Los Angeles Greater Area
Tracking down LA’s secret speakeasies
Prohibition created them—hidden bars you needed a whispered code phrase to enter. Even now that booze has been legal for decades, the appeal of these low-profile watering holes lives on. Here are a few of the most atmospheric, including LA’s oldest public house. Tell them Joe sent you.
Concerts inside the Mt. Wilson dome
Seeking an out-of-this-world musical experience? Look no farther than the dome of Mount Wilson Observatory, whose acoustics eclipse many of Europe’s great cathedrals. Be aware that the experience could leave you breathless in more ways than one. The air is thinner a mile high … and access to the performance level is 53 steps up.
17 crave-worthy salads
Of course the salads here are works of art. We have spectacular produce to work with. From rotisserie chicken on a bed of, well, everything to charred cauliflower salad and shrimp with strawberries (you heard right), these are dazzling next-level creations. The kind you’ll only find in Southern California.
Fourth Fridays at The Broad
Only two more evenings left in this ultra-popular summer night series, electrified by DJs on the plaza and dancers in the galleries. Performers to watch for include dynamic dance artist Norbert De La Cruz III in August and master percussionist M’Baye Campbell-Kante in September.
San Francisco Bay Area
Tempting new eats
From an agave bar in Aquatic Park to pizza on a biscuit crust, these seven new and coming-soon restaurants in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley have earned their place on your must-try list. Daytrip, the wine shop/bakery/”party food” spot set to open in Oakland’s Temescal looks particularly intriguing…
Robot delivery
The future is here, it seems, as a new Bay Area hotel and restaurant delivers its food via robot waiters. The Ameswell in Mountain View pays homage to the nearby historic NASA Ames Research Center by becoming the first U.S. hotel to use Servi, a self-driving, indoor robotic server, at its Roger restaurant.
Princess Diaries revisited
The classic G-rated The Princess Diaries (starring a young Anne Hathaway) was an iconic coming-of-age movie for the Millenial generation when it premiered 20 years ago. It was also set in San Francisco. Two decades on, Hoodline breaks down all the city locales filmed in this beloved blockbuster.
Hamilton returns
A ticket to Hamilton was infamously difficult and expensive to land when the Broadway smash hit first debuted in San Francisco several years ago. If you missed it then, now’s your chance as the production returns to the Bay Area for a four-week run at the Orpheum Theater. Heads up: There are $10 tickets available via lottery, and you must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to attend.
