My Top 10 Urban Oases

I am a quintessential city girl. I love big cities and preferred being in the midst of a concrete jungle than in the wilderness. But even a hard core city girl like me needs to chill and relax from time to time, and I retreat to a tranquil space that allows me to just that.

Botanical Garden (San Francisco) 

Smack dab in the middle of the Golden Gate Park is the Botanical Garden (at Strybing Arboretum), and it truly is a beautiful oasis in the heart of San Francisco. There are so many wonderful things to discover, and with more than 7,500 various species of plants, spouting fountains, wide open fields and a number of lovely little nooks, such as the Garden of Fragrance and the Children's Garden, you can sit quietly with your family and friends lazing together in the sunshine, reading books or exploring the various garden floras.  Also, it is one of the loveliest places for a picnic.

Shakespeare Garden (San Francisco)

Hidden away along a small path to the California Academy of Sciences, the enchanting Shakespeare Garden, with an arched iron-wrought gate, is the type of homely garden opening that one would to expect to stumble upon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Even visitors who have strolled through Golden Gate Park dozens of times may have never wandered into Shakespeare Garden. It’s pretty easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

The Shakespeare Garden contains numerous plants that are referenced in Shakespeare's actual writings, and on the back brick wall, quotations and passages from his plays are engraved on stone tablets for visitors to read.

Central Park (New York City) 

What more can I say about Central Park that hasn’t been said. It’s FABULOUS! Immersed in lush and wild nature with a massive skyline as a backdrop, it’s truly an urban oasis that defies all logic.

For most New Yorkers, the park is a sanctuary. Especially for me, it was a place where I would retreated to whenever my life in the city got too much, and I needed to regroup and recuperate. Also, some of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve had were in the park, like serendipitously meeting my husband.

It’s a place where we always go back to reminisce about our wonderful past lives in the city as well as creating beautiful new ones with our son who absolutely adores every corner of the park.

Our favorites in the park: Heckscher Playground, Poets Row, Bethesda Terrace, Alice in Wonderland Statue, John Lennon Imagine Memorial, and the always entertaining and eclectic street performers.

The Highline (New York City) 

After all the places I’ve seen in NYC, I can honestly say that the Highline (from Gansevoort St to West 34th St, between 10th & 11th Avenue) is my favorite. It epitomizes the city that is constantly evolving and recreating itself. Not only the design and the atmosphere of the park unique and innovative, it has transformed a neighborhood which was formally known as the “Death Avenue” into a trendy, upscale, and more importantly, family friendly area.

As the park expands from lower Manhattan to 31th Street in Midtown, it provides some of the best views of the key monuments, the Empire State building, Chrysler Building, and on a clear day, the Statue of Liberty.

There's an eclectic mix of art installations as well as tasty food carts, art vendors and musicians, and the great thing about the Highline is that it enables you to have and enjoy an urban experience in the midst of (man-made) nature.

Riverside Park (New York City)

I loved living on the Upper West Side. Aside from it being one of the more residential and child-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan, you're privy to two of the most beautiful urban oases in the world, Central Park and Riverside Park.

Although Riverside Park is by no means as well-known as Central Park, it is a vast expanse of green space and a home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views.

Venice Canal (Los Angeles)

Secreted away from the hustle and bustle of the famous boardwalk, the picturesque canals of Venice, California, are one of the seaside community's hidden charms.

More than 100 years ago, developer Abbot Kinney conceived the mad idea of building a "Venice of America," a cultural Valhalla dedicated to the fine arts, complete with canals, gondolas and imported Italian gondoliers. The experiment failed, and the gondoliers went home, but the canals remain and are a splendid place to take a walk.

Begin this walk near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, at the corner of Washington and Strongs Drive. There, under a small sign that says "Venice Canals Walkway," turn in and begin exploring. Within minutes, you'll lose the roar of Venice traffic and begin to experience the charm of canal life.

Jardin du Luxembourg (Paris, France) 

The Jardin du Luxembourg has always been one of my favorite places in Paris! I love the beauty and the elegance of it all. When I lived in Paris, it was a sanctuary where I could go to think and write.

Being back in the Luxembourg Gardens with our son, I discovered that it was a delightful place for kids as well, and there were many activities for children to enjoy, and each time I’m there, it’s as memorable as the first time I’d visited Paris.

Promenade Plantée (Paris, France) 

I absolutely love the High Line in NYC! So, when I heard that it was inspired by Promenade Plantée in Paris, I had to check it out and see it for myself.

Created in 1988 by Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely on the former railway line, which linked Place de la Bastille to Varenne-Saint-Maur from 1859, the Promenade Plantée mixes areas of wild vegetation that has sprung up alongside the railway line with more modern landscaped areas.

It begins behind the Bastille opera house and runs above avenue Daumesnil to the Jardin de Reuilly: it is the famous Viaduc des Arts. The Allée Vivaldi then comprises the shopping part of the walkway. Then, it continues through tunnels and trenches and ends at Porte Dorée and the Bois de Vincennes.

About halfway to Bois de Vincennes, there is a large green park with a pelouse (lawn) that's not forbidden to walk on as most of the green lawns are in Paris, and there is also a small playground.

Promenade Plantée truly is a hidden gem, and although the ambiance is definitely different from the High Line, it’s a perfect place for children – also, you won’t see many tourists here.

Kollwitz Platz (Berlin, Germany) 

Named after the famous German painter, print maker and sculptor Käthe Kollwitz, it is one of the loveliest and liveliest squares in Berlin.

Farmer's Market at Kollwitz Square has a great selection of meats, cheeses and organic food, as well as wine – and oh, fresh oysters! Also, there are playgrounds nearby, which is perfect if you have a little one.

Cheonggyecheon (Seoul, South Korea) 

Neglected merely as an overpass since 1970, Cheonggyecheon was was a small stream that flowed through the downtown area along some of Seoul’s popular sights. Then, in 2003, the mayor of the city decided to restore the stream and give the city some much-needed natural space, and when the restoration was completed in 2005, Cheonggyecheon became a haven of natural beauty and oasis in the midst the cosmopolitan city.

Situated smack dab in the middle of the city, it is one of the nicest place to take a stroll. For children, it’s an absolutely perfect place to explore as you walk along the stream, there are many artistic and fun details that are sure to delight every child.

10 Fun Things To Do With Children In LA

While the "City of Angels" may not evoke images of children frolicking in the sun, every time we visit Los Angeles, I’m always amazed that there are so many wonderful activities for kids.  Although LA is best known for glitz and glam of Hollywood, there are plenty of fun things for the whole family, and here are our 10 favorite places and activities.

1. Disneyland

Yes, the price of Disneyland themepark is exorbitant, and the wait can be exhausting; however, after having been there with our 6 year old son, I agree that Disneyland really IS the happiest place on earth.  For people of all ages, this legendary theme park is packed with fun things to do. 

Stroll down Main Street USA to experience turn-of-the 19th century America, head Westwards at Frontierland and tune into the music of New Orleans square, or transport yourself and your little ones to a galaxy far far away in Tomorrowland.  All your favorite cartoon and fairytale characters and the Jedi Order come to life in dream-like environments.

Even the most cynical heart will find that Disneyland is the most magical place on Earth.

PS, I don’t normally give a shout out to a hotel, especially a chain one at that, but Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground (HOJO, as it’s fondly called) is nothing short of awesomeness. 

2. Santa Monica Beach & Pier 

When it comes to family fun, Pacific Park is our go-to destination.  Located on the historic Santa Monica Pier, it's the West Coast's only pier-set amusement park, including world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel that rises 130 feet above the Ocean.  From trapeze school that offers up a high-flying experience to ocean front walk, from carousel to arcade and aquarium, Santa Monica Pier offers plenty of activities to keep your little ones happy and active.

However, the best part of Santa Monica Beach is that you’re surrounded by 360 degree breathtaking view of the city and the ocean, and with almost 365 days of So. Cal’s sunshine, you can definitely count on having fun anytime of the year. 

3. Lemon Tree & Koreatown  
Every time I visit Koreatown in LA, I’m always pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful finds.  Aside from a great selection of restaurants and foods, there are malls and stores that carry one-of-a-kind goods and toys for our little one, which makes it a fun outing for the whole family.

During our last visit, we found Lemon Tree, a restaurant that had an indoor playspace for children (ideally for those under the age of 7).  It’s a perfect place for a playdate, as while kids are having a blast in the playspace under restaurant employee supervision, parents get to relax, enjoy a meal and even get to engage in a meaningful conversation.

As expected, the food and service is on the mediocre side, although it sure beats the greasy mess at other so-called kid-friendly dining establishments like Chuck E Cheese, where you can hardly hear yourself think.  There is a $9 entry fee for every child, and accompanying adult must order a meal, which makes it a pretty hefty sum.  Nevertheless, an afternoon of fun for our little boy and a peaceful meal and conversation for my husband and I – priceless!

Other kid-friendly restaurants in LA:
Giggles N’ Hugs  
Little Prince Kids Cafe 

4. Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is one of the most iconic landmarks in LA that no one should miss.  Especially if you’re visiting Los Angeles for the first time, you should definitely make the drive or hike up there in order to get the best view of the city – and the most breathtaking sunset. 

However, for children, it’s an awesome adventure into the outer space!  The observatory features 60 space-related exhibits designed to sparkle any and all children’s imagination, the highlight being the largest astronomically accurate image ever produced 20 X 152-foot porcelain enamel dazzler that's cleverly called "The Big Picture."      

Every time we’re in LA, we spend at least half a day at the Griffith Observatory, and on warm nights, with the lights twinkling below, this is one of the most romantic places in L.A.

PS. The only downside is that the parking lot can fill up quickly during weekends and holidays, and you will have no choice but to hike or take the shuttle (runs every 30 minutes) to the observatory.  So, if you’re traveling with young children, you may want to get there early.

5. Shane's Inspiration  
Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but Shane's Inspiration gets my vote for being the most inclusive.  This may not mean a lot to most people, but for me, it’s important that ALL children have access to a wonderful playspace without having to pay exorbitant amount of money – not to mention, there’s no better place to meet the locals.

True to their words, Shane’s Inspiration is an inclusive and universally accessible playground, and it's designed to allow children of all abilities to feel that the playground was made especially for them.  Each design was guided by a team of experts, the children with disabilities who use them and medical experts who work with those children every day.

And the best part of Shane’s Inspiration is the location, as it’s embedded in the most idyllic part of Griffith Park with the gorgeous Hollywood Hills as a backdrop. 

6. California Science Center & IMAX Theater

If you think visiting Los Angeles is expensive, then, a trip to California Science Center will change your mind.  Entrance to one of the most popular museum destinations in California, 400,000 square feet of fun and scientific exploration is FREE! 

The museum keeps young ones entertained by presenting science through exhibits tied to popular culture or blockbuster movies.  Plus, there are tons of hands-on activities and demonstrations in Science Court.  Last, but certainly not least, you'll all leave awestruck by the 7-story IMAX theater that brings worlds "as small as an atom and as vast as the universe" to life right in front of your eyes.

7. LA County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Traveling with young children doesn’t mean having to spend your vacation at crowded amusement parks, or going to places where entry is determined with a yard stick.  My husband and I have always taken our little boy to destinations that we enjoy like National Parks, beaches, and even museums.  The museums in Los Angeles are not only some of the best and the most unique in the country, but also provide tons of fun activities for children. 

The collections of the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) are housed in a vast 20-acre complex of buildings.  The focal point is the BP Grand Entrance, which includes the stunning installation of Chris Burden's Urban Light, which also happens to be an ideal spot for children to play hide-and-go-seek.  However, once you get them inside, there's Richard Serra's Band, an expansive ribbon of rusted metal that creates flowing spaces which simultaneously intimidate with their immensity and enchant with their intimacy.  The waves of metal provide a perfect space for children to use their imagination, and throw in a ride in Barbara Kruger's romper-room-sized elevator and the rain of rubber tubing that is Penetrable in Neon Lime by Jesús Rafael Soto, and you will be more than convinced that adult museums can be fun for children too. 

8. Getty Villa & Center 

Much like the LACMA, Getty Villa (Malibu) and Getty Center perched on top of the Santa Monica Mountains provide hours of fun cultural experience for children and adults alike.

The Family Forum in Getty Villa is a space filled with hands-on activities designed to encourage children and families to explore, play, and learn together.  Children can step into a scene from an ancient vase in the shadow-pose area, where they can dress up and transform themselves into an athlete, musician, or even a monster and act out their own stories.  There is an area where you can learn all about the world of ancient Greek vases and how they were made, decorated, and used.  You can rub patterns off designs inspired by ancient examples or draw on life-sized replicas of ancient vases, and learn about vase shapes by experimenting with three-dimensional puzzles that allow you to construct different vase forms by piecing together building blocks.

The Family Room at the Getty Center features five activity coves and treasure-hunt walls that surround the room.  It's bursting with cool things to see and do, where kids can decorate a giant illuminated manuscript, build a tube sculpture, and pretend to be in a parade scene in a painting, or play with camera lenses and a wall of mirrors.  Also, the art treasure hunt for kids throughout the museum will keep your little ones entertained as you stroll through the 20th century’s greatest artists.

9. Hollywood Walk of Fame

Spanning 2.4 miles, the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. encompasses more than 2,400 stars made of terrazzo and brass, and everyone who is - and was anyone in Hollywood is immortalized there.  No matter how touristy it is, I absolutely adore walking down these streets seeing the names of some of the greatest artists, actors/actresses, musicians past and present.  And the best part of the trip is to see the excitement in our little boy face when he finds the names he recognizes!

Then, we also like to stop by Grauman's Chinese Theater to see the handprints of the stars – our boy’s favorite being the ones of the Star Wars characters at the entrance.

10. Peterson Automotive Museum
If your child can't wait to get a driver's license, head over to one of the worlds largest and most beautiful automotive museums.  You'll see hot rods, Model-T's, custom vehicles, motorcycles, celebrity cars, and even the former LA trolley system's Red Cars.  The third floor of the museum is geared specifically toward kids with hands-on exhibits designed for them to climb up into the driver's seat.  This 300,000-square foot museum will fascinate young children and their parents alike.

Be sure to check out Johnny Rockets for lunch, as their tasty milkshake, burgers and hotdogs will surely satisfy even the hungriest little ones.

Los Angeles vs. San Francisco, Tale of Two Cities

Comparing San Francisco and Los Angeles is like comparing apples and oranges – a proverbial saying, I know.  Nevertheless, they are two very different cities with their own unique culture and environment; so much so that after spending a significant amount of time in both cities for the past 7 years, I can honestly say that the two cities have as much in common as NYC and LA – gasp!

So, I decided to compare SF and LA to see how they fare in my book. 

1. The Weather
Hands down, LA has San Francisco beat! 

Every time I’m in Los Angeles, no matter what time of the year it is, it’s always been sunny and perfectly warm.  Not that we don’t have beautiful sunny days in San Francisco, but even after living here all these years, it’s hard to predict what the weather will be.  It changes on daily, even hourly basis, and you can experience literally ALL four season in one day.

Therefore, you can never plan your days, much less an outdoor activity, and you would have to lug around a suitcase full of cloths just for safe measures.  Hence, the native San Franciscans have perfected the layered (aka. HOBO) look.

The only constant element of San Francisco’s weather is THE FOG, and at some point during the day, you will encounter the fog.  And you better have your sweater, jacket or coat with you, as the fog can bring in the siberian chill. 

2. Beaches
There are stunning beaches in both cities, but the beaches in San Francisco are mainly for dog walkers and surfers, as it’s hardly ever warm enough for people to hang out much less swim in the ocean even with a bodysuit.

3. Traffic & Walkability
The traffic in LA is a notorious nightmare!  If you’ve ever been stuck in a standstill traffic on LA freeway, you would know why Michael Douglas’ character in “Falling Down” had a meltdown and went on a violent rampage throughout the city.

Then again, Los Angeles is a huge city, and in comparison to condensed square mileage of San Francisco, LA is spread out.  It usually takes 40 minutes to an hour to get anywhere in the city, and even if your GPS indicates you’ll be at your destination in 20 minutes, you should always add at least 20 minutes to the time of arrival.

On the other hand, although the traffic in San Francisco can be irritating at times, it’s fairly easy to get around the city.  However, finding a place to park is one of the most difficult things to do in San Francisco – not to mention, expensive.  Therefore, although you may arrive at your destination on time, you may end up spending half an hour driving around looking for a space.

As far as public transportation is concerned, both cities are pathetic in comparison to the extensive and efficient public transportation system in the Northeastern cities.  Actually, it’s shameful that a state that prides itself as being the leader of renewable and alternative energy still doesn’t have a workable intercity public transportation.

You need a car to get anywhere in LA – period.  However, LA is not the only city in the US that’s not conducive for walking, as most (large) cities in America are not designed for pedestrians; some don’t even have sidewalks.  On the other hand, although it’s not one of the best walkable cities in the country, NYC and Boston being ideal, walking around some neighborhoods in San Francisco can be quite pleasant, especially with the breathtaking overview of the city and the Bay.

4. Scenic and charm
Hands down San Francisco has LA beat!

Although I’m impressed by some of Art Deco architecture in LA and love the night view of the city from top of the Griffith Park, I’m always blown away by the beauty of San Francisco.  Every time I walk outside my apartment, it’s as if I’ve stepped into a postcard.

5. Culture

Culture in terms of ethnicity, both cities are home to a great mixture of people from all over the world, and along with it, a wonderful melange of communities, cuisines, languages and customs. 

However, in terms of Arts, this is an area that’s seriously lacking in San Francisco.  I’m not really sure where all the supposed culture in San Francisco is that everybody keeps talking about, but after living here for 7 years, I have yet to discover such cultural hot spot.  The city has a handful of mediocre museums, with exhibits rotating once in a blue moon, and cultural institutions that are stuck in a bit of a time warp and that cater mainly to elderly patrons.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, has some of the world class museums: LACMA, MOCA, Getty Center, just to name a few, topnotch opera company and two symphonies: LA Philharmonic and LA Symphony.  The Exposition Park, a 160-acre public space, houses two major institutions, California Science Center and Natural History Museum, and there are numerous smaller museums and art galleries throughout the city.

Then, there is Hollywood, and although art snobs may thumb their noses at this billion dollar industry, there’s no disputing the monumental impact that Hollywood has had on American culture and worldwide, and visiting Los Angeles without seeing some glimpse of this industry is like visiting Paris without seeing the Louvre.

6. Food & Restaurants
San Francisco has better Chinese food; K-town’s Korean food is far superior!  Both have great Mexican food – Cali Mex, that is, and the rest is pretty even.

7. Sports Team
San Francisco dominates with 49ers and Giants … nuff said!

8. For Children
Yes, I realize LA has Disneyland.  However, I believe that the real mark of a truly child-friendly city is not places where you have to spend hundreds of dollars to entertain children but the resources that are available to every child at no cost.

Griffith Park is pretty awesome, but San Francisco is a city made for children and families.  Golden Gate Park versus Griffith Park?  Hands down, Golden Gate Park.  Also, San Francisco has managed to hold on to its small town atmosphere, and unlike Los Angeles, there are relatively few tall buildings and vast number of recreation areas and parks – also, parks in general are just more beautiful in San Francisco.

9. Lifestyle
LA isn’t as glamorous as everyone thinks.  After all, the entire 4,752 square miles (12,308 km²) of Los Angeles County made up of 88 incorporated cities, including 2 islands, can’t all be Beverly Hills.  LA, like most big cities in America, is comprised of a diverse group of people from all walks of life, and like most people, not every Angeleno can afford to have Rachel Joe as their stylist; therefore, must succumb to dressing and inevitably, looking like the rest of us.

San Francisco isn’t as bohemian as we like to think.  Long gone are days of flower power and hippy movement, and what remains is a high tech-industry driven yuppieland.  Especially with housing prices for 2 bedroom condos averaging $800K to $1 million, who can afford to live la vida BOHO here?!?  We may walk around in flip flops and hoodies, but make no mistake; San Francisco is bohemia no more.

10. Cost of Living
Lastly and most importantly, the cost of living in Los Angeles is reasonable in comparison to the insanely high prices in San Francisco.  People can actually afford to rent and own homes in LA, whereas the cost of living in San Francisco is ridiculously high and growing by the minute.  So much so that after living here for past 7 years, almost everywhere else, even NYC and Paris, seems like a bargain.

Nevertheless, I love living in San Francisco, and I enjoy visiting LA.  I love the small town charm of San Francisco, but being a bona fide city girl, I take comfort in knowing that LA, a bustling metropolis, is only an hour flight away – certainly worth a quick getaway for some of the best Korean food outside Korea.

What I love about Los Angeles: 

• Great restaurants and cuisine from all over the world
• K-town (aka. Koreatown)
• World-class museums, especially LACMA and MOCA
• Seeing Space Shuttle Endeavour at California Science Center
• Gorgeous beaches, Santa Monica being my favorite
• Watching the sunset from Griffith Observatory or Getty Villa
• A glimpse of old Hollywood – I still get a kick out of Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Rich history and Art Deco architecture of the city 

What I love about San Francisco:

• It's one of the most beautiful cities I've seen.  The view of Golden Gate Bridge and the bay still takes my breath away.
• It's a very child friendly city!
• All the one of a kind stores in Japantown and Mission District
• All the beautiful parks, outdoor spaces, and breathtaking hiking paths
• Watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean
• The best dim sums outside of China
• It’s so eclectic and unpredictable – like the weather.
• You can go to a 5-star restaurant wearing flip flops. 
• Skateboard is a form of transportation.