Parks--Check out Pan Pacific Park, a hilly retreat near Farmers Market and CBS Studios, named for the Art Deco auditorium that unfortunately no longer stands at its edge.

Marina Oasis--One of my favorite places in L.A. to get away from it all is a tiny, quiet, little-known park in Marina del Rey that overlooks the mouth of the harbor. All day long you can sit in on a bench and enjoy the cool breeze as a never-ending parade of beautiful yachts and sailboats slowly work their way to the ocean or back to the harbor. To reach this relaxing oasis, drive to the south end of Pacific Avenue, turn left on Via Marina, and park in one of the metered spaces (bring quarters).

Greystone Mansion--If you've seen "The Witches of Eastwick" or "War and Remembrance," then you already know how beautiful and opulent the Greystone Mansion and surrounding gardens are. Situated on a gentle slope overlooking Beverly Hills, the 18.5-acre park is a prime filming location where dozens of TV episodes, movies (Spiderman, X-Men, Batman, Ghostbusters, The Bodyguard), commercials, and music videos are filmed annually. It's worth a visit just to admire the matriarch of Beverly Hills mansions and the meticulously groomed gardens. A self-guided tour takes you through the Formal Gardens, Mansion Gardens, and Lower Ground Estate. Picnics are welcome in designated areas (as are dogs), and Afternoon Tea on the Terrace is offered 1 Saturday per month from May through August at 3pm. The price is $25 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance by calling tel. 310/550-4796. The park is located at 905 Loma Vista Dr., just off Doheny and is open daily from 10am to sunset. Admission is free. For more information call tel. 310/550-4654 or log onto www.beverlyhillscvb.com.

Views--It's not always easy to get a good city view. Even if you find the right vantage, the smog may keep you from having any kind of panorama. But, as they say, on a clear day you can see forever. One of the best views of the city can be had from Griffith Observatory unfortunately, it's closed for renovation until May 2005. The view of Santa Monica Bay from the end of Santa Monica Pier is also great.