Month: August 2021

13 L.A. parking tips for valet, garages, and more

13 L.A. parking tips for valet, garages, and more

Published by Sam Flores

When I was growing up, many a family outing was ruined when my dad, in a fit of frustration, would turn the car around and drive us all home when he couldn’t find a place to park. As fate would have it, parking emerged as my superpower in adulthood. Prime spots materialize as soon as I pull up, and I rarely have to pay much for them. It is a potent gift to have, especially in Los Angeles, and one so foolproof and legendary that I have become the default driver any time I go out with friends and family (much to the relief of my perpetually parking-challenged dad). But here’s a secret: Parking, like poker, is not solely a matter of luck. With patience and skill, you can improve your odds and game the system. Take it from a pro. Classic stories from the Los Angeles Times’ 143-year archive 1. Make plans with yellow loading zones in mind This is the most basic parking hack in L.A.: In yellow loading zones, parking is free, …

The Best Lip Balms with SPF of 2026, According to Derms

The Best Lip Balms with SPF of 2026, According to Derms

Published by Sam Flores

You probably already know the importance of applying sunscreen daily to protect your skin. But many people overlook how important it is to protect their lips, too. In addition to skin cancer, exposure to harmful rays can cause a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis, colloquially known as “sailor’s lip,” that causes rough, scaly patches, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eileen Deignan. Chronic sun exposure can also damage the skin barrier around the lips and make your lips look aged and discolored, she says. Given these potential risks, experts I spoke to recommend using an SPF lip balm daily. To help guide you on your search, I spoke to dermatologists about how to shop for one and rounded up options that NBC Select editors use and love. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best SPF lip balms of 2026 Best overall Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredient: zinc oxide | Water-resistant: no | Applicator: stick Sun Bum’s mineral lip balm is made with zinc oxide, an ingredient that physically …

Best L.A. hikes that offer shade from hot weather

Best L.A. hikes that offer shade from hot weather

Published by Sam Flores

Limekiln Canyon Park is an unexpected delight in an unlikely place: a raw, natural, open space in the midst of highly manicured gated housing developments in Northridge. Shady, lush and likely to have running water much of the year, it feels surprisingly remote for a location so close to civilization. Though it’s naturally shaded, go early in the day, especially in summer before the heat picks up. Start near the intersection of Rinaldi Street and Tampa Avenue near the park entrance and begin walking downhill on a broad path, past a grassy field and under the shade of oak, pine and even a few redwood trees. (Note the warning about rattlesnakes: another reason to keep your dog on a leash.) At the first Y intersection, just before you reach a creek on your left, leave the wide trail for a narrower one heading up to the right. Walk on, keeping the creek on your left. In the streambed, note the sycamore and willow trees, interrupted by the occasional incongruous fan palm. At the next Y, …