Hermosa Beach House

Since we went to Venice yesterday, how about going to Hermosa* today?

The Beach House is an upscale, luxurious, and romantic getaway right on the beach. There are fireplaces in every room, balconies, and if you book a room with a view, the beach is your living room artwork. The rooms are a bit small, but considering you are staying literally on the sand, consider that your room is only for resting in between your outings to the town and seaside. They serve a complimentary continental breakfast, and their concierge can help you with any other reservations, from bicycle rentals (there is a bike path up and down the coast right next to the beach) to spa services.

If you want a touch of extravagance close to home, take a drive down to Hermosa and spend a few nights enjoying what other people fly thousands of miles to experience. Living like a jet setter without having to pay for a jet (or having to get over jet lag) is the best way to live.

*For more about things to do in Hermosa Beach see my earlier post.

>Hermosa Beach House

>Since we went to Venice yesterday, how about going to Hermosa* today?

The Beach House is an upscale, luxurious, and romantic getaway right on the beach. There are fireplaces in every room, balconies, and if you book a room with a view, the beach is your living room artwork. The rooms are a bit small, but considering you are staying literally on the sand, consider that your room is only for resting in between your outings to the town and seaside. They serve a complimentary continental breakfast, and their concierge can help you with any other reservations, from bicycle rentals (there is a bike path up and down the coast right next to the beach) to spa services.

If you want a touch of extravagance close to home, take a drive down to Hermosa and spend a few nights enjoying what other people fly thousands of miles to experience. Living like a jet setter without having to pay for a jet (or having to get over jet lag) is the best way to live.

*For more about things to do in Hermosa Beach see my earlier post.

Beach Therapy

A Beach Therapy session is where you spend the day enjoying the beauty of the beach, reading, snoozing, listening to music (with earphones) or meditating. Pick a beach, any beach, then head out and leave all your chores and worries behind.

My favorite beach in Southern California is Hermosa Beach for its’ small town feel (and the fact that I used to live there). I like beaches with on site toilet facilities, shops to get food, drinks, sunscreen, and accessible parking (where I won’t get run over or ticketed trying to park). Another one I like is across from Chautauqua Blvd. in Pacific Palisades; parking there is harder to find, but the peaceful beach is worth the hunt.

Beach Therapy may be the most natural original therapy; my favorite therapist is on Motu Tapu where there are no facilities or inhabitants except the sand crabs and fish….

>Beach Therapy

>A Beach Therapy session is where you spend the day enjoying the beauty of the beach, reading, snoozing, listening to music (with earphones) or meditating. Pick a beach, any beach, then head out and leave all your chores and worries behind.

My favorite beach in Southern California is Hermosa Beach for its’ small town feel (and the fact that I used to live there). I like beaches with on site toilet facilities, shops to get food, drinks, sunscreen, and accessible parking (where I won’t get run over or ticketed trying to park). Another one I like is across from Chautauqua Blvd. in Pacific Palisades; parking there is harder to find, but the peaceful beach is worth the hunt.

Beach Therapy may be the most natural original therapy; my favorite therapist is on Motu Tapu where there are no facilities or inhabitants except the sand crabs and fish….

Funny Times

Laughter is good medicine, but you don’t have to be sick to laugh. One of my favorite ways to lift my spirits and have some fun is to watch a good comedy. Jeff Dunham is my favorite comedian. Jeff is a ventriloquist who works with puppets he makes himself. His DVD “Arguing with Myself” always makes me laugh; my favorite character is Walter. Walter is like every crabby old person you have ever known (maybe I am getting crabbier in my old age and Walter reminds me of myself). Jeff won as the best comedian of Comedy Central this year, so if you haven’t seen him, go to his website and watch a clip of him with Walter or Peanut. I promise it will leave you laughing and wanting more. Be sure to watch the bonus features on his DVDs which have deleted scenes from his taped show that are as fun and funny as the featured bits. I think the funniest segment is when two of his puppets are speaking in Spanish and Jeff says he feels left out because he doesn’t speak the language. It is comedy at its’ best because you forget the puppets are actually Jeff arguing with himself! He tours nationwide, but until he comes to your city, buy, rent or borrow one of his DVDs.

When I want to see live comedy I like going to Hermosa Beach’s “Comedy and Magic Club“. It is where many famous comics go to practice their material before performing in bigger venues. Tim Allen and Jerry both performed here regularly before they got their own shows, and Jay Leno is still a frequent headliner here. The smaller venue makes every seat a good one and makes it feel more like a private club than a big stage. You can eat here and get a better seat for the show, or simply come in for the show if you prefer one of the better restaurants in the area. Unlike the Improv or the Comedy Store, this is a showcase for the one person performing, so check out the schedule to be sure someone you like is playing the night you want to go.

May all your times be funny and fun.

>Funny Times

>Laughter is good medicine, but you don’t have to be sick to laugh. One of my favorite ways to lift my spirits and have some fun is to watch a good comedy. Jeff Dunham is my favorite comedian. Jeff is a ventriloquist who works with puppets he makes himself. His DVD “Arguing with Myself” always makes me laugh; my favorite character is Walter. Walter is like every crabby old person you have ever known (maybe I am getting crabbier in my old age and Walter reminds me of myself). Jeff won as the best comedian of Comedy Central this year, so if you haven’t seen him, go to his website and watch a clip of him with Walter or Peanut. I promise it will leave you laughing and wanting more. Be sure to watch the bonus features on his DVDs which have deleted scenes from his taped show that are as fun and funny as the featured bits. I think the funniest segment is when two of his puppets are speaking in Spanish and Jeff says he feels left out because he doesn’t speak the language. It is comedy at its’ best because you forget the puppets are actually Jeff arguing with himself! He tours nationwide, but until he comes to your city, buy, rent or borrow one of his DVDs.

When I want to see live comedy I like going to Hermosa Beach’s “Comedy and Magic Club“. It is where many famous comics go to practice their material before performing in bigger venues. Tim Allen and Jerry both performed here regularly before they got their own shows, and Jay Leno is still a frequent headliner here. The smaller venue makes every seat a good one and makes it feel more like a private club than a big stage. You can eat here and get a better seat for the show, or simply come in for the show if you prefer one of the better restaurants in the area. Unlike the Improv or the Comedy Store, this is a showcase for the one person performing, so check out the schedule to be sure someone you like is playing the night you want to go.

May all your times be funny and fun.

Hermosa Beach habit

I used to live in Hermosa Beach. I think everyone should live at the beach at least for a year of their life, just like owning a convertible, it’s one of those experiences that is necessary to the experience of life. Sometime once is enough and sometimes it isn’t, but either way you can always go back to visit and act like a native.

I recently went back to Hermosa Beach right before sunset and strolled around Hermosa Avenue, noting with nostalgia all the places that had changed or were simply gone, all the while noting with pleasure that some places are still there after nearly twenty years.

Greeko’s is still there (and has been since 1990) selling hippie hemp wallets, sandals and smoking paraphernalia. It’s like time never moved inside the store full of tie-dyed clothes and incense.

Hennessey’s tavern is still where it was at the end of the Pier, but with an upgraded sundeck giving a spectacular view of the beach. Still great for drinks and burgers.

Across the pier, there is the Cantina Real with great Margaritas. A good breakfast can be had at the Cafe Bonaparte bakery/cafe right next door.

A new addition is Mediterraneo with great drinks like the Helvis (a spicy peppery martini) and a good happy hour special of tapas (but be careful what you order – I had half cooked shrimp and over cooked lamb skewers).

There is a convenient new parking lot next to the pier and a bike path along the beach for those who want to work off their drinks and food with some exercise. Maybe you can’t go home again, but you can make visiting Hermosa a happy habit.

Hermosa Beach habit

I used to live in Hermosa Beach. I think everyone should live at the beach at least for a year of their life, just like owning a convertible, it’s one of those experiences that is necessary to the experience of life. Sometime once is enough and sometimes it isn’t, but either way you can always go back to visit and act like a native.

I recently went back to Hermosa Beach right before sunset and strolled around Hermosa Avenue, noting with nostalgia all the places that had changed or were simply gone, all the while noting with pleasure that some places are still there after nearly twenty years.

Greeko’s is still there (and has been since 1990) selling hippie hemp wallets, sandals and smoking paraphernalia. It’s like time never moved inside the store full of tie-dyed clothes and incense.

Hennessey’s tavern is still where it was at the end of the Pier, but with an upgraded sundeck giving a spectacular view of the beach. Still great for drinks and burgers.

Across the pier, there is the Cantina Real with great Margaritas. A good breakfast can be had at the Cafe Bonaparte bakery/cafe right next door.

A new addition is Mediterraneo with great drinks like the Helvis (a spicy peppery martini) and a good happy hour special of tapas (but be careful what you order – I had half cooked shrimp and over cooked lamb skewers).

There is a convenient new parking lot next to the pier and a bike path along the beach for those who want to work off their drinks and food with some exercise. Maybe you can’t go home again, but you can make visiting Hermosa a happy habit.

>Hermosa Beach habit

>I used to live in Hermosa Beach. I think everyone should live at the beach at least for a year of their life, just like owning a convertible, it’s one of those experiences that is necessary to the experience of life. Sometime once is enough and sometimes it isn’t, but either way you can always go back to visit and act like a native.

I recently went back to Hermosa Beach right before sunset and strolled around Hermosa Avenue, noting with nostalgia all the places that had changed or were simply gone, all the while noting with pleasure that some places are still there after nearly twenty years.

Greeko’s is still there (and has been since 1990) selling hippie hemp wallets, sandals and smoking paraphernalia. It’s like time never moved inside the store full of tie-dyed clothes and incense.

Hennessey’s tavern is still where it was at the end of the Pier, but with an upgraded sundeck giving a spectacular view of the beach. Still great for drinks and burgers.

Across the pier, there is the Cantina Real with great Margaritas. A good breakfast can be had at the Cafe Bonaparte bakery/cafe right next door.

A new addition is Mediterraneo with great drinks like the Helvis (a spicy peppery martini) and a good happy hour special of tapas (but be careful what you order – I had half cooked shrimp and over cooked lamb skewers).

There is a convenient new parking lot next to the pier and a bike path along the beach for those who want to work off their drinks and food with some exercise. Maybe you can’t go home again, but you can make visiting Hermosa a happy habit.