Playa Vista, the home of Google, YouTube, and Yahoo

Playa Vista is a relaxing place to hang out on a weekend. It’s not overcrowded because it’s a hidden neighborhood, and offers something for everyone. The best thing to do is to drive around, and decide in which area you want to hang out. Then just park somewhere and walk. There is plenty of parking spaces, and areas where you can picnic. Village drive divides the area into east and west.

If you take village drive and go south to Bluff Creek Drive, cross the street, and walk west, there is a dog park. Go east and you'll find a nice path, perfect for walking or riding your bike. At some point you reach Spruce Park, a wooded area that wraps around behind the YouTube building and ends back on the road again. Look across the street and you'll find the black Google building. As you leave the dirt area, you’ll notice a sand volleyball court.

A little further down, there is an easy hiking trail at Bluff Creek Drive and Artisans Way.

Or you can continue walking until you see the Yahoo building across the street. If you cross the street, and go down a bit, You’ll run into Central Park Playa Vista. Dogs are not allowed here. This park can also be reached from Millenium Drive. From whichever path you get there, at some point, you’ll run into BlueBottle Coffee, and HomeState breakfast taco. These are popular spots for the locals, and people who work in the area.

Go West of Village Drive, and you’ll see a bunch of eateries. Sol Mexican Cocina is pretty good. Even my younger niece who is a picky eater, likes it. On Saturdays, there is a farmers’market, and sometimes musicians play. In the past, I have tried various foods here. They were just okay. The last time I was there, I had Indian cuisine which was good. They only have a few items on their menu. I had the only vegetarian dish they offered which was a crepe with potatoes and spices. The mango lassi was excellent.

If you keep walking west, passing by townhouses, and apartments, and toward the end where there is nowhere else to go, you’ll run into The Coffee Bean, a small market, a bunch of eateries, and a pleasant mini park in your path. On Sundays, sometimes they have events or concerts going on. The above musicians are Pine Mountain Logs. They move around, are friendly, and approachable. If you google them, you can find their venue. Sat February 10, they’ll be in Agoura Hills.

So, there you have it. Playa Vista is a peaceful area where you can easily spend hours, walking, hiking, biking, picnicking, dining, people watching, and listening to music without dealing with cars honking their horns, and driving impatiently.

Merry Christmas Everyone

In the area where I live, it never snows unless you're willing to drive about an hour or so to outside the Los Angeles city limits towards the nearby mountains. And believe me, if anything looks remotely close to snow, Angelenos will be out with their cameras trying to capture the moment like a tourist who has just seen the Eiffel tower for the first time. The first year I moved here, it actually hailed. Me and my classmates were so excited as we ran outside, only to be hit by a whole bunch of ice balls. It was fun.

This year, My cousin and I decided to head out to the Grove/Farmers market for an early dinner while watching the fake snow, Christmas decorations, the trolley and Santa's house. There are two sections: The Farmers Market which has been around for years and the Grove which was added not long ago. Farmers Market is more flavorful and traditional with boutique shops and no frills eateries and the Grove is more modern with chain restaurants and stores, movie theaters and a large round water fountain which dances to Italian music. It's easy to spend an entire day there, but the parking can be pricy even with validation.

While there, I got inspired by my cousin's enthusiasm to take some photos. So, do enjoy and a Merry Christmas to all of you.  

On top of the movie theater behind me, there is a machine that spits out snow.

Moved my phone camera up for a better view.

I have no idea who is the man with a hood. I guess he was too tall for me to avoid him.

Last photo opp before we start walking towards the ginger cookie house.

Heading back. Taking a hurried shot before someone passes in front of my camera.

The crowd shifting in my direction.

Ginger cookie house where parents and children line up for a photo opp with Santa. 

Side view of the Trolley. It takes passengers from the west end/farmers market to the east end/grove. 

Last photo: The rear view of the trolley as it rings its bell for fun and for the crowd to move out of its way.