Just a reminder that Los Angeles is an extraordinary melting pot and the spirit behind this film, from Discover LA, reflects the welcoming attitude and sense of inclusion that is classic Los Angeles.  Our fair city is also very welcoming to…bugs. You can make friends with the billions of bugs that roam our planet at The Natural History Museum’s “Annual Bug Fair”. The California Strawberry Festival is a berry perfect way to kick off your summer tomatoes.  Geez! Did I just say …Summer?!!! It’s time to smell the roses ladies and you can smell to your hearts content at the “Annual Rose Festival” at Descanso Gardens. FREE + 1 day + 6 museums = MOTA Day.  Got all that tomatoes?!

May 20- 21. Bug Fair

 Bugs get a bad rap because they can be annoying and creepy (eeeekkkk!) but bugs make the world go-round tomatoes. The Natural History Museums “Bug Fair” just happens to be the biggest bug festival in North America with over 1 million species. I know that the thought might drive you buggy ladies but methinks the kiddos and grand kiddoes will especially love learning all about bugs and why they are so vital to our well-being.

The Bug Fair, with over 50 exhibitors, one-on-one interactions with museum research and collections staff and a variety of activities can help you co-exist more easily with bugs. You’ll gain insight you never had before as to how vital bugs are to our lives and this planet. Of course, hang on to that mosquito repellant. And tomatoes there’s even … Bug Jewelry. Ooh la la!

May 20- 21. Strawberry Festival 

If you feel like a drive up the coast you don’t have to go too far for to have berry good time (tee hee) at The Annual California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard for a weekend berry bash with a massive array of strawberries fresh from local farms. 50+ food booths will be serving traditional and surprising berry delicious treats and 200+ Fine Arts and Craft exhibitors will be on hand What else could a berry lover wish for… strawberry wine perhaps?! They got that too gals!

And “Strawberryland” is just what the doctor ordered for the kiddos. If you are worried about parking there are free park ’n ride shuttles that drop you off right at the gate and you’ll save on parking. Then you have extra cash to indulge and go berry wild tomatoes.  The CA Strawberry festival gives back in a myriad of ways gals, including college scholarships for children of strawberry field workers. So, ladies when you go to this festival you know that you are helping to give back to the Oxnard community.

May 20 -21. Rose Festival

The rose is 35 million years old! Wow! Who knew?! No wonder the 5-petaled bloom, originating from Asia, is the most famous flower in the universe and has maintained its image as a symbol of love, beauty, war and politics. Well, for now everything is coming up roses at Descanso Gardens where they’ll be celebrating the gorgeous blooms and the history of this iconic flower with “The Rose Festival” this weekend.

The 5 ½ acre rose garden is in peak form and it is a sight to behold tomatoes. Tomato ladies belong in a rose garden.

There are guided walks, talks and enough rose related actives to keep you busy all day appreciating, smelling, enjoying and learning about the rose. You’ll also be introduced to rare and special roses in the gardens collection and view a living floral art work created by artists. Make note ladies…Online Reservations are a MUST!

May 21. MOTA Free Museums of the Arroyo Day

The Arroyo Seco area has a diverse mix of art, architecture and history as well as a variety of flora and fauna.  “Free Museums of the Arroyo Day” includes 6 wonderful historic museums that will open their doors to the public for…you guessed it…free.  And “For The Love of the Arroyo Art Show” will premiere on that special day highlighting the beauty of the landscape and run through June 18. I like them apples, tomatoes.

 The ‘Museums of the Arroyo” include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Lummis Home and Garden, the Pasadena Museum of History, and The Autry’s Historic Southwest Museum Mt. Washington Campus. You can visit one or if you are so inclined you can squeeze them all in without it costing a dime. Ta Da!!

The new exhibition “For The Love Of the Arroyo Art Show” at the Autry’s Southwest Museum explores the landscape of the Arroyo Seco as seen from local artists. And did you know that the Autry’s Southwest Museum was the first museum in Los Angeles.  If ya didn’t gals now you do.