After the eccentricity of Las Vegas, we dropped our bags to visit Los Angeles for our last stop. A very touristy program awaited us, but in 3 days it was impossible to discover the whole of L.A. So we chose a few mythical places (and very touristy ones too).

We started our first day with Santa Monica which is a coastal city west of Los Angeles. Santa Monica is one of the end points of the famous Route 66 linking Chicago to the West Coast. When we arrived, we parked in a paid parking lot with cars as far as the eye could see.

We first went to the Santa Monica Pier known for its wooden boards, rides, and breathtaking views over the beaches. We took the opportunity to have a look around Pacific Park which is a family amusement park with a Ferris wheel (offering an amazing view over the bay), roller coasters, and fairground-style rides. On Santa Monica Pier, there are many shops (mostly tourist-oriented), restaurants including the famous Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. chain, pubs, and even police cars with surfboards! You will also see all kinds of performers putting on little shows and creating a lively atmosphere.

 

 

Santa Monica Beach is one of the best-known beaches in the world and a true symbol of California. So we laid our towels on the sand, and my little boy even tried to swim, but the water in the Pacific Ocean was really too cold! There were quite a lot of people and many families, but the beaches are so huge that you never really feel packed in. You will also see lots of people playing beach volleyball, surfing, jogging… It is a place where life feels good, with a cool atmosphere that is truly California.

 

 

California is also known for its seismic zone, so you will find signs warning about tsunami risk and giving advice in case of an earthquake.

 

We then got back in the car and headed for Venice Beach  also very well known. We found a completely different atmosphere there, but we easily recognized some of the clichés you see in American movies: California girls, basketball players, lots of skaters, and an outdoor gym! There is a mix of tourists, hippies, athletes, all kinds of shops, and restaurants…

The day went by very quickly and in the evening we met friends in a diner in West Hollywood. This neighborhood lies between Beverly Hills and Hollywood. It is very lively and you can get around there easily. There are many shops, pubs, and restaurants. We first walked around to discover the area a little, then headed to the restaurant. As usual in American restaurants, our son was given a high chair and a little pack with drawings and crayons. It is really great and very practical for keeping children busy!

The next day, we had planned to spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood. The park sits on a hill in Los Angeles, and as with all theme parks, everything is very well organized to get you there. We enjoyed some really fun attractions such as King Kong 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons Ride, and Transformers 3D. We also did the park’s must-see attraction, the Studio Tour which gives you access to the hidden side of certain films or TV series. The visit lasts about 1 hour, and aboard a small train you can discover the backstage side of Fast and Furious, Psycho, War of the Worlds, Desperate Housewives, and more. There is even a simulated earthquake in a subway, and you become one of the main actors in it. Having already done Universal Studios in Orlando, I have to admit I slightly preferred that one, but we still had a great time. By the way, the haunted house (House of Horrors) really left its mark on me… I will let you discover the surprise yourself if you go there.

 

                                                                                                                                 

 

On the last day (yes, already…), we went to Hollywood. We searched for the famous Hollywood sign, which we had a hard time finding despite the directions. We did find it, and I took a little souvenir photo like so many others… For your information, so you do not drive around in circles for hours as we did, I recommend taking Gower Street from Hollywood Boulevard, heading north, then continuing onto Beachwood Drive, then Ledgewood Drive, and finally Deronda Drive, which ends in a dead end. From there, a trail gives you access to the closest viewpoint of the sign, with a superb view over Los Angeles!

We also strolled along the very famous Walk of Fame (Walk of Fame) and discovered the stars bearing the names of film, music, theater, television, and radio artists. We then had lunch in a diner from the “Mel’s Drive-In” chain, located practically on Hollywood Boulevard. On the menu you will find all kinds of burgers and pancakes, but above all you will be immersed in a typical 1960s atmosphere!

 

 

 

We then went back to the hotel to enjoy the rooftop pool and relax before the long day that awaited us the next morning.

In the evening, we walked around in Beverly Hills. It is a city of its own within Los Angeles, with magnificent houses and many luxury boutiques, especially on Rodeo Drive. We ended the evening on a sweet note at the Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills.

Our California road trip over, we took the plane back to France the next day with a small ache in our hearts and the strong feeling that we needed to come back soon!

To be continued…