Los Angeles

The glamour of Tinseltown lures many visitors and starry-eyed celeb hopefuls every year to Los Angeles, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. From Hollywood to the beaches, and everywhere in between, Los Angeles can keep tourists busy for a long time. While LA does have a public transportation system, having a car is essential to get around this city – just be prepared for the terrible traffic and aggressive drivers. Hollywood offers a glimpse into the lives of the celebrities we admire on the big screen (and small screen!). The historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard takes you back to Old Hollywood. Rather than pay for the tour, read up on the history before you go, and consider catching a movie in the theater. Outside the theater (meaning it’s free to explore), visitors flock to find out how they measure up to their favorite celebs—literally. Place your own hands or feet into the imprints left by such legendary celebrities as Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne, and see what they mean about big shoes to fill. Even if you’ve been before, it’s worth a return visit to see the new additions, like the Harry Potter cast and Kobe Bryant. When it’s busy (and really, when isn’t it?) expect to see street performers and celebrity impersonators: Charlie Chaplin, Spiderman, Elvis, and more. Be warned that most will expect a tip if you want to take a photo. Near Grauman’s Theater is the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards, which is worth a tour. On Hollywood Boulevard outside the Grauman’s Theater, you’ll find the Walk of Fame, where celebrity stars cover the sidewalks. Watch out for scams in this area – many people will try to sell tours, tickets, and maps of the celebrity houses, many of which are not accurate. [There are some tours of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills, but often the most you can see is a gate or fence. A drive around Beverly Hills on your own will allow you to view the multimillion dollar homes of the area.] The Hollywood sign is an icon of Los Angeles, but it can be difficult to find, so get directions before you go. It’s a bit of a hike to get right up to the sign, but another option is driving up part way and stopping to take pictures from there. The Griffith Observatory also offers great views of the Hollywood sign. You can’t visit LA without checking out some beaches. Don’t worry if laying out in the sun and swimming aren’t your thing – Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach have plenty more to do. Santa Monica Pier is a boardwalk with rides, food, and great shopping nearby. Venice Beach has an eclectic mix of people (great for people-watching), as well as shops, street vendors and performers, parks, and even a gym. Many people ride bikes and rollerblade on the sidewalks along this beach. Venice Beach gets very busy, and there are some sketchy people hanging around, so be careful if you go. Check out the Venice Canals nearby for a less touristy area with fancy homes and Italian-inspired canals. Huntington Beach is another, slightly farther away option, that is a nice beach with shops and restaurants nearby. Universal Studios and Disneyland are great stops for travelers with children and without! They each take up a substantial amount of time, so trips to either should be planned in advance. Universal Studios warrants about a full day, while Disneyland could take several. Highlights at Universal Studios are the backlot tours, which takes you around the film sets for movies like Jaws, and the Jurassic Park water ride (especially on hot days). Universal Studios has more to offer adults and older children. Disneyland is a vacation in itself, with two separate parks and many rides and attractions. Universal Studios has a promenade called Universal City Walk, and Disneyland has a similar area called Downtown Disney which offers the same. No ticket is necessary for either of these, and Downtown Disney is a great place to watch the nightly Disneyland fireworks show. Finally, find out if your favorite show is taped in the LA area, and you might be able to attend a live taping. Some popular shows filmed in Los Angeles are Desperate Housewives, Conan, the Tonight Show, and American Idol.