Warner Bros. Studios Water Tower

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The Warner Bros. Studios water tower is another iconic site/sight in Los Angeles (Burbank, to be exact).  The tower was built in 1927 and moved to its current location in 1933 after the Long Beach earthquake.  It’s 100 feet tall and can hold 100,000 gallons, although it is currently empty.  It was used in the Animaniacs TV series to incarcerate the characters Yakko, Wakko, and Dot.

Swami’s Beach Tiki

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On a grassy spot next to the parking lot for Swami’s State Beach in Encinitas sits this eye-catching tiki carved from a tree stump.  It always makes me smile when I walk by!

 

Osprey in San Elijo Lagoon

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A couple of weeks ago we hiked Annie’s Canyon Trail and passed by this beautiful osprey hanging out in a dead tree (which my SE Lagoon Conservancy volunteer friend told me was called a “snag”).   Interestingly, other names for osprey include fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk.

Links:   previous related post      previous related post

Lake Poway

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We hiked to Lake Poway from the Blue Sky Ecological Preserve.  The lake serves as the western starting point for the hike up Mt. Woodson to Potato Chip Rock.  Boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and hiking opportunities abound.

Links:  poway.org

 

Fountain at Santa Barbara Mission

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In the parking area of the Santa Barbara Mission sits an interesting little fountain just waiting for your visit.

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Hollywood Sign

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Nothing quite says Los Angeles like the Hollywood sign!  The sign was originally erected in 1923 as part of an ad campaign for a housing development called “Hollywoodland” and  included four more letters.  It is located on the south side of Mount Lee in Griffith Park and is 45 feet tall and 350 feet long.  This pic was taken from the parking lot at Griffith Observatory.

Links:    previous related post

Summer Twilight Concerts at Powerhouse Park

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Last week we took in a free concert put on by the Del Mar Foundation in Powerhouse Park.  You sit on blankets or beach chairs right next to the beautiful beach and watch the sun go down while listening to some great tunes, this time a Hotel California tribute to the Eagles.  For future concerts, drop off your chairs/blankets early in the morning, if possible, to secure the best seating.

Links:      Twilight Concert Series

Newport Beach Sculpture Garden

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While visiting a store in Newport Beach we discovered the Civic Center Sculpture Garden  with its very eclectic collection of art.  One of our favorites is dubbed “Bunnyhenge” and consists of 14 large white rabbits sitting in a circle. Who knows what mischief they may be plotting!

Links:  sculpture garden exhibitions

 

Astronomers Monument at Griffith Observatory

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This monument, designed by local artist Archibald Garner, was built in 1934 by the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) in an effort to employ workers during the Great Depression.  The six astronomers depicted include Hipparchus, Nicolas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Issac Newton, and John Herschel.

Links:   Griffith Observatory       previous related post

“La Poete et sa Muse” at Balboa Park

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“Poet and Muse” is an artwork (located outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park) by famed French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who spent the later years of her life in San Diego.  Her most ambitious work in the San Diego area is “Queen Califia’s Magical Circle” in Escondido (see previous post for details).

Links:   previous related post