One major benefit of living in California is, of course, the weather: year-round temperatures averaging 75-80 degrees. But, when my birthday rolled around this year, it seemed as though Mother Nature had conspired with Murphy (of Murphy's Law fame), and together decided to deliver on my big day an overcast sky with light sprinkles, even though my calendar confirmed that we were, indeed, smack dab in the middle of Spring. Hopeful that things would improve and thankful that, at least, we weren't experiencing anything near an inclement "East Coast" morning (Remember New York's "Polar Vortex?"), I decided to go ahead with my plans to celebrate my birthday outdoors on one of Southern California's hidden gems: Catalina Island. And with Catalina Express's FREE-on-your-birthday promotion in full swing, I wasn't about to stay inside on my big day. (Warm weather or not!)

Many know of Catalina Island/City of Avalon because it is where the actress Natalie Wood, of West Side Story fame, and wife of actor, Robert Wagner, died in a boating accident off its shores back in 1981. (Cue the conspiracy theorists). But long before this 1980's tragedy, and being just a short 22 mile jaunt off the coast of Los Angeles, for many years it was a retreat for many Old Hollywood notables such as Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz and even a young Marilyn Monroe, who briefly resided on the Island with her first husband, James Dougherty. "Discovered" by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, but brought to life by chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr., in the early 1900's, Catalina Island/City of Avalon, has been a playground for non-celebrities, as well, for well over a century. It was once even the spring training camp for Mr. Wrigley's baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, from 1921-1951.

While I wasn't looking to play baseball, I was definitely looking forward to all that the Island had to offer me on my big day. My cousin Rhonda and I left early from the Port of Long Beach (San Pedro and Dana Point are two other options) and arrived in the City of Avalon a short hour ride later. At just 22 miles long and eight miles wide, this sleepy hamlet really does have a rather extensive list of activities to offer you. While we had the options of renting a golf cart or bicycles to traipse around town, we decided instead, since everything is so very centrally located, to set out on foot to explore the Island. We started off with a free game of Bowling at The Three Palms Avalon Arcade, where my cousin (she being a true food aficianado) had their mini Tacos as a pre-lunch snack. To prematurely walk off what was surely going to be a day of sampling all-things-appetizing, we then headed over to the Beach Club, located at the Island's far end. There they have a full outdoor bar, as well as, zip-lining for the more adventurous, and a little area tucked away for messages in private cabañas, for the more laid-back and risk-averse individuals. Walking back down the boardwalk, we made our way onto the pier for a lunch of Fish & Chips, followed by a free, full-sized scoop of ice cream from Lloyd's Confectionery. With all of the other stops we made throughout the day (mailing postcards from the local Post Office, souvenir shopping, etc.), we ran short on time and were unable to end our day paddle boating, as we had hoped. 

If Gilligan's Island was even remotely as charming as Catalina, I can't imagine why he, "...the Professor and Mary Ann" would choose to forgo such a beautifully tranquil paradise for the hustle and bustle of city life. (But, come to think of it, they never were rescued, were they? Umm! Maybe they're still there.) Next trip over, maybe I'll bring a date for her birthday and together we can check out their newly renovated museum, get in a round of golf and go on the glass-bottom boat, as well as, the paddle boats. In essence, 2-for-the-price-of-one.

NOTE: While the round-trip fare on Catalina Express is FREE, Reservations Online (or call 800-481-3470) are still required; the earlier the better. Also, I opted for the Commodore's Cabin upgrade for $15.00, which, for priority boarding, a cookie and a soda, was not worth the additional cost.

It's that time of year again: Old Pasadena's Film Festival. This year's line-up (July 9th - August 1st) is really quite impressive. Two of my absolute all-time favorite movies are being screened: 1973's Paper Moon, with Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal and Madeline Kahn, and 1962's To Kill A Mockingbird with the eternally sophisticated Gregory Peck. And in case you're forgotten, all films are shown for FREE. Just be sure to get there early to reserve a seat, or depending on the screening location, you may have to bring your own chair/blanket... and a jacket. As I look at the list again, I think I may also go see Field of Dreams, Sixteen Candles, West Side Story, Juno, A Room with A View, Tea with Mussolini... oh hell, if you're looking for me, on a Friday and/or Saturday during the month of July, come to Old Town.

A few more outdoor, summer movie locations throughout Southern California include: Cinespia (L.A.), The Americana at Brand (Glendale), Eat See Hear (L.A.)

Serenely nestled at the foot of the picturesque San Gabriel mountains in Arcadia, California, sits The Great Race Place: Santa Anita Park. With neighboring streets with names like Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard and Princeton, you should keep in mind that, if not careful, by day's end at this sportsman's paradise, the money potentially lost could very well pay for your child's tuition to any one of the similarly-named august institutions. 

While this December (the 25th), will mark the 80th anniversary of this venerable thoroughbred racetrack, which has hosted many champion racehorses and been the backdrop for numerous films, it is tomorrow, Friday, October 31st, and Saturday, November 1st, which are most important to the racing world at large. The Breeder's Cup World Championship With a purse of $5 million, it is touted as being the richest race in America. 

With the closure of Hollywood Park last December (after 75 years) and more recently, the Pomona Fairplex, just a few miles east of here, Santa Anita has pulled into the lead as the remaining true champion of West Coast racing. Of course, further south remains San Diego County's Del Mar, which was said to be a favorite of Old-Hollywood's crooner, Bing Crosby, but there's something special about Santa Anita. My late cousin, Barbara, (who celebrated her birthday here on several occasions and who passed away shortly before the ponies returned to Santa Anita last Christmas) loved going from Santa Anita to Hollywood Park to Del Mar and back again. As far as being dedicated to something or someone, she could have easily stood shoulder to shoulder with any diehard Grateful Dead fan.

I've lived in the Pasadena area all my life, and it wasn't until recently that I realized that The Park offers, every Saturday and Sunday during live racing season, a FREE, behind-the-scenes tour of the track's impeccable grounds  which covers the saddling paddock, stables, walking room and a few other points of interest. (When you first enter the main gate, I guarantee you'll be instantly reminded of Disneyland's front entrance, both in appearance and cleanliness.)

Our tour guide, Paige, who has worked at Santa Anita for over 30 years (she started at 16), definitely knows the ins and outs of The Park. The Seabiscuit Tram Tour leaves promptly at 8:30 & 9:45 a.m., on both days, and was more than worth the price of admission. (Oh wait, it was FREE! But you get my point.) The tour is about an hour and 15 minutes, after which you can have breakfast at The Clocker's Corner restaurant, just west of the Grandstand, or roam the grounds on your own and wait for the first race of the day at noon. I'm not much of a gambler, so I stayed for only two races, lost about $10 and swiftly left for fear of losing my shirt, as well as, my future child's college fund. Happy betting.

Santa Anita Race Track
285 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7223
www.santaanita.com
(Live Racing Resumes December 26, 2014 - June 28, 2015)

Seabiscuit Tram Tours:
(Saturday & Sundays, during live Racing Seasons)
8:30 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. 
626-574-6677

Happy 74th birthday to the inimitable Mr. Ralph Lauren.