Martha & Brian
Things To Do
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is a beautiful town on the coast with lots of good restaurants and spots to hang by the water. We visit the area frequently - recently, we went to Hermosa Beach to see the bioluminescence bloom at night. It was magical!
Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach is another great area along the coast to find excellent food of all varieties. The best part - when you are done eating you can work off your meal with a walk on the beach. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Abalone Cove Beach and Hiking Trails
Abalone Cove Nature Preserve is known for its outstanding tide pools, beaches, and hiking trails. The beach and trails can be accessed through the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park parking lot. Trails meander on the bluff out to excellent views from two prominent points. Below these points are three separate coves with beaches and tide pools. Check it out and you'll see why we love the west coast so much!
South Coast Botanic Garden
The South Park Botanic Garden is an 87 acre botanical garden in Palos Verdes Hills. Known as "The Jewel of the Peninsula," the Botanic Garden has more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. We love plants - our apartment has a number of different plants that Brian diligently cares for - so this is a great location if you do too!
Aquarium of the Pacific
If you love underwater stuff as much as we do, you'll love visiting this aquarium in Long Beach! There are over 100 exhibits and 19 habitats, including a penguin zone (!!), so it's worth checking out. Tickets go quickly on the weekends, so be sure to make a reservation well in advance online if you are hoping to visit.
The Queen Mary
Built in the 1930s, the Queen Mary was one of the largest and most elegant ships of the early 20th century. Now, it's a floating museum that you can explore on your own or via guided tour for a more in-depth experience. The museum features info on the construction, use, and haunted nature of the Queen Mary. Worth checking out if you are a history buff!
The Getty
The Getty Center is one of our favorite spots in LA! We visited the Getty on one of our first LA dates and had a great time. It features tons of art exhibits and beautifully landscaped grounds. It's the perfect spot to wander around, enjoy the sun, and take beautiful pictures of the unique architecture and city views. Admission is free, but requires a timed-entry reservation, so make sure to check out the website for details.