San Fernando Valley respite

Amid all the holiday chaos, we managed to sneak in a short hike this week. The very easy, very beautiful Torrey Pines Overlook trail, which begins at TreePeople’s headquarters near the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland Drives. This 1/2 mile trail has it all — picnic tables, benches, high maintenance standards and stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. Great for kids 4 and up (Jack didn’t complain once) but wobbly toddlers should probably be confined to carriers, as there are lots of unfenced canyon drops along the trail.

Hat and mittens weather

We really do have seasons in southern California. Here we are near the Eaton Canyon Falls trail in Altadena this week. This is a great trail for kids — mostly flat, though if you show up during rainy season, you’ll have to scramble over rocks or get your shoes wet at the stream crossing.

Frank Lloyd’s L.A.

The Place: Barnsdall Park, Hollywood.

The Scene: A quiet elevated park right off Hollywood Boulevard. It’s home to an arts center, indoor theater, and Hollyhock House, a temple-like home and garden designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (open for tours sometimes). We sat at one of the wrought-iron tables outside and had lunch, then checked out the metal sculptures. When I asked Jack what he thought each one looked like, he’d knit his brow and say “tools” or “a net.”

Time spent: 45 minutes, more if you bring a good book instead of a kid.

Kid-friendliness: OK. No playground, but lots of grass and things to look at.

Tip: Bring your camera for cool views of the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign. And check out the free summer concerts and Shakespeare in the Park.

Weird connection: The man who once owned our house, the city’s former arts commissioner, led the effort to restore Hollyhock House in the 1940s. According to his daughters, he pursued Frank’s son by train across the mid-west to enlist his support.

Big Sur South

Day trip extraordinaire: Palos Verdes Peninsula. I had been to parts of it before, so I wasn’t expecting much besides a pretty drive, but it turned out to be a five-star experience for kids. We had to make a 5 pm airport run, so we left early and made a day trip of it. Palos Verdes is between LAX and Long Beach (sort of) and is known for its expensive ocean-view homes and large population of peacocks. But it also has a fabulous walking path that winds high above the ocean. You can pick it up near the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, which has a little marine-life museum and rest rooms. The path runs at least two miles and is no less than perfect for runners, kids, and just about anybody. The Point Vicente lighthouse is always in view; it was closed but Jack was fascinated by its siren calls.

After a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, we kept driving on Palos Verdes Blvd., which loops back to Pacific Coast Highway. I was looking for a real beach since we had brought sand toys, but the only one we passed seemed cordoned off. Instead we stopped at the Wayfarers Chapel, a gorgeous glass church designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank’s son). It overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by gardens, a fountain, and a shocking-green lawn. Jack was generally good all day (he even lowered his voice inside the church). It was a long day, but the change of scenery was energizing.