The weather is warming up and now’s the time to spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal al fresco on the grass. Read on to discover the best, most under-the-radar picnic destinations around LA that you and the kids can enjoy. And if you are as garden-obsessed as the rest of us, bookmark our “Guide to LA’s Botanical Gardens & Flower Fields to Visit Now.”
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
This 10.5-acre park just outside of downtown LA features walking trails, streams, meadows and oak trees that offer plenty of shade for your picnic.
Looking to escape the heat in LA? Make advance reservations before heading to this 87-acre garden on the the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where you'll find a koi pond, rose garden, flowering fruit trees and more. Picnics are permitted in designated areas.
Admittedly, an abandoned zoo might not be the first place that comes to mind when choosing a picnic spot for little ones, but we promise your pint-sized explorers will totally dig it. This was the original site of the LA Zoo that opened in 1912 and later closed in 1966, but its remnants, including an empty bear grotto, stone caves and old monkey cages still remain.
Insider Tip: The Old Zoo can be a tad tricky to locate, but if you park in the lot next to the merry-go-round in Griffith Park, it's just a short hike up the hill nearby.
Pasadena's only dedicated public garden offers free access to three acres of of native trees and plants for the whole family to enjoy—including pets! Although there are benches and tables on the grounds, you can always bring your own blanket and tuck into your own private spot.
Hours: Open 7 days a week, during daylight hours Cost: Free
This 8.5 acre park is an urban oasis, located on the corner of Slauson Ave. and Compton Ave. There's a short hiking trail, a pond where kids might spot some ducks and turtles, and plenty of grassy areas for picnicking.
Talk about hiding in plain sight: This destination is walking distance from the always-packed Runyon Canyon, but looks and feels like a world away. Also very pet-friendly.
Fun Fact: Nirvana filmed part of their video for "Come as You Are" in this park.
Even if you’re not one of those people that allow Christmas to start the day after Halloween, you might have to admit that this year it’s been creeping in– with recommendations to shop early, you might be compiling a list already! If your holiday gift list is looking slim so far, we’ve rounded up the best recommendations from local Portland stores for the whole family– Dad, Mom, Big Kid, and Baby. Read on for some great ideas from great local places to check out!
Get your plant dad a stunning Staghorn Fern Plaque to grace his wall-- these large antler-like fronds are like a piece of living taxidermy: a dramatic statement for any man cave or living room! Local plant gurus Pistils Nursery have been in business for 20 years, sharing the gift of green and gently encouraging those with blacker thumbs. Their flagship store on Mississippi, along with a new location in Slabtown showcase everything from rare and unusual plants to the coveted swiss cheese monsteras, along with chic planters, pots, and accessories. If Dad is still growing his plant passion, try a ZZ Plant (otherwise known as Zamioculcas amiifolia). One of the most low maintenance houseplants around, this is a great "set it and forget it" plant -- at least for a few weeks at a time.
Tucked into Old Town/Chinatown, Laundry is like a candy store for the sports-loving Dad in your life. Full of thoughtfully curated vintage merch (like jerseys, caps and tees) from a wide variety of sports and sports brand, you can cross a few things off your list here in no time. For the Blazers fan, find Damian Lillard and Andre Miller jerseys, or go further afield with a bright orange Netherlands soccer jersey, among hundreds of others. And they have kids sizes, too!
Laundry 140 NW 4th Ave Portland, OR Online: laundrypdx.com
Maybe you have absolutely zero idea what Dad wants-- that's totally normal. Hop over to Boys Fort, where you'll find dozens of options for the Dad who has everything. Formerly downtown, they've moved their store into Urbanite on SE Grand Ave but kept it packed full of goodies, like leather wallets, unique decor, stylish Portland maps, books, hot sauce, and even an Albert Einstein pint glass, all geared toward the modern Dad. If you're still at a loss, ask them to help-- you'll walk away with an expertly curated set of gifts in no time.
Inside Urbanite 1005 SE Grand Ave Portland, OR Online: boysfort.com
Gifts for Moms
New Planner from Little Otsu
Courtesy of Little Otsu
For the Mom brimming with ideas, plans, schedules, or creative brainstorming, head to Little Otsu to get her all decked out. You'll find beautiful paper goods and from all over the world that will make her home office pop and inspire! Get her set for 2022 with this vibrant planner from England, or brighten up her desk with a colorful Italian stapler.
Mom can jot down all her ideas in a myriad of journals, with fountain pens, colored pencils, highlighters, and more. Don't miss the sweet collection of books and zines, including great options for kids.
A vibrant store melding color, vintage, adults, kids, European style and American fun into one warm experience, the Yo! Store is ready to knock a few things off your list. Founded in 2016, they've been sourcing quality goods from small independent makers worldwide for years, culminating in a store that's like having your best friend say "here, try this."
You'll find clothes (quilted jackets! stylish sweatpants! polka dot sweaters!), jewelry, bags, and colorful socks for mom, but don't stop there. Stuff her stocking with nail polish and candles before moving on to the kids sections, where adorable clothes, books, and toys await.
The Yo! Store 935 NW 19TH Ave. Portland, OR Online: yoportland.com/
Get mom a warming blend of tea with chai spices, complete with foraged Doug fir tips at this home brewed apothecary. You'll also find hand crafted brooms, candles, artwork, and journals alongside the house line, full of rose-scented face serums, mineral makeup, herbal tinctures, and bitters.
Roots and Crowns Apothecary 1812 NW 24th Ave. Portland, OR Online: rootsandcrowns.com
Gifts for Kids
Cheeseburger Pillow from Black Wagon
Courtesy of Black Wagon
This Mississippi Street store is chock full of fun, for kids ages 0-14 (and up)! Even the most teen of pre-teens won't be able to resist this soft cheeseburger floor pillow-- they're designed for all ages, tough enough for interactive play yet cozy enough for catching up on their favorite shows, games, and creative activities.
Or test their skills on Christmas Day with a wooden pinball set, along with a huge variety of puzzles, games, and musical instruments next to a whole wall of adorable clothes.
Black Wagon Kids 3964 N Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR Online: blackwagon.com
This adorable store has found a new home inside Cargo, an import shop that's been in business for over 20 years (and is worth checking out in it's own right!). With a background in animation, owner Amy has expertly curated the small space so that everywhere you look there's something bright, colorful, amusing, and whimsical. Bright journals, kids books, vintage toys, ceramics, and even those rubber finger monsters mingle together in a fun and inspiring space. Your only problem will be which things to bring home with you, and which leaves to come back for later!
Being a kid is hard work sometimes, and Spielwerk gets that. That's why they stock their store with all the best tools of childhood: toys, games, puzzles, and more that helps kids think creatively, solve problems, and goof around. Find your child's new favorite friend here with a wooden gnome home, or a whimsical fairy doll. And stay tuned-- they're working on launching their own line here in Portland!
The folks at Green Bean Books are the best kind, ready to offer you their favorite new book along with a secret smile. Full of kids books of all kinds, head here to start Baby off right with a set of adorable board books.
Their top picks this year are:
What's in the Box? written by Isabel Otter illustrated by Joaquin Camp. An interactive lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel book with a plethora of boxes to open with silly things inside. Perfect for baby's gift opening practice during the holidays.
Dog's First Baby by Natalie Nelson. A new baby's impact from a dog's perspective: very sweet and charming. Don't worry, a cat one is scheduled to be released in March too!
Where Is Everyone? by Tom Schamp. An interactive lift-the-flap with goofy animal characters doing ridiculous things to discover.
The newest people in the world deserve the best things-- get the baby in your life this adorable Woodland Activity Blanket from Grasshopper, full of sensory bumps and crackling paper. Located on Alberta St, this store serves up a wide range of goodies for the little ones in your life, from babies and up! Useful items along with thoughtful design combine to offer goods that even adults will want to play with, like these sweet Babyoshka nesting dolls. You'll also find books, clothes, art, puzzles, games, baby essentials, and so much more!
Get ready for a sweet new film from Netflix! The streaming provider is getting ready to share its newest feature film, Arlo the Alligator Boy.
The flick tells the story of Arlo Beauregard, half human, half alligator as he searches for his long-last father in New York City. Along the way, a deeper story of friendship and embracing our differences emerges and is accompanied by fantastic music. Keep scrolling to see an exclusive clip!
Arlo the Alligator Boy stars breakout star Michael J. Woodward, Grammy-nominated artist Mary Lambert, Jonathan Van Ness, Annie Potts, Brett Gelman, Vincent Rodriguezz III and Jennifer Coolidge. It will debut on Netflix on Fri., Apr. 16.
But that’s not all! Arlo isn’t ready to leave NYC just yet. Following the film, I Heart Arlo, will debut on the streaming platform. The show will follow Arlo and his new friends as they settle in and try to bring their new abandoned seaside community back to life. Release dates are forthcoming.
“Two drowning people can’t save each other, remember?” I say as my teen’s thumbs tap across their phone on the couch across from me.
It’s 10:35 p.m. and a friend with similar mental health struggles posted something dark in their stories again. It’s a regular occurrence—but not always the same friend on the other end. A struggling teen reaches out to mine because they understand each other’s dark thoughts. My child hurts for them because they know the mental pain first hand and can’t rest until they’ve talked their friend back into a safe zone.
It’s a hard line to balance on. On one hand they can’t abandon their desperate friend, but on the other hand, it adds stress to an already stressed-out brain.
I often repeat my drowning scenario as a reminder to be careful.
Life is a lake in my scenario and we all experience it differently. You’ll see the competitive swimmers with purpose to every stroke and the relaxed ones floating as they soak up the sun. Look a little harder and you’ll see some weathering storms and gasping for air as they wait for it to pass and still others use a personal floatation device (PFD) to make sure they get where they need without going under.
Then there are the ones silently treading water and struggling for air. All their strength is used to keep from drowning. They don’t feel the sun. They don’t seem to be getting anywhere. However, they notice other people in the same predicament…and they latch on to each other.
Sound dangerous? It is, but it’s easier to reach out to someone who obviously understands you. You don’t reach out to someone who tells you to try harder. Their advice is useless.
What my teen needs is a life-saving device like a PFD. Maybe it’s made of counsellor appointments, doctor visits, medications, healthier eating, etc. Maybe part of it is a supportive family and safe places to talk. Whatever it’s made of, it’s slow to put together and hard to put on at first as it’s made of many components working together.
What our teens need is a hero.
Someone that made it through. Someone that conquered those inner voices or learned to control and manage them so they could go on to fulfill their dreams. Someone who knows what it feels like to fight for air, but is not currently in that state.
Our struggling teens don’t look at someone floating leisurely in the sun or swimming hard to pursue their goal and feel inspired to try. No, they think “I can’t do that.”
What they need is someone who was struggling to keep their head above water, but grew stronger and now swims with confidence. Our youth need to hear how people around them once wondered if they would ever make it.
They need to know that the people they think have it all together, used to fight for survival.
They need heroes in mental health. They need to hear if you fought with depression every day or anxiety kept you from functioning some weeks. They need to know that there are mental health heroes all around them.
They need you to swim up beside them and help them put that PFD on.
You can start by saying “I was drowning once too.”
You know what a staycation is—but have you heard about the toe-dip trip? According to the vacay experts at Travelocity, a toe-dip trip is the shorter getaway you take to build back your travel confidence levels.
The pandemic put your extended travel plans on hold. Nearly a year later, you’re ready to get back in the swing of things. At least, you’re maybe, sort of, kind of ready.
Safety is key and you may not be 100 percent ready to schedule a major family vacation yet. Don’t stress. Here’s where the toe-dip trip comes in. Think of travel as a big, kind of cold swimming pool. You don’t want to dive in with wild abandon. At the same time, you really, really want to go for a swim. Instead of cannonball-ing or swan diving in, you dip a toe into the water. The toe-dip trip follows the same principle. Start small, build your confidence, and wait until you’re ready.
Melissa Dohmen, travel expert from Travelocity, explained the toe-dip trip in a press release, “We may be dreaming of that big bucket list trip, but what travelers are actually planning so far this year are visits to familiar destinations nearby, weekend getaways or road trips and beach trips.”
If you’re not sure where to go on your toe-dip trip, the pros at Travelcity note the some of most popular picks for families in 2021 include Orlando, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Big Bear, Lake Havasu City, Oklahoma, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.
This year, we may have to abandon many of our favorite Halloween traditions but we can still indulge in a sweet treat. Krispy Kreme is taking spooky right out of the season, giving fans a sweeter way to Trick-or-Treat. Guests can safely be sweet to others while treating themselves.
Introducing “Sweet-or-Treat” Saturdays: every Saturday from Oct. 10 through Halloween, Krispy Kreme will offer a $1 Sweet-or-Treat dozen to give to family, friends or neighbors with the purchase of any dozen. Each Sweet-or-Treat Original Glazed dozen is individually wrapped and includes a not-so-scary special edition Jack-o’-Lantern Doughnut. Fans can redeem the Sweet-or-Treat dozens offer at participating shops in the U.S., via drive thru and by ordering online at Krispy Kreme’s website or app for door-side pickup or delivery.
Additionally, Krispy Kreme will introduce a new batch of monsters so sweet, they’ll turn Halloween on its head. Available starting Oct. 5, Krispy Kreme’s Scary Sweet Monster Doughnuts are the sweetest take on three classic Halloween monsters that incite doughnut delight instead of fright.
Frank Monster Doughnut: A doughnut filled with Original Kreme, dipped in green icing, and decorated like a classic monster with icing, sprinkles, and pretzel piece bolts. Don’t be shocked. Frank is sweet.
Drake Monster Doughnut: A doughnut with raspberry filling, dipped in light purple icing, and decorated like a classic monster with icing and sugar piece eyes. Those aren’t fangs… they’re Drake’s sweet teeth.
Wolfie Monster Doughnut: An Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and decorated like a werewolf with Chocolate Kreme™, a sugar piece face and cinnamon sugar cereal ears. So good it’ll make you howl.
“This Halloween, we’re trading scary for sweet and helping fans create new ways to safely enjoy the season,” said Dave Skena, Chief Marketing Officer for Krispy Kreme. “Instead of asking for sweet treats, let’s give them away to all the neighbors, family and friends we appreciate so much. It’s not a normal Halloween, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it a sweet one.”
Additionally, Krispy Kreme is offering guests a free doughnut of choice when they wear a costume on Halloween to participating U.S. shops or drive-thrus.
Krispy Kreme wants you to share how you’re reverse trick-or-treating this Halloween and sweetening the spooky season by using #SweetOrTreat and #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme. For more information regarding Krispy Kreme’s Scary Sweet Monster Doughnuts, please visit www.krispykreme.com/promos/halloween2020.
Get the kids suited up in that new mohawk helmet and find them the perfect bike for your day on the bike trail. Akron, Ohio is home to miles of trails that are perfect for new riders, experienced bikers and our favorite, the family cargo bike riders. Ride along paths that used to be train tracks, look for hidden waterfalls and take a dip in a lake when you are done. Scroll down for all the best bike trails for kids of all ages and abilities.
Bike and Hike Trail, Summit Metro Parks
iStock
The paved 34-mile Bike & Hike Trail travels southeast from Sagamore Hills to Munroe Falls and Stow. This was one of the first "rails to trails" conversions in the country and sections of the Bike & Hike Trail follow the course of two abandoned railroads. There are several parking lots with access points along the way.
East of Route 91 in Munroe Falls, the Bike & Hike Trail parallels a scenic section of the Cuyahoga River where great blue herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks can be seen. Don't miss a stop at Brandywine Falls. At 75 feet, the fall are one of the highest in Ohio.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area that draws hikers, bikers, horseback riders and birders. This path is partially paved and very popular for good reason as it is a gorgeous area to explore via your bike. On weekends it can get pretty crowded so pick it for your weekday rides. Check out the Bike Aboard program where you can bike one way between the Boston Store and Station Road train stations, and ride the train the other direction with your bike onboard.
This 237-acre park has six trails that total 3.6 miles. The trails are smoothed with some rolling hills that are perfect for younger riders. There are several trails to choose from, the longest is about a mile and a half. As a post ride reward, children will enjoy the orchard-themed playground. There's also an awesome sledding hill here in winter months.
The 3.3-mile paved trail around the lake offers great opportunities for bike riding kids. Located in the southern end of Cleveland Metroparks, Hinckley Reservation is the site of the nationally-known annual Return of the Buzzards. Bonus: you can cool off in the water after your ride!
The Greenway Corridor is a 4.8-mile paved trail that's perfect for family bike rides in the beauty of nature. Bonus: The beautiful waterfall locally known as “Chair Factory Falls” is a natural feature accessible by a pedestrian trail off the Greenway Corridor in Concord Township. You'll have to park your bikes and take the very short pedestrian pathway to see the falls.
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for always being there for me. I just can’t quit you, no matter how hard I try.
I’m sorry I get mad at you sometimes it’s just…I need space, you know? Even when I go away for a day or two, I can always count on you, waiting patiently, for my attention. You don’t mind chilling all clean in a basket while I pretend you don’t exist. You don’t mind when I leave you in the dryer and forget about you until I wash some of your friends. Heck even when you’re overflowing in the hamper, you don’t get mad me. You just wait until I’m ready, which is true compassion. Clean, dirty, left in the washer so I have to wash you again…you just stay. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. For the rest of my life until I die. Dang, Laundry. That’s some real devotion there.
You don’t happen to know Dinner, do you? She’s not quite as…zen as you are, Laundry. She’s a little more demanding and pretty possessive actually. Between you and me, Dinner can be kind of be a b*tch. But I still gotta chill with Dinner, even when she’s being a total b. She’s not like you, Laundry. She can’t be left alone, not even for one day. Very needy. And a total diva to boot.
She constantly needs to be coddled with options and demands I shop for her at least once a week and then half the time she just lets herself go to waste because God forbid she hang out with Leftovers while I take a night off to see Bookclub. But do you think Dinner cares about my needs? No. In fact, lately, all Dinner does is get upset that it’s Chicken. Again. As if Chicken is going to be her ruination. As if Chicken is some sort of gateway to Liver.
Well, guess what? I’m done being ashamed of Chicken. Chicken gets me. Chicken is low maintenance. Chicken is adaptable to my needs and if Dinner is going to demand nightly visitation and weekly shopping, I’m bringing Chicken whenever I want, however, I want. Dinner even expects me to be perfectly punctual each night and if I dare be a little early or a little late, there’s no compassion. There’s no understanding. There’s just interrogation. Where here have you been? What have you been doing? Who were you with? I mean she literally doesn’t do crap all day except sit around and wait for me then conveniently forgets that I’m also dealing with Breakfast. And Lunch. And Snacks. Snacks alone thinks he might die if we don’t hang out seven times a day but at least he only needs a minute of my time. At least he’s not sucking the soul out of my life.
I’m beginning to think that Dinner and I might need a trial separation.
But don’t worry Laundry. I could never abandon you like that. I don’t need Dinner the way I need you because frankly…I’ve got Popcorn. But without you, Laundry, I have nothing. I know it might not always feel like it, but…I see you. I support you. And always remember—I will get to you. Eventually.
I’ll check in with you later. I gotta go see what’s up with Dishwasher. He’s so full of it.
Emily is a sometime writer, all the time mom, who constantly wonders how it is she became completely superior at loading the dishwasher. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her two budding teenagers who provide daily inspirational quotes such as: I'm hungry! and Close the door! She loves them a whole lot anyway.
You’ve documented every little tooth, smile and babble since birth. But once your baby can stand and walk, things really take off (literally!). We’re celebrating the endearing milestones of toddlerhood, from making friends to leaping with joy. Scroll down for 6 milestones to look forward to (or remember fondly) during the toddler years.
During that first year of life, your sweet baby looks to you for, well, everything. And then one day, they don't. The stage fraught with determination and a can-do attitude has earned a reputation as the terrible twos, but it's pretty wonderful too. And those first steps toward independence deserve to be celebrated. Your child feels secure enough to start to step away and find their own way.
We've been loving on these little munchkins from before they were born, but somewhere between 24 to 36 months, they verbalize their feelings for us with three simple words: I love you. Even if you aren't easily moved by milestones, this one will give you all the feels.
The smell of a newborn is intoxicating. The scent of newness doesn't linger long, but we still think babies smell pretty great long after that addictive odor wears off. However, once your baby can mobilize, they're perpetually grimy. Your toddler explores his or her world by touching all. the. things. And while it's amazing to watch their world grow, we suggest having a pack of wipes for post-dirt play.
When your toddler hands a prized toy to a perfect, pint-size stranger, you see the first glow of a friendship form. Empathy, that spark that allows us to connect with other humans, begins to emerge at around two years of age. Watching your child learn to make healthy bonds with those outside the family: priceless.
Running & Jumping with Abandon
iStock
When your baby first began to walk, they toddled and toppled. But by around 27 months they can jump with both feet. By age three, they can run without falling over. At this point, it might be time to swap a stroller for a pair of sneakers so you can keep up!
Your child's first marks might look like chicken scratches, but by 36 months, those scribbles become frame-worthy. Watching your budding artist communicate through color and paint is reason to celebrate with your first fridge gallery.
When you’re in the workforce in a traditional 9-5 job, it’s a law that when you work a certain amount of hours, you must get a break. Why? Mostly because employers and lawmakers realize that if employees work without a break they will burn out. It’s a common saying that moms have the hardest jobs but they don’t get paid. However, just because we don’t get paid, it doesn’t mean we can’t take breaks every now and then.
For all of you moms who may feel a bit guilty for needing or wanting a break, let me offer you a small piece of encouragement. As the wonderful mom you are, you put a lot of time, energy, money, and love into your children. And that’s great. However, you will be even more effective as a parent when you are well taken care of—mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’m not saying you have to go on this week-long vacation (I mean if you can do that, by all means, please take me with you) but I am saying that it will be of great benefit to both you and your children if you take a little time for yourself.
Hopefully that eased your guilt but if you’re thinking you don’t know what to do, I have some free or inexpensive suggestions:
1. Just get out of the house. If you’re like me and you have little ones that you homeschool you probably spend a great deal of your time in the house. A few weeks ago I said to my husband “tomorrow when you come home, I need to get out of here!” I went to our local Barnes & Noble and looked through magazines. Just that hour and a half refreshed me. It was awesome.
2. Grab a friend and your favorite guilty pleasure. Hey listen, a good adult conversation over a cupcake and cappuccino never hurt anybody. Enough said!
3. Get a manicure or pedicure. For me, I’ll always opt for a pedicure (just because manicures don’t last long on me) but either way, make this small investment for yourself. It’s a small detail that will make a big difference. And if the budget doesn’t allow you to do this, DIY it.
4. Take a walk. This is one of the best free breaks anyone can take. Literally, you hit all three areas of needed refreshment on this one—mental, physical and emotional. A nice walk will give you time to think, time to process and your heart will be pumping all along.
5. Start a hobby. Sign up for a local class, hobby or sport that is of interest to you. This will ensure that you don’t completely abandon your interests and you may meet a new friend or two.
Remember mama, you are a vital part of your family. You’re more than just a worker, you are a life-giver and source of inspiration. So treat yourself and give yourself a break.
Hi Everyone. I’m Amber. I’m a wife and mom of 2 beautiful princesses. I was born a creative and I’m learning to find creativity in every area of my life. I’m a lover of all things beautiful but I’m also drawn to the broken because there’s always room for restoration.
