Blogs from Los Angeles, California, United States, North America - page 4

As coronavirus spreads across the U.S., Americans in some of the country's hardest-hit regions have stepped up to foster and adopt animals, keeping them out of shelters. NBC News contacted shelters and animal advocacy organizations with facilities in California, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Texas, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and North Carolina. Every single organization said it was overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support that got animals out of shelters and into loving foster and adoptive homes.Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Kitty Block said that the organization has worked with its 400 shelter partners to spread the word about the need to clear shelters by placing pets with foster and adoptive homes. "The call has been answered," Block said. Matt Bershadker, president ... read more

Universal Studios is hands down the best theme park I have ever been to. Not only are the rides actually fun, but it’s in HOLLYWOOD so we got to see sound stages and sets!! The absolute first thing we did was head to Hogsmeade, the Harry Potter section of the park. I think it’s an exact replica of the village they used in the movie (or is it actually where it was filmed? Can’t seem to find that information anywhere) and it’s so cool!! We saw people lining up for something that didn’t have an obvious purpose, so of course we joined the line. It ended up being for Ollivander’s, the wand shop, where you go in small groups at a time and an actor (ahem, witch) will pick two little kids and get them to ... read more

We went to Denny’s for breakfast this morning, as apparently it’s a classic American diner that everyone has to have breakfast at, at least once. I’m sure everyone is aware of this, but far out the portion sizes are huge here! Definitely couldn’t finish everything. We got metro cards at the subway station and loaded them with juuust enough for the time we’re in LA (each time you tap it takes $1.75, no matter how far you’re travelling, so as long as we don’t take more trips than expected we’ll be fine), and hopped on the subway to Hollywood! It was so surreal. We walked the walk of fame and got probably as close as we could to the Hollywood sign (so, miles away) and decided to go check out the Dolby theatre and see if ... read more

There’s nothing quite like Disney for the quality and fun it delivers, and the last few days have not disappointed. We even managed a side trip to Knott’s Berry Farm but finished off the Disney days with the light show Fantasmic - a fitting end to a great time! Highlights have included: - The Cars ride - Disney quality and class at its best - a combination of interactive animation and the thrill of a car chase - the Incredicoaster - fun, fast and upside down - Soarin’ Around the World - for a virtual trip over some of the world’s great landmarks - Big Thunder - voted family favourite ride for everyone’s pure enjoyment. Our day at Knott’s was a welcome break from the queues of Disney, with us all enjoying the pony ride and ... read more

This is a quick (at least my original intention was to make it quick) addendum to the previous post. Because I'm now Car-Less, and because my flight departs from LAX, I and my three ridiculously heavy bags (plus my backpack and hiking boots) had to be transported from my San Diego son's house to my other son's house in Long Beach, which is closer to LAX. Therefore, we coordinated a rendezvous last Sunday for brunch at a convenient midway point--San Clemente. On Sunday morning, because I have very helpful sons, my San Diego son happily shlepped all of my bags into the back of his car for the trip up to said rendezvous in San Clemente. We (San Diego son, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, and I) had a lovely drive up the coast. We arrived early, ... read more