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.

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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.

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That's me. In the bubble.

To be more precise, I am the one in the blue shirt, closest in the picture, on team "Tiki Punch" dribbling the ball diagonally toward the orange Shasta can. I feel like now... I know what a professional athlete must feel like. Because that's me, on the LA Galaxy soccer field, in a bubble. Did I mention, I am in a bubble, dribbling, on a professional field, in front of all LA Galaxy fans?

Not to overemphasize this excitement about being in a bubble, but I WAS SO EXCITED.

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If you're feeling colorful and in a painting mood, sign up to help paint spheres for the Portraits of Hope project! The last time they were here, all the lifeguard towers became bright and colorful in what seemed like an overnight transition for a summer. I didn't realize this organization was behind it. And now they're back and it's an opportunity not to be missed!

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Another cool night spot is this swanky bar in Hollywood – Good Times at Davey Wayne's. All you need for this experience to be memorable is entering through the refrigerator door.

They were purposeful and smart about the way they put this place together. You really feel like you went through a time-warp back to a 1970's house party. Between the interior decorating, all 70's songs, and backyard hang-out with an airstream – it's the perfect recipe for the sweetest 70's treat. (I don't drink, so I can't comment on how good the drinks were – my friends seemed to enjoy them.)

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#TBT to that time Whitney and I went camping and failed on so many levels, but won because we did it together. This is a story of dreams not coming true in the way you initially pictured them, but having fun anyways.

When Whitney last visited Los Angeles, and we were thinking about things to do that she hasn't done before, we ultimately decided it would be the best idea for us to go camping.

Let me preface:

I had this desire to be more "nature-y." In general, I fantasize about being the type of person who goes out into the wilderness on a whim and just sets up a tent, builds a fire, doesn't have any cell service around, and sees some stars. As if I'm some wilderness woman over here who doesn't freak out by an ant inside a tent or gets picky about the design of a hotel room.

But sometimes I get these crazy notions. And sometimes my friends are all for it.

That's why Whit's the best. Not only did she want to go camping too, she was willing to go to a campsite that didn't even have a bathroom. 

I mean, we're talking no amenities here. 

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The Sunken City in San Pedro felt like a small part of Venice Beach had left an imprint here. There was graffiti, and palm trees, and areas where it seemed like you could make it into a skatepark. It also felt like it's own treasure, hidden from view until you climbed over a wall and down a dirt road.

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Near the Korean Bell of Friendship is the Marine Mammal Care Center.

It's kind of tucked away but completely worth stopping by and learning about. The smell of fish is strong, but don't let that deter you.

The care center provides a place of rehabilitation for sick or injured marine mammals in Los Angeles County.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS CENTER & THE SEALSSSS...