Vertigo at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with an outdoor movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The 10th season of Cinespia kicks off tonight with a screening of "Vertigo." Bring blankets and picnics and be prepared to scream. Movies are freakier when there are dead people around.

Credit: UCLA FIlm & Television Archive

Viceroy Hotel Brunch

Brunch buffets aren't just for Vegas. Today chef Tony DiSalvo at Whist is rolling out a new Southern brunch buffet. For $45 per person you'll feast on an unlimited procession of biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, green tomato salad, collard greens, cole slaw, mac 'n' cheese and house-cured Cajun salmon. It's $10 extra for a mint julep or marmalade cocktail. At the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.

Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Santa Monica Stairs

If you are planning to hit the barbecue circuit tonight, let yourself eat with abandon by beginning the day with a workout. Why not try the stairs near 4th Street and Adelaide Drive in Santa Monica? (People love it on Yelp!)

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Summer Hats

Enjoy the summer responsibly by purchasing a fabulous summer hat. Our stylist offers several options in different prices.

Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Gin and Tonic

Raise a glass with our favorite drink of the season — the classic gin and tonic. To make it extra special, follow our food critic's recipe, which includes Hendrick's Gin and Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water. Fancy!

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State Parks

Plan a visit to your favorite state park while you still can. Come fall, Californians could find themselves with fewer parks to visit and fewer services available at the ones that are still open. At least, that was the tenor of the plan that California State Parks officials outlined as they targeted for shutdown 70 of the state's 278 parks because of budget problems.

Credit: Tom Teske

Hammocks

Nothing represents summertime leisure more than the hammock — that icon of vacations and emblem of laziness. Decide which hammock best suits your lifestyle with our six riffs on the traditional sling.

Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Best Beaches

In Los Angeles we're blessed with a variety of beach options, but deciding where to go can be overwhelming. To help you out, our travel writers put together this handy guide to the best beaches in Southern California.

Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Sourdough Slim

Check out a good old-fashioned vaudeville cowboy show when Sourdough Slim (greatest cowboy name ever?) plays Wells Fargo Theater in Griffith Park today from 2 to 3:30. Tickets are $20.

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Seafood

If you're from the East Coast you are likely to start craving fish around now, a desire that's tied up with memories of vacations by the shore (Maine, South Carolina, Jersey, Cape Cod). If you share that nostalgic feeling, head to Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach, which our reviewer describes as "the seafood wonderland we all long for on idle summer days."

Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Summer Reading

Not sure what to put on your summer reading list? We have lots of suggestions, including "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," which comes out today. Sprinkled with spooky old photos, it offers gothic fun for everyone!

Summer Gardens

If you haven't planted your summer vegetable garden yet, there's no time like the present. Scheme during the week and then buy your plants over the weekend. Here's a guide to help you get going.

Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Hero Complex Film Festival

Fanboys unite! Tonight the Hero Complex Film Festival kicks off with a screening of "Dick Tracy" at 7, followed by a Q&A with special guest Warren Beatty. The festival, which goes through June 12, is at the Chinese Theatre 6 at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Credit: Alan Light / via Flickr

"Super 8"

The much-anticipated sci-fi thriller "Super 8" opens in theaters tonight. Nobody knows much about the story, but with J.J. Abrams writing and directing, Steven Spielberg executive producing and Elle Fanning starring, we can only imagine it's going to be big.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Tim Burton Exhibit

Goth teens of Los Angeles — tonight is your night! LACMA invites you to the new Tim Burton retrospective exhibit for free, and offers dancing under the stars plus $2 tacos. Parents are not invited and Tim Burton-esque goth dress is encouraged.

Credit: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP / Getty Images

Griffith Park Night Hike

Hike Griffith Park — at night. On most weeknights around 7, new and avid hikers start from the merry-go-round parking lot in Griffith Park and begin the haul up fire roads and footpaths that lead straight into L.A.'s wild heart.

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Beer Ice Cream

What says "summer" like beer? Or ice cream? Well, how about beer ice cream? Believe it or not, we've got a recipe.

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Bathing Suits

The bummer of summer? Trying to figure out what bathing suit to wear when you aren't super psyched about your body. Let our stylist give you some pointers on suits that flatter.

Credit: Victoria's Secret

Desert Travel

The desert is heating up, but if you make the trip now you'll have it mostly to yourself. Try booking a room at the getaway encampment known as Hicksville. There's a rock 'n' roll vibe poolside, where music, fun and friend-making are always on the social calendar.

Credit: Krissie Gregory

Sunscreen Guide

Buying the right sunscreen is harder than it sounds. To help you navigate the SPF, UVAs and UVBs we've got a sunscreen field guide complete with instructions on use.

Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times

Hollywood Bowl

Tonight is opening night at the Hollywood Bowl and the stars are coming out to celebrate. The evening will be hosted by Helen Mirren and will include performances by Harry Connick Jr., Gloria Estefan and Cirque du Soleil. Magic!

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Dengue Fever

Los Angeles' favorite '60s Cambodian pop-inspired band, Dengue Fever, plays a free concert at the Getty Museum's courtyard tonight from 6 until 9. It's the latest in a series of concerts the museum holds in its Saturday Off the 405 series. Get there early to check out the exhibits and enjoy the gardens.

Credit: Kevin Estrada

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! Need ideas on where to take dad? Our restaurant scout has put together a list of meat-heavy options.

Credit: From The Counter

Run Palisades Park

Go for a run at Palisades Park in Santa Monica. Enjoy ocean vistas while you run, then wind down at the Santa Monica Pier or the Third Street Promenade. The path runs along Ocean Avenue.

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Summer Solstice

Lots of people believe that magical things can happen on the summer solstice (today) so we suggest indulging your spiritual side. Plan a walk at the beautiful and serene Self-Realization Fellowship in Mount Washington. The grounds are open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Paletas

Summertime is paleta time. These Mexican ice pops — chock-full of chunks of fresh fruit and available in a hypnotizing array of colors and clear, not-too-sweet flavors — conjure images of hot afternoons in the park and time spent on a bench under a shady tree. Here's a list of where to find them.

Credit: Stefano Paltera / For The Times

Farmers Market

For a farmers market with the best view in the city check out Yamashiro's version every Thursday in the Hollywood Hills. You can indulge in the original sake miso cod or hoisin duck confit tacos, take in the live music and do a little hipster watching over a glass of red wine.

Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Solstice Parade

Drive up the 101 to the annual Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade and Celebration. The festival started in 1974 as a birthday celebration for artist and mime Michael Gonzales, and has morphed into a spectacle involving floats, giant puppets and dance troupes. The festival runs from June 24-26 (with the parade on June 25). Free admission.

Credit: Patricia Clarke

Outdoor Cinema

Outdoor Cinema Food Fest: Date night plan: Head over to Exposition Park just south of USC for a food truck dinner and a screening of "The Terminator" on the largest outdoor movie screen on the West Coast. Arrive at 5:30 for the best spot.

Credit: Reuters

Dwell on Design

It's the last day of the Dwell on Design show at the L.A. Convention Center, and your last chance to have Japanese artist Sasaki include your heartbeat in one of his amazing (and enormous) heartbeat paintings.

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Barefoot Running

Give barefoot running a try without having to go barefoot. The Times recently reviewed four "minimalist running shoes."

Credit: Roy M. Wallack / For The Times

Rhythm Child

Descanso Gardens launches its annual Summer Family Series tonight with Rhythm Child — a musical and interactive drumming group. Bring the kids and a picnic. The fun starts at 5:30.

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Cocktail Night

Make tonight a cocktail night. A batch of cucumber coolers is refreshing and alcoholic. Lime juice, cucumber, sugar, water and a splash of vodka. Recipe is courtesy of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Ciudad.

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Swimming

Swimming is a great summer workout. Make the most of your time in the pool with a four-week program to quickly improve swimming skills and overall fitness — with drills and pointers on technique.

Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times