trails - parker mesa @ topanga canyon (30 before 30)

parker mesa trail has a gain in both directions, so there's no steep hike one way and a fully downhill hike on the way back. the point overlooks santa monica bay and there are a few benches for your to enjoy your snacks and take a water break. we were lucky enough to get caught in a runaway cloud as we were leaving the point. it was an unreal experience!

parker mesa trail

the trek:
- drive up entrada road for 1 mile to get the park entrance
- walk through the park and stay straight after the guard shack, going towards the large parking lot
- stay to the left and head towards the fire road
- head up the fire road and turn right onto parker mesa trail (about .5 miles)

santa monica bay, view from overlook

total distance: 7 milestravel time: 2h30m
gain: 560 ft
difficulty: moderate

stuck in the clouds

the tips:
- park on entrada road outside of the entrance (be sure to be FULLY off of the pavement to avoid a ticket)
- hit the bathrooms inside the park at the bottom of the fire road before you begin
- pack a snack to enjoy once you get to the overlook

tunes - live picks (august)

it's festival season! there were a slew of local LA festivals the first weekend of august and even more at the end of this month. i have had my tickets to first city music festival for 3 months and i'm anxiously counting down the days until my arrival in monterey. hope to see you at a show!

august concert calendar:

8/1 - zz top @ pacific amphitheatre (costa mesa)

8/2 - chicago @ the greek

8/2 - scott weiland @ viper room

8/3 - americanarama tour @ verizon wireless amphitheater (irvine)

8/3 - scott weiland @ viper room

8/4 - edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's @ hollywood bowl*

8/5 - phish @ hollywood bowl

8/6 - hall and oats @ ventura county fair

8/7 - preservation hall jazz band @ hollywood bowl

8/8 - hall and oats @ pacific amphitheatre (costa mesa)

8/8 - hanni el khatib @ santa monica pier

8/8 - lorde @ echoplex

8/9 - grizzly bear @ hollywood forever*

8/9 - willie nelson @ hollywood bowl

8/10 - smith westerns @ el rey

8/10 - the national @ the greek

8/10 - willie nelson @ hollywood bowl

8/11 - phoenix @ club nokia

8/11 - the national  @ hollywood forever

8/11 - yeasayer @ el rey

8/14 - kopecky family band @ the echo

8/16 - james murphy (of lcd sound system) @ 333live

8/17 - best coast @ el rey

8/17 - h20 music festival @ la state park

8/17 - queens of the stone age @ bison amphitheatre

8/18 - best coast @ el rey

8/19 - best coast @ el rey

8/21 - lucy schwartz @ no vacancy

8/22 - the polyphonic spree @ el rey

8/23 - toad the wet sprocket @ troubadour

8/24 - first city festival @ monterey*

8/24 - fyf festival @ la state park

8/24 - peter frampton + bb king @ the greek

8/25 - first city festival @ monterey

8/25 - fyf festival @ la state park

8/29 - icona pop @ fonda theatre

*top live picks:

edward sharpe @ hollywood bowl

8/4 - edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's @ hollywood bowl

i recommend going to see at least one show every summer at the bowl. it's an amazing experience, regardless where you sit. i was fortunate enough to get invited to my friend's box so we had a great spot for the show. edward sharpe invited 17 of his magnetic zero friends on stage with him for a full orchestral sound. his sidekick, jade, is still one of my favorite current female vocalist. she's amazing! edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's dropped their new self-titled album this summer and they're already busy promoting their big top festival at LA historic park this october.

grizzly bear @ hollywood forever
*photo by brad roberts

8/9 - grizzly bear @ hollywood forever

hollywood forever is a historic cemetery right behind the paramount lot in the heart of hollywood. an interesting venue that not only hosts live burials, but also live concerts and outdoor movie viewings. to get a complete list of their upcoming events check out their website: www.hollywoodforever.com/culture. tickets sell out quickly, so sign up on their mailing list and twitter if you are interested in going to see a show here.

8/24 & 8/25 - first city festival @ monterey

monterey, california is my favorite city on the west coast, hands down! so how could i refuse checking out some of favorite indie bands like dr. dog, beach house, delta spirit, black angels, mgmt and more. there are 3 stages as well as a fair with carnival rides. check out all 36 bands playing at the festival on their website.