The second largest city in the United States, this place is home to virtually all the big time movie stars. Full of wannabe actors, musicians and surfers alike. It’s a place you’re either gonna love or hate. Los Angeles has many attractions to keep you busy, I wish I had some more time here to see them all, but I’ve picked out the best of what I did see.
Los Angeles has many attractions to keep you busy, I wish I had some more time here to see them all, but I’ve picked out the best of what I did see. My favourite place was Santa Monica, wandering along the beach watching many artist, street performers, going on the ferris wheel to see amazing views and taking it all in at your own leisurely pace. If you do find yourself short on time make sure you stop here.
I had to check out hollywood and walk the famous walk of fame, though there are now that many it would take you ages to do them all. I suggest if you want to see a specific star then look it up first so you can walk straight to it. In this neck of the woods things aren’t so casual and everyone seems to be in a rush, just get in see what you want and get out again. There’s a lot more to see, none less then the Griffith Observatory or if its a nice day a hike to the Hollywood Sign. Unfortunately the day we were going to hike to the sign it was raining so we didn’t get round to doing it. Instead we went on a tour taking us around Beverly hills and all the famous houses. As interesting as it was to hear the famous names being spouted whom lives here or had lived where, you only get to see the front gate or driveway. They say you can be lucky and someone famous may appear, but it’s rare and unlikely. As fun as it is to be driven around, I think it would be better to do your own research and drive yourself if you wanted to see a house for yourself. I wouldn’t recommend bothering with a tour again.
We only went out briefly one evening around the Grove and the atmosphere was electric. Certainly if I get the opportunity to return I ‘d like to see what a true night out in LA is like.
If you wander away from the main streets you will be met with pavements (sidewalks) lined with tents, so much so you have to walk in the road to get past. As glamorous as LA can be and what it is made out to be, there is definitely a sad side with many unfortunate people living rough.
L.A. is the entertainment capital of the world, a cultural mecca boasting more than 100 museums, and a paradise of idyllic weather. It is the only city in North America to have hosted the Summer Olympics twice. Downtown L.A. is the largest government center outside of Washington, D.C. Los Angeles has the only remaining wooden lighthouse in the state (located in San Pedro’s Fermin Park) and the largest historical theater district on the National Register of Historic Places (located Downtown on Broadway). The Hollywood Walk of Fame comprises more than 2,600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street
I’d recommend looking into Airbnb for this one. We rented an entire 4 bedroom house in Beverly Grove with a driveway. Between 3 of us, it worked out to be just over $50 a night each. If you’re on your own, then finding a shared room on airbnb should start from $20 a night. There are a couple hostels around you could try, US Hostel Hollywood, Banana Bungalow both looked good, but sometimes you just want that little luxury of a room to yourself.
- Get $30 (£25) off your first Airbnb trip of $70 (£55) or more click here.
Everything in L.A is spread out, so I would suggest the best way to explore it and take in the sights is by car. Even though traffic can suck often, in your own car you can use the side streets to get as close to wherever as you can, park up and then walk the rest of the way. Best just to avoid peak times 07:00-09:00 & 17:30-19:30 on weekdays. The public transport is there, but its not great. Metro only stops in certain places and busses get stuck in all the traffic and can take forever to get anywhere. Failing that Uber and Lyft are both around.
- Uber Get $5 (£3) credit for your first ride here.
- Disney Adventure Park
- Hike around Griffith Park.
- Learn about the cosmos and marvel at the views of L.A at Griffith Observatory.
- Visit the lakes to get a great view of the Hollywood Sign.
- Hiking to the Hollywood sign is the only way to get up close.
- Check out the view from the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. Fingers crossed it won’t be raining like it was when I was there!
- Find the marble slab of your favourite star on Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame
- Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
- Day or night, The Grove always has something going on and places to eat, drink and shop.
- Long Beach
- Museum of Death
- Pacific Wheel
- Santa Monica Pier (& Beach).
- The Skyslide, 14 metres long and 300 metres high, between the 69th and 70th floors of the US Bank Tower.
- Venice Beach (Boardwalk) So many street acts and a great place to sit & watch the world go by.
- Venice Canals, walk around a little piece of Italy.
- San Andreas Fault
- Stroll down the Sunset Strip, if you want to see a celeb then this is your best bet. It’ll come at a price though, so you may not want to stay for too long and parking is insanely difficult to find.
- Rodeo Drive is the epicentre of luxury and worth the stroll around, but don’t stay long. It will seriously put a dent in your wallet.
- Take a trolley tour or just drive around Beverly Hills and check out some of the properties of the famous.
- Universal Studios
- Warner Brothers Studio (Tour best on weekends, filming on weekdays, restricted)
- Head to Nick’s Cafe for an unmissable authentic American style diner, open since 1948 it’s a favourite with the L.A.P.D. for breakfast (cash only)
- Huckleberry Cafe & Bakery Damn good breakfast here. Its exceptionally busy though, so you may have to wait for a table. It’s well worth it.
- If you want a good laugh head to The Comedy Store
- The place where it all began, Whisky a Go Go. The majority of the worlds best bands started out here.
- If you like your Rock and Metal music then the Viper Room is the place to be.
- Umami Burger. I know its a burger joint, but this was my first taste of Umami and i could not fault it. These burgers are like no other.
- Big Dean’s Oceanfront Cafe 1902.
- Ercoles Bar hasn’t changed since 1927.
- Harvelle’s Blues Club, Oldest live music venue 1931.
- Cook your own. Eating out can get expensive, so if you’ve got yourself an airbnb, use the house’s kitchen.
- If you’re really feeling lazy then Ubereats will deliver virtually any restaurant takeaway straight to your door.
- Everything in L.A is spread out, so I would suggest to rent a car.
- Avoid driving at peak times 07:00-09:00 & 17:30-19:30 on weekdays
- Uber Get $5 (£3) credit for your first ride here.
- Get $30 (£25) off your first Airbnb trip of $70 (£55) or more click here.
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