Greer's OC

Travel

Staying in the City of Angels

04.06.12

On a recent escape to Los Angeles, we stayed at the Hotel Angeleno, a favorite boutique hotel, that’s best known as the former Holiday Inn, an iconic circular tower built in 1969 by Lundgren + Maurer. Whether you’ve stayed there or not, you’ve seen it plenty of times off the 405 at Sunset Boulevard, just south of the Getty Center.

Since Joie de Vivre took it over about seven years, revamped it, and put its chic stamp on it, you can’t imagine the transformation. From its secluded pool, modern, yet warm interiors, all rooms boasting a balcony and view, and its California-cuisine inspired, West Restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of Los Angeles from 17 floors high, is tough to beat.

Whether you visit for happy hours from 4 to 7 p.m., or breakfast, lunch and dinner you’ll enjoy the seasonal offerings and views from morning to night. The Hotel Angeleno is really smack dab in the epicenter of arts and culture in Los Angeles, near UCLA, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica.

Hotel Angeleno is at 170 N. Church Lane in Los Angeles. 310.476.6411

REN FAIRE ARRIVES!

03.27.12

By Christine Marie

Springtime has arrived yet again and so has the 50th Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which has thankfully moved location from faraway Glen Helen Regional Park to nearby Irwindale’s Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area (15501 East Arrow Highway). Yes, perhaps it is time for a romp into Merry Ole England and the charm of being swept away to another time and place.

With more than 13 stages of dazzling entertainment, this year’s Ren Fair (as regulars call it) includes dazzling entertainment, hearty food, fine spirits, fantastic wares, rollicking musical performances and fun rides and games. The faire also features more than 1,200 costumed performers and artisans including Cirque du Soleil acrobats, internationally-acclaimed musicians and entertainers, juggling jokers, willful wenches and jousting knights.

The faire is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year and is open Saturdays and Sundays (Apr. 7 through May 20) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The cost is $25 (adult single day) $15 (children ages 5-12 single day). Children four and under are free. Admission price includes all entertainment: the joust, four parades, music, dance, interactive living history exhibits, craft demonstrations and the battle pageant. Select lessons, activities and pageants for children are also included. Parking is managed via Los Angeles County and costs $10 is upon entry to the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area park entrance.

REN FAIRE FOOD

Food and drink at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. Twenty-three different food vendors (some from award-winning chefs!) cook up world cuisines such as fish and chips, turkey legs, Sheppard’s pie, Scotch eggs, crepes and many, many more. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.

The faire also offers a “pub crawl” twice each day. On the journey, guests visit five “village” pubs for joke-telling time, toasts and drinking games. This year, El Cholo of Pasadena is operating a village bakery and café and are serving the restaurant’s signature green corn tamales along with other fine Mexican cuisine. Wine tastings are being hosted by LA’s popular San Antonio Winery.

FAIRE HOTEL PACKAGES

The 50^th Renaissance Pleasure Faire has two hotel packages at The DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Monrovia, including:

Lord Mayor's Package (from $139.00 - $149.00)

Two Renaissance Faire Tickets (a $50 value)
Complimentary shuttle service to and from Faire (a $10 value)
Contemporary European-style room with king bed
Complimentary wireless high-speed internet access
Gym access

Queen's Package

Breakfast for two (a $26 value)
Two Renaissance Faire Tickets (a $50 value)
Complimentary shuttle service to and from Faire (a $10 value)
Contemporary European-style room with king bed
Complimentary wireless high-speed internet access
Gym access

TEA WITH THE QUEEN

Tea with the Queen is one of the faire’s not-to-be-missed experiences. At 4 p.m. (and for an extra $21 for adults and $10 for children with advanced reservations), you and your family can sit down and indulge in a spot of tea with a quintessential Queen Elizabeth I. The tea service includes:

For Adults