Oh hey, American Pie, Weird Science, and Donnie Darko houses are also along Country Club Drive in…read moreLong Beach too?! Sweet!!! After you've finished checking out the houses from Ferris Bueller (which was also featured in Red Dragon and Not Another Teen Movie) and Painters' House from American Pie 2, swing on over to the other streets surrounding Country Club Drive in Long Beach to check out these film location houses. Originally, I was planning on just visiting Ferris Bueller's House. Thanks to my trusty Yelp, it also pulled up this feed and other Yelpers reviewed the surrounding houses. Furthermore, a huge shout-out to Yelper Alana M., for posting the addresses on her picture captions. Definitely saved me the huge headache of trying to find them, lol! With that, I continued on my mini house tour before heading over to my first ever Long Beach Elite Perk from Alex, the newly appointed Long Beach Community Manager, yay! Admissions and Parking: All free and residential parking all around. Yes, residents actually live in these homes and so please be respectful and quiet when visiting the neighborhood. Locations: +2001 Donnie Darko House: 4225 Country Club Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807 Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore: A demonic-looking rabbit tells Donnie that the world will end in 28 days when Donnie sleepwalks outside his house during the 1988 presidential election. I had never seen this movie but decided to check out house since it's here in Long Beach. +1985 Weird Science House: 4252 Country Club Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807 Starring Kelly LeBrock, Anthony Michael Hall and IIan Mitchell-Smith. Two high school nerds use a computer program to literally create the perfect woman. Loved this movie! Always rooting for the geeks and Lisa (their creation) was sassy, loving, protective and brilliant! Then again, John Hughes' movies are always dope! (Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, etc). +Jim's House from 1999 American Pie: 3925 Cedar Avenue (and Stewart Way), Long Beach, CA 90807 Starring Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott: Jim and his group of high school virgin friends decide to take action and vow to lose their virginity by prom. Lol, the apple pie sex scene! Can't live that imagine down...ever, lol! +Michele's House from 1999 American Pie: 3925 Cedar Avenue (and Roosevelt Road), Long Beach, CA 90807 Starring Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott. Chris Klein, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thomas Nicholas, Shannon Elizabeth: Jim and his group of high school virgin friends decide to take action and vow to lose their virginities by prom. Michele's infamous quote: "And this one time at band camp...I stuck a flute in my...." LOL! Not so innocent, geeky, little band camp girl after all. She definitely taught Jim a thing or two.... If you're a fan of Donnie Darko, Weird Science, and/or the American Pie Franchise movies, come on over and check it out on these streets!

Looking for something fun to do this afternoon? Want to impress your out of town guests or your…read moreday date? Put on your walking shoes or hop on your bikes and check out the "Little Hollywood" of Long Beach. The Virginia Country Club area of LB is where you'll find the real homes used in the filming of "American Pie," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Red Dragon," "Donnie Darko" , "Weird Science" and "Not A Teen Movie". Filming continues in this neighborhood and a few weeks ago they were taping episodes of "Dexter" in the area. Many of these locations are close enough together you can see a few at a time. But with nearby Rancho Los Cerritos, Los Cerritos Park or the Bixby Knolls Biz area, a visit to a few of these spots can make for a wonderful day! [ Warning: These are private homes. Do not trespass on their property, knock on their doors, or otherwise disturb the residents' privacy. ]

I was born and raised in Southern California, and for the almost 60 years I've been on this planet,…read moreI have known about Palos Verdes ("PV" as I always heard it) for most of those years. When I moved to Arizona back in the 80's, there is a part of Phoenix called Paradise Valley, and they refer to that as "PV." Having come from CA and knowing the REAL "PV" is out there, I would have none of this Paradise Valley "PV." But I digress. I have old, old movie footage of walking with my mom (dad was shooting the movie) in and around Marineland. Marineland, however, faded into oblivion long ago, and for so long, all that remained was a parking lot overgrown by grass. That was it. Until 2009, I think, when the lovely Terranea Resort came to life........ but my heart remains with Marineland, and if you were a kid back when I was, you know why. It's just hard to let go, that's all. Then, there's Wayfarer's Chapel, so exquisitely situated on Portugeuse Bend of the peninsula.....an all glass chapel where thousands have wisely chosen to marry amidst all that beauty and scenery. It can't be beat, and thank goodness, that is still here to view. PV is quiet, lovely, breathtaking, and pretty much out of my price range for buying a home overlooking the dazzling Pacific Ocean.........but driving around is for free, stopping by some of the sights is also free, and I'd encourage you to do that. I have my own little history here........ you can make your own, too !

Although it is such a far drive from my area, it was so worth the drive…read more I had an amazing time on this hiking trail to the beach. It was a beautiful day, not too hot nor sunny for an afternoon walk. The Trump golf course was a pleasant site too. I saw plenty of seagulls flying by, lizards, rabbits, dolphins swimming close to the shore, people walking their dogs on the beach, and sadly a deceased seal. You don't have to pay for parking. It was a pretty fun hike that didn't take a lot of effort. Definitely a great place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. I loved it. FYI: Even if it's not that sunny outside, you should still put on sunscreen. I learned the hard way -_- ugliest tan-line ever! Good thing I have the entire summer to even it out. Enjoy.

Great views! Can't lose coming here and taking a few pictures for posterity. Make sure to bring a…read morejacket just in case the weather is cold though.

This location is noted on maps as "Scenic Outlook - Vista Point" but we just call it the Hawthorne…read moreOverlook. Considering the light traffic in the area, the spot is as popular as one would expect...i.e., not crowded. It must be accessed going uphill on Hawthorne due to the median. Heading up, the overlook is steps before the stoplight at Vallon Drive. There's room for about 5 cars in the turnout (no meters). There's also a bus stop (bus line 344) but in more than a decade I've never seen a bus. No overnight parking is allowed - from 10pm-5am. The overlook has one bench, that's it. But people pull over to take in the panoramic views often without getting out of their cars: Terranea Resort far below, Catalina offshore, protruding peninsulas to the south. You'll sometimes see a red-tailed hawk circling around. And when yellow wild mustard covers the surrounding hills in early spring, hang onto your hat. The view is dramatic in any weather conditions, including fog. Sunrise, sunset, clear days, overcast days.....the changes in the landscape & sky are the enticing draw. Easy to understand why I take this "scenic route" when driving up the hill to do errands. I've never not been able to pull over & park - people don't stay long, just long enough to snap a few photos/videos. A couple days ago the view was so stunning that a lady pulled her car in behind me & jumped out so fast with camera she left her car door wide open. I'm so glad this overlook exists because there's really no other place to park on this stretch of Hawthorne offering unobstructed views. So if you're driving up or down the coast, take a minute (literally) to go up Hawthorne to check it out. The rugged beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula coastline is truly breathtaking. I'm completely in love with this magical area.

First time coming here to the Downey night market. And I have to say it was fun and the vendors…read morewere cool to check out. The food truck we ate at was very good as well.

Stopped by Downey Downtown, CA., to visit a local Crystal Shop called, 'One With Earth.' Now that…read morewas a fun shop to browse and stock up on crystals of all various forms: rose quartz, clear quartz, opalite, amethyst....etc. I even stopped by on a storming day and lucked out on free parking. When I showed up on a weekend visit, I didn't hit any traffic. That was a double lucky day for me. I'll admit I had to circle a couple times to locate free parking, but once I found free parking, it was totally worth the visit. Very generous spot to enjoy a Sunday Funday. Also uncovered there exists a 'Porto's Bakery,' here in Downey Downtown, CA., I think I'll need to revisit this fun spot again soon. You had me at hello. I'll be back soon to support.

The City of San Pedro is definitely up and coming! I've watched it gentrify over the last few…read moreyears. Still a long way to go, though. But I'm sure it'll happen, as the views here are amazing and it's right on the water. And they have a good councilman looking out for them (Joe Buscaino). The landscaping has been updated, looked like it needed some upkeep, but it could just be because of the Santa Anas. Many of the buildings are cool Art Deco style.

We were walking around the harbor area. There was a cruise ship docked. There were memorial…read morestatues and plaques.

Well, a couple years ago, I decided to get off my fat ass and find something fun to do for a…read moreworkout. Running? Nah, did that in high school and was always injured. Swimming? Nah, if God wanted me in water, I'd be like Phelps or a fish. Kendo? Japanese fencing with bamboo swords? Looks like fun! Half the fun with kendo is the footwork and miai (distance between opponents); get those wrong and you're fuxor'd...just gave the other guy an easy point. Unlike European-style fencing where you take turns, in kendo you yell out your attack as soon as you deliver it. So, if I'm going to head shot you, I yell "Men!" real loud as I'm swinging. It's said to develop a healthy aggressive bushido-type attitude. Most of the folks are obviously Japanese and are friendly, in a courteous, quite sort of way. You'll learn to count to ten very quickly here while doing the stretching and warm up exercises. Sensei likes to light up once in a while (heh, it's his dojo, you gonna tell him to stop?) but he's nice enough and stands by the door. I didn't take it for very long as, at the time, my work schedule wouldn't allow it. Now, me being unemployed and needing to get my fat ass back working out, money's tight. As far as the fees went, you had to be a member of the center and some kendo federation membership, combined was something like $60. Lessons were $20/month, which is super affordable. Starting out you just needed a halfway decent shinai, those are about $20, and some workout clothes (sweatpants and T-shirt worked for me). Before I stopped, we just started learning kendo kata, so you'll need a bokken (the wooden sword) eventually. Other than my schedule conflicts and current unemployment situation, the center's not exactly in the most savory neighborhood. When I was leaving one night, I was stopped at a red light on PCH and Santa Fe. Some homeless guy, evidently not of sound mental capacity, decided just to lean on my car and stare at me. I pop my trunk and tell the guy to get the fuck off my car. Guy doesn't budge. I get my bokken out of the trunk, take a chudan no kamae stance (basically hold the bokken over your head at a 45-degree angle, but leaves you open to body strikes) and kept dropping F-bombs and threatening to beat his ass. Lucky for him (and me, b/c I didn't wanna beat on a homeless guy) a LBPD unit hung a U-turn and told me to drop my weapon. Ok, bokken on the ground and I'm still yelling at the homeless guy, but with the local law enforcement there, he bailed. I recount the situation to the police and they were cool, didn't site me or anything. They told me to "be more careful" and I asked which was better: thumping the guy a couple times with a stick, like you do, or just running the guy over. That got a couple chuckles out of the guys, so don't go saying the LBPD officers are completed devoid of a sense of humor.

It's a small place but there is kendo, taiko(japanese drumming), japanese language school, ikebana…read more(flower arrangement) , judo and a few carnivals throughout the year.

It might be the last year. If you have never taken the time, please do it now. Lines move fast and…read morethe caramel popcorn is delicious.

BEST CARAMEL POPCORN I'VE EVER HAD! Mom and Dad used to bring the whole family out every year,…read morestarting back in 1978. This is the same great caramel corn I remember, and I'm sorry if this is the last year. Smilin' Jack 4-EVAH!

Park at abalone cove shoreline park…read more Parking opens 9am. Cost 12 dollars for 2 hours. Super scenic hike as you loop through the beach and up the hills. Recommend you bring some water shoes if you want to go look at the tide pools. The park benches are clean.

California has so many great places to hike and this is one of the nicest trails out there. We…read morestarted at Del Cerro Park and hiked down to the beach just east of Inspiration Point using the Archery Coastal trail. The hike wasn't difficult as the cool ocean breeze helped keep the temperature down. Our watch showed almost a 7 mile roundtrip route.