3.22.2007

Ballona Lagoon: One of SoCal’s Last Tidal Wetlands

Two blocks inland from Venice Beach and south of the Venice canals, this lagoon is more than just a body of water with a walking path alongside it.



Perhaps not awe-inspiring at first glance, this 16.2 acre saltwater wetland is a popular haunt for hundreds of species of native plants, marine life, and birds, including an impressive list of rare species.



Because the lagoon is an important waystation on the Pacific Flyway (route flown by birds migrating from Alaska to winter in Latin America), it’s a birder’s paradise. Keep an eye out for snowy egrets, mockingbirds, terns, and a gaggle of other feathered friends on your visit.

The lagoon has quite the past. Five hundred years ago, the lagoon was huge and formed part of the vast Ballona wetlands that stretched from Playa Del Rey to Santa Monica. In the early 1900s, developer Abbott Kinney used the lagoon to feed his Venice-inspired canals. With the discovery of oil in the 1920s, a swath of oil derricks moved onto the land now occupied by the wetland's surrounding fancy homes. The lagoon only reached its present state after environmentalists successfully fended off developers.



For fitness enthusiasts, a walk/run along the lagoon can provide a change of pace from the gym. The fresh, saltwater breeze is invigorating, and the path never feels crowded.



Watching birds frolic in the water and spotting colorful wildflowers are bonuses. If you’re some kind of Energizer bunny, you can drag out your workout by continuing on to Venice beach two blocks away.



The only thing that mystifies me about the lagoon are the surrounding homes. There’s nothing wrong with the homes per se, but many are big and tract home-like, almost defiant of the natural beauty surrounding them. Two homes have a sizeable lawn that stands in stark contrast to the wetland wildflowers just across the path. If you want a lawn, by all means have a lawn. But why pay the extra bucks to live in Venice alongside a nature preserve when you seem to crave a more suburbian aesthetic? I guess they want it all!



One home has funky art, which I find comical. Try to spot the sculpture above while you're there.

A good starting point for visiting Ballona Lagoon is Via Marina at Pacific Ave, where the lagoon empties into Marina Del Rey. There’s metered parking here.

Pacific Ave & Via Marina
Los Angeles, CA 90292

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3.07.2007

Santa Monica Main Library...and it has books too!

Santa Monica’s Main Library, at the corner of 5th and Santa Monica Blvd, is one of my top destinations. I love reading, but I come more for the atmosphere than the books.



The outside of the building is nothing to write home about. It’s mostly a plain-beige color with occasional bursts of decorative color, but the inside is a pleasant surprise. The plentiful windows, spacious layout, and general cleanliness (the library was completed in Jan 2006) contrast with the dark, musty libraries I remember from my youth.



Bask in the SoCal sun with your favorite book by taking advantage of the open courtyard in the center of the library. In addition to the pleasant landscaping, the courtyard houses a deli so you can grab lunch or satisfy your caffeine fix without ever leaving the building.

Maybe you’re in work-mode? The free wifi, expansive seating, and relative quiet make it a fab place to sift through email. If you don’t have a laptop, there’s a big computer area on the 2nd floor where you can get online free for an hour each day.



Also a draw are the library’s occasional exhibits and speakers series. From famed journalists hawking their latest book to film screenings to puppet shows, there’s always something going on. Now through March 18, the library is hosting a Nordic Latitudes exhibit, showcasing Nordic furniture and lighting design. While interesting, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was staring at an Ikea furniture display.

The library pulls in an amazing cross-section of people, from families to old folks, giving it a real community feel. To those used to sterilized suburb libraries, however, be forewarned. This is the People’s Republic of Santa Monica, and there are quite a few homeless patrons that frequent this library. Most quietly mind their own business, but occasionally, you might find yourself next to a loud, smelly patron. My advice is to simply move. It’s a multi-level library with tons of seating so you’re sure to find a more tranquil spot.

As for parking, no worries. There’s a three-level, 530 space subterranean parking garage that costs $1/hour.

Santa Monica Main Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-8600

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