Sharyn Crown - 31/46 - Holiday Inn Burbank Blog

Audubon Center at Debs Park

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Whether you want to relax by tranquil fountains, hike a nature trail, or do a little birding, you are sure to enjoy your visit to the Audubon Center at Debs Park. It is only 11 miles from the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center, and it even connects to an extensive bike trail, if you want to make a full day of it.

About Audubon

Opened in 2003 as a conservation and educational facility, Audubon Center at Debs Park’s mission is to inspire people to care for the natural world. Audubon California is a program designed by the National Audubon Society, and it is in charge of operations at the center.

September 8, 2015

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Exploring the Vendors of Grand Central Market

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In 1917, Grand Central Market opened and Broadway became the city’s primary commercial and entertainment corridor. By the mid-1920s, there were already more than 90 vendors, including butchers, Turkish delis, and fishmongers. There were also many people who simply had stalls with dry goods, eggs, cheese, flowers, and more. Today, Grand Central Market is a historic downtown landmark. More than 30,000 square feet of retailers and food venues are waiting to be explored. Even if you don’t intend on shopping, you should experience the energy of the market at least once during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center.

Popular Vendors

If you have all day to explore then take your time and check out everything that the market has to offer. If you do not have quite that much time to spare in your schedule, make a point to visit some of these popular picks.

Eggslut – The name of this place alone has to pique your curiosity. As you would expect, Eggslut is devoted to showcasing dishes that use eggs as a pain ingredient. The signature dish is the “Slut,” which consists of a coddled egg poached in a jar and served over potato puree with demi.

Grand Central Jewelry – Whether you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry for you or someone else, you will find some one-of-a-kind pieces here.

August 27, 2015

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Granville Café: Something for Everyone

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Considering Granville Café is only a quick 3-minute walk from the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center, you will want to get very acquainted with its menu. Don’t let the word “café” in the title fool you. This venue is far from the tiny café with coffee and pastries that you are likely picturing. Granville Café is a casual restaurant with an elegant interior, fantastic service, and a refreshing menu that is more than capable of satisfying virtually any craving.

About Granville

Granville offers lunch and dinner all week long, and breakfast is available on the weekend. It supports organic, local, and certified humane practices, when possible. So, you can expect to find antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, artisan cheeses and breads, organic greens, and sustainable coffee and espresso on the menu.

When you walk in, you immediately notice how open and airy the venue feels. The décor is very earthy in warm, inviting tones. A brick bar boasts stools that look like slabs of tree trunks and the retro pendant lights bring a bit of playfulness to the rustic-meets-modern décor.

There are a nice variety of tables and booths, and the exposed rafters above the dining area make the walls appear to go on forever. Eco-friendly fireplaces add a nice finishing touch, and there always seems to be a “feel good” song filling the air. There is even a large outdoor patio, so you don’t have to sacrifice one minute of that California sunshine.

August 22, 2015

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Your Guide for the Skyline Mountain Way Trail

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Less than 2 miles away from the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center is a hidden gem known as the Skyline Mountain Way Trail, or simply the Skyline Trail. You will not find it in a park and you would never know that it’s there, but this 6.1-mile trail takes you through the Verdugo Mountains and awards you with some intoxicating views that few tourists get the opportunity to see.

Finding the Trail

If you want to tack a couple miles onto your journey, you could walk to the trailhead from the hotel. However, keep in mind you will have to walk back, too, and after this hike that may be the last thing you want to do. Although, you could take the bus back.

If you drive there just head northeast on E. Angeleno Ave. Just over a half-mile you will turn left on Kenneth and then take a quick right onto E. Olive Ave. This will turn into Country Club Dr. Turn right on S. Via Montera and within a quarter mile you see a parking lot at the intersection where Montana meets East Tujunga Avenue.

Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection. This is not a park where you will find restrooms or water fountains. The trail climbs 1,600 square feet and you can add many more miles to this main route if you take one of the extension trails to other peaks.

August 19, 2015

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Schedule a Private Showing at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation

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If you plan on doing a little shopping on Rodeo Drive during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center, you may want to schedule a private showing at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, since you will already be in the area. Weisman’s art collection established him internationally on the art scene, and he came to be known as one of the world’s top collectors of contemporary and modern art.

About Frederick R. Weisman

Walton and Mary Weisman emigrated from Russia to the United States at a young age with their families, but they didn’t know one another at the time. Both families settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is where the two met as teenagers. The couple had three sons, one of which was Frederick who moved to Los Angeles and worked hard to become a successful businessman.

Frederick purchased a produce distributorship and eventually met Meyer Simon, who was the owner of Val-Vita Cannery. Meyer’s daughter, Marcia, would eventually become Frederick’s wife.

Shortly after they were married, Frederick began working for his father-in-law, and by the age of 31 became president of the company. Val-Vita later merged with Hunt Foods, and the young entrepreneur went on to establish many other corporate enterprises, including Mid-Atlantic Toyota in 1970.He brought America the first few Toyota dealerships.

August 17, 2015

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Ranger Ted: Guided Hikes for Everyone

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Some people can’t wait to tackle the most aggressive trails in the Los Angeles area during their stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center. They are adventure-loving outdoor enthusiasts who know which direction they are traveling based on the sun’s placement or a random patch of moss on the north side of a tree. Then, there are many others who really want to explore the beauty of the area, but are not comfortable venturing out on their own. If this sounds like you then you will be very interested in the services of Ranger Ted.

Who is Ranger Ted?

Born in Minnesota, Ranger Ted fell in love with the great outdoors at an early age thanks to family trips to Northern Minnesota’s lakes. He has hiked, biked, camped, canoed, and kayaked everywhere from Alaska to Hawaii.

Today, he lives in Atwater Village with his wife and daughter, and he’s certified in Wilderness First Aid by the Natural Outdoor Leadership School. He has also received a naturalist credential from the Tejon Ranch Conservancy.

August 15, 2015

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Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area: The Place to Go to See Wildlife

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If you are an outdoor enthusiast then you probably already have a list of parks and trails you plan on exploring during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center. If Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area is not on your list it really should be. It is often referred to as a hidden gem because the water makes it an attractive environment for a wide variety of wildlife.

Sepulveda Dam

The Sepulveda Dam was built in 1941 for nearly $7 million to withhold winter flood waters from the Los Angeles River. It was constructed because of the historic flood in 1938 that claimed the lives of 144 people.

The dam served its purpose well for 28 years. In 1969, the river overflowed and caused millions in damage. The banks were raised in 1988, but in 1994 another flood caused damage. The dam was restored again and did not have a problem until the banks overflowed in 2005.

Although the water may seem like a crutch, it’s the water that attracts the abundance of wildlife that makes the area so special.

August 12, 2015

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The Gamble House: The Place to Go to Appreciate Fine Art

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If you are a fan of phenomenal architecture and fine art then you will want to visit The Gamble House during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center. The name of the attraction may lead you to believe you will be feeding a slot machine, but that is definitely not what you will find there. A tour of this historic site will bring new meaning to the old saying, “They just don’t make things like they used to.”

A Little History

David and Mary Gamble commissioned architects, Greene & Greene, to design this house in 1908. The couple was living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and wanted the home built to use as their winter residence.

David Gamble had retired from his work in 1895 from the family business, Procter Gamble Company. He and his wife were already spending a considerable amount of time in Pasadena, so building the home would mean they would no longer need to stay in hotels. Every inch of the home was created specifically for them, including the custom-designed furniture.

Although meant to be a seasonal home, the couple ended up moving and living there fulltime until their death. Cecil, the oldest son, and his wife Louise moved in after Mary’s sister, Julia, passed in 1944.

August 10, 2015

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Hollywood Gives a New Meaning to the Word “Grub”

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“Grub” is a term most are familiar with, but it often has a bit of a low-quality association. You rarely hear someone use the term to describe a dish at a five-star venue and you certainly would not use it when referring to your wedding cake. Grub is plain and boring. Well, at least it was plain and boring. Now that it is the name of one of Hollywood’s most popular brunch and lunch spots, “Grub” has had a positive makeover.

The Grub Gals

Grub was opened in Hollywood by Denise DeCarlo and Betty Fraser. These gals are well-known in the Los Angeles food scene thanks to their catering service they had before the restaurant opened. They are known for their comfort food that looks as good as it tastes. They have also been featured on a number of shows, including Rachel Ray’s Tasty Travels, Holiday Home Invasion, Top Chef, Trendspotting, and more.

The “Grub Gals” opened Grub in hopes of creating a restaurant that would feel like home to everyone and they definitely succeeded. When you crave comfort food during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center this is where you go.

August 6, 2015

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Stoney Point Park: One of the Most Picturesque Places in the County

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Trying to decide which parks to visit during your stay at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center is not easy. With such a vast and diverse selection of natural spaces it is nearly impossible to reduce an oversized list. However, if you don’t plan on visiting Stoney Point, you may want to rethink your plans. The rock formations here really can’t be missed.

Compared to other parks in the area, this one is relatively small, but its views more than make up for it. Boulders merged together to create alcoves, caves, and dens. There are several hiking trails, and if you make it to the top of the rock formation, you are awarded views of San Fernando Valley, Coyote Pass, Santa Susana Mountains, and Chatsworth.

A Little History

The giant rock outcroppings are suggested to be more than 65 million years old. They originated in the Pacific Ocean and were formed by turbidity currents that were often miles long and half a mile wide.

These giant rocks belong to the Pacific Plate, so they are pushed northwest 2.5 inches every year by the North American Plate. This is where Tongva Indians lived until the Spanish invaded in the 1790s. The locatiion is historically significant because it is believed to be the site of the Village of Momonga. Native people from as far as Temecula would journey here for the winter solstice celebration. It was said to have spiritual properties.

August 4, 2015

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There’s plenty of time to come join us for a great Valentine’s Day dinner in the 18th floor Crystal View Lounge. 5pm-10pm

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A fun afternoon of taste testing appetizers for an upcoming wedding. — at Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center facebook.com/6479434…

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Karaoke tonight at 9 pm at the Holiday Inn’s Casting Call. Come join us!

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