Halloween

Halloween in LA takes many shapes and forms. From swanky nightclub events and masquerade balls, to neighborhood block parties and kids in costumes asking for treats, there are so many ways to enjoy this holiday. Read more for some fun ideas you can incorporate into your October 31 plans.

 

DIY Costumes & Décor Halloween decorations usually consist of pumpkins, and more pumpkins. But, you can also incorporate other fall vegetables in your tablescape or on your front porch. Real and/or artificial pumpkins and gourds in autumnal colors can be used to add grandeur to your design. Streamers in orange and black and an assortment of witches, ghosts, and monsters will round out your aesthetic. While you’re at it, make your own costume! There are plenty of YouTube tutorials you can consult for ideas and execution. Get creative, have fun, and make a one-of-a-kind costume to go with your festive, home-made décor. 

Visit a Pumpkin Patch Despite the fact that Los Angeles doesn’t really have a fall season or fall weather, we do our best to pretend with a plethora of pumpkin patches and harvest festivals to attend. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is a celebrity favorite. Underwood Farms is family-friendly with lots of fun activities for kids. Pumpkin Nights is a showcase of thousands of carved pumpkins. Some main streets will set up holiday décor, and parking lots of large grocery stores will also sell pumpkins and other gourds. If you really want to go all out, visit amusement parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios, where you can immerse yourself in holiday spirit. 

Movie Marathon with Treats After the trick-or-treaters have finished their rounds, grab the bowl of leftover candy and get comfy on the couch. You’re bound to find a Halloween movie marathon on TV, or pick your flick on Netflix or Hulu. Some kid-friendly, non-scary movies to watch this time of year are Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tried and true horror movies (also throwbacks) to watch are I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream. A fan favorite snack is adding chocolate candies to popcorn. Binge on themed movies and bite-sized treats until the sun comes up!

What are your Halloween plans? 

The Americana - Glendale

The Americana at Brand is Glendale’s premiere outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment center. Here you’ll find upscale dining as well as trendy food carts, high-end retail as well as affordable shopping, and everything you could want in a live-work-play environment. Let’s break it down!

Eat Hungry? From fine dining to casual eats, you’ll find something to suit your palette here. Let’s start with the sweets: See’s Candies, Laduree, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Sugarfina all in one place? Yes, please! Date night is made easy with Bourbon Steak, Din Tai Fung and Trattoria Amici. Grab a drink with friends at the outdoor Ombra Wine Bar. Enjoy family-friendly meals at The Cheesecake Factory or Shake Shack. Snacks, coffee, sandwiches, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert can be found steps from each other. But don’t worry about all the calories – burn some off causally strolling around Americana. Or…  

Shop Need a new look for work or a night out? Look no further. In addition to a fun form of cardio (see paragraph above), you can shop for just about anything here. From high-end boutiques like Tiffany’s and Tory Burch, to trendy stores like H&M and Topshop, to luxury giants like Barney’s and Nordstrom, and everything in between. Clothing and accessories aside, you can buy your next phone from Apple, book club reads from Barnes & Noble, kitchenware from Sur La Table, makeup from Sephora, and baby gifts from Disney baby. Also, window shopping is a thing.

Live/play if you don’t want to eat or shop, there is still so much to do here. Catch a movie at the Theater, enjoy the water fountain shows, pack for a picnic on the lawn, get a blowout at Drybar or a shave at The Art of Shaving, or hop on the trolley and tour Americana. If you truly want to enjoy the essence of all that Americana has to offer, everyday – you can live there, too. Sitting above the retail stores are stories and stories of luxury condos and apartments, with concierge service and access to everything in Americana. One step onto your balcony, and you are treated to your own personal source of entertainment.

Drop a comment if you’ve ever considered making the Americana your home!  

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is one of the most-visited cities in Southern California. Tourist destination aside, it’s also a favorite among locals. Beaches, restaurants, hotels, shopping and dining all in one place. Oh, and because it’s almost always crowded, there’s never a dull moment! 

Santa Monica Pier Some piers offer great ocean views, fishing, and an opportunity to take in the breeze without being on the sand. The Pier at Santa Monica has all that and so much more. Home to Pacific Park, an amusement park with all the trimmings – including a Ferris wheel that lights up at night, roller coaster, bumper cars, arcade and carnival games, and an indoor carousel. Cafes and carts provide quick sustenance, or you can try some of the many restaurants located on the pier. Street performers, artists, and vendors round out the experience.

Santa Monica Beach Steps beneath the pier you’ll find the beach. Santa Monica hosts a plethora of events (entertainment and athletic) right on the beach. There is easy access from the pier, nearby parking lots, and direct entry from PCH and Colorado Avenue. Get there early mornings or late nights if you want a peaceful and calming stroll on the beach. The afternoons and evenings tend to be more crowded and livelier. Whether you are surfing, swimming, tanning, people-watching, or just enjoying the scenery, Santa Monica beach is a fun place to do it.  

3^rd Street Promenade Just a few blocks from the beach, you’ll find an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment center. Here you'll find high-end to affordable retail stores, upscale dining to cute cafes, street art to street artists, and so much more. Grab some coffee or catch a movie. Window shop or people watch. Enjoy some live entertainment and take in the sights. Nearby, you’ll find many beautiful hotels with equally beautiful views of the beach and ocean. Spanning several city  blocks, there's no shortage of things to see or do.

What’s your go-to spot to visit in Santa Monica?

Echo Park

Echo Park is a neighborhood in central Los Angeles that is often referred to as trendy, artsy and indie due to its vibrant art, food and music scenes. Let’s explore some of what makes Echo Park unique. 

Echo Park Lake Swan boats, trees and fountains, oh my! Picturesque Echo Park Lake is framed by palm trees and skyscrapers, courtesy of the DTLA skyline in the background. Enjoy views of DTLA, while also taking in the lush, green park grounds around you. A beautiful fountain in the center of the lake brings it all together. Great for picnics, outdoor workouts, water activities and of course, photo ops. There are several apartment buildings and condos that call EPL their backyard, and its central location provides easy access in and out of the park. It’s a must-see/experience if you are ever in the area.

Silver Lake Stairs The painted stairways in Silver Lake have become increasingly popular with artists, photographers, bloggers and tourists. There are several different stairways, some famous, some hidden, but all colorful and fun. Take a guided tour to make sure you cover all of them, but be ready to trek several miles. It’s a great way to experience art and also get to know the neighborhood. Start with the Micheltorena stairs right off Sunset Boulevard and have fun! 

 

Music/Food If music is what you are looking for - look no further. There are plenty of venues to choose from to catch live, indie music. If it's the food you came for - you are in for a treat. With a healthy mix of old, trusted establishments and new, trendy eateries, you really can't go wrong. There are several local bakeries and cafes to choose from, each with their own unique flavors. My personal favorite is the deep dish pizza from Masa of Echo Park Bakery and Café (it’s delicious!). Try it and let me know what you think!

What's your favorite place to visit in Echo Park?

Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey is one of my favorite communities in SoCal. A small-town vibe with beach city amenities, it’s the best of both worlds. Here’s my round up of where to go and what to do in MdR.

Marina Beach The beach at Marina del Rey, also known as ‘Mother’s Beach’, is one of the more family-friendly SoCal beaches. Brand new picnic shelters were debuted at the beach’s recent grand reopening, which are designated and covered areas where you can bring your own food and set up your very own picnic. If picnics aren’t your thing, there are several restaurants and food trucks nearby. Kids and parents alike can play in the sand and splash around in the water, and enjoy a number of beach activities.

Fisherman’s Village The largest man-made small boat harbor is a replica of a small New England seaport and fishing town. This is one of my personal favorite places to spend an afternoon. The boardwalk is right along the marina, which provides beautiful views of the boats in harbor. The buildings are painted in bright colors and there are benches everywhere so you can sit back and enjoy the view. Take a leisurely stroll, visit the small boutiques selling local goods, and grab a meal or drink at one of several restaurants/bars with marina views.

Marina Here is a sample of the water activities you can partake in at MdR – chartering a yacht, stand-up paddle boarding, parasailing, cruising, kayaking, doing paddle board yoga, whale and dolphin watching, jet skiing, and more. If you’re not a fan of being on the water, you can also go cycling right along the marina. Or, just enjoy the view and people-watch. With so many activities to choose from, each visit will be a new adventure and there’s something for everyone to participate in. 

What’s your favorite thing to do on the water?