A part of the enjoyable of dwelling in Southern California is discovering there’s virtually at all times somewhat little bit of wackiness round each nook.
Examples?
Driving up Lake Avenue from Pasadena, I got here throughout Altadena’s Bunny Museum, house of greater than 46,000 rabbit-themed gadgets like tchotchkes, plush toys, zany clothes and artwork. That was earlier than it burned down within the Eaton hearth. A rebuilding effort is underway.
Out within the excessive desert close to Cabazon, my favourite stops are Hadley’s Fruit Orchards, house of the well-known Hadley date shakes, and the whimsically Cabazon Dinosaur sculptors.
In L.A., there’s the 32-foot tall Randy’s doughnut jutting out alongside West Manchester Boulevard.
One other of my favourite quirky SoCal gems is the Torrance house the place the tv cult basic “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was filmed. It nonetheless attracts Buffy followers yr spherical. This weekend marks the tenth annual gathering of hardcore followers, often called HellmouthCon 2026.
Whereas fangs and stakes aren’t my forte, a gathering of mates and strangers appearing goofy and reminiscing over childhood and teenage recollections sounded cool.
Right here’s what I discovered:
What’s happening
The annual conference facilities on the tv cult basic collection that debuted on the WB Community and later completed on UPN, operating from 1997 to 2003.
Buffy, performed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, was depicted as an adolescent in a brand new city and new college who was additionally tasked with slaying vampires.
Whereas there’s a Friday night time pre-convention mixerthe motion will get going Saturday and Sunday at Torrance Excessive College.
Actors Charisma Carpenter, Amber Benson, Amy Acker, Clare Kramer, Doug Jones and Emma Caulfield are among the many present stars anticipated to attend.
Debbie Hays, the top of group relations at Uncover Torrance, provides an exterior tour of Buffy’s home in Torrance.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Instances)
Someplace between Graceland and Dollywood is Torrance
Buffy lived within the fictional city of “Sunnydale,” which included many scenes filmed in Torrance.
Buffy’s 2,296-square-foot house is included in common Torrance historic excursionswhereas Sunnydale Excessive College was truly Torrance Excessive, the place the primary three years of the present happened.
“I’ve led non-public excursions to the house, with generally as many as 80 folks,” Torrance Historic Society docent Debbie Hays advised The Instances final yr. “Followers come to the home, they cry, they take photos, they hug the tree. They like it.”
Who’re these followers?
Christopher Cullen, board member and director of fan experiences for Hellmouth Occasions, which is organizing the occasion, stated the conference will get a superb mixture of followers numbering round 1,500 in previous years. These followers vary from unique present watchers to current discoverers, he stated.
Eventgoers participate in video games, trivia, dwell panels, join with mates they solely meet yearly and sometimes costume up as their favourite characters.
“We’re grateful to the Torrance group for permitting us to host right here and we give again with patronage at native shops and resorts and eating places,” Cullen stated. “It’s an excellent relationship.”
Providing a serving to hand
Hellmouth Occasions is a division of Fandom Charities, which creates convention-like occasions connecting followers with worthy causes.
Cullen stated a number of the cash raised from HellmouthCon can be shared with charities, together with the Pancreatic Most cancers Motion Community, the South Los Angeles-based Al Wooten Jr. Youth Heart and San Diego-based Rainbow Areas.
One of many large fundraisers is a charity public sale, the place clothes gadgets from the present and different memorabilia can be put up for bid. All proceeds are donated to charity.
“That is one thing distinctive amongst occasions and permits our followers to provide again and assist others,” he stated. “Whereas all of us come collectively as followers of Buffy, we respect being half of a bigger group.”
At this time’s prime tales
L.A. Metropolis Councilmember Monica Rodriguez is all smiles at Metropolis Corridor following final week’s election, during which she ran unopposed.
(Etienne Laurent/For the Instances)
Midterm election 2026
California’s e-bike legal guidelines and restrictions
- E-bikes have zoomed into recognition throughout the nation, particularly amongst children and youths, and that surge has been met with a big selection of fashions with completely different specs and talents.
- Right here’s a fast information as to whether yours or your child’s e-bike is authorized underneath California legislation and who’s legally allowed to experience them.
2026 World Cup information
What else is occurring
Commentary and opinions
This morning’s must-read
To your downtime
The half-chicken at Henrietta in Echo Park was impressed by the hen and bread salad at Zuni Cafe. This one stands by itself.
(Ron De Angelis/For The Instances)
Going out
Staying in
A query for you: What’s your favourite California summer time tune?
Lillian stated, “It’s ‘Summer season Breeze’ by Seals & Croft hands-down!🌞🫶💛”
E mail us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.comand your response may seem within the e-newsletter this week.
And eventually … your photograph of the day
Musical Artist Lizzo in Los Angeles.
(Ian Spanier/For The Instances)
At this time’s nice photograph is from Ian Spanier on the house of musical artist Lizzo, who readies a defiant new album, “Bitch,” and insists her comeback isn’t a climb — she’s already standing.
Have an excellent day, from the Important California workforce
Hailey Branson-Potts, workers author
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, quick break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew J. Campa, weekend author
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
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