Park: Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park
Address: 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Directions: Take the 101 Freeway, and exit on Van Nuys. Make a right on Huston Street, which is about two blocks from the exit; and the park will be to your left. Parking on the street is aplenty; and free.
B has to meet his friend Leo, who recently purchased a condo in Van Nuys. So we figured we'd meet B there and make a day of it in the Valley. Please note that this is not an exclusive dog park; but a family park. Therefore, think twice about letting your dog loose here on his own unless you're pretty confident that your dog is capable to come to you if called. The park is huge, so we didn't have a problem with letting him loose, without fearing that he will run towards the streets.
This park has everything. There are little pockets for people to play ball with your children and dogs, walk your dogs, go jogging, swim in the pool, play basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, gym, there's a playground, bbq and picnic areas. There's room enough for everyone here. So roomy that we felt confident to let Tico loose because we are a few hundred feet from anyone else. Here's more info about
Afterwards, we did some walking around Ventura Boulevard, which is called The Village at Sherman Oaks. Village at Sherman Oaks is a great shopping and dining area in the Valley. Some of my favorites is the House of Billiards, who's Santa Monica location I've always frequented when I lived in West LA; this one I've been to once. We also checked out a few of the boutique-y dog and pet places they got here; a couple of which is the K9 Lofts, which offers daycare, grooming, a food/toy/clothing, etc. supply store, and pet training. We came across a bulldog who's getting dressed for the first time, and he was not liking it. There's also Three Dog Bakery, who specializes in doggie pastries. I've eaten/hung out/drank at a few of the restaurants here, but nothing that I can remember since it's been years. The stores are a mixture of used clothing and cheap clothing boutiques, as well as high fashion stores; and record stores, tattoo shops, yogurt/ice cream shops, furniture and artwork stores, and oodles of restaurants in every price point in every type of cuisine. Definitely a place to check out if you're in the Valley.
There's too many movies to refer to about life in the Valley (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Encino Man), but not one quote could come to mind to really personify what Valley girls are preconcieved to be; at least nothing as close to "As if"; and it came from the movie "Clueless" with Alicia Silverstone. Though in the movie, she did not live in the Valley; but in Beverly Hills. But oh, well. One of my favorite quotes from this movie is "everywhere you go has valet".
Another one:
Mel: Where are you?
Cher: Just having a snack with my girlfriends
Mel: Where, in Kuwait?
Cher: Is that in the valley?
So there. But going back to the valet part, that was one of the most culture shocks that I've had since I moved to LA; I have to now budget for parking because I know, sometime in the month, I will be in an area where I would need to have valet service, or at least pay APCOA or some other parking companies to park. Not to mention the meter parking, which ranges from $1 an hour and up; depending on what city you're in. I was at Westin Hotel in Pasadena the other night; and the valet charges $16! These people are crazy. So I had to circle around their sorry excuse for a parking lot just to save $11; on top of which I had to squeeze in and out of the stall because their idea of a compact is a Miata. Don't they get that people drive big cars nowadays, to accomodate their/my ever-widening waistlines? I mean, there's now half a billion obese people in the world; a number that's doubled in less than 30 years. I used to love the looks of the MR2 and the CRV, but you don't see them around anymore. Why? Those people now drive their Passport and their Highlander and what not. Get in the program, parking people!
Alright. I've calmed down. But parking and valet is definitely a huge LA thing. Another LA-ish lifestyle is being in traffic. On good days, I can drive up to the Valley in 30-45 minutes. But the traffic this afternoon was horrendous. It only takes one accident to make that place a gridlock. And being in traffic with a large, over-anxious GSD who has a big beef with motorcycle drivers are not my idea of a Saturday afternoon fun. So my heart goes out to those people who brave the 405 and the 10 on a daily basis. B, my husband is one of those people; having a 50-mile commute one way. Going to work is not bad; since he leaves at 6 to get there by 7. But coming back, at 4pm is insane. He's lucky if he gets home by 6. And with so many freeway interchanges in his course (101-405-105-110), it can be maddening. I only have a 17-mile commute; and I still have to go through 3 freeways (110-105-710). So one bad accident from one of those could easily double up my driving time.
So if you decide to move to, or visit LA, keep in mind the following:
1. Be prepared to pay for valet once in your visit/stay
2. Pack up good CD's for those bumper-to-bumper traffic hours; which can happen from 7am-830am, and 430pm-630pm, and all other times in between.
And with that, I bid you a nice "welcome to LA".
No comments:
Post a Comment