Things To Do

Grab your camera and get ready to go where other tour buses are forbidden to go!   The movie star mansions you may see are not just chosen at random. Each year, Starline Tours, Hollywood’s leading celebrity tour company, asks passengers what’s hot and what’s not in planning their itineraries.   Last year, Ellen DeGeneres’ home was at the top of the list and the Holmby Hills mansion Michael Jackson occupied at the time of his death was back on. Also hot were Katy Perry in the number No. 2 spot with the Playboy Mansion moving back to third and Simon Cowell in fifth. Beloved celebs like Elvis Presley (No. 7) and Lucille Ball (No. 8) remain fan favorites long after they’re gone. A relative newcomer to the list in the No. 9 spot was Justin Bieber whose antics kept him, his rental home and neighbors in the news for months.   While aboard one of Starline Tours’ buses, visitors get all the latest celebrity news and stories from skilled, experienced guides who know what’s been bought and sold, who is dating whom and who’s splitting from whom. In addition to celebrity mansions in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills, the…

by Dustin Clendenen Our weather is the envy of the world year-round, but even SoCal blooms in the spring. Now’s the time to venture out of your car and experience all the Golden State has to offer. Our roundup of group bike tours are the perfect excuse to explore the great outdoors and work up a sweat while you’re at it. Having such an eco-friendly hobby won’t hurt either! If you want to experience Los Angeles, you’re in for one of the most diverse urban landscapes in the entire world, from a bustling downtown metropolis, to sun-soaked beaches, to beautiful hiking trails and national forests, not to mention all the celebrities, world-class food and an art scene getting attention across the globe. LA Cycle Tours offers a number of group bike adventures in all these areas, every single day. The tours take riders on a sightseeing expedition of the brightest street art and murals, the city’s best taco stands or pastry shops and a 40-mile ride from the urban core to the beach. Tours start at $65 and up. Check out the event calendar for more details and specific pricing at Lacycletours.com or call (323) 550-8265 to book your adventure….

Meet local artists and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process at the Artist Studio Tour. Walk or ride our complimentary shuttles. Your donation also includes a 2018 Venice Art Walk T-shirt by signature artist Alexis Smith. Make your donation online or visit our Ticketing Booth on the day-of (Sunday, May 20) located on Hampton Drive. For more information, please visit https://theveniceartwalk.org.

By Kasey Hamilton   It’s that awkward, official first date — a chunk of time spent as a couple determining if there’s enough chemistry between two people to warrant another rendezvous. The most common event couples often choose to spend this memorable time is over a meal, but sometimes that just turns into an obvious “interview.” For a more innovative activity, try the following options … and even if your date turns out to be a bore, you’ll at least have a great time!   Paramount Drive In Movie Theater www.paramountdrivein.com A drive in theater provides a fun, unique first date that will not break the bank. Daters go back in time for a fun trip while enjoying the privacy of being in their car. Traditional indoor movies can be tough for a first date because they do not give daters the chance to get to know each other. Drive-in movies, on the other hand, provide entertainment and a private space for you to be able to talk to your date without being shushed by other moviegoers.   Eclipse Chocolate Build-A-Bar www.eclipsebuildabar.com Chocolate and dates seem to go hand in hand, so why not give your date the ultimate chocolate experience by allowing them to…