Eye on L.A.: Bucket List features unique adventures

ByTina Malave KABC logo
Monday, April 13, 2015
Eye on L.A.: Bucket List features unique adventures
Do you have a "Bucket List"? Eye on L.A has some suggestions for you!

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Do you have a "Bucket List"? You know, that list of things you want to try before you kick the bucket? Eye on L.A. put together a few must-do's to add to your Los Angeles Bucket List, and they will all make you fall in love with L.A. even more!

Here are some great ways to get your blood pumping while checking things off your L.A. bucket list, from riding the mechanical bull and ziplining at night to midget car racing and pole dancing.

VISIT DISNEYLAND RESORT

There's so much to do at the Disneyland Resort, you need more than a day to do it all! From the classics like the Mad Hatter Tea Cups and the renewed Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Park, and Cars Land and World of Color at California Adventure Park, it's no wonder it's on so many people's Bucket List!

For directions, tickets and more, go to www.disneyland.com.

RIDE THE SADDLE RANCH MECHANICAL BULL

This L.A. bucket list item will send you spinning... and that's no bull! Climb on, then hang on. Riding the bull on the famous Sunset Strip is an absolute L.A. must do!

SADDLE RANCH CHOP HOUSE

8371 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

(323) 656-2007

www.thesaddleranch.com

NIGHTTIME ZIP AT CATALINA ZIPLINE

If blasting in the air hundreds of feet above ground at 45 mph in seconds and doing this after sundown is on your bucket list, then Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour is the place for you. Eye on L.A. went on this high-flying adventure after-dark! Catalina's Zip Line offers five different amazing runs, with the longest being 1,045-feet-long - and the chance to see glowing stars at night and wildlife during the day!

www.visitcatalinaisland.com

DRIVE MIDGET RACE CARS AT VENTURA RACEWAY

If your bucket list favors speed, we've got you covered at the Ventura Raceway!

10 West Harbor Blvd.

Ventura, CA 93001

www.venturaraceway.com

POLE DANCING CLASS AT S FACTOR

When Eye on L.A. viewer and Facebook friend Karina told us taking a pole dancing class was on her L.A. bucket list, we decided to take Karina to train with the best -- Sheila Kelley, founder of S Factor.

ENCINO LOCATION

17253 Ventura Blvd.

Encino, CA 91316

(818) 817-4585

LOS ANGELES LOCATION

5225 Wilshire Blvd., Suite B

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 965-9685

www.sfactor.com

We met Caroline Pardilla (a.k.a. "Caroline on Crack") because of her great list of "100 Things to Try in L.A. Before You Die," and we hit up a few of her faves, including the Magic Castle and Tiki Ti. And then we headed all over town to eat everything you must try in L.A. including Pink's Hot Dogs, the French dip at Philippe's, a Dodger Dog, and a Sprinkles Cupcake. Here's something you've probably never tried before -- a rattlesnake and rabbit sausage sandwich!

CAROLINE PARDILLA'S "100 THINGS TO TRY IN L.A. BEFORE YOU DIE"

We were inspired to create our Eye on L.A. bucket list when we came across an article entitled "100 Things to Try in LA Before You Die" by Caroline Pardilla, creator of the popular blog with the tongue-in-cheek name "Caroline on Crack." Check out her 2014 list here: www.carolineoncrack.com

VISIT THE MAGIC CASTLE

The 30,000 square foot castle has five bars, 13 performance areas for magicians, a restaurant that seats 150 and some really cool stuff! It's way up there on the bucket list because it's not easy to get into! You either have to be a member, or be invited by a member. Though occasionally they make guest passes available with dinner reservations. Call to inquire.

THE MAGIC CASTLE - ACADEMY OF MAGICAL ARTS

7001 Franklin Ave.

Hollywood, CA 90028

(323) 851-3313

www.magiccastle.com

EXPERIENCE THE TIKI-TI BAR

When it comes to specialty drinks in L.A., your bucket list must include the original Tiki-Ti Bar on Sunset. They serve tropical classics like the "Mai Tai," which was created here in L.A. over 50 years ago! But it's the Blood & Sand that will have the whole bar yelling, Toro! Toro!

4427 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 669-9381

www.tiki-ti.com

EAT A PINK'S HOT DOG

When it comes to food, it just wouldn't be a bucket list without this L.A. institution -- Pink's Hot Dogs!

709 N La Brea Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90039

www.pinkshollywood.com

EAT A DODGER DOG

From pink to classic blue! Just like our team, the world famous Dodger Dog is a power hitter, and should be on everyone's L.A. bucket list!

DODGER STADIUM

1000 Elysian Park Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(323) 224-1507

www.dodgers.com

EAT "THE ORIGINAL" FRENCH DIP AT PHILIPPE'S

No bucket list is complete without taking a little dip, a French dip that is, at Philippe the Original! A must-eat with their homemade spicy mustard.

1001 N Alameda St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 628-3781

www.philippes.com

INDULGE IN SPRINKLES RED VELVET CUPCAKES AND ATM

Eye on L.A. stopped by for a taste of the sweet life at the world's first cupcake bakery -- Sprinkles in Beverly Hills! And don't forget to experience their nifty, first ever, Cupcake ATM!

9635 S. Santa Monica Blvd.

Beverly Hills, 90210

(310) 274-7890

www.sprinkles.com

TRY THE RATTLESNAKE, RABBIT & JALAPEñO SAUSAGE AT WURSTKüCHE

Eye on L.A. host, Tina Malave brought one very brave Eye on L.A. Facebook fan along for an afternoon of adventurous eating! The dish? Wurstkche Rattlesnake, Rabbit & Jalepeo Sausage!

800 E 3rd St.

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 687-4444

www.wurstkuche.com

There's just too much fun to be had in L.A. -- from kayaking the L.A. River to experiencing Lucha Vavoom, and movies at the Hollywood Forever cemetery.

KAYAK THE L.A. RIVER

There are some bucket list items that are so awesome, you have to sign-up in advance just to get a shot at doing them. If you're lucky, you can book a pass to Kayak the L.A. River!

For details and availability call (310)428-1315 or go to:

www.lariverkayaks.com

www.lariverrecreation.org

SEE LUCHA VAVOOM

Journey downtown to check a quirky L.A. classic off your list! For the past decade, Lucha VaVOOM has entertained crowds with a mix of non-stop action, where Mexican Masked wrestlers blend with saucy striptease acts! A colorful cartoon that comes to life before your very eyes at L.A.'s magnificent Mayan Theatre downtown.

For upcoming shows and tickets, go to www.luchavavoom.com.

WATCH CINESPIA MOVIES AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

In the heart of Tinseltown, you can enjoy an open air-theater at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which hosts outdoor movies as part of the popular "Cinespia" film screenings during the summer. For tickets, movie calendar and information on all venues, go to www.cinespia.org.

HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90038

Last but not least, classic L.A. bucket list items hot air ballooning and a ride in the Goodyear blimp!

GO HOT AIR BALLOONING

A bucket list reminds everyone to enjoy the moment and take it all in. Get away from it all to the heart of Temecula's wine country where Sunrise Balloons will take you for a ride in the sky!

SUNRISE BALLOONS

34567 Rancho California Rd.

Temecula, 92591

(800) 548-9912

www.sunriseballoons.com

RIDE THE GOODYEAR BLIMP

The Goodyear Blimp has been around since 1920 as a goodwill ambassador for the tire company, but nabbing a ticket is tough and invitations are not open to the general public. Your best bet is to search your local charities' silent auction items, where Goodyear regularly donates rides. We consider this one an ultimate L.A. Bucket List item!

www.goodyearblimp.com

Be sure to "LIKE" Eye on L.A and host Tina Malave on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
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