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The Ultimate Summer
By Sheila Appleby Williams
Here come those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. It's time to think beyond the traditional warm weather activities: Dodger Games, Venice Beach boardwalk, excursions to Catalina and Laguna Beach. Tried and true-crowded and pedestrian.
VSM encourages you to think outside the Hollywood Bowl box and get in touch with your inner adventurous and spontaneous free spirit that we know has been clamoring all year to "come out and play."
To get started on the road less traveled, we've compiled a list of alternative activities organized under the categories of explore, experience and enlighten- think of us as Type A free spirits.
In the mood to explore? How about:
Mitchell Caverns, located within the Mojave National Preserve, are the only limestone caves in the California park system. The caverns (also known as the EL Pakiva & Tecopa caves) are a tourist attraction founded by miner Jack Mitchell in the 1930's. The mines were opened to showcase the large rooms of dazzling stalagmites and provide refuge from the desert heat. While summer temperatures outside can reach 100 and up, the naturally air conditioned caves stay a very comfortable 65 degrees. The Mitchell caverns contain a rich history and detailed information can be obtained at the state visitor's center. To get to the caverns take the Interstate 15 to Barstow then east on Interstate 40. Go about 80 miles to Essex Road turn off. Go N.W. on Essex road 16 miles to the state recreation area. Around 10 miles you will pass an intersection with roads going every which way. Just go straight though that area. Summer tours run on weekends only. Mitchell Caverns (760) 928-2586
If less rugged exploring is more your style, consider a Central Coast Wineries Road Trip.
A trip to San Luis Obispo (located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles) will put you in the heart of the Central Coast where beautiful beaches, wine tasting and miles of oak covered hills are all nearby. The county has over 200 wineries, many wine festivals, food festivals, tasting rooms, and much more to offer a hungry and thirsty explorer.
Twenty-Sixth Annual Central Coast Wine Classic
Thursday, July 8, through Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Central Coast Wine Classic in July is a major charity event in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grand, featuring the local vineyards and wineries, hosting dinner at Hearst Castle, auctions and other events throughout the week. For further information and registration. Please contact Archie McLaren, Central Coast Wine Classic Founder & Chairman: archie@ slonet.org; Telephone: (805) 544-1285; cellular 878-3124; fax 595-2742.
With its rolling hills, undisturbed land, grazing cattle, and old men in overalls, Flinn Springs seems worlds away from downtown San Diego. Yet it's only 20 miles to the east. It's the fresh-faced, just-postcolonial feel that is Flinn Springs' biggest draw along with the "Little House on the Prairie" charm of Summers Past Farms.
Lavender Day at the farm is on Saturday, June 19 from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
You will be able to make your own lavender floral mist, lavender perfume, mix relaxing bath herbs, bag your own lavender potpourri, create a lavender wand, fill sachets, or take home your own fresh or dried lavender bunches and more for a small fee.
Come meet the alpacas at Summers Past Farm on Sunday, June 27th from 10:00a.m. To 4:00 pm. Alpaca yarn, clothing, accessories, and home decor will be available for sale at the event. Talk with the breeders and learn how to care for the alpacas. You could even be the proud owner of an alpaca (and the envy of your neighbors) as there will be many available for sale. Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs, CA 92021 (619) 390-1523
Experience:
PISMO BEACH
The streets of Pismo Beach are shut down each year for the coolest classic car show the Central Coast can possibly host. The Pismo Beach Classic is Central California's finest seaside classic & street rod car show with the ocean as a backdrop to this event that's filled with live music and gourmet food vendors. Now over 23 years old, the attendance is around 100,000 spectators who come from around the globe to see hundreds of classic restorations and street rods. The 3 -day event is held Pier-side & throughout downtown Pismo Beach. The Pismo Beach Classic, part of a region recognized as Classic California, is one of the great events that brings woodies, street rods, hot rods, historic cars and fun cars to downtown Pismo Beach.
Be sure and stay for the featured event: Car Show & Shine, "Cruise Night" when hundreds of cars parade for the thousands of spectators who line the streets.
No admission charge for spectators to the show.
"June 18-20: Pismo Beach June Car Show For more information, visit www.thepismobeachclassic.com or call Toll Free 866-450-7469.
Hours: Friday / Saturday 9 am- 10 PM, Sunday 9am - 5pm.
The official welcoming of summer takes place at the Summer Solstice Celebration and Parade, the largest, single-day arts event in Santa Barbara County. In 1974, the Solstice began as a birthday celebration for popular local artist and mime, Michael Gonzales. Fast forward to 2010; the Parade is drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world.
The Summer Solstice has evolved into a creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants, of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. There is dancing, music, drumming and drama.
A large "drum circle" formed by parade participants and anyone who cares to join in the beat happens on Saturday only.
Solstice Festival will begin Friday June 25th, 2010 from 4-9 PM. Festival Hours on Saturday- noon to 8 pm. For more info: (805) 965-3396 www.solsticeparade.com
Come and celebrate the arts -in Reno? Yep. The "biggest little city" is transformed by Artown, recipient of several National Endowment for the Arts grant awards, each July with a packed calendar of events. Fifteen years before the downtown redevelopment that's seen today, a visionary group of leaders and the City of Reno embarked on a journey that took a small arts festival to a 31-day extravaganza held each July making it one of the most comprehensive arts and culture festival in the country. Over the last 14 years, Artown has drawn the highest caliber national and international performers to grace Reno's stages, increased attendance to arts and cultural events ten-fold and created a climate for cultural and economic rebirth of the region.
Honored by the National Endowment for the Arts with the Access to Artistic Excellence grant for two consecutive years, this year's 15th anniversary event boasts nearly 400 events with 63 percent free and many more under $10 or on a donation-based contribution.
Complete festival schedule along with event details and ticket information is available online. For more information on Artown, visit www.RenoIsArtown.com or call the office at 775-322-1538.
Enlighten:
Begin your journey to enlightenment by visiting Adelanto, California - the home of the Miraculous Healing Giant Buddhist Statue
A 24-foot-tall, 60-ton white marble statue of Quan yin, an "Enlightened One," is part of a Buddhist meditation center in the Mojave Desert. The planned $15 million temple is the vision of a senior citizen monk, Thich Dang "Tom" Phap, who lives next to the statue in a trailer. The Quan yin statue attracts many Buddhist visitors, who believe that it possesses healing powers and radiates a white light.
The center's walkway features statues of 18 other Enlightened Ones.
Miraculous Giant Healing Buddhist Statue:
Address: 20635 Hwy 395, Adelanto, CA [Show Map]
Directions: Buddhist Meditation Center, Hwy 395, north of Chamberlaine Way and Desoto Ave. Location approximate.
Phone: 714-656-5004
If you prefer an upscale pathway to enlightenment, The Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa is hosting a Chopra Center's Perfect Health™ retreat from August 23-27. This five-day healing retreat will be presented by Chopra Center Certified and Ayurvedic practitioner, Lorrie Lawrence and is based on the global bestseller "Perfect Health™," by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
The Perfect Health™ program teaches you to bring balance and healing into your life. This is an opportunity to experience the ancient world of Ayurvedic wisdom in one of the world's most beautiful destinations - Sedona, Arizona.
The package includes four nights at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, a five-day complete meal package, morning yoga, sunset guided meditation, Pancha Karma wellness/spa treatments and daily lessons and workshops in the ancient and powerful principles of Ayurveda.
The all-inclusive package and tuition for single occupancy is $3,695. Double occupancy is $6,560. Enlightenment does not come cheaply at the Chopra Center. For more program information call (928) 340-5306.
For local and budget friendly enlightenment, search no further than the Bodhi Tree Bookstore. At a quarter of a century, this metaphysical mecca is one of the best-known and busiest philosophical bookstores in the Los Angeles area, with an extensive selection of books on everything and anything that deals with spiritual wisdom and knowledge. Psychic Readers give readings every day (weather permitting) from 12:00 noon to 5:30 pm and 6:15 to 10:00 pm in the patio space between the main store (new books) and the Annex building. Visit the website for the calendar of new age weekly lectures: www.bodhitree.com Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069-5199 Telephone: (310) 659-1733
Spiritual needs having been met, its time to experience earthly pleasures:
The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, will run from Thursday, June 17 to Sunday, June 27 in downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE.
The 2010 Festival will present 200 features, shorts, and music videos from more than 40 countries. The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.
Film Independent produces the acclaimed Spirit Awards, honoring vanguard films that embody innovation and originality,
No money? No problem. Check out these great local summer events:
The 26th Annual Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series
Enjoy free concerts every Thursday night at 7pm July through September 2010. Santa Monica Pier | (310) 458-8900
34th Annual Festival of the Chariots
The Festival of the Chariots includes a free feast for thousands, free entertainment and exhibits and booths all bringing together the finest in Indian culture. The festival commences at 10:00am at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and proceeds south on Main St., with three fully decorated, four-story chariots leading a colorful parade toward the Ocean Front Walk Plaza. August 1, 2010 10am. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (310) 836-2676
The Griffith Park Shakespeare Festival
A summer season of free performances by Independent Shakespeare Company. Othello-Thursday - Sunday, July 8 - August 1 at 7:00 p.m. Much Ado About Nothing-Thursday - Sunday, August 5 - August 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Independent Shakespeare Co. Festival Stage Griffith Park Old Zoo 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, 90027 All events free; donations gratefully accepted.
Marina Del Rey Concerts
This popular series of free outdoor concerts is held in one of the most spectacular waterfront settings in Los Angeles, Burton W. Chace Park. Attracting stellar musical talent, four classical music concerts featuring the 75-member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony alternate with four exciting pop concerts on select Thursday and Saturday evenings. All concerts are free to the public. Concerts begin at 7 p.m., and generally last about two hours. Public Parking: Public Lot #4 -13500 Mindanao Way; one block from Chace Park (370 spaces) $7, Public Lot #5 - 4545 Admiralty Way; three blocks from Chace Park (219 spaces) $7, Dock 52 - 13501 Fiji Way; between Admiralty Way and Fisherman's Village (232 spaces) Free
Free Summer Jazz Concerts at Hollywood & Highland Center
Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band, Barbara Morrison, Jose Rizo's Jazz On The Latin Side are some of the outstanding performers.
Concert Series takes place every Tuesday evening, June 8 - August 31 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Central Courtyard (2nd Level) at Hollywood & Highland Center. Kicking off the concert series on June 8 will be Jose Rizo's Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars.
Last summer's concerts attracted more than 12,000 people during the 13-week series. Guests will enjoy fine wines while nibbling on an assortment of cheeses, fruits and breads prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Entertainment is FREE. Wine tasting is $10.00. All proceeds from the wine bar will directly benefit Project Angel Food (www.angelfood.org), a non-profit organization, whose mission is to deliver free and nutritious meals to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.
Have one last end of summer fling and visit the "new" L. A. County Fair which opens Labor Day Weekend with an assortment of new interactive shows and exciting exhibits plus everyone's classic favorites! (Sept. 4 - Oct. 3)
Visit Esmeralda's Traveling Circus Extravaganza and learn to fly on a real trapeze, create beautiful shapes in the air with the aerial fabric and walk on a tight wire.
Unleash your inner pirate at An Island Adventure where you can dig for buried treasure, catch the Pirates of the Sky show then learn to fly like a pirate on a ship's mast as you try the new zip line adventure!
Whether you're a foodie, music-buff or arts-and-crafter, there's something for everyone at the new 2010 L.A. County Fair! Find out more at www.lacountyfair.com.
We hope you find a few of these activities intriguing enough to pursue or be inspired to come up with some of your own. Summer may very well turn out to be "a state of mind."
And while we advocate stepping out of your comfort zone and filling your calendar with the excitement of the unfamiliar, summer is also a time to relax and recharge:
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock
The staff at VSM wishes you a safe and serendipitous summer.
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