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2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 107 Pacific Palisades. Then hop over to Venice and the Strand on Manhattan Beach to people-watch. Family Fun 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 (1955), the observatory is set on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, with a view of the Holly- wood sign and greater LA below. In addition to visiting the exhibits and events held Tuesday through Sunday 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 tele- scopes and talk to amateur astronomers about the sun, moon and planets. Or for something different, head to Long Beach and tour the Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner that sailed on the North Atlantic from 1936 to 1967 and is now a hotel, historical landmark and entertainment venue. SPECIAL EVENTS 2015 » THE HOLLYWOOD REEL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Screens new feature films, documentaries, shorts and videos by emerging filmmakers who possess an independent spirit and create innovative work outside the studio system. In February at multiple venues and locations in Los Angeles. hollywoodreelindependentfilmfestival.com 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 19 th year. April 18-19 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. In May at TCL Chinese Theatres at Hollywood & High- land in Hollywood. events.latimes.com/herocomplex/film-festival LA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL Follow your nose to the sixth annual fest celebrating food trucks and their delicious fare, from tacos to beignets to gumbo. Whether you're looking for a gourmet treat or a simple repast, you'll find something that satisfies. June 27 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. lastreetfoodfest.com 626 NIGHT MARKET Inspired by the bustling Asian night markets, this evening bazaar will spice up your senses with more than 150 food vendors (tempting your taste buds with skewers of beef, spiraled fried potatoes, stinky tofu and mango shave ice), performers and retail booths. Entering its fourth year, this Asian-food-themed festival is held in the summer in Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and its sister event—DTLA Night Market—enters its second year in downtown Los Angeles. June-September. Check website for details. 626nightmarket.com SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL In its eighth 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. In August in West Hollywood. sunsetstripmusicfestival.com THE ABBOT KINNEY FESTIVAL Founded in 1984, this eco-conscious artisan and food fes- tival 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. Sept. 27 in Venice. abbotkinney.org INSIDER'S TIP » Mingle with good-looking LA denizens getting outdoor cardio by hiking RUNYON CANYON PARK. It's a 130-acre park, just two blocks from HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD in the HOLLYWOOD HILLS. Enjoy magnificent views overlooking the city of Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign, GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, DOWN- TOWN LA, WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, the PACIFIC OCEAN, SUNSET STRIP, the CAPITAL RECORDS BUILDING and the TCL CHINESE THEATRES. Free yoga classes are also available. The main entrance is on Fuller Avenue by 2001 N Fuller Ave., Los Angeles. lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=122 HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME on Hollywood Boulevard, above; there are lots of ways to have fun in Long Beach, opposite. ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK . OPPOSITE: DAVID ZAITZ/LONG BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU