Vacations Blog

by Eric Carle

If your travels find you in the Los Angeles area this weekend then you need to do yourself a favor and visit the annual Festival of Books on the UCLA campus.

The festival is sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and runs Saturday (10-6) and Sunday (10-5) with free admission (and  $9 parking).

Meet the authors!

Among the offerings are over 100 author panels, numerous readings and hundreds of book signings – including celebrities from Michael J. Fox to Tori Spelling (also, actual writers).  There will be tons of other events, including cultural and musical presentations and some pretty good eats.

There are two areas for children which feature storytelling, crafts and more.  According to the L.A. Times, DJ Lance Rock and Brobee from “Yo Gabba Gabba!” will be present, which excites me more than it probably should.

Things to know before you go:

It is supposed to be quite cool, relatively speaking, with highs in upper 60’s/lower 70’s, which means dress in layers or bring a sweater, but this is L.A. and plenty of water and sunscreen are still good bets.

Bring cash.  There are ATMs available, but not readily.

Directions to the UCLA campus from where you are! Yes, I see you.

Allow for distance and lines:

• Parking – Chances are you’re going to be a decent walk from the festival.  Shuttle available.
• Lines – Hard as it is to believe, you may not be the only person interested in meeting your favorite author.  Get to panels and signings early and be prepared to stand in line.  They can get ridiculous, but the front of the line is much more fun than the back.
• Overall area – The festival is HUGE and there is literally much ground to cover.  You will be walking.  A lot.

It’s definitely a good way to spend the day, expand your personal library and meet some of your favorite authors (if you see me, say hi!).  Support the arts, people!

While you’re out and about in the Los Angeles area check out the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival or get some exercise for a good cause with the March of Dimes (not just in L.A.).

Happy reading!

The Santa Clarita Valley is just over the side of the Santa Monica Mountains that form the north ridge around Los Angeles, where “the valley” actually means the San Fernando Valley, and Santa Clarita is a place that people hear of and say “What?  Where’s THAT?”  It’s pretty much famous among locals for Magic Mountain and housing subdivisions and really, really bad traffic when there’s an accident on I-5.

You may have actually seen the SCV more times than you realize, however.  Calling itself “Hollywood’s Backlot,” the area is home to many sound stages and faux-western town sets, and its rugged rocky desert terrain makes it a perfect stand-in for places from Vegas to Afghanistan.  One of these locations is Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, which is also the setting for the 16th Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, happening this weekend, today through April 26.  

Daily tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3-11, free for under 3, and weekend passes are $30 and $15.  Attractions and events include tours of the ranch, cowboy poetry, music, roping shows, old-timey medicine man shows, and even something called “Cowboy Church.”

Photos from Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and Melody Ranch

Vasquez Rocks on the San Andreas Fault

Vasquez Rocks Park is less than an hour north of Los Angeles, but it feels like it is a world away.  The 745-acre park is located in the Aqua Dulce area which is roughly midway between the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, respectively.

You may recognize the rock formation from every movie ever made (well, most of them).  It is has also been featured in many television shows.  Among the more notable movies/shows are:

• Star Trek (2009)
• Cars (2006)
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Bubble Boy (2001)
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
• The Flintstones (1994)
• Army of Darkness (1993)
• Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• Werewolf of London (1935)
• Dracula (1931)
• Saving Grace
• The Twilight Zone (the original series)
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• Mission: Impossible
• 24
• Airwolf
• Bonanza
• Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Mr. Show with Bob and David
• MacGyver
• Charmed
• Friends
• Fear Factor
• Lassie
• The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
• The Bionic Woman
• Numb3rs

List and links via Wikipedia

But that’s not all!  In addition to being the home of the Gorn it’s also the site of prehistoric peoples, specifically the Shoshonean and Tataviam.  It was also the hideout of the infamous (more than famous) bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, hence the name.

The park is located on the San Andreas fault line and offers a full day of activities including (from the website) “campfire nature talks, equestrian programs, a junior ranger program, seasonal special events, hiking and horseback riding.  Picnic areas are provided.”

It also boasts a very alert ranger staff and a rapid emergency response time as I can attest from our last visit. Don’t worry, it wasn’t me.

Vasquez Rocks Park is located just off Interstate-5 at 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd. in Agua Dulce, CA 91350.  The phone number is (661) 268-0840.

Wear proper footwear and bring lots of water!

L.A.F.D. to the rescue