California - Los Angeles

This post is coming at the PERFECT time.  I’ve scheduled this post on Los Angeles to appear on the blog at the same time as I’m landing in Los Angeles on my way to vacation in Australia.  I’ve visited Los Angeles twice.

First, you have to visit Hollywood Blvd and the Walk of Fame.  It did surprise me because it’s more of a tourist stop than glamorous and there were no famous people!  None.  But, you’ve got to go to say you’ve been there.  The Walk of Fame (http://www.walkoffame.com/) is where the famous people’s handprints are.  While you’re down there, look at the surrounding mountains to see the big HOLLYWOOD sign.

Hollywood sign from Hollywood Blvd.  Photo taken by me.

We did see the red carpet for the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) at Kodak Theater within the Hollywood & Highlands Center (http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/), but we couldn’t stick around for the actors to arrive at the premiere.

We drove two hours from San Diego to Los Angeles’s Union Station, parked the rental car, and took the Los Angeles Subway System to get to Hollywood- http://www.metro.net/.  The subway was really confusing and we didn’t see many people taking it, but it was inexpensive, and very clean.  It also helped us because we didn’t have to drive through town, deal with the traffic, or find parking everywhere we wanted to go.  So, I’d suggest that no matter what town you’re in, look into taking that town’s subway system to get around.

Being the southern belle that I am, I absolutely love the Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles (http://roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/) chain in Los Angeles!  Its good ole soul food!!  One of my co-workers suggested it after seeing famous people on BET and VH1 eating there.  In the two times I’ve been there, I have not seen a famous person.

Two of my friends just recently moved out to Pasadena (home of the Rose Bowl) and I’ve adored their pictures of them checking out what’s just round their corner in the Los Angeles / Pasadena area.  They visited the Getty Museum and I thought the view of the skyline was pretty cool.  Admission is free which is even better, though parking is $15.  Be sure to check it out if you’re in town - http://www.getty.edu/visit/index.html.  I want to if I get out there again.

Two other places I’d like to check out are the Grammy Museum (http://www.grammymuseum.org/) and the Griffith Park and Observatory (http://www.griffithobservatory.org/).  I love music and to have a whole museum devoted to award winning music – WOW!  The most expensive ticket is $12.95, and they have various discounts on their website.  Griffith Park and Observatory has a breathtaking view of the skyline and Outer Space!  Plus, it’s FREE!  You can’t beat that.

Griffith Observatory and it's view.  Photo from internet.

This is just some of the many things to do in Los Angeles.  So far, we’ve discussed different cities in California: San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.  If you know of anywhere else in the Los Angeles area we should check out, please leave a comment below.  I hope you all enjoy my next post - my California wish list.  It’s amazing what you’ll find just round the corner.