cc: photo credit: Dave Gorman

A trip to Los Angeles is an adventure that can come in many different flavors. You can take a scenic relaxing tour through the city, hitting the most laid back locales, or you can go the high adventure route and explore the most happening hot spots. Whatever your preference, Los Angeles is chock full of landmarks that are worthy of your attention.

Sit back and enjoy the sights with a tour of L.A. and the star’s homes. Los Angeles Sightseeing Tours is a great way to start your experience. Let these experienced and reliable tour guides take you through the highlights and give you insights that you’re not going to learn in the official tour books. Make note of the places you pass on your tour that spark your interest and return later to leisurely explore.

For the first time visitor a trip to Hollywood is almost a must. Here you can stroll the streets, do a little shopping, an check out restaurants and happening nightclubs, but probably the most famous part of Hollywood is the Hollywood Sign. The sign has come to mean more than the name of a town, it signifies a dream for many, and failed aspirations for others. Originally built in the 1920’s the sign first read HOLLYWOODLAND and was not meant as an homage to the city below but an advertisement for a real estate development. Over the years the sign has gone through many phases of vandalism and disrepair but now stands restored and revered as a symbol of hope for many fame-driven hopefuls.

And as long as you’re in the neighborhood, there are several other things worth taking note of in Hollywood, like the Walk of Fame. Since the first inscription of Joanne Woodward’s name on February 9^th 1960, instant tradition began. Currently there are over 2000 people, animals fictional characters and some companies and buildings are honored on the approximately 3.5 mile walk. Nominations to be placed on the walk are submitted each May and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce makes the final decision on who will be honored and who will be forgotten.

While on your walk of the stars you’ll pass right by Grauman’s Chinese Theater, purportedly the most famous theater in the world. Originally established in 1927, the theater was the brainchild of Sid Grauman who knew how to create a spectacle. Rising 90 feet into the air, the roof commands attention of passersby. The exterior and the interior feature Chinese architecture and artifacts but the most noted feature is not Chinese at al. Grauman came up with the idea to have the stars put their handprints and foot prints in wet cement to immortalize them during publicized ceremonies in the Forecourt of the Stars. Pop culture historians will recognize Grauman’s Chinese Theater from its many appearances in film, television, video games, novels and songs.

Looking for a place to stay, how about the Roosevelt Hotel. Serving as host to such notable guests as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift the hotel continues to draw Hollywood’s brightest stars and visitors alike. Originally financed by Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Louis B. Mayer in 1927, the Roosevelt was home to the first Academy Awards ceremony two years later. This Spanish Colonial Revival building was declared a landmark in August of 1991 and is still reportedly haunted by Monroe and Clift.

Another stop that draws hoards of people for different reasons is Griffith Observatory. The Observatory opened in 1935 and became an instant success. In addition to space and scientific exhibits there is a planetarium, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon, Gottlieb Transit Corridor and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium Theater. If the science isn’t what drew you to the Griffith Observatory, maybe it’s the views. Located on the south facing slope of Mt. Hollywood, the observatory has spectacular views of the LA Basin, downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood an the Pacific Ocean. And if that doesn’t wow you then perhaps getting up close and personal with a location that has been featured in more than a dozen feature films including Rebel Without a Cause and The Terminator. It’s had a place of importance in just as many television series and pops up now and again in music videos, video games and comic books on occasion.  If you still have time on your stop through Hollywood, be sure to visit the Wax Museum and the Kodak Theatre, or take your kids to visit Universal Studios.

For anyone with children a trip to the L.A. area isn’t complete without a stop at Disneyland Park. Walt Disney’s west side residence is actually the only theme park designed, built, opened and operated by the man himself. This adventure playland is the second most visited park in the world, second only to its eastside cousin, Disney World in Orlando, Florida. There is almost no end to the activities featured in Disneyland as guests can enjoy a variety of edible treats, thrill to spectacular theme rides, watch parades and fireworks, or sit and view a variety show or movie. And don’t forget about the shopping.

Another must see attraction is the famous Knott’s Berry Farm. If you find Disneyland a little tame, then you’ll love the rides at Knott’s Berry Farm, with over 165 world class rides and some really thrilling roller coasters. If you do have little ones along, be sure to make a stop at Camp Snoopy for rides specifically geared for the smaller set and themed fun. In addition, if the weather permits, the Wild Water Wilderness is a great stop for family fun and water themed rides. Check out their annual schedule as the farm hosts a number of exciting seasonal events. 

If you seek these thrilling rides but your travels find your family north of LA, consider Six Flags Magic Mountain as an alternative to these amusement parks to the south.

And don’t leave the Los Angeles area without making a stop to the Santa Monica Pier.  Whether you’re looking for a quiet stroll along the beach and a peaceful sunset or if you’re searching for more excitement, the Santa Monica Pier has it all. The pier offers dining, shopping, amusements rides at Pacific Park an attraction in itself, a 1922 carousel and interactive aquarium. And don’t forget the ocean. Take advantage of all that the Pacific Ocean has to offer with fishing, snorkeling, swimming, sandcastle building, sun bathing and of course surfing. In addition to the permanent fixtures at the Santa Monica Pier, there are the aforementioned sunsets, roaming performers and musicians and artists that make every visit to the pier a unique experience.

This California playland is accessible from several different airports, including the international LAX, Long Beach, Orange County and Burbank.  Of course there are many places to stay, but if you’re in the market for a great hotel deal in LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Orange County or Anaheim, check out Hotels Cheap. Don’t miss out on the fun!

(cc: photo credit: Sërch)

Los Angeles may be the biggest city in California. It may also be the highest populated city in the United States and the most well known in the world. However, when someone say’s “Los Angeles” the first thing that comes to mind is Hollywood and sunshine. It’s true, even in December and January you’d be hard pressed to find the temperature hitting below 55 degrees and it’s a real event if it ever snows. Los Angeles is the perfect vacation destination any time of year. Sure, there’s plenty to see relating to Hollywood, but there are even more places to see that you may not know about.

Universal Studios is one of the most visited location by travelers in all of Los Angeles, so it makes sense that it would be our first sight to list. The main attractions is the “Tram Tour” that takes you through the soundstages and back lot, where many TV shows and movies are filmed. However, Universal Studios is like a theme park in many ways, with specialty rides, hotels, restaurants, shops and shows. You can get tickets to join the audience of any taping TV shows. If this is your main vacation attraction, you’ll be happy to hear that there are two luxury hotels and a shopping center right outside the Studios’ gates.

Hollywood Walk of Fame was the creative idea of Los Angeles’ local artist, Oliver Weismuller. With the task of giving Hollywood a face lift back in 1958, he came up with the idea of 2,000 pink stars in the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard. Joanne Woodward received the first star back in 1960. Since then the stars have continued on down Vine Street with a current total of 2,300 with names of stars and show business personalities honored for their contribution to the entertainment industry.

Santa Monica Pier will take you back to the good old days of Los Angeles with their historic 1916 carousel and play land arcade. The Pier’s aquarium is full of touch tanks, displays and Santa Monica Bay’s marine life. During the summer there are music performances encouraging you to get up and dance or you can just sit in the sand and enjoy. Pacific Park is right next door with their waterfront roller coaster and other rides.

La Brea Tar Pits sounds like a strange place to spend your vacation, but it’s so interesting that once you are there you won’t be sorry you came. The lake oozes with tar and methane gas. An ongoing excavation continues as prehistoric animals, some 28,000 years old are pulled from it. This is the location of the most impressive collection of fossils from the Ice Age, in the world. You will see exhibits of the ancient skeletal remains inside the George Page Museum. In addition, you can watch outside bubble-bowl laboratory as paleontologists examine, clean and restore fossils.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater has been a Hollywood cornerstone for over 75 years. It started with a bang with a riot broke out during the grand opening in 1927. Fans lined Hollywood Boulevard fighting for a glimpse of stars as they arrived. The first movie of the theater was “The King of Kings.” The theater cost $2,000,000 to build with permission granted by the U.S. government to import and include, from China, artifacts such as temple bells, Heaven Dogs and pagodas. Still today, Grauman’s is the most sought after theater to show premiers with fans still trying to get a look at celebrities as they enter the theater.

Sunset Strip became famous with the early TV show, “77 Sunset Strip.” This mile and a half stretch of road that encompasses cutting edge restaurants, nightclubs, rock clubs and boutiques. It passes through West Hollywood and is known as the celebrity’s hangout where you might see movie stars, rock stars and other entertainers. Many celebrities, such as Cameron Diaz, Leo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, Paris Hilton and others, live in the near by areas of Hollywood Hills and Laurel Canyon.

Venice Beach was just a marshland before Abbot Kinney got his hands on it. He envisioned a California style Venice, Italy with gondolas, hotels, an amusement pier and Italian style buildings. It opened in 1904 and did well until the depression hit and then World War II. However, it never died and bounced back in 1944. Today, it’s known for it’s cultural melting pot of music and art with a lifestyle all it’s own. You shouldn’t be surprised to find a movie being filmed when you are there or that it seems to be a home for body builders to show off their assets. It’s the number one beach on the West Coast and shouldn’t be missed.

Korean Bell of Friendship is a huge bell bestowed upon the U.S. as a bicentennial gift to commemorate Korean War veterans. The Republic of Korea donated the bell in a show of friendship in 1976. It weights 17 tons and stands 12 feet high beneath a stone pagoda structure. The housing structure stands on 12 columns with animals guarding at each one. The 12 columns represent the signs of the oriental zodiac. The bell gets rung four times a year, Korean Independence Day (August 15), July fourth, New Years Eve and every September to commemorate Constitution Week.

Heritage Square Museum boasts twelve turn of the century homes that have been relocated and restored. Take a guided tour to learn about Victorian American structures and living. You’ll also see Palm’s Train Station which was used in a Laurel and Hardy flick way back when. If you can visit Los Angeles during Halloween week you’re kids will get a real treat with trick-or-treating between the houses, craft making and choosing a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.

Watts Towers is a group of 99 foot folk art masterpieces created with steel rods, pipes and wire mesh with decorations of ceramic tiles, seashells, scrap metal, bottles and more. This famous Los Angeles monument was sculpted by a construction work, Simon Rodia, over 30 years of spare time, completed in 1954. Every year, thousands of people are gathered at the site to enjoy the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival and the Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival.

China Town in Los Angeles may be smaller than the ones in San Francisco and New York, but you won’t want to miss the total cultural richness of the population while enjoying the authentic Chinese restaurants and picking up a remembrance or two from their shops. The location is pedestrian friendly and walking is really the only way to experience the entire flavor of China Town. After all, the old Los Angeles down town area, including China Town, was built for streetcars in mind, not for today’s vehicles.

Sightseeing with the family can get expensive.  Save money on your Los Angeles hotel at Hotels Cheap.

(cc: photo credit: Noel Kerns)

Los Angeles is a busy city with a lot of fun destinations for the perfect family vacation.  Some visitors will stick close to Hollywood hoping to sneak a peak at a movie star or they will tour on busses that will take them by beautiful mansions that belong to the actors that live in the area.  Others will head straight for Disney Land and then take side trips to Knotts Berry Farm and Sea World.  Still others will be enamored with a more cultural sense and will start their trip with the Griffith Observatory, the Natural History Museum and the DeVorzon Gallery.  What ever your pleasure sooner or later you will have to stop for a meal.  Whether you are traveling with your family or just prefer casual dining, you will find the best choices here.

Giggles ‘N’ Hugs is a favorite restaurant for children because they can just be themselves.  This is an excellent choice if your child’s birthday happens to come during vacation.  Half of the restaurant is a play area with other half a dining area.  Their special Macaroni and Cheese dish has hidden butternut squash for extra nutrition.  They also have freshly baked pizza and gourmet salads to choose from.  There is a kid’s disco night on Friday evenings and a puppet show on Saturdays.

Gauchos Village calls itself a little bit of Brazil.  Featuring the all-you-can-eat Brazilian Buffet with salads, pastas, bread, fried bananas and skewers of beef.  The staff, dressed in gaucho costumes will serve your every cuisine need.  Roberto Montero will play the best of Bossa Nova on his guitar every Thursday.  Similar wonderful live Brazilian music is played Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Mama’s Rib Shack offers original southern American food.  They are completely family friendly and give great service as only a family owned and operated restaurant can.  The Los Angeles Times Newspaper calls them “A Louisiana Dream.”   Try their fried catfish, chicken or shrimp creole, spicy jambalaya and, of course, their barbecue ribs.  The best soul food and they serve it all with free cornbread.  When the family is starving for rib-sticking food, this is the place – and easy on the budget too.

Ocean Seafood offers the freshest of Cantonese sea cuisine including familiar and unfamiliar fish, shrimp, crab and lobster.  The staff has been meticulously trained to offer the customer suggestions while giving excellent service.  Beside seafood, they offer general Chinese and Dim Sum fair.  They are located in the heart of China Town and offer family style serving with an “A” rating from the Health Department.  They also offer take-out if you’d like to eat back at your hotel.

Side Street Café attracts an eclectic group of patrons that always feel at home in the décor of mismatched tables and family photos of barbeques, picnics and little league games.  For breakfast try the Side Street Sampler which includes sourdough French toast, a giant pancake, two eggs and potatoes.  Sounds like the one dish could feed the whole family.  The kids will love the fresh hot chocolate with whipped cream or fresh squeezed orange juice.  For the adults, Side Street Café boasts the best coffee in town.  If you’ve brought the family pup on the trip, sit in their outdoor patio and enjoy the sunshine.

Casa Bianca Pizza Pie will send you back in time to the 50s as you walk through the door and sit down at a red-checked table clothed table and posters of old Italy on the walls.  If your not in the mood for their delicious cheese dripping pizza, they also offer traditional Italian cuisine of spaghetti, lasagna or homemade sausage.  For a fun idea for the adults, bring your own wine.  This is allowed with a $2.50 corkage fee.  Of course, they have a perfectly good selection of wines at Casa Bianca’s.  If you should have a chance to eat there on a Saturday night try their complimentary deep-fried Sicilian rice balls (arancini di riso).

Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles is a local institution, immortalized in movies such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Swingers.”  It’s true the décor is rather bland, but customers aren’t here for the ambiance, but for the food.  Most popularly, people pack the restaurant for Sunday brunch.  They offer such fair as fried chicken and gravy smothered hash browns,  Roscoe’s specialty dish, called Scoe’s Special, is chicken and waffles.  You’ve never seen such fluffy waffles, with just a hint of cinnamon, no matter how you decide to eat them.  Roscoe’s is great for the budget too.

The Cheesecake Factory, although they can be found at other parts of the country as well as L.A., if you are a cheesecake lover there are none finer than here.  If your adventuresome try the Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake.  If not, stick with the original cheesecake.  Either way you can’t go wrong.  If you get a chance ask for an outdoor seat so you can enjoy the marina views.  This kid friendly restaurant serves a delectable cuisine, not just cheesecake.  So plan on ordering great pasta, tacos, salmon and more from their book sized menu.

Grinder Restaurant serves just plain old good American food for the budget conscious.  The décor is nothing fancy, but if you’re just looking for great service and good food and a good price Grinders is a good meal stop. If you stop by their webpage before leaving for your trip you will be able to print off some discount coupons.  Some of their popular dishes are their Heavenly Hamburger ( choice of French fries or fruit and add soup or salad for just $1,59, Wild Alaskan Salmon Burger or for breakfast try creating your own omelet.

Los Angeles Casual Dining

No matter what activities you choose to enjoy during your trip to Los Angeles, you are bound to find one or more of these restaurants a match to your personal and cuisine style.  And when you come back to visit this busy city, be adventuresome and try some of the other casual dining experiences at Napa Valley Grill, Frisella’s Roastery or the West Coast Pizza.

Make your family happy.  Get a great deal on your LA hotel at Hotels Cheap and spend the savings on dining (or bigger tips).