Michael Jackson Memorial Staples Center Los Angeles

This picture of the Michael Jackson Memorial in front of the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles is probably as close us most people will ever get. Only 17,500 tickets are being given away for Tuesdays Michael Jackson service. With thousand of people trying to get a free ticket chances are next to nothing of getting one. The entire area around the Staples Center will be blocker off to to anyone unless they have a pass or are part of the media.

The restricted area is bounded by Flower Street on the east, Olympic Boulevard on the north, Pico Boulevard to the south and Blaine Street to the west. No one will be allowed into this area without a ticket.

There will be a massive LA police force on hand for crowd control. Most major TV stations will have live footage of the Michael Jackson Memorial so your best bet is to stay at home and watch.

Anime Expo AX 2009 Los Angeles

What started out as a trip to LA Live and the Grammy Museum turned into a interesting look into the world of Anime. The Anime Expo (AX) is anime convention that takes place over the July 4 weekend for four days each year in Los Angeles. Here are some pictures from the 2009 Anime Expo AX. As it turns out the Anime Expo was way more fun than LA Live and the Grammy Museum.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center Santa Cruz

Seymour Marine Discovery Center is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. The center is part of the Long Marine Laboratory and is open to the public every day except Monday. Inside, the center offers a look at the marine world surrounding the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. One of the most striking exhibits at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a huge 87-foot long Blue Whale skeleton.
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center has four different exhibits: looking, testing, puzzling, questioning. These try to show the visitors what scientists do, and how they go about their research.

The Looking Exhibit: This exhibit “offers thematic interactive experiences and adventures in a wide variety of scientific fields for visitors of all ages, and in nine different languages.” These displays try to give the viewers a “hands-on” experience, and try to show how a scientist does his or her research out in the field. There are three different parts to this exhibit:

Elephant Seals field studies
Coastal Geographical Processes
Tidepool Ecology: Long-term Observations
The Testing Exhibit: At this exhibit there are three displays and instruments used by scientists to collect data and samples for a variety of things: investigating life on Earth, they are used in the depths of the oceans, with marine mammals in water and air, and to sample the environmental toxins that accumulate everywhere. The three displays are:

Ocean Drilling Project (ODP)
Pinniped Sensory Abilities
Heavy Metals in the Environment
The Puzzling Exhibit:

Marine Snow Studies
Otter and Killer Whale Interactions
The Questioning Exhibit: The questioning aspect of the center is incorporated with the aquarium. On each tank, which houses an animal, there is a question relating to that animal which the scientists have to ask themselves. Some examples of these questions are: “How smart is an octopus? What does this crab do when it outgrows its shell? What survival techniques do sand dabs use to escape hungry predators?”

Days and Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, noon to 5 PM
Closed Monday
Admission:
Adult $6
Student or Senior (64+) $4
Child (4-16) $4
First Tuesday of each month free admission

Located at the End of Delaware Avenue
100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Michael Jackson Exhibit at the Grammy Museum Los Angeles

The Grammy Museum at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles is celebrating the life of Michael Jackson with a display of Jackson's most elaborate wardrobe pieces, including the suit he wore on the cover of Thriller. The Michael Jackson display is being exhibited on the Museum's third floor alongside video of some of Jackson's most exciting GRAMMY performances.
"The GRAMMY Museum is excited for this rare chance to share this material with our visitors," said Chief Curator Ken Luftig Viste. "Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most significant entertainers in pop music history, and the pieces' starpower — and design — is striking. Few, if any, have ever before been made available to the public in this way."
Including seven elaborately embellished jackets, two gloves, and more, highlights include jackets worn on the Victory tour, at Jackson's 1984 American Music Awards appearance, and at the dedication of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All are elaborately bejeweled, beaded, and detailed — with one piece weighing nearly fifteen pounds. Full price tickets are $14.95 each. Sign up for a free Goldstar Membership and only pay $8.00 Half-Price Tickets Michael Jackson at the Grammy Museum

New Brighton State Beach

New Brighton State Beach is located south of Santa Cruz California in the town of Capitola. The beach is very popular during the summer months for both day use and beach camping. The 111 campsites are on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. Nearby is Seacliff’s famous fishing pier which has a concrete tanker at its end, the SS Palo Alto. It was built during World War I, when wartime steel shortages created a demand for alternate shipbuilding materials. However, when the war ended, so did the desperate need for ships, and the Palo Alto was never completed. In 1930 the Seacliff Amusement Corporation bought the ship and turned it into an elaborate amusement center. Once positioned at the beach, the Palo Alto was brought to rest on the ocean bottom and the pier was built leading to the ship. Camping at New Brighton and Seacliff beaches is very popular during the summer. Most of the time campsites are sold out months in advance. Picnicking, fishing, camping, hiking and
swimming are favorite family activities at these State Beaches.Location is four
miles south of Santa Cruz, off Highway 1 at the intersection of Park and McGregor Drives. New Brighton State Beach

Julian Railroad

The JULIAN TRAIN & GOLD MINE TOUR is now open to the general public. The train and gold mine tour used to be open to groups and schools only but is now open to everyone. A reservation is still required and school groups get a discount: 1 free adult for every 15 students. Take a trip back in time aboard Julian's only working railway. The mile long journey takes you around the historic Smith Ranch with a stop at a real 1870's Julian gold rush mine. Smith Ranch offers three tours for visiting groups: Pioneerways Adventure Tour - 3½ hrs; Jr. Pioneerways Adventure Tour - 2½ hrs; and Julian Train and Gold Mine Tour - 1 hr. All ages are welcome and each tour includes a 1-mile train ride. Call Phone: 1-760-765-2288 fo more information or a reservation. Julian Railroad

Camping Big Bear San Bernardino Mountains

Big Bear Lake and the surrounding San Bernardino mountians are a favorite camping destination for Southern Californians's. Low landers head up the mountain to escape the heat and smog of the valleys below without the long drive to northern California.

San Bernardino National Forest campgrounds

Big Pine Flats Campground - Located in the mountains in a pine forest at an elevation of 6820 feet. Accessible portable toilets, trash collection, water, and 4 horse corrals are provided. Nearest showers are at Serrano Campground. There are markets and restaurants in Fawnskin 7 miles away. Popular activities are hiking, biking, target shooting, and OHV trails nearby.

Crab Flats Campground - Primitive campground is an off roaders paradise, with miles of off road trails for the beginner or the experienced rider. Located 8 miles from Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino National Forrest. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, near the town of Arrowbear. Campground is situated in tall pine, oak and cedar trees on a dirt road. Restrooms are provided and drinking water are provided. Campground host is on site. Off-road vehicle trails are nearby. Valley Lake is approximately six miles away. There is no overflow parking. No large RVs. This campground is for off-road vehicle oriented camping.

Green Valley Campground - Located near Arrowbear, the midway point between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Green Valley lake, known for it's exceptional trout fishing, is located only blocks from this beautiful mountain campground. Great fishing at Green Valley Lake. This facility is operated by California Land Management.

Hanna Flat Campground - Hanna Flat Campground is located in the San Bernardino mountains, three miles from Big Bear Lake and situated in a pine forest. Popular activities in the area are hiking, mountain biking, boating and fishing. Markets and restaurants are within convenient driving distance.

Heart Bar Campground - Located near the San Gorgonio Wilderness in the pine trees. Firewood is for sale at the campground. Some campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis.

North Shore Arrowhead - North Shore campground is located 23 miles northeast of San Bernardino in the San Bernardino National Forest, 3 miles from Lake Arrowhead Viggage. Lake Gregory is 20 minutes away and offer fishing, boat rentals and a water slide park.

Pineknot Campground - Pinkeknot Campground is located in the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear Lake. At an elevation of 6,900 feet the campground is situated in a fir, pine and oak forest setting. Popular activities include sight-seeing, shopping, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. A marina and water recreation areas are five miles from the campground.

San Gorgonio Campground - Located 36 miles northeast of San Bernardino, California, within 25 miles of Big Bear Lake. Restrooms are provided. Firewood is available for sale at the campground.

Caswell State Park Camping Trip

Caswell Memorial State Park is an oasis of oak trees in a sea of farm land in the California central Valley. The Stanislaus River runs through Caswell State Park and during the summer campers can cool off in the slow moving waterway. There are 65 campsites most of which face the river. During the week you can have the park to yourself. Weekends Caswell State Park is full of campers from the San Francisco bay area. There are miles of hiking trails that twist there way through the oak trees or you can hop on an inner tube and float down the river. Location - Directions From 99, take the Austin Rd. exit. Head South on Austin Rd. and you will run into the park at the end of the road. Latitude/Longitude: 37.7005 / -121.1243 Year-round day use 8:00am to sunset Entrance station open Spring and Fall weekends, most days May through September. 28000 South Austin Road Ripon CA 95366 209-599-3810
Caswell State Park Camping Reservations

Thornhill Broome Beach Camping

Thornhill Broome Beach is located in Point Mugu State Park. Camping at Thornhill Broome is mostly a RV destination although there is a tent camping area. The beach here tends to be windy and if you plan to camp tent it can be challenging. Also the beach is rocky especially on the north end where the tent camping area is. Even with its shortfalls Thornhill Broome is very popular with RV campers. Pull up your rig and step out onto the beach. When its high tide the Pacific Ocean is only a few feet away from your font door. Set out some chairs, light a fire and watch the sunset all for just a few dollars a day. Nothing is better than camping on the beach in Southern California. Southern California Beach Camping.

Queen Mary Long Beach

The Queen Mary docked in Long Beach in 1967 and has been there ever since. In 1971 after a three year conversion the huge passenger liner was opened as a tourist attraction. After several successful years the crowds of visitors thinned out and the ship ran into troubled waters. For a short period of time the Queen was even closed. Today the ship is being operated by Save the Queen Group which has plans to bring back the tourist by adding new attractions. The future of the Queen Mary is foggy considering today's economic situation and what happens is anybody's guess. The ship is still open for tours and if you have any interest in the historic ocean liner you might want to visit soon.
Queen Mary is Open Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST and parking is a rather expensive at $12.00 for up to 12 hours. he Queen Mary is located at the south end of the 710 Freeway, on the water in Long Beach at: 1126 Queen's Hwy, Long Beach, Ca. 90802

Dr. Seuss Traveling Sculpture Garden San Diego

The Dr. Seuss Traveling Sculpture Garden is on display at the Hotel del Coronado, across the bay from downtown San Diego. You can view the statues from now until June 30th on the grounds of the historic hotel. The 5’ and 8’ bronze sculptures are on a tour of California with stops in San Diego, Pleasanton, and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. This exhibit is in recognition of Seuss’ creative talent and gives the to enjoy the life principals expressed and memories associated with his books and art.
About The Art of Dr. Seuss

Ted Geisel wrote 44 books between 1937 and 1990, changing the way generations of children learned to read. While his most prominent legacy is in children’s literacy, his artistic legacy continues to cross over generations and genres impacting the worlds of art, literature, pop and high culture. Many of today’s top talents pay tribute to Dr. Seuss as a key influence in their own artistic development. For over 60 years, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations brought a visual realization to his fantastic and imaginary worlds. However, his artistic talent went far beyond the printed page to his collection of Secret Art. Seuss always dreamed of sharing these works with his fans and had entrusted his wife, Audrey, to carry out his wishes once he was gone. In 1997, this dream was realized when The Art of Dr. Seuss project was launched.

Dr. Seuss Touring Sculpture Garden – California Touring Schedule:
Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, CA -(Now – June 30, 2009)
Stephen Clayton Galleries, Coronado, CA -(July 1, 2009 – August 30, 2009)
Studio 7 Fine Arts, Pleasanton, CA -(September 2, 2009 – October 21, 2009)
Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Fresno, CA -(October 31, 2009 – January 17, 2010)


About Hotel Del Coranado

The Hotel del Coronado (also known as the The Del to local residents) is a beachfront luxury hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is one of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118
Across the bay from downtown San Diego

Things to do Fathers Day Los Angeles

Fathers Day is just around the corner, what do you have planned for dad? Breakfast or maybe brunch. Well this year give dad something a little extra and take him somewhere special. Take Dad hiking or biking. Go on a Bay cruise or travel on a train. Whatever you decide Dad will appreciate that you have taken the time to spend Fathers Day with him. Here is a list of Los Angeles area things to and places to see on Fathers day.

Griffith Observatory - One of the best places to visit in LA for free. Take Dad up Mount Hollywood to see the sights. Maybe even splurge and see the Planetarium show for a few bucks.

Fillmore and Western Train Ride - Special Fathers Day BBQ train leaving at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Fun for the whole family any time of the year. Fillmore is about an hours drive from Los Angeles.

Magic Mountain - If dad likes roller coasters then Six Flag Magic Mountain is the place to take him. Ride the Terminator® Salvation™ and give dad a day he will not forget. Tickets only $27.00 bucks when you buy online, a great deal.

Palm Springs Tramway - Going to take a couple of hours to get there, but when you do, the ride is well worth it. Might still be a few patches of snow to throw at Dad.

Farmers Market Los Angeles - Great for breakfast or lunch. So many places to eat it will be hard to pick which place to fill dad up at. Next door is the Grove Shopping Center where you can get a last minute Fathers Day gift.

Los Angeles Zoo - With nearly 1000 animals living at the zoo dad will feel right at home. From 6-9 pm a variety of musical acts will perform at different locations throughout the Zoo.

Orange Empire Railway - Ride the Big Red Cars of the Pacific Electric and enjoy a Father's Day BBQ. The largest group Trolley Cars of the year are out to ride on for dads day.

Los Angeles Sol Home Depot Center Carson - Professional women’s soccer team will have events during the game including promotional giveaways, basketball shooting, football throw and putting. Before the game in the morning there will be a 5k/10k race.

L. A. Roadsters Car Club Show - 45th year Los Angeles Roadsters Club world-renowned show and the 30th year it will be held at the L. A. County Fairplex, located in Pomona, California. This year the show will be held on Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st.