Yelenia Hylraren
Aes Sedai
I am pleased to announce that Tree al’Rotture and Atreyu's bid of
[size=+2]Los Angeles[/size]
has been selected as our next Anniversary Party location.
[size=+2]Los Angeles[/size]
has been selected as our next Anniversary Party location.
We had 3 bids and a very difficult decision to make. We try very hard to keep events in North America moving (check our our map!) from one region to the next - and while we've used LA as a port for our 2007 Fall Ball, we haven't had an official event in California! In addition to the many airports, providing ease of travel to the event, the Los Angeles area boasts some beautiful scenery and lots of fun things to do. Currently we are exploring options at the Coptic Village in Big Bear Lake.
I'm very excited that Tar Valon will be able to host an event in Califoria, and I expect this to be an amazing event!
As tower funding allows, we're looking to lock in dates and a site quickly, so stay tuned for details!
Here's a sampling of activities to consider from the bid:
Located actually out in the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear is a virtual playground for the Los Angeles Basin where temperatures drop as the elevation climbs and the urban jungles give way to wooded mountain sides, lake fronts, and generally picturesque natural landscapes. The nearby city of Big Bear has a population well under 10,000 inhabitants and the area is scattered with campsites, including group campsites that hold numerous perfect opportunities for the TarValon.Net community.
Big Bear, as an area, is defined not by its city however but instead by its breathtaking natural features; namely Big Bear Lake. This is the largest recreation lake in Southern California, stretching about seven miles and growing to a full mile in width at its widest section. Recreation in the area includes skiing and snowboarding, fishing, hiking, horseback riding conoeing, and of course camping.
Activities (museums, sites, and other touristy things to do in the area):
For members wishing to spend a few extra days in the Los Angeles area there is no shortage of activities to keep them exceptionally busy.
Museums: The Getty and the Getty Villa are both world-class art museums and beyond paying for parking they are both free and either can easily take up to a full day. The Hammer museum at UCLA offers rotating exhibits feature themes from art to history and has weekly free days. Anyone interested in aquariums should check out the Long Beach Aquarium for a great chance to see aquatic seascapes and even pet jellyfish, sting rays and sharks! Additionally there are countless art museums and galleries, as well as museums featuring cultural experiences, historical information, and a variety of other topics.
Theme Parks: Disneyland may be the most famous of the region’s theme parks, but it is by far not the only option. Close by Knotts BerryFarm and down near San Deigo Lego Land offer fun family oriented entertainment. The roller coaster lovers SixFlags Magic Mountain cannot be beat! For those wanting to experience the best of theme parks and aquariums, checking out Sea World down in San Diego isn’t too far - and they just had a new baby Orca in February 2013!
Hollywood Attractions: Universal Studios offers the best of both theme parks and hollywood as the exciting tour is actually the famous ride where Jaws attacks! A drive up to the Griffith Park Observatory in the Hollywood Hills is more than just a neat (and free) observatory- its one of the absolute best places in the city to snap a picture of yourself and the Hollywood sign. Those wanting a more movie-based studio experience can check out the tours at any of the studios, including Paramount Studios where they can check out the New York Backlot and travel across the country right here in LA. Or, with a little luck and coordination tapings of sitcoms, late night shows like Conan O’Brien, or even the Price is Right are available to visitors. Night owls will also want to check out the famous Hollywood Cemetery at night. Plus anyone visiting Hollywood can check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame to find their favorite actors and stars.
We look forward to seeing folks in Los Angeles in Spring 2014!