Who says it never rains in Southern California!? My emotions were mixed over the past few rainy days.

On the one hand, I LOVED the pitter-patter sound of the rain on my window at night, a rarity in these parts. On the other hand I was dreading waking up to the slick roads and accidents caused by SoCal drivers. Yikes!

Love it or hate it, the rain has come and gone.  The end result is a weekend full of clear skies and foodie events all over LA county, ripe for the picking.  Enjoy!


Taste of the Pier, Redondo Beach

The Redondo Beach Pier is famous for its wide selection of seafood joints, from the high brow Kincaid’s to the bib-and-mallet action at Redondo Beach Crab House.  It might take forever to taste everything the Rebe Pier has to offer.

Think you can do it in a weekend!?

Friday and Saturday from Noon to 4 PM, you can “enjoy a variety of small bites, live music and strolling entertainers while you tour the pier”.   Bibs and mallets optional!

A book of tickets for 12 tastings is just $10.  Your purchase benefits local organizaions including  The Wellness Community, Meals on Wheels, and Surfrider Foundation.  Tickets will be available  at BriXton South Bay on the Pier.  For more info call 310-406-1931.


Pasadena Wine Festival

Rejoice, vinophiles!  California Wine Month is over but you have yet another day to celebrate fermented grape juice.

The Pasadena Wine Festival takes place this Saturday in the lovely Los Angeles County Arboretum.  From 2 PM until 10 PM, you can sip wines from more than 120 wineries, chow down on grub from gourmet food trucks, and sing along with live music.  $28 gets you in the door with upgrade options available for Deluxe and VIP perks.

After sipping to capacity, make sure you take the tram ride around the gardens of the Arboretum.  For anecdotes on how to successfully work a wine festival, check out these tips from Finer Things LA.


Long Beach Street Food Fest

Almost 30 trucks are rolling into the Rainbow Lagoon this weekend for the Long Beach Street Food Fest.  Among them will be at least three LA based trucks from the recent season of Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race including Crepes Bonaparte, Nom Nom Truck, and Nana Queens.

A $6 ticket gets you in the door but leave your pets, flasks, and carry-out at home!  No outside food or drinks will be permitted.  But bring the kids; if they’re 5 and under they get in free.  Admission proceeds go to benefit scholarships and programs at Long Beach City Schools and Long Beach City College.

To keep things moving — expect lines to be long! — trucks will be asking that purchases be made with cash only.  Hit the ATM early and go deep.

No one at this event will judge you for neglecting your rent to buy gourmet street food.  They might be doing the same thing too!

3 Responses

    1. Thanks, Jen! With so much to learn and do it IS exciting.

      And you threw me for a loop there with the “happy thanksgiving”…until I realized, its the Canadian one. Happy Thanksgiving!