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2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 119 » Santa Monica Pier Long a favorite place to people watch, play and eat. Savor a Will Rogers Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae, ride a vintage-style carousel, view the area from the Ferris wheel (a movie celebrity in its own right) and explore the theme park on the 107-year-old pier. Snap a selfie by the End of the Trail sign on the pier for the legendary Route 66, which ends its 2,450-mile journey here. Dig your toes into the soft sand and join the surfers or stroll along Ocean Front Walk alongside bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers. Need more? Walk a few blocks to the pedestrian-only Third Street Prom- enade, a mix of retailers and restaurants. › santamonicapier.org » Street Food Cinema Pack a blanket, beach chair and pillows and join other Angelenos for this curated outdoor movie series at one of the 12 loca- tions from Pasadena to the Pacific Palisades. Choose from more than 50 events. Enjoy the confluence of pop culture films, celebrity guests, gourmet food trucks and live music under the sun and stars. › streetfoodcinema.com » Olvera Street Browse lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) masks, Day of the Dead figurines, piñatas and other souvenirs in this block-long Mexican marketplace located in Los Angeles Plaza Historic District. This section of LA was the town center during the colonial era under Spanish and Mexican rule through most of the 19 th century. Some vendors are the descendants of the original merchants in this marketplace that was established in 1930 to preserve and bring back "old Los Angeles" and its customs. Try a churro from Mr. Churro's or a taco amidst the street stalls and old structures. › olvera-street.com » See Improv, Sketch or Stand-up Comedy Plan to laugh a lot when you visit one of the many comedy clubs in Los Angeles. You may see up-and- coming comedic geniuses honing their craft or a legendary veteran headlining or dropping by. Notable clubs include The Groundlings, Hollywood Improv Comedy Club, Laugh Factory, Upright Citizens Brigade and Comedy Store. › thecomedybureau.com/los-angeles-comedy-show-calendars › discoverlosangeles.com/blog/comedy-clubs-los-angeles » TCL Chinese Theatre Located along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the landmark TCL Chinese Theatre remains a prized venue for movie premieres. Compare your handprints and footprints to those of more than 200 stars memorialized in cement, including Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Sidney Poitier, Jackie Chan, Emma Watson, and Star Wars characters including C-3PO, R2-D2 and Darth Vader. › tclchinesetheatres.com SANTA MONICA PIER, below; Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, opposite. MUST DO SEE, » SPECIAL EVENTS 2017 » 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. Feb. 8-20 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 21 st year. April 22-23 at USC. events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks LOS ANGELES COMEDY FESTIVAL The nation's largest comedy festival features film, live comedy acts and a screenplay competition. Held twice a year, May 4-13 and tentatively November 9-19 at Let Live Theatre in Los Angeles. Check website for details. lacomedyfest.com LOTUS FESTIVAL This 37 th annual celebration at Echo Park Lake honors the Asian Amer- ican community in Los Angeles and this year it features the people of Bangladesh. Expect live music, food, dance, and dragon boat races set against a backdrop of blooming lotus flower beds. July 15-16 at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. facebook.com/lotusfestivalla LA FOOD FEST Follow your nose to this annual festival celebrating more than 100 of LA's food vendors, from top chefs and renowned restaurants to gourmet food trucks and street food stalls. Sample a variety of libations too, including craft cocktails and tequila. Whether you're looking for a gourmet treat or a simple repast, you'll find something that satisfies. In July at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Check website for details. lafoodfest.com 626 NIGHT MARKET Inspired by the bustling Asian night markets, this evening bazaar will spice up your senses with more than 200 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 sixth year, this Asian-food festival is held in the summer at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. June 30-July 2, July 21-23, Aug. 11-13, Sept. 1-3. Check website for details. 626nightmarket.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. Sept. 24 in Venice. abbotkinney.org WEST HOLLYWOOD CARNAVAL Every Oct. 31, more than 500,000 people attend the world's largest Halloween street party along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Dress up in your favorite costume and prepare to dance the night away. visitwesthollywood.com/halloween-carnaval