Even a villain needs to take some time off to feel rejuvenated

THERE’S something about being bad that feels so good for Julian Sands. The British-born actor plays Vladimir Bierko, the villain du jour on Fox’s “24,” which wraps its season Monday. “It’s all about the atmosphere and the character,” Sands says. “Bierko’s down there in his lair, with his minions, like some sort of a messianic tarantula. It’s been so much fun.”

Life away from the camera isn’t bad either. He has a house outside London but tends to spend the school year at his L.A. home with wife Evgenia and daughters Natalya, 9, and Imogen, 2.

Beaten, but unbowed

Coming home on a Friday night, assuming I’m not too banged up and bloodied, we might have friends over and order take-away from the Flavor of India on Santa Monica. The special dishes there are the chicken tikkas and salmon tandoori, and we’d get lots of the homemade chutneys and then enjoy the feast around the fire.

Certainly, something special would be brought up from the wine cellar. And depending on how the evening goes, there might be even more trips to the wine cellar, which is the best entertainment I know.

Tadpole and rugs

On Saturday morning, I always make “Daddy’s pancakes,” and then we’d be off to Franklin Canyon for a hike. We’d stop at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and then go to the lake. This time of year, looking for tadpoles in the puddles is a particular pleasure.

We’d get lunch at Mel’s Diner on Sunset and cruise the galleries on Robertson. I’ve always had an interest in textiles, and there’s a wonderful shop, Amadi Carpets, where I go a lot. The girls love climbing over the bales of carpets and creating havoc, but the owners are very tolerant and kind.

I’d then pick my wife up from Black Sheep Knittery on Yucca, where she chooses yarn for the knitting circle.

In the evening, we might go out with friends to one of the local restaurants, like Orso on 3rd Street. The ambience is lovely, very European, and the maitre d’ and wait staff are relaxed and welcoming. Then we’d go back to the house for an after-dinner drink, which may be mint tea or something more interesting.

Physical fitness

Sunday morning would begin with a trip to Iyengar Yoga Institute on 3rd Street, then a trip to the local mountains, the San Gabriels or the San Bernardinos. I love hiking in the ranges beyond L.A.; it’s a beautiful alpine experience an hour’s drive from the city. I can find good hikes for the family, but if I go with one or two of my hard-core friends, we’ll look for something more strenuous.

Then I’d come back home and pick the girls up from whatever play date they’ve been on, and maybe do some gardening. For dinner, we might go out for Chinese food at Rice restaurant, which is good with kids, or maybe make a fire on the terrace and bake potatoes. I think we’re zoned for that, I’m not sure. A little Sunday barbecue on the terrace is one of the great things about California life.

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-- Mark Sachs