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Photo: Flickr.com user "Ilpo's Sojourn", CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Eames House is a landmark of mid-20th century modern architecture that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006, and today serves as a pilgrimage site for nearly 20,000 visitors a year. It was constructed in 1949 by husband-and-wife design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames, and commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine as part of a program challenging architects to design progressive, but modest, homes in Southern California. In 2004 the non-profit Eames Foundation was created, and today operates the historic house as a museum. Reservations are required to visit, and there is no public parking; street parking is available on Corona del Mar, which then requires a five minute walk up a shared private driveway.
The Eames House is a historic house museum at 203 Chautauqua Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. Designed in the mid-century modern style, the house was constructed in 1949 by Eames Office designers Charles and Ray Eames for themselves. It consists of two standalone rectangular pavilions—a residence and a standalone studio—both constructed of various materials. The Eames House has been operated by the nonprofit Charles & Ray Eames Foundation since 2004.
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Temescal Canyon
From the Nahuatl and Spanish word for "sweat lodge", this nature reserve is the gateway from Pacific Palisades up into the Santa Monica Mountains, connecting to a vast network of hiking trails. Starting in Temescal Canyon, a nice 3-mile (5-km) loop combines the Temescal Canyon Trail and Temescal Ridge Trail, going past a waterfall and taking in views of Pacific Palisades mansions, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and the Pacific Ocean. Bring water and wear sunscreen, as the Temescal Ridge Trail is pretty exposed.
The Lake Shrine Temple's 10-acre site has lush gardens and a large, natural spring-fed lake which is framed by natural hillsides, and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including swans, ducks, koi, water turtles, and lotus flowers. A highlight of this spiritual sanctuary is the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, where a portion of Gandhi's ashes is enshrined.
Offers swimming, volleyball, and a bike/running path. The beach will be familiar to fans of the TV show Baywatch.
An extension of the world-famous Getty Center in West Los Angeles, the Getty Villa is a separate location built in the style of an ancient Roman villa that features statues and other cultural artifacts from Greece and Rome. You can visit both the Villa and the Getty Center in the same day (Wednesday through Sunday) and pay the parking fee only once (save your ticket stub), but don't expect to have any time left over for other activities.