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Near the Hollywood sign is a hidden local favorite. HIKE AROUND THE LAKE HOLLYWOOD RESERVOIR for front row views of the Hollywood sign, Mulholland Dam and the LA basin. From the Hollywood Freeway (Hwy 101) in Los Angeles (Universal City area and near Hollywood Bowl) exit on Barham Blvd. and head northeast about a quarter of a mile to Lake Hollywood Drive. Turn right and stay on Lake Hollywood Drive as it winds through a residential neighborhood for half a mile, then turns south toward the reservoir. Park along the Drive near the gate to the reservoir. hollywoodknolls.org/hollywood_ reservoir.htm hike-la.com/hike_lake_hollywood_ trail.html Call 323-463-0830 for reservoir hours of operation. lounge around on the sand or join an impromptu beach volleyball game. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, above, provides a fine view of the LA basin and offers free public telescopes on clear nights to view the heavens, above; Malibu beach at sunset, right. SPECIAL EVENTS 2013 Family Fun 106 2013 travel guid e to c al ifo r n i a FESTIVAL OF BOOKS Meet hundreds of literary lights and browse the booths at one of the largest book festivals in the country. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books celebrates its 18th year. April 20-21, 2013 at USC events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks HERO COMPLEX FILM FESTIVAL The Hero Complex Film Festival brings together sci-fi, comic book and fantasy film fans to watch their favorites on the silver screen and hear from those behind some of the biggest hits. May 10-12 at Regal Cinemas at L.A. LIVE in downtown LA events.latimes.com/herocomplexfilmfest LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL View more than 200 films, shorts and music videos at the 18th Los Angeles Film Festival. June 13-23 at L.A. LIVE in downtown LA lafilmfest.com LOS ANGELES FOOD & WINE Sample delicious fare, cocktails and wine with celebrity chefs, mixologists and vintners when they gather for this four-day, annual event at Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica and downtown locations. A portion of the proceeds benefits St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Held in August, check website for details. lafw.com SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL In its sixth year, this three-day rock music club crawl and street fest pays homage to the Strip's musical heritage in West Hollywood. Music lovers of every stripe from metal, punk, indie, pop to hip-hop will find something that appeals. Aug. 15-17 sunsetstripmusicfestival.com THE ABBOT KINNEY FESTIVAL Founded in 1984, this eco-conscious artisan and food festival attracts many to this bohemian-chic area in Venice. Located on a one-mile stretch on Abbot Kinney Blvd., from Venice Blvd. to Main Street. Sep. 29 abbotkinney.org STEVE MOLLIN; OPPOSITE: MIKE LIU; ANDY Z. Check out fossils of saber-toothed cats and mammoths that roamed the LA Basin during the Ice Age at the Page Museum at the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits. Or if the kids are tired of trying to spot stars on the ground, take them to the Griffith Observatory. Featured in many movies including Rebel Without a Cause, the observatory is set on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, with a view of the Hollywood sign and greater LA below. In addition to visiting the exhibits and events held daily at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, go enjoy the monthly, free public star parties held at the Observatory from 2:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Budding astronomers and their families are encouraged to try out different telescopes and talk to amateur astronomers about the sun, moon and planets. CA