SPRING IN LA

Spring is officially here at The Tangerine!  Other parts of the country may still be shivering, but here in sunny Burbank we’re heading outdoors to enjoy the mild temperatures.  Whether you like to stroll among the flowers or work up a good sweat, there’s something for everyone this spring!

Get Out and Walk:

Burbank is surprisingly safe and walkable, with miles of dedicated urban walking trails.  If you want to commune more closely with nature, there are many parks and preserves within a twenty minute drive.  You can choose from the easiest stroll along the Glendale Narrows of the L.A. River in Bette Davis Park to the strenuous hills of Wildwood Canyon Park or the Verdugo Mountains.

Spring Blooms:

Spring is the perfect time to visit our local parks and gardens.  Beautiful Descanso Gardens, a 160 acre urban retreat, is within fifteen minutes of The Tangerine.  In April and May, the park abounds with wildflowers.  Also a short drive away is a spectacular six and a half acre paradise, SuihoEn: The Japanese Garden. Peaceful and serene, it is an ideal spot for rest and meditation.  For something fairly close, but a little wilder, Stough Canyon Trail boasts gorgeous wildflowers.

If you’re serious about viewing native spring wildflowers, you may want to venture a little further afield to Butte Valley Wildflower Sanctuary or Saddleback Butte State Park.  Both are over an hour’s drive, but well worth it.

Griffith Park:

Griffith Park is less than fifteen minutes from The Tangerine, but it has something of interest for every age group.  For the kids, there’s a mile-long miniature train ride, a merry-go-round, and pony rides.  The L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a big draw, as well.  If you loved La La Land, you might like to venture to Griffith Park Observatory, the setting for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s magical cosmic dance scene.   The Observatory’s rooftop deck offers a magnificent bird’s eye vantage point of the city at night.  The lights stretch on as far as the eye can see in any direction.  And yes, there’s the Hollywood Sign just to the northwest!

Biking:

Biking offers a great way to explore the city, and if you don’t have one, you can rent.   Bike enthusiasts can choose from plenty of safe, scenic urban trails, such as the Chandler Bikeway, which follows the old right-of-way of the Southern Pacific Railway through a charming, vibrant southern California neighborhood and into North Hollywood.  Nearby parks and nature preserves, such as Verduga Mountains and La Tuna Canyon, offer mountain bike trails for the more adventurous.

Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 you can stroll through the Burbank Farmer’s Market and browse an amazing array of fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers, specialty breads and cheeses, honey and preserves.  California is an agricultural paradise, and this is the place to take advantage of the wealth of produce grown here.  If you ever wanted to try dragon fruit or lobster mushrooms, this is your chance!

Window Shop:

The shops and cafes in the Magnolia Park Merchant District give shoppers a wonderful eclectic mix of all things hip, vintage and specialty.  It’s a delight to explore on foot.  Plus, from 6:00-9:00 on the last Friday of every month the area hosts Ladies and Gents Night Out.  Stores stay open late, and the street becomes one big outdoor party, compete with food trucks, art, and entertainment.