Beginner’s Guide around Los Angeles:

It is a place where magic is possible, where dreams can come true.

For me, LA has always seemed to be such a fancy and glamorous city. It’s a place where all the dreams can come true and where celebrities have been through times. I’ve always wanted to see that on my very own eyes, I mean… haven’t you? And the best part is that there’s something for every taste!

Hollywood Sign:

This was one the highlights of the whole trip! Who would have guessed that a simple landmark like this would become such an iconic attraction and a symbol that millions of tourists come to see? The sign was built in 1923 and it was originally designed to be a real estate billboard for the “Hollywoodland” that the area was named that time.

The sign really plays a big part in the history of the film industry in the US and worldwide and also have been and still is a symbol of hope and promise of a better future. It’s just amazing how nine letters on top of the highest hill in Los Angeles holds an eternal magic!

The way to the Sign:

So basically you have two options; either to see the sign from close up or just enjoy it from a distance. One place to see the sign is from the park at the Griffith Observatory where you get a good look at the sign. You can also find a hiking path from there to the sign but note that this is the longest path to take and it is about 8.8 miles roundtrip or about 15km. So if you want to do the hike I would recommend finding a shorter route (unless you’re up for the challenge of course) as there are several options for that. The shortest walking trail is the Burbank Peak Trail and it climbs up to Mount Lee where you can find the sign. The trail is 3 miles (less than 5km) so it is a lot shorter than from the Griffith Observatory.

Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre:

Hollywood walk of fame is another site to see. It was originally designed to maintain the glory and glamour of famous names. Nowadays there are over 2600 names and stars there. It’s a long walk and it stretches in couple of directions too. If you walk along the main street you’ll come to the world-famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. It was opened in 1927 and through decades it has been one of the main tourist attractions in Los Angeles. You’ll find the handprints, footprints, and signatures of Hollywood’s biggest stars including the movies Spiderman and Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Marilyn Monroe among others.

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90210:

Los Angeles really has some of the most remarkable places when it comes to movies and Tv series. One of them is Beverly Hills, a city in LA, referred also as ‘90210’ by the zip code. It has become the home of the rich and famous and it is the richest area per capita that you’ll find in US.  You’ll also find gorgeous houses there surrounded by well-kept yards and fences and also the recognised Beverly Hills Hotel. The hotel is worth seeing from outside even if you wouldn’t be planning on staying the night there (to be honest, the prices were waaay over my budget!). Also you can drive through Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard which are just around the corner.

Santa Monica and Venice Beach:

I think Santa Monica is such a cool city in LA! It’s amazing how much diversity one city holds – from the glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills to the hip beach side of Santa Monica. It’s the perfect beach town to enjoy summer days by the long beach and also being a small town you’ll find it easily walkable. One of the main attractions is Santa Monica Pier with a variety of restaurants, shops, cafes and bars not forgetting about the Ferris wheel that is iconic to Santa Monica. Also if you are in Santa Monica, I’d recommend stopping by Venice beach which is only about 10 minutes’ drive away. It is such a cool place to spend the evening and hang out in a relaxed and bohemian environment.

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So these are the main attractions the city holds but of course there are plenty of other places to visit in and around the city too. I wrote all of sites in that order that I visited them. So start from Hollywood sign and as you drive around you’ll notice that the other spots are quite nearby to each other. You’ll get amazing sunset at Venice beach if you hit there end of the day. Also I would recommend leaving at least one day for Santa Monica since there are plenty of things to enjoy! There are just so many great places to visit in LA and I would definitely love to go there again and explore some more!

Have you been to LA? What’s your favourite place there?

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