TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

Light Houses – San Pedro & Palos Verdas

So we ventured up from Orange County to San Pedro coast.  It’s a totally different feel from down South.  Right away you’ll find the cranes that are scattered throughout the Port.  Recently they moved the USS Iowa to San Pedro  I know it’s available to tour, but we just didn't make it there this trip.  You can’t miss Vincent Thomas Bridge!  It’s a 1500 foot suspension bridge that links Terminal Island & San Pedro.  Perhaps you’ve seen the bridge in some of these movies:  "To Live & Die in L.A.", "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "Charlies Angels".

Our 1^st stop was the Korean Bell of Friendship. (Located in Angel’s Gate Park at the corner of Gaffey & 37^th Street). Parking is free. It is a massive bronze bell donated to Los Angels from South Korea in 1976.  It is high on a hill overlooking the beautiful Pacific coast.  The bell is modeled after the Divine Bell that was cast in 771 for Bongdeok Temple.  It’s made with 17 tons of copper , tin, with gold, nickel, lead, and phosphorus added to the alloy for tone quality.  It’s 7 ½ feet with the average thickness of 8 inches and 12 feet high.  The bell is only struck 5 times a year:  New Years Eve (Korean American Day 1/13), 4^th of July, Korean Liberation Day (8/15) and every 9/11 in memory of the terrorist attacks.  The bell does not have a clapper; instead, it is sounded by striking it with a large wooden log.  The bell is covered by a pavilion that is beautifully crafted.  The bell is worth the stop, it’s very peaceful & beautiful on the hill!

Once you leave Angel Gate Park, it’s a short jaunt down the hill to Point Fermin Light house. Parking is free. The light house was built in 1874 and located in a beautiful coastal park.  We visited the San Pedro sites on Memorial Day so the light house was not open to tour, but trust me you will still enjoy the view and snapping photos of this charming light house.  Tours are available every day except for Mondays & Holidays. Since the lighthouse is located on the eastern edge of Palos Verdes peninsula at LA southernmost tip, this is one of the few places in LA from where you can see the sun rising over the ocean!

Next we drove up the coast to Trumps Golf Course at 1 Trump National Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes.  I’ve got to warn you….as you drive up the coast from San Pedro you will encounter a detour from your coast drive!!  Guess why!  The highway fell into the ocean!  I find that kind of errie!  Anyway, back to Trump!  We love stopping here to have lunch!  Eating at Trumps establishment just makes us feel like we are HOT STUFF!!  Burgers run around $14 and I enjoyed some great chicken sliders that were listed as appetizers, they ran around $12.  It is a beautiful place inside and out.  They do offer 2 different dining areas with one being a little more formal then the other.  We were out touring and wearing just nice shorts and leisure wear and we were fine for dinning at lunch time.  Afterwards we enjoyed walking the grounds taking pictures and watching the golfers.  I did notice that they have a grill going outside, so it is possible to enjoy the beautiful weather and set outside and eat while watching the golfers.  There is plenty of free parking on the hill in front of the building, but we splurged and paid valet…..guess it was all a part of the la-te-da part of the experience!  So who saw Adam Sandler & Drew Berrymore in "Fifty First Dates?!"  This would be the golf course they used in the movie!

Our final tourist spot was just a few miles up the coast to Pointe Vicente Lighthouse, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes.  Again, free parking.  This is a beautiful, photogenic lighthouse located on the cliffs of the coast.  The lighthouse was built in 1926.  Again, with it being a holiday weekend we were only able to appreciate it from afar, but even then, I was not disappointed.  You can tour the lighthouse for free, the 2^nd Saturday of each month, (except in March when it is opened on the 1^st Saturday to coincide with Rancho Palos Verdes Whale of a Day Festival).

Finally, we ended our day with a sweet bite that I highly recommend!  Vanilla Bakery in Santa Monica!  To be honest, you should include this bakery when you’re visiting Santa Monica …..not when you’re doing this tour!!  It was quite a jaunt from San Vicente to the bakery!  It’s just that we had seen the bakery featured on the cooking channel and wanted to try it out since we were that far North.  It was really yummy!  Vanilla Bakery was featured on the program because their specialty is in mini desserts!  I had a banana parfait in a cup the size of a shot glass!  They have mini smores, tarts, and cupcakes.  They also have regular size cupcakes & cake pops.  I thought the tiny sizes were just right!  It offered you just a few bites of dessert instead of a huge piece that makes you sick!  I only spent around $2- something for my treat.

So for a wonderful day of leisure we just picked a portion of the coast that we normally don’t get to see and made a day of it!  Besides gas and lunch, we had an enjoyable free day!!

Audiences Unlimited / Studio audiences

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 

Audiences Unlimited / See Dad Run / Paramount Studios -5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA

Hurray for Hollywood!!  I love seeing the behind the scenes magic that happens while filming movies & TV programs.  So the family participated in a taping of See Dad Run, a Nick-at-Night program that is taped at Paramount Studios.  I want to share our experience, however keep in mind each studio may handle studio audiences differently.

We chose to get our tickets through “Audiences Unlimited”, they are a reputable place that makes reservations for studio audiences all the time.  It does not cost anything to participate, but do expect to spend a good part of your day being involved in this experience!  Taping times will vary, our show started at 5:30pm and they informed us to arrive 60 minutes prior.  The entrance for this particular show was along a wall on “Gower Street”.  A parking lot was offered, don’t know the price, because free parking was available on Gower Street, so we parked for free!!  Audiences Unlimited is aware of your reservation, but entrance is not guaranteed, they let you know that it is on a 1^st come 1^st serve basis.  So we did arrive at 3:45pm.  Participants need to be over 16 years of age and they asked that we bring ID.  They also tell you not to bring your cell phone in.   Soooooo, here’s the real scoop....for us anyway!! (Not going to guarantee that the next bunch won’t go through a metal detector and have their ID’s checked!)  They only checked our printed reservation, not our ID’s and practically everyone had their cell phone out.  We did use a little discretion about blatantly pulling out our cameras/phones in front of a page, but for the most part, photos were taken!

They let us through the gate around 4:30pm, where we had a chance to go to the bathroom and get water before they took us into the studio.  From there we enjoyed the cool air while they played music to entertain us.  Since my husband and I work production we found it interesting watching all of the camera man, stage assistants, producers, and set people.  Really the time went fairly quickly.  Oh ya, remember the rule about 16 or older…..rules are broken when the star of the show or any of the folks working on the show have guests!  Matter-of-fact, we had Scott Baio’s wife and child right in front of us and one row over.

The studio audiences area is rather small.  If I had to guess…..I’d say it seated around 300 – 400 people.  This is my 3^rd taping of a show and they always have someone to entertain you in-between the scenes that are shot.  Our guy would play fun music, get us to dance, place games, tell us jokes, or offer us trivia.  The gal setting next to us won a script.   Prior to the actors being introduced they had us watch one of the episodes so we could get to know the characters.  Then the Hollywood magic began!

Each of the characters is introduced and then they jumped right into taping.  Of course you are expected to stay quiet, but encouraged to laugh.  So I find myself trying to have that last laugh so I could hear myself!  I know……what a dork!  I enjoy seeing the difference of what you see in real life verses what you see on your TV screen.  It’s so interesting how small the rooms really are and how the actors are standing just off stage ready to enter the scene.  It’s interesting to see how a scene may have to be done over and over until the Director is happy with the take.

I would say the taping did start at 5:30pm and we were in the studio until around 8:30pm.  I felt like the time went pretty quickly, but again, I enjoyed taking it all in.  Once the Director calls it a wrap each of the actors are brought back out for us to applaud them.

So we watched “See Dad Run”.  Scott Baio is the actor you may recognize, he plays David Hobbs,  the Dad.  David Hobbs was a dad on a sitcom for 10 years and now he is a stay at home dad with a teenage girl, a boy, and another young girl.  His wife is also an actor and is going back to work.  Some other fun characters, his producer and his former stage assistant.  Both of those people are involved with helping him raise his children.  Lots of times David Hobbs (Scott Baio) will try and refer back to an episode on his former show to help in whatever situation he’s in.  It’s a half hour sitcom that is pretty fun.

Here’s the kicker……..I used to have Scott Baio posters on my wall when I was a teenager!!!  So girls everywhere……those teen crushes…..maybe 30 years later you to will be able to be in the same room as your former poster crush!!  Teenage Dreams do come true!!

For a true Hollywood experience, everyone should do this at least once!  The only thing it really costs you is the time and the gas to get there!  Entrance is free, and in some cases, parking is free!!

Sunset Ranch / Horseback riding

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 

Sunset Ranch/Horseback riding - 3400 N. Beachwood Dr.

So I had a GREAT Mothers Day!!  My family helped me cross of an item on my tourist “To Do” list!!  Plus my girl had horseback riding on her bucket list….#26!!  So you know I can’t just ride horses at just any ranch…….right?!?!  It had to be Sunset Ranch!!  Why you ask?!  Because you get great views of the Hollywood sign and great views of Los Angeles!

Just the address alone should tell the most seasoned tourists that you’re headed for the iconic sign!  As you’re driving down Beachwood the Hollywood sign is straight in front of you!  Many people drive this street for perfect views of the sign.  Right before you reach the Hollywood Hills, where the ranch is located, you will encounter beautiful stone pillars that were supposed to support a gate into Hollywoodland.  Right in front of you is the original real-estate office for Hollywoodland.  In this area you’ll find a small shopping area with a market and café.

As you wind your way up the hill to the ranch, enjoy the twisted roads and beautiful mansions.  Just know that you’re surrounded by several celebrity residences.  I’m always eyeballing the joggers and dog walkers hoping I’ll see someone famous out on their run.

So once you get to the sign announcing that you’ve arrived at Sunset Ranch, just a heads up, the drive is incredibly narrow!  We chose to park towards the bottom of the hill, and this old mama had a hard time making the climb to the ranch but I made it!  There was some parking up near the ranch, but again, I don’t know what you do if you encounter a car coming the opposite direction….it is NARROW!  Besides reaching Sunset Ranch, you will also encounter miles & miles worth of trails that wind around through the hills of Griffith park.

 

Sunset Ranch offers all kinds of different packages.  We just did the 1 hour ride, which was just right for us!  Our 1 hour ride cost us $40.00 per person / 2 hour ride $60 per person.  Something to remember, you are expected to tip your experienced guides that take you up into the hills.  (tips suggestions range from $10-$20 per person).  Sunset Ranch also offers lunch & dinner rides that range in price.  As-of-today, they do offer 2 for 1 prices on Tuesdays!

So we took our 1 hour ride around 11am and it was sooooo hot!  There was really not much shade at all on the trails.  They will pick your horse according to your experience, “Beginner, Intermediate, or Experienced”.  You will of course be expected to sign a waiver and wear a helmet.  I was worried about getting on the horse!!!  LOL, I thought my husband may have to push my bum up since I have no upper body strength, but I was thrilled that the horses pull up to a ledge that we’re standing on, so it was no problem at all getting on your horse.  If you are afraid of heights, please keep in mind that the horses like to ride along the edge of the trail….so don’t look down.  Since the guides won’t remember your name, you’re expected to remember your horses name!  I rode “Mouse”!  Yes!  A horse named Mouse!  He was a naughty boy!  He kept holding up the hold whole line no matter how much I tried to get him to go!  (He just knew he had a non-experienced person on him!)

Our day was a little hazy, but on a clear day I’m sure you could see Catalina from up there!  I hope you enjoy my photos, but I gotta confess, it hard to take a good photo with one hand, on the back of a horse!  I couldn’t really zoom or anything fancy.  Just know, I highly recommend this ride!  If you’re going to ride a horse why not do it at a place that offers breathtaking views?!

Enjoy!

Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel / Philippe's

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel, 506 S Grand, Los Angeles, CA

I think I’ve mentioned before that I LOVE architecture and I love being a member of the LA Conversancy.  With my membership I was able to take a tour of the historic hotel for $5 / $10 for non members.  The Conversancy offers tours of the Biltmore on Sundays only and the tour lasts about 2 hours.  We meet at Pershing Park right across the street where they point out that the hotel had its grand opening in 1923.  If I remember right it was 10 million to build and at the time it was the largest hotel west of Chicago.  As we walk around the outside of the hotel we’re able to see the additional tower that was added years later.  With the addition of the Biltmore tower, I found it interesting that they were able to use bricks from the same quarry as the original building.  At that time they also offered added covered parking and place for their guest to pull in off the street. Because of the tower some of the interior was altered.  But trust me you won’t be disappointed with the beauty you find when you walk inside.

Inside you will find the Biltmore angel everywhere.  Remember to look up!  Every ceiling is breathtaking.  Inside you will find frescos, murals, carved marble fountains, oak paneled walls, lead crystal chandeliers. 

 

The tour did give us access to several of the ballrooms.  Each ballroom had its own personality and beauty.  The Emerald Room was once the hotels main guest dining room.  There you’ll find beautiful wood work and the décor features images of hunt and harvest with hand painted animals and fish on the cast plaster ceiling beams.  Next to the Emerald room you’ll find the Gold Room that used to be 2 rooms separated by columns.  When it opened it was a dining room for the elite.   In the later years it became a room with an upper & lower level.  It soon opened as a night club and during the prohibition era  had hidden liquor compartments and panels can be found.  Along the ceiling press photographers would hide cameras in secret compartments to capture the Hollywood elite at the club.  It is decorated with a gold cast plaster ceiling.  The entrance to the Gold Room as a beautiful gilded gate that was installed when it because a club.

At the other end of the Galleria you will find the Tiffany Room, beautiful in its own right but….it is just the drop off point for the Crystal Ballroom.  The Crystal Ballroom is the crème de la crème of beautiful ballrooms.  You will find several balconies looping around the room.  Remember to look up!  There you will find a hand painted mural on the ceiling that was created by Giovanni Smeraldi known for his work in the Vatican & the White House.    We learned that the mural had to be hand cleaned because of all of the cigarette smoke that had damaged it; I found it interesting that they used buttermilk to preserve it!  It was a natural way to protect the precious mural. The Austrian crystal chandeliers are 12 feet across in size.  Here’s the history I found most interesting about this room; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in this very room!  Louis B Mayer met to discuss plans for the Academy awards, and it was in that room that Cedric Gibbons grabbed a linen Biltmore napkin and sketched the design for the Oscar statue!!  Eight Oscar ceremonies were held in the Biltomore Bowl during the Academy’s early years of 1931, 1935-39 and 1941-42.  In 1977 Bob Hope hosted the Academy’s 50^th Anniversary in the same banquet room.

Being the movie buff that I am wanted to know what movies had been filmed at the hotel.  I’m sure there is a long list, but the ones that stood out….Ghostbusters!  Pretty in Pink was filmed in the gorgeous Crystal Ballroom.  Some other familiar films: A Star is Born, Splash, Bachelor Party, Beverly Hills Cop, True Lies, Independence Day, Ocean’s 11, Bugsy, Wedding Crashers, Italian Job, National Treasure and Spider Man!  I also noticed some episodes of 90210 filmed in the Gold room and the Rendezvous Court.  Glee also did a scene in Rendezvous Court.  As I mentioned the hotel has been around for so long, I’m sure there are many more movies filmed there!

Rendezvous Court is where the original lobby was prior to the tower being built.  Organically it had a Gentleman’s lounge off of it, but now you’ll find a restaurant next door.  The Rendezvous Court’s staircase is the 1^st thing that takes your breath away as you enter!  The decor is described as Moorish Revival.  The ceiling is painted with 24 carat gold accents.  You will also find two original imported chandeliers from 1923 and a grand Spanish baroque revival bronze doorway.  The astrological clock, at the stop of the staircase,  still keeps time today.  Today the lobby features a tea in the afternoon that runs $35 a person.

 

We also enjoyed the beauty of the current lobby.  We viewed the bar off the lobby that takes you back in time.  They have a hallway near the office that features awesome historic photographs.  The Galleria is the main hallway that is breathtaking….remember to look up!  We were not able to view the Biltmore Bowl, it was destroyed by fire and at the time they did not bring it to its former grandeur.  From what I understand that was the largest of all of the ballrooms.   Because the rooms was sooooo large instead of splitting it in 2 horizontally, they spilt it in 2 vertically!  Isn’t that crazy?!  It must have been huge!

Because of my passion for architecture, I loved this tour.  If this is up your alley, I highly recommend spending $25 and joining the LA Conversancy, you’ll have lot of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our city.

Wanna hear about the good eats?!

Philippes – 1001 N Alameda, Los Angeles, CA

Philippes is a historic landmark that has been family owned and operated since 1908.  It’s located just 1 block from Union Station and Olivera Street.  They are famous for their French dip sandwiches, and they’re proud to say that the menu hasn’t changed.  They offer beef, ham, turkey and lamb French dip sandwiches. 

Folks come to Philipes for the nostalgic feel.  It still retains its original furnishings, wooden stools, sawdust floors and hand painted menu board.  Downstairs you’ll find the communal tables where you can people watch upstairs you will find a quieter atmosphere where it is easier to chat.  I loved the old 1927 candy counter and a row of telephone booths.

So happy to have experienced an LA keepsake!  Highly recommend it!

Renaissance Pleasure Faire – Irwindale, CA

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 

Renaissance Pleasure Faire – Irwindale, CA

 

I love to dress up…..I love the Renaissance time period……so why not step into the past by going to the Renaissance Faire!?  It is a chance for adults, kids, everyone to dress up and immerse themselves in another time.  You will see it all!  Trolls, ladies, knights, crusaders, pilgrims, wenches, gypsies, fairies, queens, Vikings, wizards everything.

I have visited Renaissance Fairs in Kansas City, Phoenix, and LA.  I find it so interesting that some peoples careers / lifestyles are just to entertain and move from Ren faire to Ren faire.  These people live, eat & breathe the Renaissance.  Pair that with local actors & actress that dress up and walk the grounds.  All of the characters seriously talk in old English.  I find their comments very tongue in cheek and very funny.  So you’ve got the lifestyle folks in costume, the local actors in costume now throw in the public walking around in costume!!  Woa’ La!  You have got a place full of character! 

Renaissance Fairs will be in different areas of the USA at different times.  In Kansas City it was always in the Fall.  In Irwindale it ran April 6 – May 19, 2013.  The cost at the gate was $25 per adult / Parking $10; However, you can always find discounted tickets on line, at supermarkets or drug stores.  For example, I just went on to the Ren Fairs website before it came to town and was able to get 2 tickets for $20!!  You can totally make a whole day of your visit,   It opens at 10am – 7pm.

I counted up about 10 stages that host a wide selection of skits and music.  We saw MooNie…..sooooo funny!  We also sat and watched some Sheiks and belly dancers.  You will also be entertained by parades that seem to go by all of the time.  We experienced the “Death” parade, a dancing parade and finally the Queens parade.  As you work your way to the very end of the grounds you will find the jousting arena.  There you will be encouraged to cheer for your knight depending on where you are sitting in the arena.  Again, I can’t begin to tell you how many things will catch your eye!  I would love to just go and sit and hear all of the conversations and watch all of the characters that pass by.  You can’t be shy at this place!  Jump in and have fun!  Start dialogs with these folks, or just stand beside them, they WILL entertain you in that moment!

As you’re walking through the grounds you hardly notice the vendors, they just blend into the scene!  You’ll find so many unique things!   Some items are totally from that time period, and others things that you find would fit right into today’s world.  Like any Fair or Faire, you find delicious and or unique food!  My husband had the King Henry VIII turkey leg!  I go for the asparagus on a stick, wrapped in bacon sprinkled with parmesan…..YUM!  Also enjoyed troll ears, (pretzels with caramel & chocolate).  You will find fresh fruit bowls, artichokes, Toad in a Hole, crepes, ice cream, pulled pork, HUGE pickles, anything & everything you can think of. 

So there you go!  A full day of entertainment, great food and a chance to dress up and time travel to another time & place……the Renaissance Pleasure Faire!!

Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch & Legoland Hotel

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

Want to experience Spring?!  Then you gotta see the flower fields of Carlsbad!  Over 50 acres devoted to raising beautiful bright ranunculus!  From the freeway you can see the bright gold, orange, red, purple & merlot colors climb the hill.  However, when you’re at the top of the hill you see the same bright colors and it looks like they are about to roll right into the ocean! 

 

The best time to view the fields runs from March 1 thru May 12^th.  9am-6p.  $11 per person, but if you have a triple AAA card you can save a buck!  Parking is free…..uh…..but good luck!  Luckily there is an outlet mall right next door so of course you can use their parking too!

Be sure to check out their website (theflowerfields.com) because they have events just about every weekend.  They did have some vendors there, a children’s play area (Santa’s playground).  We enjoyed a band playing as we walked the grounds.  Other activities included a sweet pea maze, rose & theme gardens, American flag of flowers, antique tractor wagon rides.  Everywhere you turn you will find picture perfect settings!  The antique tractors are used to give guided tours, we didn’t do that but it looked like it would be worth the $20 per person.

Once you’re off the colorful hill, you’ll find plenty of other flowers to photograph!  I’m telling you, it’s a photographer’s paradise!! 

So here is your history lesson in a nutshell!  Louis Gage started growing the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus bulbs just south of Oceanside.  (Tecolote came from the owls that nested on his property).  The garden passed from Louis to Frank and finely to the grandson Edwin Gage.  Edwin managed to take the Ranunculus bulb from a single petal flower that was only availabe in yellow & red, to a full flower with several layers of petals.  Now you can find the ranunculus in a range of 13 different colors!  Needless to say he eluded his competitors and that left him the only commercial ranunculus grower in the US.  In 1993 Edwin was ready to retire;  Paul Ecke Jr formed a joint venture with grower Mellano & Company to continue growing the beautiful flowers.  In 1999 Armstrong Garden Centers entered a retail arrangement with Paul & Mellano & Company thus The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch was born!

So I say GO!!  It will make you smile!

Legoland Hotel, Carlsbad/San Diego, CA

We were going to go eat dinner at the Legoland Hotel, (just up the hill from the Flower Fields).  The hotel is sooooo cute!  If you have kids, it’s a must see, stay at or just visit!  The outside of the building looks like it was put together with legos.  Of course the lobby is kid friendly!  Everywhere you look you’ll find the professional lego characters displayed all around.  AND, you’ll find lego pits all for kids & adults to start building.

So we found their 2 restaurants, one is a buffet that had a huge selection of food to choose from.  The buffet was $25 per adult & $10 per child and we just weren’t hungry enough to stay.  The décor was very kid friendly, (duh), bright colors, table cloths they could color on and of course the lego creations throughout the dining area.  Right across the hall was Skyline Café, and it was a little more like a lounge, well like a lounge in a kids building if you catch my drift.

Anyway, we ended up at a chain restaurant.  But again, nothing against the hotel!  I say it’s a must see!  If you have kids……It would be a fabulous place to stay!!  BTW, I neglected to mention that Legoland is right outside the door!!  (Sorry, I feel I’ve failed you all as a travel agent….I didn’t get rates!!!  But you know I’d be happy to book you a room if you decide to stay there!)

 

Saddleback Church

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 

Saddleback Church – 1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA

So what better place to spend Easter then at Saddleback Church?!  Saddleback Church is world famous as the Purpose Driven Church.  Rick Warren is the Senior Pastor and author of the Purpose Driven Life.  Right away you will be in awe of the beautiful campus.  Everywhere you look, you’ll find regal palms, little streams, green grassy knolls, grottos and beautiful flowers everywhere.  But beyond the visual beauty you get a sense of love and caring from the people.

Saddleback Church in listed as one of the top 5 largest churches in the USA, but I didn’t really feel that.  The Worship Center seats around 3000, but you will find several comfortable outdoor patio areas to watch the service.  They also have several venues going on while the live service was going on.  By “venues”, it just means different types of music.  They have one venue that plays rock & roll Christian music, another that sings hymns, and finally a praise venue that has a choir and offer gospel choruses.  So the music is live and the message that is going on in the Worship Center is cued up to play in the different venues.

 

Saddleback also has 12 local campuses!  Some of those are even way bigger then my home church in Kansas!  Three of their local campus’s had over 3000 people on Easter.  It is also exciting to see that Saddleback will be launching international church locations!

This is an active church.  I would challenge anyone to not find something going on every night of the week.  As of today they offer 2 Saturday night services, 2 Sunday morning services and 1 Sunday night service that caters to the 20 something.  Besides having a plethora of different bible studies to choose from, they have Zumba classes, fitness classes, art studio, creative dance, and the list goes on & on.  The church has thousands of volunteers that keep the church moving & shaking.  They have volunteers that operate their video cameras during the service, production teams, greeters, tram drivers, traffic volunteers, ushers, teachers, medical people, again I am in awe at how the people of this church have a servants heart.

Your children will LOVE attending classes here.  They have a nursery building and a Children’s building for kids in grades 1^st – 6^th.  Each floor has a bright fun common area where the kids gather together and do FUN kid worshiping, and then they divide out into class rooms.  The security is handled very well.  You are issued a “swipe ”card that is to be used every time you check your child in and out.  The Refinery is THE place for the pre-teen & teens.  To keep the teens busy……skate park, basket ball, pool tables, games, café, burger place…..you name it….whatever a teen enjoys can be found at the Refinery.  AGAIN, for you nay-sayers, that’s all attractive to the teens, but I’ve seen a lot of lives changed in that building.  They are building future leaders of faith every day.  The Refinery is also a community building of sorts.  It has cafes, burgers and eventually a pizza parlor.  Adults share the building for all kinds of events, the football viewing comes to mind!  Sports fans gather together to watch football in the auditorium which has state of the art screens!

Have you ever heard of Celebrate Recovery?  That recovery program was started by John Baker from Saddleback Church.  It is a HUGE programs that helps people with their hurts, hang up, and additions.  Besides supporting a local Celebrate Recovery that occurs every Friday, this program also offers 1 day conferences all over the USA and a Summit that lasts for 3 days on the Lake Forest campus.  People from all over the world emerge on this church for the CR Summit.  The testimony of changed lives will touch your heart strings guaranteed! 

They have a building on the campus the represents their “local” Peace plan.    That building houses a food pantry, and medical a medical clinic.  I love that they also provide counseling to people in need.

So if you’re looking for a church to visit that preaches the word of God from the bible I encourage you to visit this beautiful church.  I think you’ll run into several beautiful souls there!