City of Angels

 Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Blvd, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier....These are familiar places to every American. The millions of sites you can see in the Los Angeles area could never be seen in a lifetime...but these are some of the more famous ones. Many tour and sightseeing companies in the area give you a great chance to try and get a glimpse of  famous Hollywood sites and houses of the rich and famous. Tons of food options, markets, and shopping can fill your few days or week that you want to spend exploring the city of angels...

 I headed into Los Angeles in my own large SUV a little scared for what kind of traffic I was going to experience. I was relieved to find that most Hollywooders don't seen to keep early morning hours so the streets...as you can see were bare! I found parking under the Dolby Theatre that is a central location on Hollywood Blvd and hosts many restaurants and shops along with connection to the Chinese Theatre and a point of pick up for several tour buses. I always think that a tour company is a great way to see some sites and collect some great information about the city you are visiting and then you have a great idea on other areas to visit and the layout of the city along with the good and bad places. It was relaxing to sit back and ride in a convertible bus and listen to the guide tell secrets and list hang out spots to later stalk famous people :) 







The beaches of LA county are also famous for movie makers, actors and artists--it was an interesting day to meander through Venice Beach. I was excited to see the famous outdoor gym that Arnold and multiple iron men, heavy weights and strong men lift in the open arena of Muscle Beach. You can join them for $10...which was going to be worth it if I happened to see someone great in there lifting! Along the beach there are many shops, homeless people(a very normal thing for all coastal towns), rollerbladers, runners, street performers, artists and musicians along with your iconic California surfing hippies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Monica Pier is the end of US Rt 66...full of rides and games hosting a happy carnival atmosphere. This is the relaxing part of LA. Plenty of beach to people watch and great for a sunset. There are a few restaurants to choose from that serve seafood along with food carts that are much fancier than small town Kentucky fair food!

 

 

 

The best plan if you don't mind fighting a little evening traffic or don't have far to go--go grab some food, right a few rides and watch the sunset....there is nothing like a west coast sunset!