Wow! A beautiful and intriguing fountain in the middle of a small parking lot…read more The mermaids are in a peculiar stance and doing special things with their hands. Don't remember too much of those poses/statues in high school history classes.

Dec. 2011 review update:…read more I'm obsessed with this fountain. I might need an intervention. I'm in Malaga Cove Plaza every couple days: post office, market, coffee shop, cafes, gift shop, newspapers....recently I was there to get my hair done. I got to Malaga 40 min early so I could check out fountain photo ops. I was almost late for my appt.. Two hours later, hair cut & colored, I'm back at the fountain waiting for sunset. I was freezing. I was hungry. Should've gone potty before I left the salon but was in a hurry to get back to the fountain....(TMI, apologies). Sometimes in the plaza I avoid looking at the fountain. Resist. Don't take that first pic, you'll be hooked. A couple times they shut off the fountain's water & I felt a sense of panic. Withdrawal symptoms. I never check-in here. People will get wise. She's at the fountain again. Complete transparency: I haven't posted all the pics I've taken, not even close. It's embarrassing. This has been going on for 8 years. I'm exhausted. That Beach Boys song, "Help Me Rhonda", plays in my head but I altered the words: Help me Neptune Help, help me Neptune Help me get him out of my head. I've seen a lot of beautiful fountains in my day (e.g., Chicago's landmark Buckingham Fountain) but none so captivating as this one. It's got me. And there are no barriers here to keep people at a distance. It's so easy to use the sky as a photo backdrop, as water squirts & drips from every cherub, mermaid & dolphin orifice. Flowering trees surround the fountain in late winter/early spring. And Neptune, the star of the show, appears to reach for clouds & contrails. Sometimes it looks as if they emanate from his giant hand. He's powerful. I'm smitten. Another Yelper managed to capture Neptune holding the moon, well done. And then there's that pic where the stature is purple, captioned "photo class". Creative. And btw....about that fig leaf: Originally Neptune was not wearing one, which apparently caused a bit of an uproar as did the topless mermaids which remain. I'm guessing that today, almost a hundred years later, there'd be an even bigger uproar over a completely naked Neptune in the middle of a parking lot. So we've got half-nekkid Nept with the girls spraying water from their bosoms & a crazy lady taking pictures & everybody's just doin' their thing. A glimmer of hope: I'm not tempted to take photos when it's raining. Yet. But whoa, what interesting shots those could be. Uh oh

The good: This place is one of a kind! I am so happy I…read morefinally got around to visiting this place. Parking is free! The whale museum is free! Tours of the lighthouse are free! The picnic tables areas are plentiful and there's lots of grass for picnics blankets. The views are great. It's a great spot for whale watching. I noticed people coming here and bringing their camping chairs just to read. It's relaxing and you get to enjoy the sea breeze and beautiful sunset. I also noticed youngsters coming to record an acoustic guitar music video. I imagine people come here to paint as well. The bad: I've lived around here for almost 3 years now and haven't been here until now. The interesting: They do tours of the actual lighthouse area a few times a month and it's completely free and doesn't require a reservation.

The lighthouse is tall and picturesque sitting regally on a cliff. It's a must to stop and take…read moresome photos if driving down the coast of PV. The lighthouse has really restrictive hours, only open the second Saturday every month from 10-3 so you have to plan for this if you wanted to go inside. I went years ago and remember it being kind of a clusterfuck with a lot of people and disorganized system on entering. But the good part was you could go inside all the way to the top. Just the picture from the outside would suffice for most people. The Point Vicente Interpretation Center is nearby as well as some cliff trails to explore.

Free concert happening in the park right now. U2 cover band…read more People are picnicking on the lawn, family & dog friendly. Summer concerts are sponsored by Lunada Bay HOA, but I'm not sure how often they happen (I should have asked). Free parking all around the area. I didn't stick around long cuz I've been out in the sun too much today & I needed to just come home! What a party pooper.....

Beautiful park, dog friendly and a really nice location. This is a nice spot to come to and relax,…read moreget away from the busy things in life and just enjoy your surroundings. When we went there which was a late afternoon on a weekday, no one was here. I do agree with another review that I wouldn't say that this is a park but it is a nice location to relax, the coastline is right nearby.

Coastal trek to the site of a shipwreck. It's not so much a hiking trail as it is walking over…read morerocks on the beach trying not to twist your ankle. Hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended. Came here with a friend on a Saturday around 10:30am and it was very sunny - make sure to wear sunscreen and sunglasses! There's no shade. No bathrooms are available on the trail. Street parking is available and if you come in the late morning, it won't be too hard to find a spot. There were a ton of surfers that were heading back up the trail as we went down, so we must've came after the morning rush. It got a bit monotonous after a while going over the rocks, but the ocean breeze felt nice and the view was nice. My friend and I decided to climb up one of the cliff side trails and head back to our cars via the street, so you can get a variety of paths. You'll also get a look at quite a few pretty houses. Definitely take some time at the site of the shipwreck to sit and watch the little crabs and fish in the shore.

I love this place, been here many times and usually will cross paths with few to no other people…read more Keep it clean!!! Loook for little lizards and crabs. There's two ways to get there, one much shorter and steeper than the others

I really lucked out that they accepted my California Garden membership from Ruth Bancroft Garden…read more I came to see the Thomas Dambo trolls and it did not disappoint. Not only was it exciting to see the trolls. It their garden as well. The rose garden is beautiful. For an additional cost they have a butter garden too!

We visited specifically because we wanted to see the trolls, and we were definitely not…read moredisappointed! It was like a little scavenger hunt finding each of them in the gardens. And they were absolutely darling! We were inspired to go visit other of Thomas Dambo's trolls after this visit. The gardens themselves are striking. Wide open spaces, beautiful greens, and lots of thought given to the way you move through the regions. It is such a special place. The gardens are easy to find. You'll find ample signage from the freeway. Plenty of free parking in the dedicated lot, and good dining options nearby if you're visiting during meal times.

On Juneteenth I attended a celebration at the Korean Bell of Friendship to celebrate freedom by…read morehelping ring the bell. It was a wonderful day, and one I recommend for others to attend, not only to feel the vibrations of the bell when it is hit with a large hanging tree trunk, but also to celebrate the liberation that was given to a criminally oppressed people. And to also understand that liberation, although won at battles, still has not full embraced and enveloped all. So that bell has not fully been rung, and thus we must continue, until we hear the greatest knell in history the one that indicates that all humans have an unfettered chance to reach their best future with confidence. The celebration was sponsored by local political players. Suitably, there were a lot of speeches. But I never hate a speech just because its long. I genuinely hear speeches because they might contain words that move me into action or new perspective, and thus I always try to hear them to understand their value. One of the most memorable speeches of the day, was a person who explained that freedom and liberty has not reached all modern day people (duh!) because freedom, true freedom, means that all have a fair and equitable chance to attain economic prosperity. And from my limited perspective, what she said made sense, a whole lot of it. A person might have the freedom to wear what they chose, to eat what they crave, to dance in their style and funk, to offer their devotion to their deity. However, if all these freedoms do not include a chance to build wealth, without external interruption that is driven by who a person is, then freedom is superficial. Yes, money is the root of all evil, but money is also the foundation for legacy, protection and choice, and, well, freedom. And thus, she reminded all present that we must continue to fight against injustice and thus the bell rang and made each of us an instrument of peace. Beyond speeches from political leaders there was also songs performed by vocalists- a mother and daughter. A lot was happening fast, and sometimes the sound system gave up, so I am afraid I did not get their names. But I do remember them singing a song, right before the bell rung that had the following lyrics: "What would you do, if you had nothing to fight for and nothing to die for?" What would a person do in a world marked by substantial peace? Would we be happy or would we miss the fight? Meaning is the gift of the battle the persistence needed to continue even when all seems at rest? Injustice has created warriors that understand that a white flag will never be planted. The day was meant to celebrate freedom and deliver of message of positive togetherness as the moment celebrated Juneteenth using Korean spirt. But the speeches brought the seemingly opposing concepts together using the thread of a universal recognition that freedom is a wonderful thing. This link was greatly conveyed but fell short in the Mexican sweetbreads that had small Juneteeth flags planted on them. I know I am being petty because Mexican bread can be used to celebrate Juneteenth, for sure I get that. But I would have rather had celebratory bites from the Black/African American community. I know I am being petty, but, hey, that is my freedom. That choice seemed more convenient rather than being connected to the greater purpose of freedom. The last activity of the celebration was ringing the actual bell. Like 7 people, grabbed the wooden log. And we gently slammed it into the bell. The bell rung with vibrations that my skin could feel. We could slightly hug the bell to have ur bodies feel the vibrations. And the experience was memorable. I do not know how many people have the opportunity to hug a bell as it sends off vibration after being hit. But if you have the opportunity seize it, I think you will be a better person for it, or at least, know what ringing feels like on the skin not just the ear drums. As I walked back to the car, I enjoyed the blue views and ocean breeze. I also saw a kite flying high. Yes, it had a string to it, but it was flying free.

Why does it take years and moving away to actual experience places that's been there for a while. A…read morenice sunny afternoon driving around and seeing what's there to offer. Plus it's been decades since I was last around this area. There's so many stops along the way during our drive which this was the first along the path. It's a nice decent size park that it part of. A good amount of parking in the lot next to the basketball courts. Right along the bell is a massive grassy knoll where people were enjoying picnics and laying out. Of course today was beautiful but it was quite windy. Didn't help that the park was little higher than the rest so it made the wind a bit more aggressive. The focal point, the massive bell. With a walkway that leads you to the prize possession. Right in the middle looking out to the Pacific Ocean, she sits there on full display. The bright beautiful color of the details painted was a sight to see. Stairs leading up to the bell where you could walk around. It is roped off. Regardless whatever side you're looking at, it's was quite amazing. Something like this on a hill that's part of the city. If you walk down the grassy knoll, the view of the pacific ocean and cliffs were spectacular. Having a seat and just taking it all in was nice. It was windy so it did get cold but on a nice sunny and clear day, you could see miles and miles of the coastline and tide pools. These little hidden spots in the city are cute when you find them. There's also a little playground around the corner from the bell by the exit and entrance.

The 2024-2025 NBA season kicked off today and what better place to kick off basketball season than…read morewith a visit to the Kobe Bryant Mural located in Torrance! Painted by Mike Trujillo; the mural highlights Kobe's basketball journey via all his jerseys. The mural starts off on the left with a painting showasing when he played high-school basketball at Lower Merion High School and wore #33. The mural then shows how he first wore #8 for the Lakers for when was first drafted and on to when he won three championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. The mural next highlights him wearing the #10 jersey for the USA men's basketball team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Lastly it shows Kobe sporting #24 starting in the 2006-07 season; all the way till he retired in 2016. I also loved how the mural had purple and gold hues for the background. This is an amazing mural to see and it can be easily missed as it is on the backside of the Burger City restaurant in Torrance. I definitely say though it is one not to pass up seeing as it's a great tribute to Kobe via showcasing all of Kobe's jerseys from the start to the finish of his career. This mural is something Lakers and basketball fans will truly appreciate. I know I certainly did!

Public art in Torrance, California…read more.. My friend, Craig Y., knew that there was a relatively new Kobe Bryant mural in his hometown. He tried to figure out where it was located on Torrance Boulevard. We found it in Old Town Torrance... on the wall of Burger City Grill. It's by Mike Trujillo and is awesome! The gigantic mural has great illumination at night! It includes all of the numbers that Kobe wore: from High School, to the Olympics, and when we was with the Lakers! Look for Kobe's Academy Award! It's very cool - go see it!

Landmark in Rolling Hills Estates, California…read more.. I've had this place bookmarked for years, but wasn't in the area and didn't make time to find the Palos Verdes Flower Talking Clock. This evening after dinner, we searched our lists of things to do. I drove to this shopping plaza and finally found The Flower Clock at the exit lane of a bank. I should have parked on the street, but I was so happy to see The Clock that I ran out of the car and blocked the driveway! My impressions: It's very pretty with live flowering plants! The hands of the clock work! It's amazing! After reading a few reviews, I learned that at noon, it plays The National Anthem daily! It also announces the time on the hour! Michel Medawar, a watch repairer from Beirut, Lebanon, created this masterpiece in appreciation for his new country (The USA) when he moved here in 1975. The Talking Flower Clock was dedicated in 1987 by Actor Danny Thomas. I'll have to return at noon someday!

Located off Silver Spur Road in Palos Verdes. You can park on the street to quickly check it out…read more It's working clock with everything made of flowers. It also is supposed to talk but we didn't hear anything maybe it does every hour, 30 mins or 15 mins I dunno there was no signage mentioning it. Overall something interesting to see lol.

Visited this park on a Thursday lunch time with my two dogs in tow…read more Parking is not free and you have to download the app to pay-per-hour. I found plenty of free street parking across the street and all around the neighborhood instead. After nearly getting hit by a car a few times and getting approached by an intoxicated looking homeless or two, we finally made it to the park. And then that's when we discovered that the place is NOT DOG FRIENDLY. Omg! At first, I thought I saw the signs wrong and had to actually go up close to it. I also witnessed a bunch of other dog owners walking around the park with their dogs but many had them not leashed. That's when it dawned on me why the park has a no dog allowed policy. It's honestly very infuriating when people are so blatantly disrespectful about park policies and other people's safety. Not to mention the dog shit everywhere that really shouldn't have been there. Ugh. And that was enough of LA County shenanigans for me that day.

The oceanfront Veterans Park is located at the corner of south catalina avenue and torrance…read moreboulevard, which features grass, trees, and playground. The community center, formerly the main library of Redondo beach, is currently unavailable and under construction. I always like the elevated ocean view, and found it's quite peaceful to walk around here.