Let's get Spooky
some LA ideas to get into the Halloween spirt
I have always loved Halloween. My Mom used to throw a party at our house every year. The neighborhood kids knew they wanted our house to be the last stop because no one really left until she closed the ‘graveyard’. I have memories of a giant witches cauldron that she used to turn into a vat of chili. Peeling grapes to scare my sisters into thinking they were Zombie eyeballs. We three girls were never much for Barbies and they would usually get their tops popped off and put into a jar as our shrinking head collection. The whole front yard would turn into a house of spooky, but at an elementary level of scary. The second the temperatures drop I crave crafts and adventures. Here’s a few things I have done so far this fall to celebrate all things harvest.
A fun little Beverly Hills drive by is The Witches House. It was originally built in 1921 by Harry Oliver and was used as an office and dressing room for a major studio. It has been in several films and is perfectly maintained, you can even rent it for dinners and events. We ran into the gardener who played along and told us the witch sleeps during the day and couldn’t come say hello. It was so sweet and reminded me of the magic this city holds when everyone plays their part. Located at 516 Walden Dr. 90210.
Our next stop was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I have been a member for years and love being a part of its evolution, the property is still partially under construction but there is plenty to explore. If you have a child with you have them sign up for NEXGEN and their adult companion gets in free. I think kids connect more with modern art maybe the colors, the excited movements, the pieces are usually in a larger almost child like in form. Once piece that really stood out for me that both generations can enjoy. Metropolis II created by artist Chris Burden. “Metropolis II (2010) is a complex, large-scale kinetic sculpture modeled after a fast-paced modern city.”
After exploring LACMA walk across the garden and enjoy Franny’s Cafe. It is the ground floor of the Academy Museum another wonderful adventure for the movie buffs in your life.
If you are longing for the country and want to go to a real pumpkin patch look no further than Underwood Famliy Farms. I was a bit annoyed at first as it is located in Moorpark and was not really into a 45 min drive but it was totally worth it. We ran in Sunflower fields, pulled up carrots, danced to bluegrass, had a pumpkin pie and even bet each other who would win the pig race. I think this will become an annual tradition. If you have older kids or taking a group of adults I recommend Nights of the Jack at King Gillette Ranch in Malibu. We go at Christmas time when they turn it into a winter wonderland. (* The ranch serves alcohol while the farm does not.)
Happy Haunting Everyone! If you have any other tips or ideas please leave them in the comments.
* I also want to highlights our friends in Appalachia who are slowly starting to re-open after all the storms. If you are a business or can recommend some for me to reach out to it would be greatly appreciated.