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Panorama Nature Preserve
With the many things that have been going on in my life, I knew it was time for me to get rejuvenated. I thought of going to Disneyland, Knott’s Merry Farm or even LA Zoo Lights but in the end, decided against it all simply because I didn’t want to spend money. I’m sure I’ll go to one of these places in the near future, but it’ll be on a day when it’s less crowded and a little cheaper.So, what did I decide to do? On a whim (kind of), I decided to visit the Fullerton Arboretum however it didn’t exactly work out for me since their free parking lot was packed. In fact, getting in and out of the parking lot in itself was a bit of a chore. I thus decided to go elsewhere.
Not far from the Fullerton Arboretum is a place called Panorama Nature Preserve. I don’t think a lot of people are aware of Panorama Nature Reserve and I have a funny feeling the locals that live near the reserve want to keep it that way.
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San Fernando Valley’s Obon Festival
It’s summer and you know what this means. It means hot weather, sweaty people and festivals. One particular festival that occurs every summer is the Obon Festival. This festival, while most well known in Japan occurs outside of Japan as well. Not long ago, I had the opportunity to attend one of the biggest Obon Festivals in Southern California. It was San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s Obon Festival held in Pacoima. Yup, the valley where it’s super hot if isn’t already hot enough elsewhere in So Cal.
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The Orange County Zoo
A goat at the OC Zoo If you’re looking to get your zoo fix but are short on time and money, the Orange County Zoo would be the perfect place to visit, provided that you’re already in the Irvine area, that is. I say this because it’s not a zoo I recommend visiting from afar as it’s a very small zoo and the zoo grounds can easily be visited in it’s entirety in less than an hour. The good thing about this zoo, though is that it’s not very well known and thus not very crowded, even on a weekend. -
A Waking Dream of Mexico (LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil)
I am a fan of Cirque du Soleil. And as a fan of Cirque du Soleil, when I learned LUZIA would be performing in Southern California (Los Angeles and Costa Mesa), I knew I had to attend. So, did I attend? Why, of course!
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San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival
The dragon at San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival If there’s anyone that likes free things, it’s got to be me.
As a freebie lover, I attended the San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival, a free event held at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.
Parking wasn’t an issue as I was able to park on the street for free. Their event parking lot was also for free but already full by the time I had gotten there and I actually had gotten there before the start time of the festival. Meh. So, even though I had arrived early, by the time I decided on a parking spot, the festival had already begun.