Los Angeles is not the city many think it is, it’s an all together of cities (Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood…) each with its own City Hall and their personal typical road signs. I have already seen it many times, and it has not changed much. This year I am going to America with a newly wed couple.
Lets start with were to lodge. Many tourists at their first experience point to Santa Monica thinking it is a safety area or that you can reach the shores walking. On the first point nothing to say, being that in the evening it is full of inhabitants on the Santa Monica Pier, while during the day if you find yourself walking threw the eccentric Venice Beach it will seam like being in the film “Escape from the Bronx”. For what regards the shores if you reserve a very expensive hotel on the Ocean Avenue you will have no problems; otherwise it will take you a km walk. Some tourist is directed towards Hollywood by the Tour Operators. They make you think you are in the center of the city. Instead you are in a hotel, in the hottest area of Los Angeles in every sense and at 30 km from the shores. I suggest reserving your lodging around the airport area, meaning that Los Angeles is visit able only by car. There are the best hotels with the prices you find in the worst hotel in town. This year I found a Sheraton 4 star at a little more then 55 $ a room. A thing you must avoid having breakfast in the hotel or using extra services because that’s why the hotel becomes expensive. If during the evening you stop at a super market you can buy some muffins and juice (the coffee in the room is free) and have a nice breakfast in bed. The hotels of Lax are practically 15 minutes from Santa Monica and 10 minutes from Venice Beach. A hotel that was suggested to me is the Furama and it is very close to Santa Monica.
Santa Monica
I have already mentioned the Santa Monica Pier, with the carousel to see at night. A nice walk during the day to visit the promenade of Venice Beach, where you can admire the famous open –air gyms seen in many movies and serials. For the rest Venice B is to visit for its few canals left along the river where you find marvelous wooden cottages. The shore will be a real delusion. There is no ice-cream hut or a sun bench with umbrella, but most of all there is nobody on the shore! You expect to find crowds of people swimming and sun bathing; instead you realize that the habit of swimming is only European, only from the mediterranean. The Americans have the paranoia that the sun makes you look older. So no Pamela Anderson on the beaches! But in change they have waves that are enormous. The ocean is so strong that only standing in the water at the shore you’re afraid it can take you away. The nights at Santa Monica are very nice (too bad everything closes at 22.00) going to Santa Monica Place, on 3rd street. Restaurants and shops are all over; practically it is a pedestrian area for tourist, but worth a visit. At the sunset (unless you are a group of men) find time to go on Ocean Ave on the fence, between palm trees and the sun setting in the ocean it will seam to be in a post card. A good restaurant where to stop for dinner is “El Cholo”, its typical Mexican food. It’s very characteristic and with medium price. Telephone or pass for a reservation.
Hollywood
Maybe it is the area less beautiful of Los Angeles taking about the tourist zone, obviously. During the summer months it will be so hot and humid you think its like hell! All cement no palms or green. Buses arriving from everywhere, leaving endless groups of Japanese each one provided with a movie and picture cameras. A picture in front of the Chinese theater, with under the hand prints of the famous stars, nothing much more to see. One thing I like to do is go up on the hill where there is written Hollywood (you can’t reach the letters) and admire the view of Los Angeles from up hill. To reach the top hill take the North Beachwood that starts on Franklin or take the Canyon Drive always from Franklin. The place I love the most at Hollywood is Farmers Market, quite courtyard of wooden huts selling fruit, fish or meat. The nice thing about this place (not touristy) is that you’ll do your shopping (most of the things are cooked) and then eat their on the place. After many days of eating only sandwiches or beef, enjoy the fruit or fish at a low price will seam a dream. I suggest going because after visiting Hollywood the only thing you’re looking for is a nice cool place, without air condition.
Beverly Hills
While crossing the Santa Monica Blv towards north you will meet gold colored Bell Tower that distinguishes the City Hall of Beverly Hills. At that point you are on Rodeo Drive, a street became famous thanks to Italian marches, so it is needless to me to visit it deeply. This street at the end has a stairway were it is nice to take picture memory, and in front you can admire the Wilshire Hotel were part of the film with Julia Roberts and Richard Gear, Pretty Women has been shot. For the rest between UCLA and Santa Monica BLV you will see exaggerated villa ,taking SUNSET BLV towards north will take you directly to Hollywood.
Entertainment Parks
If you have an extra day to pass in Los Angeles, it is highly suggested to visit the Universal Studio. The difference from Florida is that here it is easy to find the actors at work. For what regards Disneyland it is a lower target park compared to Florida, but if you have time, why not!
Malibù
This shore is suggested instead of Los Angeles because you will see the real surfers at work, its spectacular to watch. Do not go in the water were you see signs written for surfing. Besides at Malibu you will find the famous restaurant for Californians: The Gladstone. It is very expensive but if you go for dinner during the sunset (right on top of the sea cliff) it offers a view that will pay the price of dinner. Ask for a table outside, maybe it’s the only place worth see in Los Angeles for me.
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