If you're anything like me, you avoid family-friendly tourist destinations like the plague, as they usually mean long lines, noise and chaos! The ferris wheel in Santa Monica is an exception. It is located on the Santa Monica Pier within Pacific Park, and is aptly named the "Pacific Wheel". If you are already on Santa Monica Beach or Pier, it is an easy in and out, and you can only buy the one ticket without being stuck paying entrance fees.
The Pacific Wheel reaches heights up to 150 feet and surprisingly gives you an awesome view of the city, totally unexpected from its location perched over the water. The Pacific Wheel is unique in that it is the only solar powered ferris wheel in the world. You can view the beautiful Pacific sunsets from the wheel, but the wheel itself is also a source of visual entertainment: it has over 160,000 LED lights and provides a nighttime light show that is different every night!
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"Venice Beach Skatepark" in Los Angeles is the birthplace of skateboarding. This skatepark has two giant pools, a spot for tricks and even a live webcam!
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"HD Buttercup" is a furniture and home decor store in a historic Los Angeles building that also hosts a bread museum - the original site of Helms Bakery...
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The "405 and 10 Intersection" in Los Angeles is one of the busiest in America. This intersection is so famous, it even has its own facebook page!
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"Los Liones Canyon Trail" one of my favorite hiking trails in Los Angeles. It always makes me feel as if I've escaped city life and gets my heart pumping.
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The "Santa Monica Stairs" in Los Angeles is one of my favorite stairways for some outdoor activity. I find is inspiring because the the fittest go there!
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"Kippy's" in Los Angeles makes healthy, vegan coconut milk ice cream and it's my #1 favorite local spot. I go there as many as 5 times a week!
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Part of The Big Lebowski was filmed at this otherwise unassuming community in Los Angeles, 'Faircrest Heights'.Please remember this is a private residence.
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"Museum of Flying" in LA's Santa Monica is in the neighborhood's very own private airport. It's quaint, interesting and made me appreciate planes more!
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"Watts Towers" in Los Angeles is a national landmark, built by a talented Italian immigrant over the duration of 30 years. They remind me of Antoni Gaudi.
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The "Sunbathing Sea Lions" in Los Angeles' Marina del Rey are huge, playful and charming, but they can also be dangerous. The fishermen know their names!
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At the "Santa Monica Farmer's Market" in Los Angeles, especially the one on Sundays, I love sampling the different kinds of dates and grabbing a burrito...
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The "MDR Parasailing" in Los Angeles is only one of the available watersports here of course, but I used it to conquer my fear of heights... Recommended!
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138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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