Jamie Ferrell, Author at Secret Los Angeles

Hi there! I grew up in Santa Cruz and graduated from UC Berkeley in 2018 with an English major and Spanish minor. After teaching ESL for a few years, I joined the Secret Media Network as a Staff Writer. I love to write about California history, hidden gems, museum exhibitions, and local wildlife.

The least-visited national park in California is just a 1-hour ferry from the mainland with 150 unique species — and it’s known as the ‘Galápagos of North America’

The Channel Islands, sometimes called the “Galápagos of North America” according to NASA, sit just off Southern California’s coast. But despite their proximity to Los Angeles, this national park recei...

Sports

After a sold-out opening day, L.A.’s FIFA Fan Festival brings the party to Memorial Coliseum

The highly anticipated FIFA Fan Festival kicked off yesterday at Los Angeles' Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park, reaching full capacity as World Cup fans gathered to watch the first match between Mexic...

Sports Top news

LA28 rolls out dates for 2nd Olympic Games ticket drop: Here’s what to know before July 22

Organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles have announced the second drop of ticket sales for LA28! Drop 2 tickets will go on sale this August, with a range of prices across al...

Amtrak rolls out expanded World Cup service on its most beautiful coastal train route — adding late-night departures and a new Fan Zone stop in L.A.

Amtrak's scenic Pacific Surfliner route, which runs 351 miles between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, is gearing up for an exciting month during the FIFA World Cup! Last week, Amtrak announced a few te...

After over a decade of construction, California just approved a contractor team to start laying high-speed rail track in 2026

On June 1, 2026, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) announced that it officially approved a team to start laying the first high-speed track in the Central Valley. While civil constructio...

Things to do Wellness & nature

1 hour from L.A.: The highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains is hosting self-guided ‘moonlight hikes’ with dinner, music, and dancing at the top — but there are only 5 dates left for the rest of 2026

The 10,064-foot peak of Mount Baldy rises in the distance over Los Angeles, attracting hikers and mountaineers all year long. And while there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors on the tallest peak i...

Escapes

1.5 hours from L.A.: Lake Gregory reopens summer beach, featuring a giant aquapark and new floating cabanas with food service

Tucked into the San Bernardino Mountains about 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Lake Gregory offers a refreshing escape from the city heat, making it the perfect day trip. The charming lake in Crestline is...

Cinema

‘The Odyssey’ lands at Universal Studios Hollywood: See a 34-foot-tall Trojan horse and a Greek warship from the film this summer

The summer's most highly anticipated film, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, finally lands in theaters on July 17th, 2026! The stunning adaptation of Homer's epic poem was filmed in iconic landscapes in Gr...

Escapes

Outside Magazine named this first-come, first-served campsite as one of the best in California — it sits on an enormous Mojave Desert dune field famous for eerie ‘singing’ sand

Mojave National Preserve's magnificent Kelso Dunes are the most popular hiking destination in the region. The unbelievable dune field covers 45 square miles with peaks soaring up to 650 feet tall, making...

Wellness & nature

Outside Magazine named this 67-mile L.A. trail one of the ’10 most beautiful hikes in the world’ — it traverses the planet’s best-protected stretch of coastal Mediterranean habitat

Life in Los Angeles comes with access to dozens of scenic destinations, from Catalina Island to the Vasquez Rocks. But one of the most memorable bucket-list ways to experience the natural beauty region is...

Stay In the Loop Don't miss the best of the city! Discover Secret Los Angeles Our best secrets, straight to your inbox The only newsletter you need: Subscribe to have all of our best secrets sent directly to your inbox. Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city. Exclusive articles, hidden secrets, and unique tips delivered to your inbox.

By providing your email, you accept our Terms and Conditions.