Day Trip around Los Angeles
Trip Start
Sep 15, 2008
1
9
13
Trip End
Oct 03, 2008
Los Angeles,
California,
United States
Saturday, September 27, 2008
We were picked up at 8:30 and transported to the main depot for the bus company (VIP Tours) where we moved onto another bus driven by our driver, Sunny, who was a Syrian who grew up in Baghdad, who then moved to Greece and finished in the USA - a character.
We started with a trip to Fisherman's Village at Marina Del Rey. There was a lot of fog in LA today (as opposed to smog) and there was not much to be seen here today. To be honest, even on a nice day there would not be much to be seen here.
On to Venice Beach. Interesting place. Lots of activity here with roller bladders, basketball, tennis and the beach. Venice Beach is the home to Muscle Beach where the Governator was discovered those many years ago. Lost of stalls in the back of sheds. Would have been nicer if we could see water but Fog was still low. Was a place I wont hurry back to, in fact it was not recommended to be there after dark - I think that says it all.
Along the coast to Santa Monica. Whilst we didn't stop here, it was clear that this area was much more family friendly then Venice Beach. The local government have done a lot of work to clean it up as apparently a few years ago it was like Venice. Santa Monica is home to the Beach from Baywatch although it was hard to recognise from a distance and with the Fog.
Headed back in towards the city and the Fog lifted almost straight away. Off to Rodeo Drive. My God!! LA have difference cities within itself, from the apparent "slums" of Venice Beach to the Ritz and glamour of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210. No celebrity citings today, but such is life, just a heap of expensive stores!!!
Off next to West Hollywood, not that long a trip and to Farmer's Market where we had a bit to eat for lunch. Really just like a giant outside food court, but I am sure there is more to it that we didn't get a chance to explore.
From here it was along Sunset Blvd. Here we were shown a bunch of Hotels, Restaurants and Night Clubs that either had a famous celebrity owner or an event that is based around a celebrity. We saw where Oprah frequents where she is in LA and of course the (in)famous Viper Room where River Phoenix died - it was owned by Johnny Depp when River Phoenix died. We also went past a few other famous places like the Ivy Room.
Off to the area of LA that probably makes it famous. Hollywood. We stopped on Hollywood Blvd and located a number of stars on the Walk of Fame. It was here that we discovered that Paul Newman had passed away. Saw the Chinese Theatre (and found a number of famous hand prints) and the Kodak Theatre where the Academy Awards are now held each year. Really hard to imagine such a ceremony with the pomp that it has it such a crowded and downtown area. I would have imagined it in more of a convection centre type place in more of an open area, but I guess it works. It will be good to see the Red Carpet at the next Oscars to try and put it in perspective.
You cant go to the Hollywood sign anymore as its in a residential area, and they are trying to protect it, but we did get a few happy snaps from near the Kodak Theatre.
By this stage we were a bit weary, but we were off to downtown LA. We had a chance to wander here but we just sat there as the day was catching up with us (and maybe all the walking from yesterday). Longing to get back on the bus a quick trip through China Town and then the trip started back to the Hotels. We were 4th or 5th off and got dropped back at the Hotel about 4pm.
Looking forward to San Fran tomorrow. I think LA is more just a base for doing tourist activities. Even though we have only had 2 full days here, I do not feel that we have missed out on anything or regret not doing anything that we could have done.
