The Grand Tour of LA

Yesterday we on the "Grand Tour" of LA and surrounding area courtesy of a black minibus and an excellent driver/commentator. Started with a drive from Anaheim to downtown LA, going over a highway intersection that was 8 stories high and was the one they used to film "Speed". The most spectacular building we saw was the auditorium, nearly everything else was just skyscrapers.




Then we stopped at the LA historical site where we saw the birthplace of the city, the first street, and the first house. Interesting that the oldest house in LA, built in 1847, is still not as old as my house which was built in 1806.




Then out of LA and off to Hollywood. Of course you have to see the famous sign, and we got a good view of downtown LA, despite it being surrounded by smog, and as a bonus the Hollywood bowl which you can see at the bottom of this picture.




The Hollywood sign is way up on a hill, and was originally there to advertise real estate for sale.




Then we had a quick drive down into Hollywood, passing the church where Sister Act was filmed, and several famous people's houses.
In Hollywood we saw the famous Chinese theatre with the hand and feet imprints outside, and I got as close to George Clooney as I suspect I ever will.




We went in the Kodak theatre where the Oscars are filmed, and had an amazing strawberry dipped in chocolate. The walk of fame is popular with tourists who take pictures of their favourite stars, who apparently pay $40,000 dollars to have their star in the pavement.




Then off for a trip round Beverley Hills, where the cheapest house is $1.5m, and the dearest currently on the market is $57m. Rodeo Drive is the only commercial area in Beverley Hills, and it's just every designer shop you've ever heard of.

Stopped for lunch in the Farmers Market, where prices were luckily affordable, and then a bit of shopping. The shopping area had a bakery for dogs! Then we went to the sea. First to Santa Monica which has a fantastic beach and a pier with a funfair on, and then to Venice Beach which is very different. A good beach, but the boardwalk is hippy heaven.





Lots of very strange shops, including "doctors" offering legal majuana. Couldn't quite work that one out!




And my favourite was "Botox on the Beach". had a pleasant hour walking up and down the boardwalk, and managed to find ice cream, but no beer! Venice Beach is so called because of the canals which were built in the 30s, but only 4 of them survive today, a very different side of the town to the one we saw by the sea.




Then finally we went to the largest man made harbour in the state, and finally found a beer!

Then back to the hotel where I had a quick relax in the hot tub before going out again for dinner, this time to the Anaheim Garden Walk. Everyone a bit tired, so an earlyish night.