Kayte's Los Angeles Travel Blog

As of July 1, 2008, it is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in California unless you use a hands-free headset or speaker phone. If you're caught driving with a cell phone to your ear, the first ticket is $20, but the fine goes up with each additional infraction. The fine isn't much, but is it worth the inconvenience of being pulled over? If you don't have an ear piece for your phone, check Pricegrabber to find one that will work for you.

You can find out about all the big 4th of July celebrations around the Southland from the Rose bowl to the grand Huntington Beach Parade in my guide to the 4th of July in LA, but there are some smaller festivities that might be of interest as well.

The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda will be hosting a weekend-long celebration with patriotic music and daily visits from George Washington.

In addition to the more formal festivities in Long Beach, you can watch the 5th annual "Great American 4th of July Bike Parade" along 2 miles of beach bike path. Bikes take off from Granada Ave and Ocean Blvd at 10 am for the 2 mile out and back course. The most patriotic bikes and riders will receive prizes.

If you're heading out for a 4th of July picnic, check out LA.com's guide to the Best Picnic Baskets in LA.

The Ford Amphitheatre is hosting the Hollywood Laff Festival on July 6, 2008 from 4 to 7 pm. General Admission is $25, VIP $35. Show up early and bring a picnic. Gates open at 2 pm, and there are tables and chairs outside the theatre. Rodney Perry will host comedians Al Jamal, David Arnold, Kevin Hart, Lonnie Love, Joey Jdub Wells, Rion Evans, and Poetri (poet) Scruncho (artists subject to change).

Other events at the Ford this weekend include Splash! A Celebration! At the Big World Family Fun Saturday morning concert at 10 am on July 5, and Viver Brasil Dance Company on Saturday night at 8:30 pm.

For more info, visit www.fordamphitheatre.org

Read my venue review of the Ford Amphitheatre.

Tonight, July 1, 2008, you can help Iowa flood victims by spending your entertainment dollars at a benefit concert in Santa Monica. Organized by Iowa natives living in LA, the concert features Iowans The Nadas, Christopher Hawley Rollers, Sharon Temple and The Quiet. There will also be an auction of donated items. All proceeds will go to the United Way of East Central Iowa for Iowa Flood Relief.

When: July 1, 2008, 8 pm
Where: 14 Below, 1348 14th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Cost: $20
Info: http://helpiowa.ning.com/

If you can't make it to the event but would like to donate please send a check to:
United Way of East Central Iowa
C/O Terry Bergan (Reach Out Benefit in LA)
1030 Fifth Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Be sure and put "Iowa Flood Relief" in the memo line of the check. Or you can Donate Online with a credit card.

We've been having a bit of a heatwave in the LA area, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees even at the beaches last weekend. It is settling back to more normal temperatures of mid-70s at the beaches and the typical upper 80s and 90s in the Valleys. The Current LA Weather page has listings for weather and water conditions for different beaches. Several local beaches have been closed recently for unsafe bacteria levels in the water, so be sure to check the water conditions before heading to the beach.

For some other great ways to cool off, check out the Top 10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Los Angeles. If your plans keep you out in the heat, wear light-colored, loose clothes, a hat and plenty of sun screen. And remember to drink lots of water, even if you don't seem to be sweating, to avoid heat related illnesses.

Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com

If you haven't made plans for the July 4th holiday yet, time is running out. For the top celebrations around LA and Orange Counties, check out the guide to Independence Day in LA.

For a preview of the biggest 4th of July Parade in the West, visit my Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade Gallery.

Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com

June brings the start of summer-long festivities at the Long Beach International Sea Festival. From weekend beach festivals to weeknight movies and concerts on land, to yachts, speedboats and dragon boats racing in the water. Just about everything fun that goes on in or near water in Long Beach is part of the festival. This weekend, June 28-29, 2008, the Pier Daze Pirate Invasion takes place on the Belmont Memorial Pier. On Sunday the 29th, you can enjoy the swashbuckling music and BBQ while watching the Pacific Open Water Challenge. In addition to many of the swimming and paddling sports that will be part of the Summer Olympics in China, you can witness the Canine Splash & Dash, where participants compete in a 100 yard swim and 1/2 mile run with their dog.

Check out the full Long Beach International Sea Festival Schedule.

There are many film festivals in Los Angeles, but the Los Angeles Film Festival in Westwood Village is one of the biggest and most influential, screening 175 independent narrative feature films, shorts, documentaries and music videos over the course of 10 days. the event includes discussions with directors and actors, workshops and more. When: June 19-29, 2008
Where: Various venues in Westwood Village, CA
Cost: Individual tickets $5 for short films, $12-15 for features, passes for various combinations of events range from $40 - $1000.
Info: www.lafilmfest.com, 1-866-filmfest

To see what other film festivals take place in LA, check out the Film Festival Calendar.

Just in time for summer, Disney has rolled out a slew of new activities at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. The new Toy Story Mania tucked under the California Screamin' roller coaster at California Adventure, provides 4D midway fun for all ages. You'll want to ride over and over to improve your score (Read the Review). You'll find more Toy Story friends, as well as other animated characters come to life from Pixar favorites like Monster's Inc. and A Bug's Life in the new Pixar Play Parade, also at California Adventure.

Across the plaza at Disneyland, an interactive storytelling adventure, Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Stone Tiger has replaced the Aladdin show in Adventureland (not the one at CA Adventure). The new Innoventions Dream Home has also opened at Innoventions in Tomorrowland, showcasing the latest in home technologies from voice activated kitchen computers, to touch screen dining tables and mirrors that let you try on virtual clothes.

Visit www.disneyland.com for more information, and look for more details on the new attractions right here in the next few days.

More Disneyland Resources:
Disneyland Basics
Disneyland Tips
Disneyland Directory

Photo © 2008 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com

Louisiana comes west every year for the Long Beach Bayou Festival. The festivities include two stages of music, a Mardi Gras parade, Mardi Gras paraphernalia, crafts and lots of great Cajun and Creole food at the Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach.
When: June 21-21, 2008, Sat 11 am - 9 pm, Sun 11 am - 8 pm
Where: Rainbow Lagoon, at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Shoreline Drive.
Cost: $35 Adults, $25 Seniors (62+) and students 18+, $12 youth 13-17 , 12 and under free. Advance VIP tickets (includes backstage access, reserved seats, 1 meal, 2 beverages) are $60/day, online only.
Discounts: $5 off online.
Parking: Parking has been reserved for festival guests across the street at Marina Green, additional parking at the Pike or Long Beach Arena. Street parking is metered both days.
Info: www.longbeachfestival.homestead.com

Check out the Bayou Festival Photo Gallery.

Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com