Even though the beach was a bit touristy, at least half of the crowd was obviously local (California beach bum). Walk to one side of the strip for nice relatively serene sandy Beach. The other side is very quirky with street performers, a "muscle" beach, people watching, odd shops, etc. Also, unlike Santa Monica, it's not yuppy.

This is a picture of "Tony the Fireman" holding up woman on a chair with just his face. He's been doing his show for 20 years.

A little yuppy (unlike Venus Beach -- which will be my next Dot), but nice nonetheless. It takes just a few minutes to walk to the beach. We ate at Trastevere Trattoria Italiana.

Quoted: Drawing locals and world travelers alike, Downtown Santa Monica is a popular Southern California coastal destination, anchored by the world-famous Third Street Promenade. Known for a twice-weekly farmers’ market, fabulous dining and terrific shopping, Downtown also has lots of entertainment choices from movies to live theater to street performers.

2 freshly baked cookies of your choice with your choice of ice cream in the middle -- all for $1.25. So, it's one of the most cost-effective ways to pack on the pounds. Don't know how they stay in business with such low prices.

Quoted: Awesome awesome cookies. Delicious, buttery soft and chewy. And cheap! Ice cream sandwiches for $1.25?! How could you say no to that?! You get 2 big cookies of your choice (Macadamia and white chocolate are my favs) with a generous helping of Dreyers ice cream sandwiched inbetween. The result is the perfect late night snack for the occasional sweet tooth craving.

My Californian friends worship this place. So my expectations were high. It was pretty good. But, it was far from being the best burger place I've been too -- which is fine given the low price.

Quoted: In-N-Out has its own "unpublished" menu, really just favorites people have come up with over the years that have proven so popular they've spawned an In-N-Out vocabulary. You can configure your burger to have as many patties and slices of cheese as you wish by using a numbering system. Example: A 4x4 is a four-patty burger with four slices of cheese (the first number is patties, the second cheese slices). I have seen pictures of a 20x20, including pictures of the guy eating it, and even a video of a group eating a 100x100.

I had the rack of lamb here, and it was great. Recommended if you are near UCLA. Going to try some of the more uniquely Iranian dishes (referred to in this review) next time.

Quoted: However, with the abundance of Iranian restaurants in Los Angeles it can be overwhelming knowing exactly where to go. If you’re looking for a place within walking distance of UCLA that promises scrumptious Persian dishes for decent prices, look no farther than Shahrzad.

Pretty amazing place. Even if you're not into the art, the grounds and architecture alonr make it worthwhile. When you checkout the art, I'd recommend first seeing the pavilion dedicated to pre-1600 art. It was amazing to see sculptures from the 1st and 2nd centuries that were fully intact with only a few blemishes.

Quoted: This is a must-see for any visit to the LA area. It is beautifully situated on a hilltop on the Westside, with a panoramic view of the city, the Valley, and the Pacific Ocean. The architecture is modernistic and lovely. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. The museum is spread out, with buildings for different periods of art. It doesn't have the most comprehensive collection, but there are notable pieces here. The changing exhibitions and shows are usually worth seeing. The grounds alone make it a place worth spending a day.

Did this today. Pretty nice...short but enough elevation gain to be good exercise. It's right by the Pacific Coast Highway so you you can stop at one of the many Malibu beaches on the way back. Next thing for me to try: In-N-Out Burger (http://www.in-n-out.com/) -- it better live up to the hype!

Quoted: Backbone Trail to Sandstone Peak 3 miles round trip, strenuous—Starting at the Sand-stone Peak Trailhead at an elevation of 2,030 feet, this trail provides views of the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys, as well as the Pacific Coast. Note: The Backbone Trail continues west to Sycamore Canyon and other trails in Point Mugu State Park. Obtain maps before entering the Boney Mountain Wilderness Area.

going here tomorrow.

Quoted: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area