Sinister Halloween Haunts

Last week, we featured all of the fun and less-scary October festivities, but for all of you terror-lovers out there, here’s a list of places to go to get your fill!

1. The Los Angeles Haunted Hay Ride at Griffith Park! This year’s theme at the LA Haunted Hayride is the Boogeyman. They idea is that no matter the culture, there is always a Boogeyman waiting for you to close your eyes and get to sleep. The ride is a 25 minute terrifying experience where you will come “FACE TO JAWS” with the Boogeyman! Try this disturbing darkness if you think you can handle it! Check out their website for tickets! 
   
   
   
   
2. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Hollywood. This live event offers a haunting collaboration of the most authentic scares from some of the biggest horror films and TV shows! This year, the movie-quality mazes feature The Walking Dead, Insidious, Halloween, Crimson Peak, and This is the End. The terror tram will be featuring The Purge, and the scare zones will offer you something terrifying at every corner! What makes this event so real is the fact that your favorite scary movies are brought to life! Tickets are available online for purchase and sell out quickly! 
   
3. Dark Harbor at The Queen Mary in Long Beach! The Dark Harbor is a unique haunted experience in Southern California. The fear is that old, abandoned ships are home to ghosts, evil spirits, and people sadly lost at sea. This is proven to be true aboard the haunted Queen Mary. To take part in the six sinister mazes and be face to face with the monsters that raise hell on the Queen Mary, order tickets online and experience the torture the Dark Harbor has to offer. 
   
4. Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita. Fright Fest is home to a plethora of scare-zones. From Twisted Colossus to Vault 666 to terrifying mazes, there is something for everyone. The dead have risen and nightmares come to life at Fright Fest. Check online for the list of events and things-to-do at Fright Fest. Get your tickets online or at the theme park! 
   
5. Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Knott’s Scary Farm differs from other theme-park horror nights because the themes of the experiences are unique. Three scare zones, called Ghost Town Streets, Carnevil, and Fiesta De Los Muertos gives you the option to choose what type of scare you want. The live shows that Knott’s puts on send chills up your spine as we are introduced to the creepy world of an asylum. The themed mazes are also a way to choose the degree of scare and the theme of your scare! Check online for tickets and take a peek at the experiences Knott’s Scary Farm holds. 
   

I don’t recommend any of these places for young children or people who are easily scared. But for the thrill chasers, all of these places hold something unique, scary, scream-worthy, bone-chilling, and sinister for you to get into the Halloween spirit!

Kid-Friendly Halloween Fun!

Kid-Friendly Halloween Fun

            Halloween is right around the corner and for years, it’s been a holiday that I’ve dreaded. Unfortunately, Halloween can be a little too scary for the youngsters (or a scaredy-cat like me!). If you are a bit too terrified of the normal Halloween festivities and need a place to go to celebrate Halloween without the witches, ghouls, and vampires, OR you have young children who aren’t keen on the Halloween terror, take a loot at our pumpkin-filled fun alternatives!

1. Head over to a pumpkin patch! Pumpkin patches are notorious for serving delicious pumpkin pie and picking out a pumpkin to take home is always such a treat! My favorite pumpkin patches this year are: the Tapia Brothers Farm Pumpkin Patch in Encino; Tina’s Pumpkin Patch in Sherman Oaks; and Forneris Farms Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival in Mission Hills. 
   
   
   
   
   
2. Check out the incredibly fun Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals! There are some great locations to join in on the fun! The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is October 17^th and 18^th. This festival has delicious pumpkin pies, pumpkin carving, music, a foodcourt, and of course—a pumpkin patch! The Underwood Family Farm Harvest Festival in Moorpark is another super fun kid-friendly festival to check out! This festival is from October 3-31^st and is home to the Tomato Launcher and an Animal Center! Children will love the themed weekends of the festival and the activities that go along with it! This weekend is the Farm Country Weekend and the farm will be hosting a Giant Pumpkin Contest! 
   
3. Another less-frightening Halloween affair to check out are the Farmers Markets! The Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles will be hosting a Fall Festival October 17^th and 18^th! You can also check out the Santa Monica Farmers Market for more pumpkin fun every Wednesday leading up to Halloween! 
   
4. For the Disney lovers out there—check out Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland select nights from October 7^th-31^st. This includes costume dress-up, trick-or-treating through Main Street, a Haunted Ceremony, and Halloween-themed Character Greetings! Tickets are tough to get because they sell out quickly, but it’s definitely worth a shot! 
   
5. Animal Lovers: Check out Boo @ the Zoo at the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park! Choose your own adventure and get up-close with the “super-natural” powers of animals and how they adapt at night and use their senses to guide them! Touch scaly and crawly creatures at the Animals and You stations. Create black bat and spider-themed crafts on Saturdays and Sundays in October. And, my personal favorite event, watch the animals tasting their own delicious pumpkin treats! 
   

Children and scaredy-cats alike can finally enjoy Halloween for what it is—a pumpkin filled wonderland! Check out any of these places and enjoy what October in the SFV has to offer! Happy Halloween! Check back next week for a blog filled with terror and fright! 

Top Ten Pubs of the SFV!

            Welcome to October!!

As Fall is beginning to open it’s doors to us, so are pumpkin flavored craft beers. I took the week researching and visiting different pubs in the San Fernando Valley and came across some of my favorites. Here’s a compiled list of the top 10 pubs of the SFV!

1. Ireland’s 32 in Van Nuys. This pub offers traditional Irish fare and an assortment of beers, ciders, and Irish whiskeys! The pub itself is covered in Irish décor and an assortment of signed GAA Jerseys. It’s run by two brothers from Ireland and you can feel the love they have for Ireland when you walk in. Green lights hang over the bar and the Irish feel of the bar keeps this tavern humming. 
   
2. Blue Dog Beer Tavern in Sherman Oaks. Blue Dog harbors a wide variety of artisanal beers, whether from California, Oregon, the rest of the nation, or Europe. There are always eight beers on tap that are rotated regularly and up to twenty additional bottles. The menu offers a large range of food for every appetite. Support local and join the Blue Dog community. 
   
3. The BrickYard Pub in Hollywood. At this cool bar, you can play pool, shuffleboard, beer pong, or just hang out with friends. The BrickYard has one of the best atmospheres of any bar in the SFV. The bar area is dimly lit and the place gets pretty packed. This pub also doesn’t serve food, but it is a totally casual and really fun place to drink and play some games. THURSDAYS: $5/HR FOR POOL ALL NIGHT LONG! 
   
4. Fox and Hounds Pub in Studio City. This British pub serves up hearty British fare and brews in a comfy venue. Fox and Hounds is a perfect place to watch soccer games. Their website provides a weekly schedule of the soccer games and times. Another plus: Happy Hour prices are incredible. Monday-Friday $4 pints. Check their website for a list of bands participating in the weekly live music! 
   
5. Timmy Nolan’s Tavern and Grill in Toluca Lake. I lived in Ireland for five months and have been searching for an Irish pub to escape back to the Emerald Isle in. Timmy Nolan’s is that place. The wood accents present a classic Irish pub feel. Unique homemade comfort food and carefully selected beer makes for a folksy escape in this Irish sports bar. I have a special place in my heart for this place! Check it out! 
   
6. Story Tavern in Burbank. The Story Tavern is located in the heart of downtown Burbank and offers over twenty varieties of craft beer on tap, a selection of craft bottled beer, and an amazing selection of Domestic and Imported beer. The tavern has a great happy hour that draws people in: The Merriest Hour is 11:30- 7:30 pm, seven days a week, $5 Well Drinks, $8 Signature Cocktails, and $2 off Draft beers and ciders; The Ultimate Hour is Monday-Wednesday, 5 pm-close, (GAME ROOM ONLY) $12 pitchers of beer, $6 Draft Beer all night long, and $5 liquor all night long; Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays is “Puppy Power” on their patios from 5-10 pm. Bring a friend and get happy hour all night long! Head over to Story Tavern to get a feel of the early 20^th century charm. 
   
7. Pickwick’s Pub in Woodland Hills. Pickwick’s has 14 Draft Beers including English Ales, Cider and Irish Stout, Lager and Ale. This place makes you feel like you’re at a pub in England. Known for it’s incredibly fun trivia nights, the Pickwick is a place everyone should try! There’s great English food and live entertainment—even Bruno Mars has performed here numerous times. Definitely a place to check out! 
   
8. The King’s Head in Studio City. King’s Head is known for it’s classic English décor, food, and selection of beer. The environment is comfortable and it feels like an authentic English pub. Happy Hour is Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 7 pm. It’s a great place to grab a couple drinks with some friends. 
   
9. The Scotland Yard Pub in Canoga Park. This pub is a great pub for groups. The Scotland Yard is also a good place to watch Premier League soccer games, for all you soccer fans out there! With music, good vibes, and pints, the Scotland Yard will have you hooked after your first pint! Check out their website for a calendar of events and live music coming up! 
   
10. McG’s Irish Pub and Grill in Chatsworth. McG’s has an Irish-themed atmosphere with a neighborhood vibe. Their extensive beer list makes it hard to leave! The service is excellent and the bartenders are loved by the locals! The staff is awesome and incredibly friendly. I’m always searching for a good Irish pub and this one definitely makes the cut. It’s authentic and homey. And the karaoke nights, live rock bands, darts, and pool tables make for a carefree and fun night full of laughter and overall enjoyment. Check out their happy hour, too, if you aren’t a night owl! 
    

Pubs are a more relaxed way to spend a happy hour or a night out and they always make you feel welcome. I have found my favorite pub of the SFV and I hope you do too! Support local and check these places out! And as they say in Ireland—Sláinte.

Or cheers and good health!

(Drink Responsibly!)

Ways to Kick-Start Fall

Ways To Kick Start Fall—Despite the LA Heat

The official first day of fall came and I found myself really frustrated because, let’s face it, we live in LA County and it’s still 90+ degrees outside everyday. I turned off my lights, turned on the air conditioner and lit a fall candle just to pretend it felt like fall outside. I started brainstorming things that I could do to get myself in the fall spirit and thankfully, it worked! Here are five ideas that will get you in the mood for fall in the crazy LA heat!

1. Visit a coffee shop and get an ICED chai or an ICED pumpkin drink. That way, you still get the tastes of fall, but you don’t overheat from a hot drink on a hot day! I tried the Red Window Coffee Bar and it was incredible! Try riding your bike or walking over to Red Window, or another coffee shop, in order to get active and enjoy a cold coffee or tea!
   
   
2.  Pumpkin flavored ice cream and froyo is finally back! Yogurtland is currently serving their delicious Pumpkin Pie flavored frozen yogurt that you can top with a variety of sweets and fruits! If you aren’t a froyo lover, head over to Ben & Jerry’s to try their Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream! It’s an inexpensive—and delicious—way to cool off and enjoy the flavors of fall! 
   
3. To bring fall into your wardrobe—girls: start incorporating darker tones, light flannels, and boots! Try wearing ankle boots with your jeans instead of sandals. Or wear a light flannel with a dress paired with boots! Incorporate darker tones into your makeup—bust out the darker lipsticks and darker eyeshadows! Guys: start hanging up the boardshorts and sandals and bring out your jeans, flannels, and close-toed shoes!
4. In the home, start with some fall crafts to put you in the autumn mood! You can make your own fall wreaths for your doors or light fall candles so you get the smell of fall in the home and offers a little bit of an escape from the outside heat! Check out Pinterest for some craft and style ideas to transition your home into fall! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Start incorporating fall foods into your recipes! Seasonal squashes are available at the grocery store to start cooking with and recipes for pumpkin flavored desserts and breakfast items are back! Check Pinterest or other recipe sites for some tasty ways to bring fall to your kitchen.  

Check the RadioSFV app and website to look at a calendar of events in the area that will also get you excited for fall regardless of the heat! Plan ahead for exciting things to come, like the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival! Fall is a beautiful season that we can enjoy in LA regardless of the heat!

Oktoberfest in Los Angeles

         The air is starting to feel different and we are all trying to adjust to the end of summer. This year, instead of jumping straight into the long months of school, work, and overwhelming schedules, we should all try to kick off the start of autumn in a way that is bound to make us dance, sing, and laugh, while being a part of a German tradition. 

THIS SATURDAY marks the beginning of Oktoberfest! I’ve found that it’s really important for people to understand why different holidays are celebrated in different cultures. Oktoberfest is a (roughly) sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September to early October. Oktoberfest began with the Royal Wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The original “Oktoberfest” occurred in Munich on October 12, 1810 for the commemoration of their marriage. Essentially, Oktoberfest is a celebration of a happy royal event that became one of the largest and most popular traditions in German culture!

The festival has become one of the most famous events in the city of Munich and the world’s largest fair—six million people partake in the celebration each year! Other cities around the world hold Oktoberfest celebrations to enjoy the changing of the seasons and join in the consumption of traditional German fare and delicious German beers.

            Luckily for Los Angeles Country Residents, there’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate this event! Alpine Village in Torrance is home to the oldest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California and the longest running Oktoberfest in Los Angeles. The fun at Alpine Village includes party bands, German fare, and delicious German brews! Just because beer is involved, doesn’t mean that the fun is limited to over 21 year olds! Alpine Village caters to all ages. Fridays and Saturdays are for 21+, but Sundays are for all ages!

            Ticket prices and festival hours are available on the website, but I encourage everyone to look into it! The first time I went to Alpine Village for Oktoberfest, I was thirteen years old and my cousin was only five! We had an absolute blast and return every year to continue in the celebration.

Take a look at their website to join in on the 200+ years of fun and tradition!

http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/oktoberfest/

Happy Autumn and Happy Oktoberfest!

-Natalie