Sunset in Los Angeles

As recently spotted while driving west on Fountain.

FREE L.A.: Beating the Heat in Los Angeles with Grand Park's Splash Pad

Need to cool off? Grab the kids (stick them in their swimsuits first -- you too) and head downtown to Grand Park's splash pad! Located on the west end of Grand Park (right off of Grand, across the street from the Music Center), the splash pad is the perfect way to survive this 100-degree heat.

Let the kids get soaked as you grab a drink at the Starbucks located right there at the fountain. But make sure to get to the splash pad early -- given the heat, the place gets crowded, especially on weekends.



From the Grand Park FAQ:

The interactive splash pad is open to the public. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to enjoy water play in the splash pad, which features interactive jets.

Visitors can enjoy the light show in the park’s Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain after dark, from the surrounding overlook and walkways, or while passing through to the Metro Civic Center station, a parking lot or an alternate destination outside the park.

Restrooms are located right next to the Starbucks and adjacent to the fountain and splash pad. Grand Park is open to the public every day from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

L.A. Snapshots: The William Mulholland Fountain

William Mulholland's career ended in disgrace in 1928 after the St. Francis Dam collapse. But Mulholland remains one of, if not *the*, most important players in Los Angeles history. He oversaw the construction of Los Angeles Aqueduct, which brought Owens Valley water to the Valley, which, of course, helped turn Los Angeles into the metropolis it is today.

Mulholland is memorialized with this fountain, located across from Griffith Park at Los Feliz and Riverside. It's one of the most popular places in L.A. to take wedding photos (indeed, a wedding party was snapping pics when we rode our bikes there on Saturday) and was recently renovated in time for the 100th anniversay of the aqueduct. More pics:



DWP promises "pure, clean tap water."








Mulholland's famous words, opening the aqueduct: "There it is. Take it."

Bette Davis' "Take Fountain" Mural

Spotted as I drove to work this morning: A mural turning Bette Davis' famous advice to "Take Fountain" into a cartoon -- located on Fountain, naturally.

Meanwhile, check out this wild clip of Bette Davis being interviewed by Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show":