As the Dodgers take on the Mets tomorrow at Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium), I can’t help but prep for the game. The game begins late afternoon, but the rally began Saturday night at a local dive bar. Here’s to the Dodgers! I hope they are drinking too…just like the Sox did before playing the Yanks in the World Series run. I just pray Grady Little pulls Maddux when they have the lead, instead of leaving him in like he left Pedro in the 2003 ALCS.

Depending on where you are going, the Metro Green Line will typically be your best mode of transportation; especially if you are trying to save either money or time. Leave the traffic for the locals and take the Green Line as far as you can before relying on a bus/taxi/rental/friend.

The Green Line will bring you to the South Bay or connect northbound to Hollywood, Chinatown and the San Fernando Valley.

If you are arriving at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles (either because you took the train in or Greyhound), the Red Line is the rail you’ll want to jump on to go in all directions but East. Within minutes you can end up at the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Hollywood & Highland) and not have to pay more than $3 - that sure beats a cab ride that would cost at least $25.

Sidetracked by the sounds of Miles Davis, I couldn’t afford to wait another day to tell you about Charlie O’s in the Valley. When I say undiscovered jazz bar, I truly mean a hidden gem in LA.

Not even locals know that a world-renowned lounge is lying in their backyard. Located on Victory and Woodman, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley (beyond the Studio City, Sherman Oaks range of eclectic boutiques and tony cafes), Charlie O’s is one of those scenes you would expect to find in the sequel to Swingers.

Although LA is known to host amazing talent nightly, the Valley is most often times overlooked for its venues. There was a recent Press Release from the LA Tourism Bureau touting Valley Jazz Clubs that I thought I would share with you. This is the first time I’ve seen some hype about some of my favorite locales.

Valley Clubs Jazz It Up for Music Lovers
There’s never a night in the San Fernando Valley without live jazz. From restaurants with jazz nights to clubs that showcase musician’s musicians, the valley is among the hottest places in LA for jazz.

Established clubs like The Baked Potato attract jazz aficionados with a constantly changing list of headliners. Owner Don Randi is also a musician. Once one of the country’s great jazz venues, The Money Tree in Toluca Lake last year resumed hosting jazz groups after a long period without live music. For true jazz lovers, the choice can be as diverse as the John Hammond Trio, which appears frequently at the Back Room at Henri’s in Canoga Park, to Latin jazz at Studio City’s La Ve Lee, which has featured everyone from the legendary Tito Puente to Sheila E. The Jack Sheldon Quartet often plays Charlie O’s in Van Nuys, and at Jax in Glendale, regulars are the Hot Fab Djazz Club. Many clubs, like Charlie O’s and La Ve Lee, are popular spots for record-company parties celebrating CD releases. All these venues serve food, so music lovers can make a complete night of it choosing from a long list of options.

Back Room at Henri’s, Canoga Park, 818-348-5582
The Baked Potato, North Hollywood, 818-980-1615, www.thebakedpotato.com
Charlie O’s, Van Nuys, 818-994-3058, www.charlieos.com
Jax, Glendale, 818-500-1604, www.jaxbarandgrill.com
La Ve Lee, 818-980-8158, www.laveleejazzclub.com
The Money Tree, Toluca Lake, 818-752-8383

Most people prefer traversing LA via private vehicle, others are limited to the city’s public transportation system. With 27 intertwining highways, 100 million miles of roadway and some of the worst pollution in the country, I prefer the underground.

LA’s subway system, The Metro, is typically never crowded and will get you from point A to point B. The only problem is that point C is where you typically want to end up. The Westside of LA cannot be reached with The Metro.

Nevertheless, the bus system - once understood - will get you to all regions not covered by The Metro. In the coming days, I will be providing daily blogs that describe various routes to be taken when you visit the city.

For now, simply think of the Metro as a mode of transportation that will take you north to south and even east, but nowhere near the beach.

Day 10: Third Street Promenade

Shopping and dining are at your fingertips everywhere in Santa Monica. However, the car-less promenade draws the most traffic in LA’s Westside.

Within walking distance of the famed Santa Monica pier, Third Street Promenade is the ideal locale for people-watching and strolling.

Day 9: Topanga Canyon

What may seem to be miles from civilization is merely knocking on your doorstep in Los Angeles.

Topanga Canyon is home to 36 miles of trails, more than 11,000 acres of land and pristine beaches that lead to encompassing views of Southern California.

In order to get here, simply take the famous Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and create your own entrance to a state park that was named by the Tongva - the Native American people that inhabited Los Angeles before the arrival of Mexican and European settlers.

Many of the specified park trails can be accessed via Trippet Ranch - head north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office and turn right on Entrada Road. The park’s main parking lot is about a mile ahead on the left.

Watch out for rattlers, mountain lions and nudist colonies.