Rodeo Realty

September 6, 2018

Every Winery You Need To Visit In Paso Robles

Paso Robles is like the middle child of California wine country; despite its many great producers and tasting rooms, when most people think of a destination for a wine-filled weekend, they tend to think Napa or Sonoma. Take a closer look, though, and you’ll see Paso’s no slouch: Best known for producing Zinfandel, Paso Robles’ 11 distinct wine regions can actually grow up to 60 different varietals (unheard of for a wine region), and are home to world-class wineries with a chill, community vibe. Even better, Paso Robles is only a 60-minute flight into San Luis Obispo from LAX, or a 3 1/2-hour car ride, or a six-hour train ride. Here are the must-try wineries on any trip out to Paso’s wine country, from large-scale producers with storied pedigrees to boutique operations with onsite lodging.

DAOU Vineyards

A Spanish estate sitting on a mountain with the best vineyard views
Sitting 14 miles from the ocean and 2,200 feet above sea level atop Daou Mountain, the family-owned and -operated DAOU Vineyards is the highest elevation vineyard in the Central Coast. The gorgeous estate has sprawling views of the region and an indoor outdoor tasting room with high-beamed ceilings and beautiful Spanish archways; grab a seat outdoors at the edge of the mountain and enjoy any of the Bordeaux varietals (like a glass of their Soul of a Lion) while noshing on snacks from their Lebanese-inspired menu.
Cost: $40 per person for tasting flight (waived with the purchase of three bottles)
Hours: 10am-5pm daily

Alta Colina

Part winery, part hidden trailer park
Alta Colina (which means “high hill” in Spanish) gets its name from being elevated 1,800 feet above sea level, with optimal sun exposure and an ocean breeze that make ideal conditions for a well-balanced wine. The Adelaida District winery offers a few different choices for visitors interested in tasting: Walk-ins are welcome in the tasting room (up to six guests), but you can also reserve a private tasting in the cellar room and sip on current releases amongst barrels of wine. The pricier (but more picturesque) third option is the Summit Vineyard Tasting, a hidden oasis where you can sit back and enjoy stunning vineyard views on a shaded terrace while watching the sunset over the grape-filled hills. The winery is also home to The Trailer Pond, a private pond surrounded by five retro-colored trailers nestled under string lights — so if you want to spend the night surrounded by perfectly lined rows of grapes, you can.
Cost: $15 per tasting (waived with a two-bottle purchase); Taste on the Vineyard: $35 per person
Tasting hours: 11am-4pm daily

JUSTIN Winery

The winemaker that put Paso Robles on the map
One of the larger winemakers of the region, JUSTIN produces around 400,000 cases per year, and is best known for award-winning fruity, full-bodied Bordeaux-style wines (like their Isosceles red blend). The Restaurant at JUSTIN features a rotating seasonal menu with local ingredients and popular dishes like the Charter Oak Cheeseburger made with house ground meat. The winery has come a long way in recent years, following a local controversy involving the chopping down of thousands of mature oak trees; since then, they’ve been committed to supporting the local community and have donated to several nonprofit organizations. The winery and tasting room are a bit off the beaten path, so if you can’t make it all the way to their vineyard, word on the street is you’ll soon be able to visit a second tasting room in Downtown Paso Robles.
Cost: $25 per tasting of five wines
Hours: 10am-4:30pm daily

Halter Ranch Vineyards

Historic wine ranch that you’ll tour in a vintage Land Rover
Halter Ranch isn’t just known for its delicious Syrah and Cabernet varietals; it’s also 2,000 acres of history in the heart of Paso Robles. A renovated, Victorian-style farmhouse greets you when you first enter the ranch, whose sprawling 2,000-acre property also includes three fresh water springs, 5 acres of olives, a custom private train, and a 5-acre holding pond. Book the three-hour excursion tour, and you’ll hop in a 1984 Land Rover to explore the property, including a scenic stop at Lion’s Ridge, the highest point of the vineyard. The eco-friendly tasting room, remodeled in 2016, has floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the vineyards as you taste the estate-grown wines. (Pro tip: The Grenache Blanc is perfect on a hot summer day.)
Cost: $20 per person for the tour, waived with a two-bottle purchase
Hours: Mon-Thurs from 11am-5pm, Fri-Sun from 10am-5pm

Giornata

Understated winery in Tin City (aka the new Funk Zone)
If you like the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, then you’ll love its Paso Robles cousin, Tin City. The neighborhood gets its name from all the industrial buildings in the area, but this area gets pretty crowded on the weekends because it’s where smaller wine makers, local artisans, and craft breweries have set up shop. One of the first wineries to open a tasting room in Tin City, Giornata produces some excellent wines inspired from Italian regions like Barolo and Barbaresco — go for the 2017 Barbera, or the 2015 Nebbiolo. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser afterward, cool off with a scoop from Negranti Creamery, a nearby shop that specializes in ice cream made from sheep’s milk.
Cost: $10 per tasting; by appointment
Hours: 9am-5pm daily

Allegretto Vineyards and Wines

A tasting room conveniently located in a luxury hotel
Allegretto Vineyards and Wines is one of the more recent luxury resort developments in Paso Robles. The jaw-dropping, Mediterranean-inspired architecture will make you feel like you’ve been swept away to the Italian countryside before you even taste the wine, and the property has nice acres of grapes growing from two varietals, the product of which you’ll sample in a small-but-beautiful tasting room that looks like it’s been around for 100 years (even though the hotel opened in 2015). The tasting room is open to the public, and for $25 you can try any combination of four red and/or white wines. (Pro tip: Try the 2013 Zinfandel, or the 2014 Viognier or Malbec.)
Cost: $25 per tasting
Hours: Sun & Mon from 1pm-7pm, Tues reservations only, Wed-Sat from 12pm-7pm

Thacher Winery & Vineyard

A boutique winery that proves you can still love lower-alcohol wines
The small-production winery with the signature grasshopper label is located on 52 acres at Kentucky Ranch: a quaint place surrounded by nature that you’d normally expect to find in… well, Kentucky. While Paso Robles has historically been known for bold wines, Thacher Winery is leading the way in another direction, creating more subtle wines with a lower alcohol content (some at just 10.5%) that enthusiasts can’t help but love. Their 2015 Cinsault has become a cult-favorite, which you can sample (along with many others) for $15 in the tasting room that sits adjacent to a 1920s-era barn.
Cost: $15 per tasting
Hours: Thurs-Mon from 11am-5pm

September 5, 2018

Schedule Of Free Museum Days In Los Angeles For September

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 September, 2018.

There are a couple highlights we want to call out to for the coming month: First, Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day will feature more free admission to more than a dozen museums in Southern California as part of a national free museum day event. Secondly, be advised that both the Natural History Museum and the La Brea Tarpits Museum are both free every Tuesday of September.

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – September 2018

[SEPTEMBER 4] Kidspace Museum (4 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 4] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 4] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 6] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] 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 October and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 9] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 9 ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 11] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 11] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 11] 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)

[SEPTEMBER 11] Autry Museum of the American West

[SEPTEMBER 13] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Santa Monica History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 16] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 16] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 18] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 18] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 18] Los Angeles County Arboretum (note: the tram doesn’t run on this day)

[SEPTEMBER 18] South Coast Botanic Garden

[SEPTEMBER 18] Descanso Gardens

[SEPTEMBER 20] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Pasadena Museum of California Art (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[SEPTEMBER 20] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Skirball Cultural Center

[SEPTEMBER 20] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 22] More than a dozen SoCal museums and botanical gardens will be free for Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day.

[SEPTEMBER 23] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 23] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 25] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 25] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 27] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] Skirball Cultural Center

[SEPTEMBER 27] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 31] Museum of Latin American Art

As a reminder, it’s ALWAYS good to verify the status of free days before you visit, so be sure to check the official museum websites to verify visiting hours, parking costs, and any other pertinent details. Keep in mind free admission days may not include specially ticketed exhibitions.

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

September 4, 2018

The Best Restaurants in Los Angeles Right Now

August in LA always feels like a waiting game: The city’s kids are just about to start school, we all know the heat is gonna break at some point, and restaurants are often biding their time to open and gain traction just before the holiday rush. That doesn’t mean we missed out this month, though; among the best new restaurant openings are a casual take-out window from one of LA’s hottest restaurant-preneurs, a new food hall with amazing offerings near USC, and one of the US’s most acclaimed ice cream chains. Here are LA’s most exciting new restaurants that opened in August, followed by the overall best spots in town at this moment in time.

HOLLYWOOD

Casual lunch takeaway spot from LA’s BBQ master
Adam Perry Lang’s steak-and-short-rib powerhouse APL opened just a couple months ago, but he’s already doubled down with this new lunchtime window, which is blasting out high-end chili dogs with hand-cut prime-chuck chili, house-cured smoked beef toasted sandwiches, and a nutso $50 sandwich with a heap of pit-cooked shaved Prime NY Strip, pickle salad, onions, and horseradish on Texas toast.

SANTA MONICA

An all-day westside hang, for everyone
This new neighborhood spot has some serious pedigree, with Chef Vicki Fan Matsusaka (formerly of Superba) behind the stoves, and a Daniel Boulud alum as GM; they’re doling out upscale American classics like turkey meatballs in marinara on creamy millet, and a lunch chilaquiles with avocado mash and a 63-degree egg.

DOWNTOWN

Chinatown’s new contender for noodle king
This dipping-ramen specialist makes all of its thick noodles in-house, along with broths literally cooked for days. Options include bowls stacked with grilled pork ribs and marinated soft-boiled eggs, as well as cold tofu noodle ramen.

EXPOSITION PARK

A new food hall stacked with delicious options
This food hall’s conveniently located just next to the new incoming soccer stadium by USC, which means it’ll no doubt be crammed with Trojans chomping down on food from iconic LA vendors, including ceviches from Coni’Seafood, southern specialties from Barbara Jean, and burritos from Burritos La Palma.

DOWNTOWN

A Jonathan Gold-inspired take-out window
Sarkis Vartanian’s new international sandwich window was inspired by hearing the late, great JGold speak. “He basically said that the Los Angeles food scene was an amalgamation of different ethnic foods within few blocks of each other,” says Vartanian, and this new spot’s trying to get all of it under one roof, with a Turkish-ish sujuk (sausage & egg wrap) and the British-themed chip butty (with double-cooked fries and schug sauce on lavash) among the offerings.

KOREATOWN

Finally, an In-N-Out-style burger joint for vegans
After wowing audiences (literally!) at Coachella and Eat Drink Vegan, Monty’s Good Burger now has a brick & mortar in Ktown with the same monstrous vegan burger they’ve sold — and sold meat eaters on — at those fests. They’re using Impossible meat for their burgs, also stacked with vegan cheese; there’s also milkshakes and more, all of which are entirely plant-based.

VENICE

Boozy NorCal-based iced-creamery finally makes it down south
Sure, LA has tons (and tons) of artisan ice cream shops, but this newbie from San Francisco serves up some fascinating, boozy flavors like its signature bourbon-with-corn-flakes number and the seasonal Hawaiian Shaved Ice: a Roy Choi collab with condensed ice milk and a blueberry swirl.

DOWNTOWN

The beloved Asian karaage chain comes to LA
This new Little Tokyo fried chicken spot is an import from ACTUAL Tokyo, with over 50 locations spread throughout Asia. At the first US drop, they’re doing their ultra-crispy fried chicken in a bowl, as a plate, or on a sandwich; if you’re not into chicken for some reason, they’ve also got shrimp stir-fries and curry.

DOWNTOWN

A hot new burger joint with a special milkshake
LA’s got plenty of great burger places, and this new one — from the guy behind Birdies, who is also the former personal chef for Pamela Anderson — seems to be a great new addition to the list. But the classic roadside-style burgers aren’t the only attraction: they also have a CBD-infused green matcha milkshake, for when it’s time to burger-and-chill.

MID-CITY

Downtown’s acclaimed Japanese eatery makes its way west
It’s always good news when you no longer need to drive far for something great, which means that anyone who doesn’t live Downtown (or east of Downtown — we’re looking at you, Covina) should be celebrating the West 3rd opening of Inko Nito. The original restaurant has been crushing DTLA with delicious yellowtail collar, charcoal-grilled beef cheek, and fried shrimp maki rolls, all of which will also be on the menu at the new spot.

HOLLYWOOD

Notorious restaurateur Bill Chait returns with this Hollywood ode to meat
Bill Chait was once the most well known restaurateur in LA, with a hand in now-legendary spots like Republique and Bestia, and a seemingly golden touch — until he was forced out of his restaurant group, reportedly due to internal financial issues. He’s back in the game, though, with this meat-heavy restaurant on the Sunset strip serving charcuterie, crispy veal shortbreads, and a 34-oz dry-aged ribeye, all in a beautiful space that has wood-slatted ceilings and a tiled common table.

HOLLYWOOD

An indulgent meat-centric nirvana from Adam Perry Lang
BBQ genius/Jimmy Kimmel’s best friend Adam Perry Lang has finally opened his first LA restaurant, and to say it’s a barnburner would be an understatement. He legitimately may have the best steak in town with his rib-eye, the French onion soup will knock you out, and — oh yeah — there’s a giant dinosaur-sized short rib that’s as perfectly smoked-and-dry-rubbed as anything you’ve ever eaten in your life. Will your wallet feel hurt after you leave? It will, but this is definitely a good kind of hurt.

SHERMAN OAKS

The Valley finally gets a taste of chef Ludo Lefebvre
Ludo Lefebvre’s Petit Trois has been a long-standing favorite in Hollywood thanks to absolutely perfect French omelets and a burger that many people rave about, but the second location in the Valley is larger and more ornate — a testament to the new excitement around food in a part of LA long considered a culinary wasteland. The menu here is expanded from the original, so expect breakfast tartines and crabcakes at dinner, as well as the old favorites.

DOWNTOWN

Middle Eastern follow-up from the team behind Bestia
Bestia has been on our best-of Eat Seeker list since its inception, so it’s no surprise that the opening of the Middle Eastern sequel to that iconic Italian spot has also garnered a spot on the list. The menu’s full of cross-regional specialties like lamb flatbreads and confit turmeric chicken legs, as well as duck hummus (aka the one thing you never want to hear at a food fight).

HIGHLAND PARK

Mozza and ERB’s chefs join forces for a new Eastside pizza spot
It says, “the place where they weigh the pizza” on the outside of this new small Highland Park Roman-style pizzeria, and that’s the basic concept: you tell ‘em how much you want, and you pay by the pound. You’re going to want a lot, though, because the pizza here comes from a truly legit pedigree: the chefs behind it are Nancy Silverton (Mozza) and Matt Molina (ERB), which has quickly propelled it to destination status. Get there quick.

CHINATOWN

The first LA spot from Momofuku’s David Chang
Celebrated Momofuku restaurateur/Ugly Delicious star David Chang’s first-ever LA concept is a tough reservation, which is no surprise: the dude’s food, which draws from Asian cuisine as well as US traditions, is practically made for LA. Early favorites include Benton’s sausage-stuffed, fried Korean peppers, and a short rib made a la BBQ master Adam Perry Lang, with kitchen duties from exec chef Jude Parra-Sickels (who was Roy Choi’s No. 2 man for years).

VENICE

When Evan Funke was at the now-defunct Bucato in Culver City, his handmade pasta was considered some of the best in LA — and since closing that restaurant, he’s spent time in Italy and made it even better. It’s not hyperbole to say that the pastas at Felix are among the best we’ve ever eaten, anywhere, and they’re made even more delicious somehow by the open-kitchen vibe in the restaurant: The best seats are by the pasta-making window, where Funke and his staff hypnotically knead and roll dough. Come hungry.

CULVER CITY

This mysterious, much-hyped project from former Red Medicine/current Destroyer chef Jordan Kahn’s not for the weak-walleted: a set menu for dinner costs $250. But, when it’s been described by the team behind it as “a dimension of cuisine that is neither rooted in tradition nor culture — it is from a time that is yet to be, and a place that does not exist,” it’s impossible to not be intrigued. Essentially, it’s like the OK Computer of restaurants: moody, unique, and boldly futuristic.

MID-WILSHIRE

Sure, these guys’ newer Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s is hot right now, too, and their seafood restaurant Son of a Gun is also a stone-cold classic at this point. But the OG from these dudes still stands out for its delicious creativity; years in, they haven’t let the menu get stale at all, which means you’re gonna be ordering the classics — and then whatever insanity they’ve put on the menu today, since it may not be there again tomorrow.

HOLLYWOOD

This tiny James Beard-nominated restaurant, hidden in a strip mall in a no-man’s-land section of East Hollywood, would be voted least likely to succeed on looks alone. Once you glance at the tiny, challenging-to-understand menu, you may be even more tempted to bounce. Don’t. The food is from guys who did time at Noma and Daniel — two of the world’s best restaurants — and the $15-or-less grain bowls and pastas they’re serving burst with the flavor and love of those 10-times-as-expensive world-class restaurants. Just check the website/give them a call and make sure they’re open before you head there — they leave for months at a time for “inspiration trips,” but when they come back, the food’s somehow even better than before.

DOWNTOWN

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Since its opening in 2012, Bestia’s sort of become the definitive LA restaurant, offering a menu that appeals to both eat-anything foodies (pan-roasted chicken gizzards!) and eat-carefully dieters (tomato & plum salad!) in a setting that feels both industrial and homey, with prices that won’t make you feel wallet regret when you wake up in the morning. It’s no surprise it’s still one of the few tough reservations in the city; despite its size, everyone who leaves immediately wants to go back.

CULVER CITY

Before she was on the wildly popular Netflix show Chef’s Table, Niki Nakayama’s hole-in-the-wall Culver City spot — where she makes impossibly meticulous Japanese food that seems to hit all your taste buds at once — was already one of the most buzzy restaurants among foodie-type people in LA. But now that the cat’s out of the bag, it’s become nationally famous as well, which means getting in is a struggle — a totally worth-it struggle.

DOWNTOWN

Seriously, are they ever going to run out of stall space at GCM — which, at this point, should just be considered a treasure of the city? Let’s hope not: Not only are all the old spots great (and set up for killer mash-ups), but newer openings (like Union chef Bruce Kalman’s pasta spot Knead & Co, the vegan ramen joint Ramen Hood, a Golden Road Brewing stall, and the bivalve-y Oyster Gourmet) make it a must-visit. Like, all the time.

HOLLYWOOD

Despite lots of competition from upstarts, Providence is still LA’s best special-occasion restaurant: The service is impeccable, as is Michael Cimarusti’s seafood. Is it cheap? It is not. Is it worth it? Most definitely.

DOWNTOWN

This fried chicken spot’s had lines from day one, but that’s no surprise: The now-defunct truck of the same name, which specialized in the same Nashville hot chicken as the brick & mortar, was absolutely exceptional. Add to that the fact that neighbors in the Chinatown mini-mall include Roy Choi’s Chego! and the revolving test-kitchen Unit 120, and you may want to hit them all with a large group for a sharing-friendly feast.

DOWNTOWN

This long-standing, high-priced, gorgeous sushi bar Downtown finds its way back to Eat Seeker thanks to an insane premium omakase, just added to the menu. Give the chef a few days’ notice and he’ll source rare, seasonal fish from Japan and elsewhere around the world, with a 15+-course tasting of flavors you literally can’t get anywhere else in LA (and that al dente vinegar rice is outstanding, too).

SILVER LAKE

LA Weekly’s Besha Rodell unexpectedly crowed about this unpronounceable Israeli spot, and now food fans in LA are racing to get there for dishes like Lamb Ragooooo (yes, the extra os are on purpose) and Instagram-ready presentation, with piles of meat and veggies atop heaps of labneh.

BRENTWOOD

If we told you that one of the best pizza spots in the city was in Brentwood, would you believe us? You should: Chef Daniele Uditi is from Naples and insists his pizza taste like home, with Italian-imported ingredients making up the bulk of the toppings. Don’t miss his on-special margherita (which is topped with a crunchy basil mixture that gives it far more texture than a traditional pie) and the fried artichoke salad, which hits you with flavor and bite.

Article by Thrillist.

September 1, 2018

Economic update for the week ending September 1, 2018

Stocks hit record highs this week – Stocks rallied at the beginning of the week after a televised phone call with President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, where they announced that they are close to a trade deal to replace NAFTA. There was optimism that a deal was in the works with Canada, which seemed to stall by week’s end. While trade issues have been a drag on stocks, they have risen to historic highs because of extremely strong economic conditions. In the past two quarters, corporate profits have averaged 20% above the same quarters last year (about 14% of that is tax savings, as the corporate tax rate has been reduced to 21% from 35% last year). The Consumer Confidence Index hit its highest level since 2000 this week. The unemployment rate is at a 20 year low. The second quarter GDP was revised up to 4.2% this week. Interest rates are still at historically low levels, and tame inflation has reduced the risk of rates rising as high or as quickly as investors feared at the beginning of the year when inflation appeared to be picking up. The only drags are fears of a trade war and wage growth, which has been stubbornly stagnant, which is unexpected with such low unemployment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,964.82, up from 25,790.35 last week. It is up 5% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,901.52, up from 2,884.69 last week. It’s up 8.5% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 8,109.54, up from 7,945.98 last week. It’s up 17.5% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields slightly higher – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.86%, up from 2.82% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.02%, up from 2.97% last week.

Mortgage rates almost unchanged this week – The August 30, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.52%, almost unchanged from 4.51% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.97%, down from 3.98% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.85%, up slightly from 3.82% last week.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Syd

August 31, 2018

Fun Things to do This September in LA

Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in September around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.

September 2018 event highlights include the LA County Fair, Made in LA Fest, Tarfest, the Abbott Kinney Community Festival, Annenberg After Hours, a dOGUMENTA art show, the Frogtown Art Walk, Dino Fest at NHM, and LOTS more.

Enjoy!

1. The LA County Fair Returns (through September 24)

The LA County Fair returns to Pomona for a enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more.. -> More information

2. Made in LA Fest at Golden Road Brewing (September 1-2)

Golden Road Brewing is holding their two-day 2018 Made In LA Festival, focusing on Los Angeles art and culture with musical acts like Dorothy and Saint Motel. -> More information

3. Vegan Street Fair in North Hollywood (Sep 1-2)

Vegan Street Fair LA Nights features some of the best vegan vendors and eats around the Los Angeles area, along with games, music, karaoke, and much more. -> More information

4. Fiesta Hermosa (September 2-4)

Fiesta Hermosa returns to Hermosa Beach on Labor Day Weekend. The “largest arts and crafts fair in Southern California” offers food, drink, music, and more. -> More information

5. The 2018 Future is Female Concert (September 4)

The annual Future is Female concert returns for a 2018 show featuring music from female composers such as Germaine Franco (TAG) and Tamar-kali (Mudbound). -> More information

6 Long Beach Original Lobster Festival (September 7-9)

The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival returns for the 22nd year in a row with live entertainment, activities, and boat loads of fresh Maine lobster. -> More information

7. Annenberg After Hours (September 7)

See Annenberg Space for Photography’s current exhibit, Not an Ostrich, after hours, along with live music, and a special documentary screening. -> More information

8. Long Beach Comic Con (September 8-9)

Long Beach Comic Con returns for two-days of cosplay, panels, a space expo, screenings, and a behind the scenes look at the comic industry. -> More information

9. ‘Frankenstein 200’ — A New Group Art Show & Reception at Corey Helford Gallery (opens September 8)

Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Corey Helford Gallery’s opening reception and month-long exhibition of Frankenstein 200. -> More information

10. FREE MindTravel Silent Piano Sunset Concert at UCLA’s Fowler Museum (September 12)

Enjoy MindTravel’s sunset concert by composer and pianist Murray Hidary broadcast directly into your eyes through wireless headphones at the Fowler Museum. -> More information

11. Art Battle Los Angeles Returns (September 12)

Watch 16 artists face off over three rounds, creating paintings from blank canvases in 20 minutes for you to vote on, and decide who wins at Art Battle LA at The Exchange. -> More information

12. Son of Monsterpalooza is Coming to Burbank (September 14-16)

Get ready to scream, be amazed or simply turn away because Son of Monsterpalooza is coming just in time for Halloween with makeup demos, panels, and more. -> More information

13. dOGUMENTA: A Dog Art Show at FIGat7th (September 14-16 & 21-23)

Man’s best friend finally has an art exhibit made just for them! dOGUMENTA LA is a free, dog-friendly art show hosted over two consecutive weekends at FIGat7th in Downtown L.A. -> More information

14. Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (September 15)

The 3rd annual Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party will feature succulent planting, garden tours, face painting, and a petting zoo for FREE. -> More information

15. Water Lantern Festival (September 15-16)

Experience something magical as you decorate your individual lantern and watch it light up over the Whittier Narrows Lake during the Water Lantern Festival. -> More information

16. ‘Cine Sin Fronteras’ in Monterey Park (September 15)

Check out Cine Sin Frontera, a selection of highlights from the Morelia International Film Festival at the Vincent Price Art Museum with music and more. -> More information

17. BEST Ride: Sriracha Slow Roll in Duarte (September 15)

Enjoy a bike ride in Duart to the world-famous Huy Fong Foods Factory for Sriracha-infused food and views atop the Santa Fe Dam. -> More information

18. Open Arts & Music Festival in Glendale (September 15)

Enjoy the Open Arts and Music Festival in Glendale. This festival includes live performances, a marketplace, art, and much more! -> More information

19. Rosemead Moon Festival (September 15)

Come enjoy the 2018 Rosemead Moon Festival, a celebration that sees Valley Blvd. close down for over 110 vendors, live performances, games and more! -> More information

20. KCRW’s ‘Left, Right & Center’ LIVE in Santa Monica (September 20)

KCRW’s political show Left, Right & Center returns to The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage to talk policy, the midterm election and more with a range of guests. -> More information

21. Venice Afterburn 2018 (September 21-23)

Shake off the dust of Burning Man at Venice Afterburn, a 3-day long event showcasing the cars, costumes and people that make the desert celebration special! -> More information

22. Nerdbot-Con 2018 at the Pasadena Convention Center (September 22)

The 3rd annual Nerdbot-Con is returning to the Pasadena Convention Center for a day of cosplay, nerd, gamer and superhero appreciation. -> More information

23. 16th Annual Tarfest at the La Brea Tar Pits Park (September 22)

The 16th annual Tarfest is back for 2018 with a FREE showcase of music, dance, live artwork, a biergarten and wine bar, all at the iconic La Brea Tar Pits. -> More information

24. The 11th Frogtown Artwalk (September 22)

Happening along the Los Angeles River, the Frogtown Artwalk features pop-up galleries, artists’ studios, musical performances, and art installations. -> More information

25. Opera at the Beach: ‘Don Carlo’ at the Santa Monica Pier (September 22)

Grab your chairs and blankets to enjoy a picnic with a live broadcast of opera Don Carlo from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion directly to Santa Monica Pier! -> More information

26. Union Station’s Retrocade Experience (September 22-23)

Enjoy classic arcade games from the 70’s-90’s at Union Station’s Retrocade Experience, with classic arcade food, a Pac Man competition, and more! -> More information

27. San Antonio Winery Harvest Festival (September 29)

Celebrate over 100 years of wine-making in Los Angeles at the San Antonio Winery Harvest Festival, with wine and beer samplings, food, live music and more! -> More information

28. Tacos and Beer Festival at Pershing Square in DTLA (September 29)

The Tacos and Beer Festival in Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles will feature various tacos, beer, micheladas, live bands, a piñata breaking party, fiesta costume contest and a mechanical bull. -> More information

29. Dino Fest at Natural History Museum (Sept. 29-30)

The 3rd annual Dino Fest returns to NHMLA this September 29-30 for a weekend of celebrating the prehistoric giants that one ruled the earth. -> More information

30. Celebrate LA! — An Eight-Mile Street Party (September 30)

Enjoy the Los Angeles streets with no cars during Celebrate LA, an eight-mile street party featuring live music, games, and a free Hollywood Bowl concert. -> More information

31. Abbot Kinney Festival 2018 (September 30)

L.A. favorite Abbot Kinney Festival returns in 2018 for another day-long celebration featuring live music, food, rides, and over 300 vendors. -> More information

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

August 30, 2018

Labor Day Weekend Events: August 31 – September 3

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 Labor Day weekend, from Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 3, features The Taste, the L.A. County Fair, Made in LA Fest, Fiesta Hermosa, Broad Fest, a Vegan Street Fair, and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday August 31st, 2018

1. L.A. Times The Taste returns to Paramount Studios (August 31 to September 2) with tastings from some of the best chefs in Los Angeles selected by The Time and demos, pop-ups and chef experiences.

2. Cinecon Classic Film Festival at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre (August 30 to September 3) is 5-days of classic film screenings, celebrity appearances, panels, a memorabilia show, and more.

3. The L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for a enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. The fair runs through September 23. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

4. West Adams Avenues Jazz and Music Festival is three nights of music including jazz, blues, funk and more, as well as activities, arts and crafts, and food trucks. FREE

5. Friday Night Fireworks at Dodger Stadium will feature a dazzling fireworks show on the field after the game paired with music. This week the boys in blue will go up against the San Diego Padres. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

6. The 626 Night Market is back for its seventh season at Santa Anita Park. Happening Aug. 31 through September 2, the event will feature over 250 vendors selling crafts, merchandise, art, music and a massive selection of food from local restaurants, food trucks and more.

7. The L.A. Zoo will offer free admission for veterans, active, and retired military personnel this Friday in honor of LA Fleet Week. Offer valid from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Up to six accompanying friends and family members can receive a discount of $3 off adult and $2 off child admission. Must present a valid military ID at the time of purchase.

8. The Roadium in Torrance presents Classic Drive-in Movies every Friday night in August and the first Friday of September. Each family-friendly event features classic films projected on the screen tower. Continuing the series is a screening of The Endless Summer.

9. L.A. Fleet Week is back from August 31-September 3. Hosted at Los Angeles Cruise Terminal in San Pedro the event will feature various military ships, guided tours, military demonstrations, live entertainment, aerial demonstrations and more. Plenty of venues will also be participating including Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, and 22nd Street Park. FREE

10. Barnsdall Fridays at Barnsdall Art Park comes to a close this Friday evening with tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.

11. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will host Late Night Fridays where guests can enjoy free general admission from 5 to 8 p.m. and gain access to special activities, 3D movies, behind-the-scenes tours, live excavations, and more. FREE

12. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. This week features DJ Nights, an evening of entertainment curated by some of the city’s best and most influential DJs. FREE

13. The Queen Mary will celebrate Labor Day with free admission to all active and retired first responders (military, police and firemen) now through September 3.

14. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

15. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Parkat the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with free performances of A Mid Summer Nights Dream and Titus Andronicus Wednesday through Sunday. This is the last week to catch performances. FREE

16. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include A Quite Place, Isle of Dogs and more.

Saturday September 1st, 2018

17. Golden Road Brewing’s Made in LA Festival, is two-days of music and arts celebrating Los Angeles with acts like Saint Motel, Dorothy, and Mondo Cozmo set to perform.

18. Head to downtown Hermosa Beach for Fiesta Hermosa Sep. 1-3 for one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Southern California. Hosting over 300 artists, expect live music, a beer & wine garden and a kiddie carnival to entertain all day long. FREE

19. Vegan Street Fair Sep. 1-2 returns to Los Angeles for 2018 with a plethora of vegan-friendly eats and vendors, including Evolution Burger, Charlie’s Brownies, Donut Friend and much more. The fair will also include games, live entertainment and karaoke.

20. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Selena on Saturday at The Autry. Check for discounted tickets at select screenings. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

21.. The Silverlake Flea-Night Market taking place every Saturday from 5-10 p.m. all summer long features a plethora of local, independent sellers that offer vintage clothing, art, rare vinyl, crafts, and much more.

22. 68th Annual Long Beach Greek Festival is back this Labor Day weekend (Sep 1-3) with authentic Greek food, music and lots of dancing. FREE

23. Cinespia is back for its 17th summer season, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for screenings of films modern, cult, and classic. This Saturday they’ll screen Beverly Hills Cop and Sunday they’ll screen Now and Then.

24. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck is hosting a sky-high Labor Day BBQ on the private poolside rooftop of The Ritz-Carlton in DTLA. Enjoy panoramic views while dining on Executive Chef John Lechleidner’s Prime Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, BBQ glazed chicken and more. Reservations are encouraged.

25. Local Mexican-American band La Santa Cecilia will close out Pop Saturdays, a summer series of free concerts taking place at Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park. FREE

26. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

27. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screenings of The Wizard of Oz at Park Center in Griffith Park and The Wedding Singer at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED

28. Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead will host The 10,000 Buddha Relics Collection Exhibit from September 1-3. The exhibit will feature the sacred bones of Shakyamuni Buddha as well as tens of thousands of brightly colored crystals known as shariras.

29. JAM Sessions at Burton Chace Park is a free evening of dancing salsa to the music of La Santa Cecilia. FREE

Sunday September 2nd, 2018

30. Head over to The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica on Sunday for Broad Fest, a free live entertainment event for the whole family. Live music will be played on the stage throughout the day. Fun activities for both kids and adults will be provided, with sweets, snacks, and food available for purchase. FREE

31. The 2nd Annual Jamaican JerkFest and Dancehall Party comes to Union Nightclub in Arlington Heights this Sunday. Enjoy authentic Jamaican cuisine, drink rum punch, and dance to pulsating dancehall music and live Jamaican rhythms from genres like ska, reggae, and lovers rock. Free admission.

32. L.A. Dragon Studios located in the valley is a all you can play gaming center with VR, Escape Rooms, and an Arcade all for a flat fee of $10. Open seven days a week.

33. Mount Wilson Observatory is offering classical music concerts within the dome of the 100-inch telescope above the observatory. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, the shows are ear candy with a view!

34. Delicious Vinyl will host a West Adams Block Party with performances by KRS-One, Masta Ace alongside DJ sets from a number of respected artists. The day will feature food trucks and vendors, including Delicious Pizza, LocoL, Alta Adams and Highly Likely. There will be a beer garden for the 21+ crowd and activities for kids as well. FREE

35. Missed last week’s bbq event at Smorgasburg LA? BBQ Day Repeat will see the return of this delicious day along with the last Ice Cream Alley of the summer.

36. Head over to the Regent in DTLA for The Rock and Roll Flea Market where you can checkout 50 vendors offering vintage and handmade crafts, including clothing, jewelry, memorabilia, instruments and more, as well as vinyl. Free admission.

37. The Highlight Room will host a Labor Day Backyard BBQ on Sunday from 2 – 7 p.m. Indulge in the BBQ and hang out by the pool sipping cocktails jamming to DJ tunes and taking in the 360 degree views of Los Angeles.

38. The historic Alex Theatre in Glendale will be celebrating its 93rd birthday with a free all ages community event that includes music, specialty cocktails, food, raffles, and tours of the theatre. FREE

39. Yoga at Angel City Brewery welcomes all levels of experience with a donation of $15-20 that includes a free drink at the end.

40. A Yeti Village has been constructed on Hollywood and Vine in anticipation for the movie SMALLFOOT. Designed to look like winter, visitors of all ages can dance in a blizzard, swing on a cloud, ride a 20-foot slide, play in a snowball pit, sing karaoke, do arts and crafts and more. The family-friendly experience is free to attend and runs through September 14, 2018. FREE

41. There’s a Silent Disco happening at The Federal Bar in North Hollywood this Sunday with Top 40 Dance Hits, EDM, Hip Hop, R&B along with 80’s, 90’s and 2K throwbacks.

42. There’s two new hyper-realistic VR experience at The VOID in Glendale a Ghostbusters themed experience and a scarier Nicodemus: Demon of Evanishment experience. Experiences run on different days, be sure to check their schedule.

Monday September 3rd, 2018

43. Head over to Leimert Park on Monday for Refuge Block Party, a celebration of the endurance of people who live on the streets. Organized by The California African American Museum, the event will feature music, live performances, and food trucks. Care packets will also be given out to people in need.

44. Melody located in Virgil Village will celebrate Labor Day with an all-afternoon patio BBQ. Guests can enjoy burgers, sandwiches, oysters, and red, white & pink wines. Cornhole and an all-vinyl country western deejay will round out the patio shindig.

45. Join L.A. Conservancy on National Skyscraper Day as they host a special Modern Skyline walking tour. Get to know the skyscrapers that helped shape DTLA’s epic skyline and hear fascinating stories about Bunker Hill while exploring some of L.A.’s newest landmarks.

46. Prank Bar is having an All-American BBQ for Labor Day with Chef Ricardo grilling racks of ribs and half chickens paired with mac n’ cheese, coleslaw and fries. Drink specials include beer, boilermakers and something called “All-American Truffle Shuffle” a PBR Tall Boy and Dickel Rye Whisky shot.

47. Spend Labor Day with family during the inaugural family-friendly music, arts, and kids activity festival: Littlepalooza happening in Long Beach.

48. Esters hosts happy hour all-night on Mondays and that includes this Labor Day! From 3 p.m. to close, guests can take advantage of $9 glasses of house wine, burrata crostini for $7, half a dozen oysters for $18, and more.

49. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of Black Panter.

50. Shakespeare’s most magical play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to a close at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon this Monday.

Schedule courtesy of We Like LA.

August 29, 2018

NCAA Team-Affiliated Bars In Los Angeles

Fact: Watching your college football team at home while shouting at the screen is waaaaay less fun than watching them at a bar while shouting at the screen with your fellow alumni and fans. With that in mind, Thrillist has tracked down every college football team-affiliated bar in LA — and divided them up by conference — to ensure you’re not flying solo come game time.

If you don’t find your team below, it’s not because they don’t think you guys should win this year; it’s most likely they couldn’t find (or confirm) a designated bar.

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – September 2018

ES TODO

1. The LA County Fair Returns (through September 24)

2. Made in LA Fest at Golden Road Brewing (September 1-2)

3. Vegan Street Fair in North Hollywood (Sep 1-2)

4. Fiesta Hermosa (September 2-4)

5. The 2018 Future is Female Concert (September 4)

6 Long Beach Original Lobster Festival (September 7-9)

7. Annenberg After Hours (September 7)

8. Long Beach Comic Con (September 8-9)

9. ‘Frankenstein 200’ — A New Group Art Show & Reception at Corey Helford Gallery (opens September 8)

10. FREE MindTravel Silent Piano Sunset Concert at UCLA’s Fowler Museum (September 12)

11. Art Battle Los Angeles Returns (September 12)

12. Son of Monsterpalooza is Coming to Burbank (September 14-16)

13. dOGUMENTA: A Dog Art Show at FIGat7th (September 14-16 & 21-23)

14. Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (September 15)

15. Water Lantern Festival (September 15-16)

16. ‘Cine Sin Fronteras’ in Monterey Park (September 15)

17. BEST Ride: Sriracha Slow Roll in Duarte (September 15)

18. Open Arts & Music Festival in Glendale (September 15)

19. Rosemead Moon Festival (September 15)

20. KCRW’s ‘Left, Right & Center’ LIVE in Santa Monica (September 20)

21. Venice Afterburn 2018 (September 21-23)

22. Nerdbot-Con 2018 at the Pasadena Convention Center (September 22)

23. 16th Annual Tarfest at the La Brea Tar Pits Park (September 22)

24. The 11th Frogtown Artwalk (September 22)

25. Opera at the Beach: ‘Don Carlo’ at the Santa Monica Pier (September 22)

26. Union Station’s Retrocade Experience (September 22-23)

27. San Antonio Winery Harvest Festival (September 29)

28. Tacos and Beer Festival at Pershing Square in DTLA (September 29)

29. Dino Fest at Natural History Museum (Sept. 29-30)

30. Celebrate LA! — An Eight-Mile Street Party (September 30)

31. Abbot Kinney Festival 2018 (September 30)

Friday August 31st, 2018

Saturday September 1st, 2018

Sunday September 2nd, 2018

Monday September 3rd, 2018

BOSTON COLLEGE

Sonny McLean’s

SANTA MONICA

CLEMSON

The Parlor

MID-WILSHIRE

FLORIDA STATE

Prince O’ Whales

CULVER CITY

MIAMI

Barney’s Beanery

WEST HOLLYWOOD

NORTH CAROLINA

The Parlor

MID-WILSHIRE

PITTSBURGH

Barney’s Beanery

BURBANK

SYRACUSE

The Parlor

MID-WILSHIRE

VIRGINIA

Sonny McLean’s

SANTA MONICA

VIRGINIA TECH

O’Brien’s

SANTA MONICA

CINCINNATI

33 Taps

SILVER LAKE

CONNECTICUT

Sonny McLean’s

SANTA MONICA

EAST CAROLINA

The Garage

WEST LA

TEMPLE

The Garage

WEST LA

TULANE

Royal

WEST HOLLYWOOD

ILLINOIS