Friday, July 21, 2006
07/2006: California: 'a walk in LA...'
Don’t underestimate the distances in Los Angeles, it is a huge city and covers a lot of ground. The reason no-one walks anywhere is nothing to do with laziness – it’s just too far. Taxis are expensive and although there is a bus/public transport service, it is quite limited and takes a long time. Car hire is a good option, but beware of parking charges, the majority of hotels charge for parking, and public car parks are not cheap (there is NO free parking in LA!). Metered parking is available on the side of some roads but is only for 1 to 3 hours and strictly monitored.
Don’t underestimate the distances in Los Angeles, it is a huge city and covers a lot of ground. The reason no-one walks anywhere is nothing to do with laziness – it’s just too far. Taxis are expensive and although there is a bus/public transport service, it is quite limited and takes a long time. Car hire is a good option, but beware of parking charges, the majority of hotels charge for parking, and public car parks are not cheap (there is NO free parking in LA!). Metered parking is available on the side of some roads but is only for 1 to 3 hours and strictly monitored.
07/2006: Los Angeles – Hollywood
If you want to visit Universal Studios, you would be better staying in one of the hotels on or near the property. Maybe consider North Hollywood for the Kodak Theatre, the Hall of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
For live music and nightlife, West Hollywood is the area to be – along Sunset Boulevard. The House of Blues, the Comedy Store, the Viper Room and Whisky-a-Go-Go are all along ‘the strip’, and there are a number of painfully trendy eateries. Anything in Beverley Hills with the world ‘sushi’ in the title is guaranteed to attract swathes of the glitterati.
The colourful area around the cross of San Vincente Bvd and Santa Monica Boulevard houses a number of gay bars and clubs.
If you want to visit Universal Studios, you would be better staying in one of the hotels on or near the property. Maybe consider North Hollywood for the Kodak Theatre, the Hall of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. For live music and nightlife, West Hollywood is the area to be – along Sunset Boulevard. The House of Blues, the Comedy Store, the Viper Room and Whisky-a-Go-Go are all along ‘the strip’, and there are a number of painfully trendy eateries. Anything in Beverley Hills with the world ‘sushi’ in the title is guaranteed to attract swathes of the glitterati.
The colourful area around the cross of San Vincente Bvd and Santa Monica Boulevard houses a number of gay bars and clubs.
07/2006: Los Angeles – Beaches
Those preferring a longer, beach-based holiday would be more suited to Santa Monica, where there is also plenty to do within walking distance. The lively Third Street promenade is lined with shops and restaurants and scores of nightly street entertainers – some better than others. Check out the mad bloke with the Victorian cats (awful but tragic) and the Argentinian Flamenco guitar band (gorgeous and talented) The shops are open until late in the evening, although the pier area can get a bit seedy after dark.
For a quieter, more upmarket beach stay, Marina del Rey has some attractive fish restaurants in a peaceful marina setting.
Those preferring a longer, beach-based holiday would be more suited to Santa Monica, where there is also plenty to do within walking distance. The lively Third Street promenade is lined with shops and restaurants and scores of nightly street entertainers – some better than others. Check out the mad bloke with the Victorian cats (awful but tragic) and the Argentinian Flamenco guitar band (gorgeous and talented) The shops are open until late in the evening, although the pier area can get a bit seedy after dark.For a quieter, more upmarket beach stay, Marina del Rey has some attractive fish restaurants in a peaceful marina setting.
07/2006: Los Angeles – Culture & Shopping
The Downtown area is bustling during the daytime, and is where LA’s cultural heart is, but it dies a death after dark, when the homeless make the streets their own. Anyone with an interest in 1930s architecture should make a visit to the evocative LA main train station.
Shopaholics – and those with platinum credit cards – could choose one of the pricey hotels in the Rodeo Drive area in Beverley Hills to rub shoulders with celebrities and the revoltingly rich. The Luxe hotel is right in the heart of Rodeo Drive and is an intimate discreet little boutique option.
The Downtown area is bustling during the daytime, and is where LA’s cultural heart is, but it dies a death after dark, when the homeless make the streets their own. Anyone with an interest in 1930s architecture should make a visit to the evocative LA main train station.Shopaholics – and those with platinum credit cards – could choose one of the pricey hotels in the Rodeo Drive area in Beverley Hills to rub shoulders with celebrities and the revoltingly rich. The Luxe hotel is right in the heart of Rodeo Drive and is an intimate discreet little boutique option.
