Sushi has become a staple of Southern California diets. All neighborhoods have their small sushi place where neighbors gather to eat raw fish, drink Japanese beer and talk. Penny Lane is definitely a gathering point for inhabitants of the South Bay in Los Angeles.
Penny Lane in Manhattan Beach

The winter season has been rainy in Southern California. Thanks to the rain we can enjoy wonderful flowers in the desert. Close to Lancaster is the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. We spent en enjoyable afternoon walking around the reserve and admiring the flora of the area. We curbed our appetite at the Rusten House, recommended as one of the better eateries in Lancaster.
Rusten House in Lancaster

How would you like to have a few cocktails, enjoy some appetizers and enjoy a breathtaking sunset while watching whales lunging themselves through the ocean waters in the distance? And how would you like to enjoy a swim alongside colorful fish, sea turtles and sea lions just a few feet from the activities mentioned in the first sentence ...
The Beach House Restaurant in Koloa, Kauai

This is not a tourist guide. It is a travel book based on Eric Hansen's very adventurous trek across the island of Borneo. If you find yourself travelling to any part of South East Asia, take this book along. Perhaps (most likely) you will not encounter anything similar, but it will nevertheless provoke adventurous thoughts. I really liked reading the book. You will definitely learn much more about this wonderful part of the world and the people that inhabit it.
Stranger in the Forest : On Foot Across Borneo (book)

Blueberry is a breakfast and lunch restaurant located on the South side of Santa Monica Boulevard between 5th and 6th Street. This is a small eatery. I did not count more than ten tables. Be prepared to wait to get a seat ...
Blueberry in Santa Monica

La Bottega is this cute restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd in West Los Angeles. If you did not know that it is here you might miss it. Don't miss it though, it is worth visiting. It is especially popular amongst patrons of two nearby artsy theaters, Laemmle's Royal Theatre and the Nuart ...
La Bottega Marino in West Los Angeles

This spectacular IMAX documentary has been meticulously transferred to provide one of the most stunning DVDs available, with image quality so vivid that it seems almost three-dimensional. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the images themselves are amazing, consisting of some of the finest nature cinematography you're ever likely to see, following a year of seasonal change in the "circle of life" of East Africa's Serengeti plain.
Africa - The Serengeti (video)

Interestingly enough, there are not that many nice restaurants on the Palos Verdes peninsula. One would think that with the local buying power there would be such restaurants on each corner. Perhaps there is a business opportunity here but that's a topic for a different type of web site ... We were pleased to discover Bistro 767 in Rolling Hills Estates, tucked away from the main thoroughfares of the area ....
Bistro 767 in Rolling Hills Estates

When this place was first suggested to me for dinner I heard "cheapo" as the name. For a moment I thought that restaurant owners have really gotten brave with naming their establishments. The real name of the restaurant is Cheebo. There is nothing cheapo about Cheebo.
Cheebo on Sunset in Los Angeles

We had lunch at Maria's Italian Kitchen on Pico today. We could not figure out if this was a chain or not. One thing gave it away. Each table was equipped with a laminated flip-through information pack. You don't find these in "unchained" restaurants ....
Maria's Italian Kitchen in West Los Angeles

Bluewater Grill has three locations currently in the LA area. I have visited the one in Redondo Beach on multiple locations. Repeat visits testify to the fact that I like the food and atmosphere here. Get a table facing the Redondo Marina. There is something relaxing about sitting at a restaurant and looking at boats in calm waters just in front of you ...
Bluewater Grill in Redondo Beach

This is paradise. We kept on repeating this every day of our stay here. There were moments when we did not want to go home. Kauai's North Shore is definitely one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I have travelled the globe and I have rarely encountered such natural splendor. It is still quite unspoiled by urban sprawl and mega corporate malls ....
Hanalei Colony Resort in Haena, Kauai

minibar is conveniently located if you are going to Universal City. It is just South of the intersection of Cahuenga and Universal Studios Blvd. Parking is valet, though we found plenty of open metered spots (free after 6pm) all around. Free is good. minibar is good too ...
minibar in Los Angeles (near Universal City)

It is always interesting to find a new restaurant opening in your vicinity. We noticed the Tatin & Co. Gourmet French Deli while driving down Venice Blvd. While initially sceptic about the authenticity of the Frenchness of this deli, we were proven incorrect in our scepticism ...
Tatin & Co. Gourmet French Deli in Culver City

Coral Tree Cafe web site describes this restaurant as "healthy food in a casual environment". Cannot argue with that. It is located in Brentwood and higher prices definitely reflect that. There is plenty of room to sit inside or outside and watch expensive cars pass by. You have to order the food at the counter, you are given a number and then the server brings you the item to your table ... This gives it a fast food-y feel ....
Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood