dineLA Stirs Up First Dining Event in Greater LA

Showcasing a selection of specially priced three-course menus from a wide variety of LA's best restaurants, the inaugural dineLA Restaurant Week takes place over two consecutive weeks this year: Jan. 27 - Feb. 1 and Feb. 3 - Feb. 8., 2008. Restaurants in two dining categories will serve a selection of three-course lunch and dinner menus (deluxe: $15/lunch and $25/dinner; premier: $22/lunch and $34/dinner). American Express® card-members can secure tables at participating dineLA restaurants through Jan. 15. Reservations are open to the general public starting Jan. 16. Some of LA's top restaurants participating in this program include Patina, Grace, Crustacean, 3 on Fourth, Twin Palms, Dakota Steakhouse, Ciudad, Zucca and Katsuya. A full list of participating restaurants and info about LA's dining scene can be found on the new dineLA Web site.
www.dinela.com

L.A. LIVE in 2008

L.A. LIVE, Downtown's 27-acre entertainment, sports and residential district, anchored by NOKIA Theatre, STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, will add to its list of completed projects in 2008. New restaurant openings include Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Katsuya, the ultra-hip sushi and robata bar; the Yard House restaurant and brew pub; New York-based Rosa Mexicano fine dining; ESPN Zone Restaurant and sports bar; a new Wolfgang Puck eatery at NOKIA Plaza; plus a Starbucks, a New Zealand Natural Ice Cream shop and a quick-service restaurant. In addition, the GRAMMY Museum will open in October as part of the GRAMMY Awards 50th anniversary year. The one-of-a-kind museum will include a 200-seat theatre and a rooftop terrace for up to 450 guests. Club NOKIA will open in 2008 with live performances and private events for up to 2,300 guests. The legendary Conga Room will relocate to L.A. LIVE and Lucky Strike Bowling Center will open 18 lanes, plus billiards, darts and private function rooms. NOKIA Theatre's 2008 headliners include Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Larry The Cable Guy, Juanes and The Moody Blues.
www.lalive.com

23rd annual LA Marathon

The 23rd annual LA Marathon takes place Sunday, March 2, 2008. The 26.2-mile course begins at Universal Studios Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley and ends at the Central Library in Downtown. Participants will pass LA landmarks including the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, the Los Angeles Coliseum and STAPLES Center. Entry fees are $100 through Feb. 25, 2008. During Expo (Feb. 29 and March 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center), marathon entry fees are $115. Online registration is available through Feb. 25, 2008. It is not possible to register during race day. The LA Marathon was founded by Dr. Bill Burke and Marie Patrick, following the success of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The first race was held in 1986 and attracted 10,868 participants - the largest inaugural marathon in history. In 2007, 24,750 people participated.
www.lamarathon.com

Whale-Watching Season

January through March is prime whale-watching season and Spirit Cruises offers two-hour professionally narrated cruises that sail between one and three miles off the coast of San Pedro. Whales are seen 95 percent of the time and passengers always enjoy marine life sightings from sea lions to dolphins. The most common whale seen in the waters off the coast of Los Angeles is the Gray Whale. Fin Whales and Blue Whales have also been spotted, along with Humpback Whales, Orcas and Minke Whales. Whale-watching tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children. Group rates are also available.
www.spiritmarine.com
www.portofla.org

Downtown Nightlife is Booming

The hottest after-dark scene is Downtown, where it's see and be seen at cool clubs and nightspots for everything from cocktails under the stars to living history vibes. Here's a sampling:

Mayan Theatre and Club - On weekends, this 1927 venue pulsates with Latin tunes to a background of hand-carved, richly-painted walls and a giant Sun Calendar. www.clubmayan.com

Elevate - Guests in this sleek 21st floor penthouse lounge seem to float on the shimmering skyline seen through 150 feet of sliding glass doors. www.elevatelounge.com

Tatou - Created by Studio 54 owner Mark Fleischman, guests party nightly to music and live entertainment specials. www.clubtatou.com

The Edison - Night owls soak up living history amid the mechanical artifacts at this art deco-style lounge built in a former power plant. www.edisondowntown.com

J Lounge - The vibe is chic in what used to be the legendary Little j's, a long-time hangout for stars like Natalie Cole, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder. www.jloungela.com

The Standard Rooftop Bar - 360-degree views of the Downtown skyline make this bar at The Standard Downtown LA an ultimate see-and-be-seen scene. www.standardhotel.com

Library Bar - Plush leather barstools, sofas by the fireplace and bookshelves filled novels, offer an intimate, cosmopolitan vibe. www.librarybarla.com

Redwood Bar and Grill - Old LA is alive and hotter than ever at this Downtown institution, which has been an "in" spot for decades. www.theredwoodbar.com