Happy Memorial Day!

School may not be out for Summer, but at least you have the next 3 days off for Memorial Day weekend. I know the school year is winding down and you can see the home stretch. However, don't sleep away or spend this extended weekend in the house! Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Besides the typical family cookouts and beach outings, I thought I'd share some fun and inexpensive things that you can try with your family and friends.

For all my LA teens:

• Explore the Santa Monica area. Check out the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and Venice Beach. Spend all day window shopping, people watching, walking and enjoying the fresh air. Parking at Santa Monica Place is usually free, and when they charge it only costs $3.


• Sightseeing From Your Car. The cost of gasoline makes this more expensive than it used to be, however it costs less than paying for parking and admission at a theme park. For my teens who can drive, gather a group of your friends together for a mini road trip along the coast or Mulholland Drive.


• Enjoy the great outdoors at Griffith Park. Free activities include: Picnic in the park, go hiking on one of the trails, see the Griffith Observatory or visit Travel Town train museum.


• Hollywood Sightseeing. Click here for a list of some attractions on or near Hollywood Blvd that are free.


• Farmer's Market. Spend the afternoon at the Farmer's Market near The Grove. The Original Farmers Market has fresh fruit, produce, seafood, ice cream, wines, cheeses, gourmet foods, as well as gift shops.
  

For my Bay Area teens:

• SF Carnaval (May 29 -30, 2010). The Carnaval Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located on Harrison Street, between 16th and 22nd streets, the festival will offer food, music, dance, art, crafts and other fun activities and events on several stages for the entire family to enjoy.The Carnaval Grand Parade, with its rich multi-cultural themes, spectacular costumes, music and dancing takes place Sunday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. and begins at Bryant and 24th Streets, proceeds down Mission to 17th Street. Admision: Free


• Music in Golden Gate Park. The Golden Gate Park Band performs at 1 p.m. in Golden Gate Park. American standards will be among the music performed. Pack a picnic and make sure the menu is as varied as the music. Admision: Free


• SF International Arts Festival (May 19 -30, 2010). Try something new! This annual multi-disciplinary festival brings together the world community of artists and audiences to present and commission innovative, collaborative projects and performances of dance, music, opera and theatre by 16 different arts organizations.

For my teens who live out of state, check out your city's visitor's bureau website to find local events going on this holiday. Be sure to let us know how you spent your weekend. Send photos and articles describing your adventures to BrownstoneMag@gmail.com and we'll post them on the blog!

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team