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Help! I have been reading up a lot about New York and London, and have stuck post-its in my guidebooks for these cities. But I've neglected to research LA. I'll be there for three days in late July with my Mum.
We don't want to go to Disneyland. Ok, I admit, I actually do, but I think it's quite expensive.
We both love food and I know that LA has some awesome markets and restaurants. And the food trucks. Oh the food trucks... But we can't JUST eat.
I can't spend all my money before New York, so I probably don't want to spend up big at shopping centres.
I am not outdoorsy but love celebrity spotting.
I really like Savage Garden's Santa Monica. I hope it is just like the song.
Tell me - what can we do in the day, where can we go at night? Where should we stay?
Google is too big to do a search, so hopefully my blog readers can help me! Thank you - I'll be sure to send you a postcard :)
Go to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and all around that area is a lot of night life. There are bars, clubs, but if you don't want to get in that scene, there are a lot of random art galleries and museums such as Ripley's Believe It or Not and the Celebrity Wax Museum. Go to Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills...you don't need to buy stuff, but the stores are definitely worth just viewing and going into plus a lot of Celebs are spotted there. Food trucks are DEFINITELY worth checking out, but make sure you go on the night plenty are scheduled to be at or else you won't find too many or you will have to search forever. Also, go to the Universal City Walk which is the area around Universal Studios. And if you don't want to go to Disneyland, go to downtown Disney which is the area around the park there is a lot of musical acts and night life there as well such as The House of Blues :)
ReplyDeleteGriffith Observatory at sunset. The best view of LA there is :)
ReplyDeleteStay in West Hollywood or Santa Monica, and be sure to get a car...you'll need it!
Fodor's LA guide might help you get started
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/california/los-angeles/
The typical touristy things are fun - The Grove + Farmers Markets, Rodeo Drive (you don't have to shop - but you have to see it!), Hollywood Walk of Fame, etc. Go to Santa Monica and just wander around, and go to Santa Monica pier, have some food and maybe go on the rollercoaster (it's pretty tame).
ReplyDeleteHave fun! 3 days in LA is probably the perfect amount.
I went to Disneyland solo and LOVED it - it was my favourite part of my US trip. Cost was about $120 for bus there and entry, which i didn't think was too bad. Food was also reasonable prices. especially compared to how much you get charged in Aus.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first poster, just taking a stroll along Hollywood Blvd at night is fun. I also did the total touristy 'Hop on hop off' red bus and found it really handy in LA. I could stop at shops, Santa Monica, etc and do my own thing then just get back on.
Hi Carly fun things I did in LA:
ReplyDelete- Farmers Markets (best mexican breakfast)
- See some live comedy
- Hang out at Venice Beach
AND finally visit one of Dave Eggers stores:
- The Time TRavel Mart http://826la.org/index.php?page=shop
and in NYC the super hero supply store http://www.superherosupplies.com/
I did a really cheesy 1 day tour of LA, and we managed to get to Venice Beach, Santa Monica, tour of Celeb houses, Walk of Fame, etc all for quite a cheap price. Cheesy, yes, but great if you want just one day to do the cheesy LA stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Carly,
ReplyDeleteI recommend you stay in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. I have been to LA twice. Next time I will either stay at The Elan Hotel Modern (great reviews on Trip Advisor) or The Beverly Hilton (walking distance to Rodeo). The Elan Hotel is opposite The Beverly Center for shopping and not too far to walk to Robertson Blvd (The Ivy and shops). Definitely do a Star's Homes Tour or a combo tour...check out Starline Tours online. Tickets can be bought on Hollywood Blvd also at a booth, near The Kodak Theatre.
If you and your Mum are walking down Hollywood Blvd and someone mentions free tickets to The Jimmy Kimmel Show it's legit lol. It's filmed at The El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Blvd and was fantastic...always celeb guests. Just leave your camera/valuables at the hotel that day because during the show you have to remove all items and place them in a box which is stored under a bar with hundreds of other audience member's things. One of favourite things to do is to walk around the Venice Canals.
Day 1: Santa Monica shopping (Third Street Promenade and Pier) and Venice Beach/Canals in arvo. You can hire bikes to ride to Venice Beach from just near the Santa Monica Pier.
Day 2: Star's Homes/Hollywood Tour...then maybe Jimmy Kimmel
Day 3: Beverly Hills and The Grove
If you stayed in Hollywood, you can catch a train to Universal Studios and Downtown LA (Staples Center NBA game). Tickets for NBA games are available from ticketmaster.com and was the best experience, even if you aren't a sports fan.
You can view The Hollywood Sign from Hollywood & Highland shopping mall on Hollywood Blvd ;)
Have a ball!
Rachel (Melbourne)