The Best Place to Watch the Sun Rise in Los Angeles

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There are few things that will get me out of bed before the sunrises, but the breathtaking view from a top Griffith Park in Los Angeles is definitely one of them.
Griffith Park is located on Los Feliz Boulevard.  It is the 2nd largest city park in California and brings a much needed touch of nature to the Los Angeles area.  Not only is the hiking there great to watch the beautiful sunset, but the park has other attractions to enjoy such as the Greek Theater, and LA Zoo, Mt. Lee the home of the Holly wood sign.

To hike to watch the sunrise on the parks west entrance at Ferndale Nature Center you must arrive bright and early.  The hike is quite enjoyable as it is enclosed under gigantic sycamores and winds along a small brook.  It is impressive how quickly you can remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city, and be greeted by the beauty and silence of nature.  Needless to say, this hike t is an invigorating way to start your day.

Along the hike you are able to see an impressive views of Los Angles, ones you’ve not yet seen if you have not made this hike.  The hike takes approximately 45 minutes each way, so pack your water and some light snacks to recharge once you reach the top.  Even though the hike is 1.5 hours in total the incline of the trail is gradual so it is accessible to those who are not avid hikers.

When you make it to the top of the trail at Griffith Observatory go around the back to the viewing deck where you can enjoy a full circle view of Hollywood.  Watching the sun rise means getting up early, but I assure you the view is worth the trek and early morning start!

Griffith Park is easily accessible to surrounding neighborhoods such as Los Feliz, Franklin Village, Atwater Village, Glendale, and Hollywood.

 

June Happenings at the Greek Theatre

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Also in Griffith Park is the world renowned, historic and award-winning Greek Theatre. It is a 5,900-seat venue with state-of-the-art acoustics. If you want entertainment under the stars this is the place to go.   

This June the Greek has a great line up of performers.  

1 The Tenors

7 A Prairie Home Companion w/ Garrison Keillor

8 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo/Cheap Trick

12 The Legend of Zelda

13 Cyndi Lauper

14-16 Barry Manilow

20 Steve Miller Band

23 Last Summer on Earth 2013

For more information go to: http://www.greektheatrela.com/.

 

"The Source" - A New Movie With Ties To Los Feliz

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The Source of Los Feliz

Forty-one years ago Los Feliz was home to the hippie cult, The Source Family. That’s name of a new documentary by Maria Demopoulos and Jodi Wille.

The Source Family was founded by Jim Baker, a World War II hero from Cincinnati who ended up being called Father Yod. 

They not only lived in Los Feliz, but also had a health food restaurant on Sunset Boulevard, which is now Cabo Catina. 

They were typical hippies; they meditated, practiced yoga, had names like Sunflower and practiced free love.

Their first home here was the Chandler Georgian-style mansion. They called it the Mother House. Not surprisingly the Chandlers did not renew Father Yod’s lease after a year.

 They did not go far. They were able to move to Nichols Canyon in a house built by Catherine Deneuve. Though it was closer to the restaurant, which was nice, it was also only a three bedroom home and they had 140 people living there.  

You can find the film on iTunes. It opened on Friday, May 17th at the Sundance Sunset Cinema in Los Angeles, CA. You can buy the DVD for $16.98 only with other items at http://www.thesourcedoc.com/.