Last night while attending a Mormon rager hosted at our house complete with lots and lots of sugary sweets and attempts at making s'mores in the microwave and over candlelight (we literally had one girl sitting at our fake fireplace roasting her mashmallow with a knife over one of the candles placed there (and it actually came out really good)) because — due to rain — we were unable to break in our newly constructed firepit in the backyard, I was working out what I wanted to do this weekend with some new friends here in Nashville. 

In the back of my mind, I felt like there was something going on this Saturday. But I couldn't remember what. And then... oh ya, Halloween.

Maybe because I've been so lost in moving madness and trying to get settled into this new area, time has become slightly irrelevant to me. And although it feels like fall here and I'm in love with it all, I am missing Los Angeles just a bit. I've been reminiscing on the last couple of years especially and all the random findings that only Los Angeles dreams up that I would usually do around this time.

So, in that spirit, I put together a little list of my favorite Halloween-y things I've done in LA:

• Museum of Death
• Dearly Departed Tours
• Nightmare Before Christmas at the El Capitan Theatre
• Theme Park Scare-a-thons: Knott's Scary Farm, Universal Studios, & Disneyland
• West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
• Día de Los Muertos on Olvera Street

READ MORE FOR PICTURES AND EXPERIENCE DETAILS

One of the best things you can do in Southern California is get a bike and ride the strand. There's many a miles of concrete for bikers/skaters/skateboarders/runners to do their thing on and you don't have to worry about any angry drivers trying to run you over (for the most part of it at least).

Last weekend I did the ultimate strand bike ride. The one that I've only done a handful of times before because it takes a little less than forever: my house to Hermosa Beach Pier all the way through to Venice Boardwalk. In total, it's about 30 miles (that's including my house to the pier which adds 2 miles each way). But it's also really one of the best ways to get a feel for how each beach is a little different from the others.

The bike route is really flexible. You can start at Hermosa Pier, or start earlier than that at Redondo Beach Pier. And you can end at Venice Boardwalk, or go further to Santa Monica Pier. I've never been beyond Santa Monica Pier on the bike path, but the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (which is basically what you're taking the whole time) does go all the way through to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. The bike trail in total is 22 miles — but you have to remember that's going to be each way. I don't think you have an option to uber back with a bicycle in tow.

And if you don't prepare for it like I don't each time, you're probably going to start feeling sore about twelve miles in.

This is the route Heidi and I took and the main places we stopped:

• Hermosa Beach Pier
• Manhattan Beach Pier
• Dockweiler Beach
• Marina del Rey
• Venice Boardwalk

I don't know who Google Maps is calculating time for (see map after jump) — maybe I'm just really slow — but it takes me almost two hours to do this route. Not one hour and eight minutes. But maybe that's just me.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND READ TIPS ON WHERE TO STOP

Last Friday was my first Abbott Kinney First Friday in Venice. If you're looking for a crazy variety of food trucks, looking normal eating on the sidewalk, and finding fun surprises as you walk through a mass of people, this is the place to go on your first Friday of the month night.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE...

On Thursday summer nights, Santa Monica Pier plays host to a series of Twilight Concerts. They have a variety of musicians perform and you get to enjoy the concert from the pier or bring a blanket and listen to the music on the beach below all for free.

If you're in the area, they also have a place you can park your bike. Otherwise, I opted to Uber over. They've also got a lot of vendors there with fun photobooths and games, as well as food for sale.

Some of their night's are also themed. The night we went was "Australia Rocks the Pier" theme. We were able to get as close as possible to the stage and enjoyed Ben Browning of Cut Copy's performance which included Sid the koala character that came on-stage (actually my favorite part).

They have their calendar of performers on their website here, including tonight's! (Spoiler alert: tonight Sister Nancy is playing — it's reggae night.)

Bonus: Santa Monica Pier is a prime location, because it's a beautiful setting for just walking around, and you can explore Pacific Park, take a ride on the ferris wheel for $5 or go across the street and play at Tongva Park (my favorite park in Los Angeles).

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT...

Because ice cream is always a good idea. Especially this place.

CLICK THROUGH TO KNOW WHY...

I'm spending some time reminiscing on past memories. Because exciting news and all that coming soon for the future. For now, this experience from the winter of 2013 when Whitney was visiting from Kansas City, MO, and my friend Kelsey was in town and I realized that not every hiking trail in Palos Verdes is worth driving to. Isn't there a quote though that you either win or you learn? #fbf

READ ON FOR MORE ABOUT MY "LEARNING" EXPERIENCE ...

Almost three years after the space shuttle Endeavour was moved to the science center, I finally made it a point to go and visit. I wanted to see for myself this thing that was in space and the journey it took from here to there and back. In any case, I'll take any reason to go to The California Science Center.

The California Science Center in Exposition Park is a great place to visit and discover. Aside from the fact that it's next to/part of USC's campus #BruinPride (haha JUST KIDDING rival USC folks – it's only semi-personal), it's a really great place to go on any afternoon and learn about science in an interactive and fun way. Plus, it's free to the public which is always a plus.

Some things you might have to pay for:

• Parking – $10 (unless you take the metro which is lots cheaper and a short walk from the station to the entrance)
• IMAX movie – around $8.25 (for 18 years and older) this is an experience worth getting tickets for though. The IMAX movies aren't like the 3D movies you see in a theater; they really make you feel like you're part of the ocean or in Jersualem (depending on what movie you choose to see). Right now you have three different films to choose from: Hubble 3D, Jerusalem 3D, or Humpback Whales 3D. We chose Jerusalem in lieu of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.
• The Endeavour – this can actually be "free" too if you buy a ticket to one of the other exhibits or IMAX movie, otherwise it's a $2 processing fee when you make an online reservation (a reservation is required through September 7)
• Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit – you can get a combo deal with the IMAX movie purchase – $26 (for 18 years and older), but the exhibit alone is about $20 (for 18 year old and older). This is one thing I didn't get to do when we recently went, but Yelp gives it a four out of five star rating.
• There's also attractions like the high wire bicycle (where you're riding a bicycle on a wire at the top level), a small rock wall, and a motion-based simulator which you can buy an "attraction pack" for all at $7. 

Basically you can really choose how much or not at all you want to spend. The point is that this is one of the coolest museums for all ages in LA and is right next to a rose garden,

California African American Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Just throwing that in there.

CLICK THROUGH TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT SCIENCE-Y THINGS OCCURRED

Welcome to my childhood dream in real life: visiting the Watts Towers.

We had a hands-on-art project in elementary school where we learned about these towers and used wires and beads and clay to pretend like we were replicating their sheer amazingness. My "art" piece is long gone now, but the desire to see the towers in real life remained.

Fast forward about sixteen years and I finally made it a priority. 

READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE...

Daybreaker is a "morning movement that will start your day off unlike anything else." This Los Angeles to-do has been on my list since I read this article back in November. Wild party with dancing, food, some yoga, and no drinking? That's the definition of my kind of party.

I would say getting up at 5am to get to Marina del Rey and participate in a dance party on a boat before my regular work hours is definitely an abnormal start to my day. And huge kudos to the guy who dressed like a sun/sunflower. Hands down best costume of the Daybreaker experience.

CLICK THROUGH TO READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE...

In addition to jumping off rocks, people also go rock climbing in this area as shown in this photo.

These warm days are reminding me of this Malibu Creek State Park adventure that felt like a much-needed girls getaway at the time, on a beautiful Saturday morning almost two years ago. Don't worry, the rock pool is still there, and so are the rocks we jumped off of. I would check the water levels though — I don't know if it's any different with the drought. If anything, this area is a great hiking choice.

I conquered some fears on this little excursion, and I still vividly remember the experience even today.

READ ON FOR THE JUMP...

Above is me. In probably my happiest captured form: open road, blue skies, friends, adventuring, and just being completely in love with where I am.

I love road trips. Maybe because I'm from LA and having a car symbolizes freedom a bit more than in other cities. There really is something freeing to me about being able to take your car and go to some place new. Even more so than flying. Sometimes flying doesn't feel as far away — it feels more about the destination: you're in one place, and then all of a sudden you're in the next.

With a road trip, there's a journey. There are stops, there are things to look at, to observe. There are long hours, lots of snacks, and "are we there yet?" moments, but it's all part of this random journey. You know that eventually you'll get to your destination, but might as well be flexible, take the time to explore and have fun along the way.

And the road trip I'm highlighting today is one of many that I've taken from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and back.

Our stops included:

• Bottle Tree Ranch
• World's Tallest Thermometer
• Alien Beef Jerky
• Las Vegas (which was semi our destination too so I'm not counting this)

and back

• through the Mojave desert — attempted to look for a cave that we didn't find
• Cross-eyed Cow Pizza

READ ON FOR ALL THE RANDOM DETAILS...

Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes is what I think of as a real getaway without really getting away.

READ ON TO FIND OUT WHY...

I just got back from Seattle, WA Sunday and while I'm putting together a more comprehensive view of everything I enjoyed, this week I'm sharing some recent fun excursions in Los Angeles.

We wanted to hike in Malibu, so my friends and I reviewed some options and decided on Solstice Canyon. It's about an hour — on a good day — from the South Bay. The day we chose was a nice balance of sunshine and clouds, so it wasn't too hot.

We chose Solstice Canyon because of the remains of two buildings — which seemed historic and exciting in some way — and the potential sight of a waterfall. With the drought, we weren't expecting much. But we got a lot.

READ ON TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE KIND-OF EXISTENT WATERFALL...

I saw pictures from where my co-worker lives in Northern California – she has cows in her backyard. Like 50 of them all in a line. And she's backed up to a meadow so you know, pretty flowers, beautiful sunsets. All that greatness. I usually imagine her frolicking in the fields up there. It's not the California I know, but I can romanticize it.

Not that it's all bad here. There's always something to do or experience. It's a nexus of amazing activities. For me, living in the South Bay area, I've always had the beach as a refresh and a recharge away from the close-knit houses, tall buildings, and people.

Plus, I've always found other ways to make it more of what I romanticize about living in the country, or in an area where there's not as many activities and all you have are the people around you and nature and maybe that cute little diner that everyone gathers at.

Things like when my friend had the idea of getting a projector so we could watch movies in her backyard. That's what I'd imagine I'd be doing in the country.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR SWEET BACKYARD MOVIE SET-UP...

I'm not one to kiss and tell or anything, but I'm feeling lucky. Seven years of lucky to be exact. 

The secret? 

Kissing a sea cucumber. Which I did. For the second time in my life. The first time was on an elementary school field trip to the same place – the SEA Lab in Redondo Beach. Right at the border of Hermosa Beach.

READ MORE ABOUT MY SEA LAB EXPERIENCE...

Hermosa Beach is one of the three beach cities of the South Bay – Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach being the other two. Honestly, it's my favorite of the cities. It's kind of the in-between of everything, and the beach itself is the one closest to where I grew up and live.

From knowing it the past twenty-four years, I've seen how it's changed – shops have come and go, things have been remodeled, redesigned, the pier now has a four-way crosswalk... It's not for better or worse changes, just changes.

I was biking to the beach with my friend Chloe this past weekend, going down Pier Avenue and passing the building where I once took some creative performance summer school, and saw the sign out front saying that the Hermosa Beach Historical Museum was open from 2 – 4pm. Lucky for us, it was 2:30pm.

We locked up the bikes and went inside.

READ MORE FOR PHOTOS AND EXPERIENCE...

The Wiltern is one of the most beautiful inside concert venues I've been to in Los Angeles. The detail in the architecture, the ceilings, the chandelier's are gorgeous representations of the art deco era. It's a treat to see any performance there.

That particular night I got to see Gavin James and Kodaline perform.

READ MORE ABOUT THE VENUE & PERFORMANCES...