100 days of summer

Sit under the stars for a night of entertainment, live music and food trucks. Watch a 52-foot-wide projection screen and enjoy food from the Coolhaus truck, the Lime truck and more. Some of the live bands scheduled to play include So Many Wizards, Max & the Moon and Act As If.

Cost: $10

Dates: Saturdays, from May 26 to Sept. 15

Contact info: http://eatseehear.com/

Categories: Entertainment, Eating

—J.H.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Summer barbecue fans will want to definitely check out this whole animal roast at the Tender Greens in Hollywood. Get recipes and tips from participating chefs. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat-and-drink feast of the roast, sides and beer pairings.

Cost: $40 per person

Dates: 4th Sunday of the month from May 27 to Oct. 28

Contact info: 6290 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; http://www.tendergreensfood.com/locations/hollywood/

Categories: Eating

—J.H.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. Times Battle of the Burgers

Get together with friends and have a burger cook-off, then send the best recipes to the Los Angeles Times and enter the Battle of the Burgers. Winners will be invited to the Los Angeles Times test kitchen, have their recipes appear in the paper and also be invited to demo their recipes at the Taste event over Labor Day weekend.

Cost: Free to enter

Dates: Entries accepted through May 30; voting May 31 to June 11

Contact info: https://www.facebook.com/latimesfood/app_111303815673587

Categories: Eating

—J.H.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Take a stroll through the garden at the Arboretum before an hour-long traditional Indian hatha yoga class.

Price: $30 per month for Arboretum members, $35 per month for non-members

Dates: Thursday mornings until June 28

Contact info: Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; http://www.arboretum.org/index.php/events-and-classes/details/yoga_in_the_garden/

—M.R.  (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

A laid-back town nestled high in the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild is a place to “get away from it all.” But it’s even more charming when local artists set up shop to paint outside during the Plein Air Festival.

Cost: Plein Air Festival free to watch

Dates: Plein Air Festival, June 8-10

Contact info: Idyllwild; http://artallianceofidyllwild.memberlodge.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1149025&eventId=391321&EventViewMode=EventDetails

Category: Travel, Kids, Arts & Culture

—S.O.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Celebrate Get Outdoors Day by visiting any of the National Parks for free.

Price: Free

Date: June 9

Contact info: http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Categories: Travel, Kids, Fitness

—M.R.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The festival opens with the North American premiere of Woody Allen’s “To Rome With Love” and closes with the world premiere of Steven Soderbergh‘s “Magic Mike,” with many more screenings in between. Discussions with the cast and creator of AMC‘s “Breaking Bad” as well as the creator and director of HBO’s “The Newsroom” are on the agenda for the festival.

Price: Tickets go on sale May 29

Dates: June 14-24

Contact info: http://www.lafilmfest.com/

Categories: Entertainment, Arts & Culture

—M.R.  (Tiziana Fabi / AFP / Getty Images)

New dining, shopping and, of course, rides, including Radiator Springs Racers, will be part of California Adventure’s 12-acre addition that opens this June.

Price: $80 for general admission to California Adventure

Dates: Opens June 15

Contact info: 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim; http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/cars-land/

Categories: Kids, Entertainment

—M.R.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

See painter Roger Medearis’ scrapbook photographs, sculptures and paintings of life and landscapes in the Midwest, the East Coast and California. Work up an appetite walking through the gardens and then head to the Rose Garden tea room for tea and scones.

Cost: $15 weekday and $20 weekends for general admission

Dates: June 16-Sept. 17

Contact info: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino; http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary_02.aspx?id=10452

Categories: Kids, Arts & Culture

—J.H.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Head out to the Hollywood Bowl for the “Goodbye Tour” of country music legend Glen Campbell.

Price: General admission starts at $17

Date: June 24

Contact info: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4828

Categories: Entertainment

—M.R.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Take your Independence Day festivities to Venice and admire the men and women who have dedicated many hours sculpting their bodies to compete at the 2012 Mr. and Ms. Muscle Beach.

Price: Free

Date: July 4

Contact info: Muscle Beach, Venice; http://californiabeachbodybuilding.com/

Categories: Entertainment

—M.R.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Is your favorite show ‘The Amazing Race?’ Here’s your chance to participate in a real scavenger hunt of your own and explore Los Angeles. Form a team and solve clues and face physical and mental challenges around the city for a chance at qualifying for the National Championship in Miami, where the winner will receive $6,500.

Cost: $50 per person by June 21; prices increase after

Date: July 21

Contact info: http://www.citysolveurbanrace.com/2012/los-angeles-urban-adventure-race.html

Categories: Fitness

—J.H.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Strap on those knee braces, lace up those Jordans that have been buried in the back of the closet since he retired (the third time — yeah, that whole Wizards thing wasn’t just a bad dream) and get a couple of friends together to enter the Nike 3-on-3 basketball tournament down by Staples Center.

Price: Entry fee starts at $180 per team for adults (prices increase after July 1)

Dates: Aug. 4 and 5

Contact info: L.A. Live, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles; http://nike3on3.com/

Categories: Fitness, Entertainment

—M.R.   (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Head away from the city lights for the best views of the meteor showers. In the morning hours after midnight, as many as 50 to 80 meteors per hour can be expected.

Cost: Free

Date: Aug. 12

Contact info: http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide

Categories: Travel, Kids

—D.D.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

What better way to spend a summer night than under the stars listening to classical music? The acclaimed Los Angeles Philharmonic will play works from composer Tchaikovsky. The closing piece is the “1812 Overture,” which is accompanied by fireworks.

Cost: General admission starts at $15.50

Dates: Sept. 7 and 8

Contact info: 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4885

Categories: Entertainment, Kids

—J.L.  (Michael Robinson Chavez, Los Angeles Times)

Enjoy traditional barbershop services with a twist -- customers receive a complimentary cocktail with every haircut or shave. No need for a cut? Head to the back of the shop and enter the speak-easy, complete with nine grilled-cheese sandwich options.

Cost (cocktail included): trim, $20; haircut, $40; shave, $30; beard trim, $20

Contact info: 10797 Washington Blvd., Culver City; http://blindbarber.com/

Categories: Eating, Shopping

—D.D.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

This one-mile trail leads to the base of Escondido Falls, a beautiful, 150-foot multi-tiered waterfall. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.

Cost: Free

Contact info: Escondido Canyon Park, 27200 Winding Way, Malibu; http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=12

Categories: Fitness, Kids

—D.D.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Try a new lunch location and bring a bagged lunch to the terrace of Pasadena’s Gamble House. Tuesdays at 12:15 and 12:45 p.m., docents lead a 20-minute tour of the historic house and its grounds.

Cost: $5

Dates: Tuesdays, ongoing

Contact Info: Gamble House, 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena; http://www.gamblehouse.org/tours/brownbag.html

Categories: Home & Garden

—D.D.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Indulge in a decadent meal that is meant for the hottest days of summer: a tray of oysters on a bed of ice with a glass of champagne (or cava) in hand.

Cost: Prices vary

Contact Info: L&E Oyster Bar, 1637 Silverlake Blvd., Los Angeles; http://www.leoysterbar.com/

Categories: Eating

—D.D.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Although starting a community garden isn’t an easy task, it is certainly the most rewarding. Spearhead an initiative to get your neighbors involved in turning an ugly, empty lot into something beautiful.

Cost: Varies

Contact Info: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Common_Ground_Garden_Program/Grow_LA_Victory_Garden_Initiative/, http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/files/97080.pdf

Categories: Home & Garden, Kids

—D.D.  (Ann Summa / Los Angeles Times)

Meet with friends for a round of drinks and a game of bocce at Tin Roof Bistro. Their “Bocce Hour” (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. everyday) features food and drink specials while you enjoy the Italian sport outdoors.

Cost: Bocce ball free

Contact info: Tin Roof Bistro, 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach; http://www.tinroofbistro.com

Categories: Eating, Entertainment

—D.D.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Walk the path along the Hollywood Reservoir and enjoy the quiet. Mulholland Dam, built in 1924, houses Los Angeles’ drinking water — so, no pets are allowed on the trail — but there are gorgeous views of the water and the Hollywood sign.

Cost: Free

Contact: 2600 Lake Hollywood Drive, Hollywood;

http://www.hollywoodknolls.org/hollywood_reservoir.htm#Maps%20of%20reservoir

Categories: Fitness, Kids

—D.D.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Learn about the history of Catalina Island on this zip line tour (yes, you read correctly: zip line). Starting at the top of the hills and speeding through Descanso Canyon, adventurers will stop at different “eco-stations” to admire the view between zip lines and will end their journey at Descanso Beach.

Cost: $120 per person for 2 hours

Contact: Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, 1 Descanso Canyon Road, Avalon;

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/tour_zipline.php

Categories: Travel, Fitness

—D.D.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Play around at what is considered the world’s first disc golf course (located in Pasadena). Grab a group of friends to play or join one of the monthly tournaments.

Cost: Free

Contact info: Hahamongna Park, Pasadena;

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=608&mode=rev, http://www.ogdgc.org

Categories: Fitness

—D.D.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Grab the family and board a vessel for some quality time out at sea. The Newport Landing Whale watching crew will take you on a two and a half hour whale cruise in search of giant blue whales and finback whales off Newport Beach.

Cost: $32 for adults

Contact info: (949) 675-0551; http://www.newportwhales.com

Categories: Kids

—J.H.  (Marc Carpenter / Associated Press)

Once a month the entire Natural History Museum stays open until 10 p.m. for an evening of live music concerts, tours and scientific discussions. This season’s discussions will be moderated by Michael W. Quick, PhD. (Department of Biological Sciences and Executive Vice Provost, University of Southern California).

Cost: For adults, museum and concert admission $18, museum admission only, $12

Dates: First Friday of the month

Contact info: 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles; http://tickets.nhm.org/WebStore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=nhmonline&C=NHMFirstFridays

Categories: Kids, Arts & Culture

—J.H.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Hiking and outdoor yoga are two great ways to enjoy the Los Angeles summer weather. Combine a cardio workout from hiking with the benefits of yoga in a yoga hike at Griffith Park. A trainer will take you through a trail with stops along the way for yoga.

Cost: $20 per hike

Dates: Check web page

Contact info: Griffith Park, 2800 East Observatory Ave., Los Angeles; http://www.hikingyoga.com/contenidos/contenidos_masinfo.php?id=67&secc=contenidos

Categories: Fitness

—J.H.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The Yamashiro farmers market is unlike any farmers market in the city. The nighttime market offers beautiful views of the city, located in back of the Yamashiro restaurant. Listen to live music and stroll the vendors, which include fresh produce, clothing, candles and prepared foods, including offerings from the Yamashiro Grill.

Cost: Free

Dates: Thursdays until the first Thursday of October

Contact info: 1999 North Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles; http://lacityfarm.org/yamashiro.cfm

Categories: Free, Shopping

—J.H.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first timer, this recreational lawn game is fun for everyone. The Roxbury Memorial Park is one of the only places in the city that has a croquet green where you can spend the afternoon with friends playing this game.

Cost: Fees will vary, call for more information and reservations (323) 937-4343

Contact info: Roxbury Memorial Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills; http://www.beverlyhills.org/services/rec/parks/roxbury.asp

Categories: Fitness, Kids

—J.H.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

The Colorado Street bridge, built in 1913, is a beautiful, must-see landmark in Pasadena, known for its Beaux Arts arches. At sunset the lights that line the bridge illuminate a romantic path into Old Town, the downtown area of the city. Walk the bridge and then enjoy the many shops and restaurants the city has to offer.

Cost: Free

Contact info: West Colorado Boulevard and Loma Vista Avenue, Pasadena; http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/

Categories: Fitness, Kids

—J.H.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Leimert Park is a thriving community of artists located in South Los Angeles. Walk the streets and duck into the small coffee shops and art galleries or check out The Leimert Park art walk, which brings the best the area has to offer into one place. It’s a bustling scene of DJs, poets, rappers, artists and a famous drum circle.

Cost: Free

Dates: Last Sunday of the month

Contact info: 43rd Place between Leimert Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard, Leimart Park; http://www.leimertparkartwalk.com/

Categories: Free, Entertainment, Arts & Culture

—J.H.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles is full of great taco trucks, so why choose just one for dinner? Next time you feel like tacos, try at least two trucks in one night. Start at Tacos Leo in the parking lot of the 76 station at Venice and La Brea for pastor tacos, then finish at the taco truck up the street at La Brea and Olympic called El Chato for a killer burrito.

Cost: Tacos start at $1 at Tacos Leo

Contact: Venice Boulevard and La Brea Boulevard, Los Angeles; http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-leo-los-angeles

Categories: Eating

—J.H.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In need of relaxation? Take a dip in Desert Hot Springs. The city is built over natural hot mineral water aquifers and is home to over 20 spas. It’s a particularly interesting experience in the middle of the summer.

Price: Spa use starts at $5 at the Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel

Contact info: Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel, 10805 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, http://www.deserthotsprings.com/stay-play.php

Categories: Travel

—J.L.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Choose from over 800 sellers at the Long Beach Flea Market, where you’ll find art, crafts, toys, jewelry, plants, clothes, furniture and kitchenware.

Cost: $5

Dates: Third Sunday of the month

Contact info: 4901 E. Conant St., Long Beach; http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com/

Categories: Shopping

—J.L.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Located off the 110 Freeway in Montecito Heights, Debs Park is one of the most underrated green spaces in the city. The Audubon Center there hosts free nature hikes and bird-watching programs for the entire family, presented in both English and Spanish.

Cost: Free

Contact info: 4700 North Griffin Ave. Los Angeles; http://www.audubondebspark.org

Categories: Fitness, Kids

—S.O.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Check out the 26-foot-tall re-creation of Marilyn Monroe from the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch” in Palm Springs.

Price: Free

Dates: On display until June 2013

Contact info: N. Palm Canyon Drive and E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs

Categories: Travel, Entertainment

—M.R.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Want the feeling of jumping out of a plane without, you know, having to jump out of a plane? Check out iFly at Universal CityWalk.

Price: Packages for first-time fliers start at $59.95

Contact info: Universal Studios CityWalk, Universal City; http://www.iflyhollywood.com/

—M.R.   (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)