Pacific Palisades, California: Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple; things to do

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple 

Main Gate entrance to Meditation Gardens:  17190 W. Sunset Blvd.  (310) 454-4114; www.lakeshrine.org.  Admission W-Mon at 10am & 1pm.  Free.  Reservations required.  

Golden Lotus Archway at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens

Situated on 10 acres that were once a movie studio and set, this peaceful facility was created by Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950 and is open to all denominations.  I found it the perfect place to escape the outside bustle, and so did Elvis Presley and many others too numerous to mention.  Visitors to the private Lake Shrine gardens come to enjoy the beauty of the manicured grounds that include flowers and lush greenery, statues, fountains, waterfalls, and a spring-fed lake populated with koi and swans.  A flat, unpaved pathway leads around the lake.  A “wall-less temple” memorial to Mahatma Gandhi holds a portion of his ashes, attracting people from around the world who come to pay their respects. A reproduction 16th-century Dutch windmill serving as a chapel offers a peaceful indoor space for meditation and prayer where visitors can rest and reflect; services are scheduled.  Volunteers answer questions at the Visitor Center, where books and media on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda are available.  Additionally, a Gift Shop offers devotional and gift items imported from India, and an adjacent small Museum displays personal artifacts of Yogananda. 

Lake Shrine Temple

The hilltop Lake Shrine Temple on the upper level offers sanctuary for meditation and Sunday devotional services, when visitors can use the Temple Gate at 17080 West Sunset Boulevard.  

Several flights of stairs connect the two levels.  An overnight retreat facility is available.

pathway at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

Gandhi World Peace Memorial at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

floral display at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

Buddha statue at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

purple roses in rose garden at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

Madonna and Child statue in grotto at Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens
in Pacific Palisades, California

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images ©2021 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Cathay Palisades (CLOSED); vegan-friendly restaurant review

Cathay Palisades  

CLOSED  15315 Antioch St., (310) 459-9628.  L-D daily; $$.

Perfect for families, comfortable Cathay Palisades has plenty of big booths and friendly, speedy service.  It has a typical Chinese menu with a vegetarian-vegan section, and upon request will replace meats with tofu in many dishes.  Everyone gets a complimentary kimchee appetizer.  Our vegetarian favorites include:  hot and sour soup, chow mein, spicy broccoli, and crispy tofu.  It is a popular choice for take-out, too.  

interior at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

kimchee at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

hot & sour soup at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

chow mein at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

green beans at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

crispy tofu at Cathay Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Kay 'n Dave’s (CLOSED); restaurant review

Kay 'n Dave's  

CLOSED  15246 Sunset Blvd., (310) 459-8118.

exterior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

Mexican food at Kay 'n Dave's is prepared with fresh quality ingredients.  Corn tortillas and tamales are made by hand, and housemade soups include a spicy black bean or tortilla—both with no animal products.  No lard is used in anything, and vegan and gluten-free options are available.  The noise level is high as are the spirits of the many families who dine here with kids, so order up a wine margarita to weather the storm.

interior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

All meals being with plenty of thin fresh chips and salsa.

chips and salsa kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

Slow roasted in banana leaves, cochinita pork pibl is a house specialty.  My favorite item is the cheese enchilada,

cheese enchilada plate at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

but my adult son is enthralled by the gigantic veggie burrito

veggie burrito at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

and my granddaughter loves the squash flower relleno.  Next time I plan to try the crispy black bean tacos favored by my daughter-in-law. 

take-out counter at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California

 
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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Things to Do: Kier Design & Gift Garden Antiques (CLOSED), Pacific Palisades, California

Kier Design  

15260 Antioch St., (310) 459-0980.  This tiny shop is stuffed with a mixture of home decorating accents and antiques that lean to the beachy.  Everything from a dinner plate-sized dried starfish to a silver candelabra.

Gift Garden Antiques  

CLOSED  15266 Antioch St., (310) 459-4114.  M-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5.  Next door, this shop has a browse-worthy collection of silver, china, and crystal.

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images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Casa Nostra; restaurant review

Casa Nostra  

1515 Palisades Dr., off Sunset, (310) 454-8889.  L-D daily; $$.  Reservations advised. 

wine, water, and a view at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California

Tucked away in a canyon in the Santa Monica mountains, this Italian spot provides a spectacular view of the hills from its parking lot and a satisfactory view from the front of its extensive sheltered patio.  The large and open indoor dining room is pleasant, too.  The menu features many usual items, including pizza, but it is worthwhile to note that the ravioli, pappardelle, and gnocchi are housemade and delish.  My dining partner and I split a colorful bruschetta plate piled high with colorful diced tomatoes, a satisfying chopped vegetable salad, and a perfect order of pumpkin-stuffed ravioli in a sage butter sauce.  We left stuffed, and happy, too.

bruschetta at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California

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images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Maison Giraud (CLOSED); restaurant review

Maison Giraud  

CLOSED  1032 Swarthmore Ave., (310) 459-7561.  Diners here are sheltered in a refined setting of cloth-covered tables.  Seating is available both indoors and out fronton a large patio.  Classic French dishes comprise the menu, and lunch includes soups, sandwiches, and salads (the celebrated traditional Nicoise is especially tasty).  Be sure to check the bakery counter inside for delicious items to take home.

Lavender Blue 

NOW MAIL ORDER ONLY  Next door, this tiny shop is operated by the wife of the restaurant’s chef.  Lovely products from Provence include colorful tablecloths, lavender-filled sachet pillows, and even enticing clothing imports from India. 





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images c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Mick's Cafe (CLOSED); restaurant review

Mick’s Cafe  

CLOSED  859 Swarthmore Ave., (310) 454-0090. B-L-D + afternoon tea daily; $-$$.

This cute, narrow, cottagey space is a series of small outdoor patio areas. Breakfast includes pastries, panini, and omelettes. Lunch is sandwiches (both the fried egg and the BLT are very good), soups, and salads--including a delicious house salad made with nuts and Feta. In the evening, candles light the tables, small lights twinkle, and blankets and heat lamps are available, and the menu includes “around the world pizzas” and a variety of entrees.

More tea times around the world.

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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Pacific Palisades, California: Getty Villa; things to do

Inner Peristyle garden at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

Getty Villa  

17985 PCH/Surfview Dr., 1 mi. N of Sunset Blvd., in Pacific Palisades, (310) 440-7300. W-M 11-5. Free; reservations necessary.  Parking $25; no neighborhood parking. No pets.

Located a few miles west of the larger Getty Center museum, the hilltop Getty Villa museum is modeled after the Villa dei Papiri--a 1st-century luxury Roman country house in Herculaneum, near Pompeii, that was buried by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.  It houses the Getty collection of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art.  A large variety of polished marble adorns floors and walls throughout.  My favorite display holds a mummified ibis that is inside an intact human mummy whose head covering bears a painted portrait of the deceased.  

Gardens and fountains are a particular delight, and performances are sometimes scheduled in a semi-circular amphitheater.  Kids gain insight in a hands-on Family Forum space and with a free Art Detective card that guides them to specific art pieces.  Informal tours run throughout the day, and a free app guide can be downloaded.  

The Cafe serves casual Mediterranean fare at fair prices and offers spacious indoor and sheltered outdoor seating.  An espresso cart is also an option, and afternoon tea is sometimes scheduled.

Roman Sarcophagus with life of Achilles at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

Greek ram's head drinking cup at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

Ptolemaic gold snake bracelet at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

Outer Peristyle garden at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

East Garden at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

display of marble samples at Getty Villa museum
in Pacific Palisades, California

More gardens around the world.

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first image c2010 Cassidy Meyers

rest of images c 2024 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

updated 9-6-24

Pacific Palisades, California: Cafe Vida; restaurant review

Cafe Vida 

15317 Antioch St., (310) 573-1335. B-D daily; $-$$.

As busy and crowded as a bee hive, popular little Cafe Vida has seating indoors and out. The extensive menu offers many organic items, and eggs—breakfast is served all day--are cage free. Especially tasty items include a tuna melt, a Mexicali veggie burger, sweet potato fries, and green lemonade (sounds weird—the green comes from spinach--but is actually very good). You can skip the macaroni and cheese—it looks and tastes like it came out of a box. Oh, yeah, and celebrities like it here, too. I spotted Hilary Swank dining in the sun when I lunched here a few weeks ago.



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