10 BEST IN THE CITY OF ANGELS - LOS ANGELES

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to enjoy Los Angeles, you’ve come to the right place! 🙂 When you say Los Angeles, you probably think of the Coast Guard, the Walk of Fame and celebrities. That’s all true, but LA is so much more than that! This city was on my “bucket list” a long time ago, so I was really looking forward to coming here. For me, this city has a great location on the map. Within an hour you can get to the beach, the mountains, the desert and the forest. So you can have a great time on your vacation! It’s the home of blockbuster movies, so if you’re a movie fan like me, you’ll be in heaven here. 🙂

Most importantly, the city is located in California, which has a Mediterranean climate and epic sunsets year-round. You can watch a beautiful orange sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

The City of Angels is full of life and diverse activities. You will find many incredible ways to have fun. But what is there to see? I’ve created my MUST HAVEs that I’d like to share with you. So enjoy! And believe me, you don’t have to check off all 10 things to feel like you’ve seen LA. If you can do at least 5 things, believe me, you’ll get the idea.

1. VISIT THE MOST FAMOUS PIER IN SANTA MONICA, WHERE FOREST GUMP RAN

Santa Monica is located on the western edge of Los Angeles, just steps from the beach. With plenty of restaurants and shops on the nearby Third Street Promenade and the Venice Beach Boardwalk just a short bike ride away, I can promise you’ll never be bored.

So what? What would you choose? Looking at those two, I could probably use a dollar! :-))))

SANTA MONICA PIER

The Santa Monica Pier is another one of Los Angeles’ world-famous attractions that has been featured in numerous movies and television shows. The pier is home to the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, game rooms, an amusement park, an aquarium, and is popular for sport fishing. There is also the most popular tourist beach.

Santa Monica is a beautiful part of Los Angeles where you can take a slow stroll once the sun goes down and the sand doesn’t get too hot underfoot.

ROUTE 66

You might be wondering: “What is Route 66, anyway?” Initially an ordinary highway connecting Chicago and Los Angeles, it was put into service in the 1920s and has become a legend over time. It ran from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to California, where it ended in Los Angeles. Excluding a few miles, it was 4,000 miles long, it was no freeway, it was a simple two-lane highway, and it ran through the centers of cities. Why did it become a legend? Perhaps because it connected the Midwest to the West. And it’s in Santa Monica that Rout 66 ends.

Route 66 has always attracted interesting and peculiar personalities in the form of dreamers, poets, adventurers, gangsters, writers, photographers, entrepreneurs, filmmakers and philosophers. Many personalities have stood out over the decades, but one perhaps more than any other has come to typify the “Mother of Roads.”

BOB WALDMIRE

Bob Waldmire was a wandering artist, a passionate conservationist, and a seeker whose vision and life had an impact on many people. He especially inspired them to take a drive down the highway.

2. WALK ALONG THE PROMENADE ON VENICE BEACH

If you want to soak up the California atmosphere, head to Venice Beach. Venice is a cultural hub known for its quirky art, bohemian atmosphere and elongated beach. The famous beach is complemented by a 2.5-mile-long boardwalk, along which you’ll find street art, basketball courts, cafes and the outdoor “Muscle Beach” gym. I was unlucky during my visit, however, as none of the muscle men were there. I guess it’s hot? 🙂

I think a walk from Santa Monica to Venice in the late afternoon is perfect to get to know the real LA. However, this beach won’t be for everyone. It may even be intimidating to some.

Here you can admire local street artists selling handmade unique items. The air is scented with traces of California’s popular herbal refreshment, which is readily available in the shops along the boardwalk. If you can’t resist, stick to the bars and legal pot shops and beware of the scammers.

3. SHOP AT RODEO DRIVE, AS PRETTY WOMAN

Rodeo Drive is a world-famous two-kilometre stretch of road with the world’s most expensive designer boutiques. It’s synonymous with the rich and famous, luxury sports cars and the elite. Yes, this is where the Kardashian clan shops. All the shops are very luxurious and extravagant. The designer boutiques are lined with velvet ropes and only a few visitors are allowed in at a time. So unless you’re wearing Gucci shoes and Dolce & Gabbana dresses, expect to be followed into every store you enter and be a bit of an exotic! Just don’t expect to see celebrities here in large numbers. Still, this is the place to go to spend and display your wealth.

At the south end of Rodeo Drive is the super-luxurious A Four Seasons Hotel, where the famous romantic comedy Pretty Woman was filmed, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

4. THE SPADENA HOUSE – DISCOVER THE HOUSE WHERE THE WITCH LIVES IN BEVERLY HILLS

Beverly Hills is fabulously landscaped, and if you take a short drive around the neighborhood, you can uncover countless properties priced at staggering amounts! You, however, better go discover this fabulous house located at the corner of Walden Drive and Carmelita Avenue. It was built in the early 20th century to serve the needs of Hollywood silent films and has since become one of the most famous private homes in Los Angeles.

If you’re obsessed with the cult of witches, you’ll love Spadena House. This magnificent mystical house looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. Originally built in 1921, Spadena House was built as offices and dressing rooms for Irvin Willat‘s film studio in Culver City, California. Willat was an American film director of the silent film era who made 39 films between 1917 and 1937.

In 1926 the building was converted into a private house. You think it’s creepy that someone might be living there now? I think there’s a witch living there. 🙂 Seriously! The house is owned by real estate agent Michael Libow, who fell under the spell of a mystical house before selling it. And as he says, “It gives me great joy to bring joy to people who stop by to see it.”

5. LOOK FOR STARS ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

Of course, Hollywood is not to be missed! It’s such a glitzy neighborhood and the heart of Los Angeles. And why visit? It’s Hollywood! Who wouldn’t go to LA and explore the show business capital of the world?

It stretches along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and features more than 2,500 stars. I tried in vain to find the stars of my favorites. But don’t look for Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio to star here. Do you know how much it costs to add a star to the Walk of Fame? It’s a pretty big deal – $50,000! The money is used to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as the upkeep of the Walk of Fame.

Anyone can nominate a celebrity to have their star on the Walk of Fame. They must first obtain the written consent of the person nominated. Due to the high price of a star, celebrities are usually nominated by record and television companies or fan clubs. It is they who pay for the installation of the star. If you think anyone can get on the Walk of Fame, you’ll be disappointed. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce only allows stars with the names of actors, directors, producers, musicians, theatre/music groups and fictional characters. Maybe Mickey Mouse has a star.

I quite enjoyed watching the faces of people who were just looking for their favourite star. Their eyes always lit up when they saw the star they were looking for.

Well, at least my favorite actress has a star.

Do you know who the first star to appear on the Walk of Fame belongs to? On February 9, 1960, the official opening of the Hollywood Walk of Fame took place. The first star on this historic Walk of Fame was dedicated to actress Joanne Woodward, the Academy Award-winning actress (wife of Paul Newman) for The Three Faces of Eve.

MY TIP:

If you want to avoid the crowds, head here early in the morning. There’s hardly anybody here till 9:00, because even the shops are closed.

CHINESE THEATRE TCL

On the street where the Walk of Fame is located is the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, whose decoration was modeled after the red Chinese pagoda. It’s where countless blockbuster movies have had their world premiere, including George Lucas‘ 1977 Star Wars!

The theatre has changed owners several times and because of that also the names. Originally it was called Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Mann’s Chinese Theatre and currently its official name is TCL Chinese Theater!

In addition to hosting major premieres, the theatre is also famous for the more than 200 hand and footprints of famous Hollywood personalities in front of it.

It is here that you will find the handprints and footprints of famous personalities immortalised in cement in the courtyard in front of the stars.

Next door is the Dolby Theatre, where the annual Academy Awards ceremony is held.

6. LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

Do you already know what your warty genus is? Yes, this is where you can enter the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Don’t forget to buy the candy called magic Bertie’s beans at the local shop. They have an unusual taste. There’s nothing like playing a game with them to see who can pull out a candy flavoured with black pepper, dirt, earthworm, earwax, grass, rotten egg (that’s my favourite), sausage or vomit. Bon appetit!!!

I don’t really like some of the crazy rides, but I admit that I really enjoyed riding along with the Simpsons cartoon family.

Even if you’re not into attractions like me, you can enjoy a tour of the film studios – The Studio Tour. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at filming in one of the world’s most important movie studios. Chances are, some of what you saw was filmed behind the scenes at Universal.

You’ll find backdrops from Desparate Housewives, The Good Place and the square from Back to the Future, just to name a few. Some of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was also filmed here. You might even see the filming in progress! King Kong 3D and Fast and Furious also make for a thrilling ride, taking you straight into the action.

You’re gonna experience a flash flood in Old Mexico. You may know it from movies like Big Fat Liar or Fletch Lives. But seeing it in person is really something else. All of a sudden a downpour starts and before you know it, 10,000 gallons of water is rushing at you, punching through windows, knocking over signs, when suddenly it cuts and stops just short of washing you and the entire bus you’re sitting in away. How? By movie magic, of course.

MY TIP:

Doporučuji si zajet sem a atrakce absolvovat v ranních hodinách, abyste nemuseli na ně dlouho čekat. Protože jakmile začnou stoupat teploty, začnou stoupat i fronty u jednotlivých atrakcí.

7. STREET ART IN MELROSE AVENUE

Melrose Avenue is a popular place for shopping, dining and cafes. But it’s also a great place to walk around for street art. Here’s a small sample of some of the street art you’ll see on and around Melrose Avenue.

Don’t be surprised if you come across a lot of people flocking to these murals to capture instagram-worthy photos. The Melrose Avenue walls are simply perfect for anyone looking to spice up their “instagram feed” and boast one of the most instagrammable spots in LA.

8. EAT AT GRAND CENTRAL MARKET

Enjoy plenty of delicious dishes in the dynamic, bustling marketplace. Opened over a century ago, this market has been bringing together cuisines and cultures from around the world ever since. With dozens of vendors, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. You’ll find fresh produce here, but it’s the various international stalls that dominate with Mexican tacos, Jewish delicacies, ramen noodles and German currywurst.

If you’ve seen the American romantic movie musical La La Land starring Emma Stone and Rayne Gosling, you can’t miss this place. You’ll remember the scene where Mia and Sebastian sit on stools and enjoy their meal in the spacious food hall, which is decorated with neon signs.

The counter where Mia and Seb are sitting is called “Sarita’s Pupuseria“. For those who don’t know, a pupusa is a Salvadoran delicacy that consists of thick flat slices of cornmeal (meat) stuffed with a filling of your choice, including meat, rice and cheese.

9. BUY A BOOK AT THE LAST BOOKSTORE

Located just a block from the Bradbury Building, this independent bookstore became famous for its Instagram photos. I think rightfully so. Because it’s really cool! However, it’s not really the last bookstore. Thank goodness! But it is the largest bookstore, with both new and used books, in California. Plus it’s the single largest record store, comic book store, 5 art studios, epic yarn store, famous book tunnel, and mammoth head. Because it’s located in a 100 year old bank building, you’ll even find safes. But otherwise, they have tons of books.

10. SHOP AT THE JAPANESE CULTURE CENTRE IN LITTLE TOKYO

Fancy some ramen? Don’t look for any restaurant and head to Little Tokyo. Aside from the delicious noodles, this is the best place in town to get Japanese delicacies at a reasonable price.

Fashion enthusiasts will find plenty of bargains in the boutiques on the square that were previously trendy. And I discovered Japanese cosmetics shops. So I ended up bringing back rice face masks from LA, which I can’t get enough of.

BONUS: TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE ICONIC HOLLYWOOD SIGN

Few landmarks in Los Angeles can match the iconic Hollywood sign. Almost everyone is looking for this sign, and dear friends, I must tell you the truth. The Hollywood sign is not in Hollywood. 🙂 It was originally a billboard for an upscale housing development. The sign is located in one of those neighborhoods in Los Angeles where there are narrow and winding streets that are easy to get lost in. You can see the Hollywood sign from all over the city, but you need a pretty good camera to get a decent shot from a distance.

Los Angeles is exactly how I imagined it and what I was looking forward to. And I wasn’t even too mad that my favorite Walk of Fame stars weren’t here. I found a lot of inspiration here that will last me a long time! LA you are simply an “Angel”!