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Here's your plan for peacefully strolling through beautiful ponds and trees in a serene Japanese garden. Watch the video 👇

If you’re looking for a new nature spot to stroll through…you should 100% check out the The Japanese Garden (right in the heart of the San Fernando Valley). It’d 6.5 acres of gorgeous ponds and trees (totally forgot to mention that there is a tea garden here too) and a great way to spend a beautiful sunny afternoon. 

Peaceful Japanese Garden in Lake Balboa 🌿🍃

Wander through 6.5 acres of tranquil ponds, trees, and a tea garden at the Japanese Garden in Lake Balboa for a refreshing nature escape.

Garden Stroll

✅ Before you go
• It’s open from Monday — Thursday from 9:30 AM — 3:30 PM

💪 Pro tips
• Give yourself an hour to walk around and see things (as there is a lot to see)

Stroll Through the Garden 

Today I went to the Japanese gardens in Lake Balboa,

I had no idea this was even a place until very recently.

Here's a little selfie video of me frolicking in this beautiful garden.

and it's filled with so many beautiful trees.

this is such a perfect place to walk around if you're like

stressed and need to just be in nature for a second.

This is definitely worth a trip to the valley.

Here's your plan for mini golf fun and tasty drinks with pub grub in Sherman Oaks. Watch the video 👇

Head to Sherman Oaks for a perfect summer evening of mini golf followed by drinks on tap

Mini Golf & Pub Grub in the Valley ⛳️

Challenge friends to a fun, affordable round of mini golf on creative courses at Sherman Oaks Castle Park, with options for arcade gaming and batting cages too.

Mini golf

✅ Before you go
• Both spots have parking, so no need to coordinate ride share arrivals, woohoo! 

💪 Pro tips
• Course 1 is easy, 2 is somewhere in the middle, and 3 is most advanced 
• If you want to get even more play in before the pub, they also have an indoor arcade and batting cages!

Play a round or a few at Sherman Oaks Castle Park

Relax after mini golf with happy hour drinks, nachos, and cozy vibes at Blue Dog Beer Tavern—dog friendly and known for creative cocktails.

Beer & Pub Grub

💪 Pro tips
• Happy Hour is every day from 3pm-6pm
• Like you would guess from their name, they are dog friendly, so bring your pups if you like!
• The nachos are a must, and I really like my speciality drink The Dirty Blonde

Have post-golf drinks & eats at Blue Dog Beer Tavern

why not go for a round of mini golf followed by a round of drinks?

hosting three different mini golf courses.

Each course is unique, from beginner to expert, with lots of creative obstacles along

the way to play around. And for only $12 for your first round,

as you figure out the ways to beat each hole through wacky scenery like old cabins,

We had a lot of great shots, and even more near misses,

but it was nothing but laughs the entire time.

Then, head to happy hour just down the road at Blue Dog Beer Tavern,

a quirky, log cabin-y spot that absolutely loves their furry friends.

With tap beer specials and cocktails inspired by

their team, and comforting pub grub like nachos,

Here's your plan for shopping fresh produce, unique foods, and enjoying mountain views at the market.  
Watch the video 👇

The only farmers market you’ll ever need!
One stop shop for produce, dairy, breads, beverages, unique foods and of course desserts! All while being surrounded by mountains with breathtaking views.

Topanga Farmers Marker 🍓🛒

Shop for fresh local produce, unique foods, and desserts at Topanga Farmers Market, surrounded by mountain views every Friday. Enjoy free parking and check Instagram for special events.

Farmers Market Shopping

✅ Before you go
• Comfortable shoes and ones you’re okay with getting a bit dusty. The ground is gravel.
• Check @topangafarmersmarket Instagram page for special events and vendor details. 

💪 Pro tips
• Bring your own reusable shopping bag to make it easy to bag all of your shopping items.

🅿️ Parking
• Parking is free. There are attendants who will guide you to an available parking spot; the process was seamless. 

Event Details

They are open every Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is a perfect

opportunity to shop locally or just bring your kids along for some fun.

Not only can you get all of your produce here,

you're getting the opportunity to support your local community and invest into it.

You get to know the story and the face behind the food you're eating.

And really explore some unique foods and desserts and the best part about

it are the free samples you get to try before you buy.

Now this stand is very popular here at the market.

They serve coconut milk and coconut water in glass

bottles so that you can refill each week,

and they serve all of these flavors here and

you can mix and match anytime you come back.

I tried the Neapolitan flavor and needless to say,

You can support your community further by shopping with the artisans

who have carefully curated their selection with you in mind.

I stepped outside to get a barbecue steam bun.

This market is definitely worth the drive for

all of the unique vendors and mountain views.

Sometimes they have pop-up events like this car show I caught,

but check their Instagram for weekly updates.

Here's your plan for monthly wellness events with yoga, walks, runs, pickleball, and mindful movement. Watch the video 👇

Alo Yoga hosts monthly community events that promote mindfulness and movement such as walks, 5k runs, pickleball and of course, yoga. To find the nearest one to you, check out Alo Yoga Events websites. 

Self Care with Alo Yoga🧘🏾‍♀️

Join free monthly wellness events like walks, yoga, or pickleball at Manhattan Village with Alo Yoga. Enjoy mindful movement, treats, and community vibes—perfect for self-care.

Event Planning Tips

✅ Before you go
• Read the emails carefully of event details. I thought the walk was at the Manhattan Beach but it was actually at the Manhattan Beach shopping village. 
• Details in the email will explain parking and other important day of event information. 

💪 Pro tips
• I’d check the website beginning of the month to see upcoming events. 
• Depending on your wellness goal, these events are fun solo or with your friends!

Plan Ahead

Never miss a self-care day with Alo yoga.

Alo hosts wellness community events that promote mindfulness and movement,

the instructor led us through some stretches to

really warm our bodies up before the walk.

She was intentional with our wellness every step of the way,

reminding us to keep our thoughts happy and positive and what.

Better reminder than seeing this cute little puppy along the way.

I felt refreshed and light and ready to take on the day.

They always have treats at the end and we had

green juices and smoothies and other treats to take home.

and you can't have a self-care day without retail therapy.

We got to shop the Summer collection at Alo after the walk.

Here's your plan for exploring a hidden Chinatown bar with creative drinks and cozy vibes. Watch the video 👇

If you like hidden gems 💎 this is where to go! Discretely hidden in Chinatown this whimsical bar takes you on a journey into their neat storytelling and creative drinks. 

Vibey Bar in Chinatown

Sip creative cocktails at Apotheke, a whimsical hidden bar in Chinatown, LA. Enjoy unique drinks, immersive ambiance, and let expert mixologists surprise you.

Craft Cocktails

✅ Before you go
• https://www.apothekemixology.com/
• walk-ins for small groups, but big groups should try for a reservation 
• parking available on the street 

💪 Pro tips
• ask them about their delicious candle! 
• have the mixologist pick out something amazing for you! 

Grab a cocktail from the hidden pharmacy 🍸

Apotheke is located in Chinatown in this very discreet building,

It is a really cool spot with both an indoor and outdoor location.

has plenty of space to accompany big parties.

So it is recommended to get a reservation,

I asked them about their candle and they actually make it and

I probably would be back just to smell that candle again,