Fantastic food in a cozy, intimate restaurant - where you can sit at the bar and see the chefs expertly doing their culinary thing with style and ease.

Only about 45 minutes from Los Angeles, this is a great quick campground for a one night escape from the city.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, founded by Bob Baker and Alton Wood in 1963, is the oldest children's theater company in Los Angeles and the longest-running puppet theater in the United States. As soon as you step through the doors you are transported into a magical realm frozen in time. Be prepared to be swept off your feet and surrender your age as soon as the artfully designed marionettes come to life. At the end of every show, the theater offers free ice cream and coffee in the birthday party room opposite the main theater where Bob Baker is available to chat and show you how to operate a marionette.

I’ll say it again, I love living in a city where I can easily go to the beach for the day and be home by dark. Venice speaks for itself, I guess. I’m originally from the east coast and the sunset over the ocean still hasn’t gotten old.

The best ramen I had in LA, maybe anywhere. Even my food-critical son loved it.