By Madina Safdari
Living in the San Fernando Valley, you often hear of people going to Santa Monica or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). While these Los Angeles (L.A.) spots are worthwhile, there are also many hidden gems in L.A. that are waiting to be explored and enjoyed. From museums to parks, L.A. has it all if you are willing to look.
Descanso Gardens
Located near Glendale, Descanso Gardens has 160 acres of gardens, woodlands, and chaparral that provide a calm refuge to the hectic L.A. lifestyle. Along with the beautiful views, Descanso Gardens also provides a variety of attractions like the historic Boddy House and the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Descanso Gardens a beautiful place for families and friends to explore. General admission to the park is $9 but students pay $6 with an ID.
For more information on the garden visit https://www.descansogardens.org/
Museum of Neon Art
Bordering Griffith Park in Glendale, the Museum of Neon Art is not your ordinary art gallery. While many more well-known museums in the L.A. area like the Getty Museum and the Broad Museum showcase more traditional forms of art, the Museum of Neon Art is often overlooked by tourists and locals. The Museum of Neon Art focuses on expression and learning through neon, electric, and kinetic art. General admission to the museum is $10 but with a student ID, it is $8.
For more information visit their website at http://www.neonmona.org/
Venice Canal Walkway
The Venice Canals of L.A. may very well be the best hidden gem of the area. These manmade canals, built in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, are meant to emulate the appearance and atmosphere of Venice, Italy with a Southern California twist. Feel free to walk down the canals and enjoy the sight of beautiful homes, landscaped gardens, and ponds. After taking a stroll down the canal, Venice Beach and the multiple attractions along the boardwalk are only a few minutes away and definitely worth the visit.
The Last Bookstore
Located in Downtown LA, the Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. Not only is the selection of books extensive, but the architecture of the store perfectly displays their vast array of books. Don’t miss the book archway. Along with being able to purchase books, the store also hosts events like book readings and small concerts.
For more information visit: http://lastbookstorela.com/#home
The Plaid Press 