluted Prince with a giant tarp

When news broke that Justin Timberlake would maybe perform with a Prince hologram, people lost their shit. What was probably meant to be a sincere tribute to the Purple One on his home turf just didn’t… feel right. (Especially considering Prince thought holograms were demonic.) Fortunately, the hologram didn’t happen. What we got instead was this giant tarp, which appeased some… but still pissed off many others.

https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/960343914602430464

This kid just wanted his Timberlake selfie

The real star of the halftime show was this kid who quickly fumbled for his phone and tried to snag, as Timberlake put it, some “Super Bowl Selfies!” “I just thought to myself, ‘I’ll never get this opportunity again in my whole life,'” the kid told the Pioneer Press. “I just went for it.” On the inside, he was excited, but on the outside, it looked like he was busy thinking about things like “Cat Person,” Scientology, and why Ellen DeGeneres was standing right next to him. In other words, he was immediately memed to oblivion.

Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles threw and caught a TD

The Eagles star made history right before halftime by becoming the first quarterback to both throw and catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl. It was a particularly brutal play for Patriots fans to watch, as it happened not long after the Pats tried something similar with a stone-handed Tom Brady. Pretty much everyone made the same joke, paraphrasing Gisele Bündchen’s infamous “my husband cannot fucking throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time” remark. Shruggie.

https://twitter.com/sportingnewsca/status/960349028608368642

Tom Brady fumbled at the worst possible time

Near the end of the fourth quarter, while mounting another late-game comeback, Brady misfired. The Eagles’ Brandon Graham found the Pats’ signal-caller cocking his arm and seized on the opportunity to strip-sack him. The turnover — the New England’s first — set up a field goal that would give Philadelphia an eight-point lead and almost certain victory. While Brady played an incredible game — he threw for a Super Bowl record 505 yards and topped the 10,000 mark for passing yards in postseason games — the Lombardi Trophy wasn’t in the cards. “It feels so good.” Graham said after the game. “Everybody that doubted us? We world champs.”

Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. recreated a Dirty Dancing scene

Weird commercials this year, as usual! But we especially liked watching this Dirty Dancing riff and seeing Danny DeVito (as a red M&M) get hit by a truck.

http://gph.is/2nHXwbr

OK, Bradley Cooper was having a REALLY great night

After Jake Elliott’s dagger of a field goal, we checked back in with Cooper to find him thanking the heavens. Or cursing at them. He made a deal with the devil that if the Eagles won he would make a Midnight Meat Train sequel, right?

Kevin Hart tried to get onto the Eagles’ celebration stage, but security rejected him

There’s usually not that much to see after the game’s over, but this year, Philly fan Kevin Hart was caught trying his best to make it onto the celebration stage. Unfortunately, he was Mutombo’d. But hey, as they say, there’s always next year!

Article courtesy of Thrillist. 

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