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Los Angeles: Big City Fun
International Magazine
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Los Angeles: Big City Fun
by Bonnie Neely, Photos by Bill Neely
Wherever we go we hear people say, "I wouldn't want to go to Los Angeles," yet for years the city has been one of our favorite places to visit. Of course, all cities in the U.S. today can be very expensive, but there are also ways to enjoy this unique metropolis without spending a fortune.
With about 8 million population and about 150 mile diameter from North to South, and freeways with twelve lanes of traffic going a minimum of 65 miles per hour, you have to be a good driver and plan your route carefully. If you are not it a rush, even the famous grid-lock can be an experience of local flavor, albeit one you wouldn't choose. You'll want to keep your camera handy because walking or riding, there's no telling what or whom you will see, all in the fun of the experience. It might be blue hair, or underwear worn as outer wear, or a fantastic street artist or juggler, or a famous face from screen to real life.For an excellent choice of a medium priced hotel we really enjoyed our stay at The Sportsmen's Lodge (818) 755-5000
in Studio City. It is on Ventura Blvd. at Coldwater Canyon and is a nice walk to any necessary shopping and many excellent restaurants and eateries. The huge swimming pool, excellent fitness facilities and whirlpool, and several on-site restaurants and large bar make this a wonderful place to stay. They offer a free airport ride service. You can purchase tickets to Universal Studios at a real bargain at Sportsmen's Lodge and they have a free shuttle there also.
For your entertainment budget, you must include a day at Universal Studios and Theme Park, where the rides and shows relate to your favorite movies, and the thrills abound. Your trip through the studios to see where and how films are made is a real "Hollywood" experience not to be missed. If you can avoid peak holidays and week-ends, you'll have more ride time and shorter lines, and rainy days are a great time to go... just wear a poncho (which you'll need anyway on several of the wet rides!) 
Our favorite ride is the very wet Jurassic Park, and our pick of a show is the amazing 4-D Shrek Show, which you'll have to experience to comprehend! If you intend to return to Universal even one more time during the year, the annual pass is a fabulous bargain, for just a few dollars more than a day ticket. If you are brave and love thrills, take the all new Mummy ride...really a heart stopper!
Univeral City Walk is a free and fun area of most unusual and eclectic shops, characters, and magic fountain walks. It's a fun place to browse and eat, or even ice skate!Disneyland and California Adventure are, naturally, the most famous attractions in the area, and if you are only going to be in Los Angeles for one family holiday, you must go to both, so save your money until you can afford the two days there. Unforgettable and fun for any age, with or without children! And it is not the same as Disney World in Florida, so do not miss this American, Californian experience you'll remember fondly for life.
Since this is the movie capital of the world, you will want to see a movie in Hollywood. Although it is pricey, the experience is more than just a movie, especially if you go to the Disney Theater in downtown Hollywood, where Disney has renovated a seedy area and turned it into a wonderful mall and theater where sometimes you'll find characters performing and organist playing before the film. You'll also want to see a show at the famous Mann Chinese Theater. If your budget does not permit the cinema, at least see the theaters and the famous stars in the sidewalk. Of course, the L.A. Tourist experience is also to buy a Star Map and drive around looking for movie star houses and perhaps faces. We once saw a very famous star walking his dog.
Now that your money is all spent, here are some ideas for free or nominal cost experiences to make your holiday in L.A. great and educational. At the coast you'll find the most beautiful beaches of golden sand, and if it is too cold to swim (it always is), you'll enjoy building sand castles and watching surfers.
If you have some more entertainment money, go to the famous Santa Monica Pier for the permanent midway rides. But even if you have no budget for the rides, (and your children clearly understand that you'll spend no money) go to the pier to see the street artists and vendors and just people watch, while taking good pictures back at the shore and skyline. You can also enjoy fishing from the pier.
To the beach take a picnic and your bike or skates, or rent them at most any of the beaches along this beautiful Pacific Coast. You'll find a wonderful paved sidewalk for bikes and skates (walkers and motor vehicles are not allowed). This pathway by the ocean is always breezy and popular and goes for over 30 miles! Californians know how to enjoy the out of doors! And if you are lucky enough to be on this pathway on a Sunday at Venice Beach, you'll get all the free entertainment you could ever hope for as the street performers of every kind fascinate their audiences.
A drive through the beautiful Malibu Canyon will take you past an amazing "sugar castle," where you may want to visit with reverence. It is one of the only Hindu temples in the United States. You must remove your shoes and are welcome to observe or participate if you have the proper reverent spirit of the worshippers there.
Another place you'll want to see while you are in the area is the new $20 million St. Luke's Catholic Cathedral just completed last year in Long Beach. There is no other in the United States of such magnitude. Again, remember you are in a holy place.
You might want to visit the various University Campuses, where there are always fascinating lectures, films, and displays which are free and open to the public. You can check local newspaper listings for content.
In downtown L.A. you'll find the historic Oliveira Street, the birthplace of the city and its first hacienda. Mexican food and traditions here and often festivals are really terrific, as well as the shops.
La Brae Tar Pits are a must, on Wilshire Blvd. Originally discovered when this was rough ranching country, the lakes of tar were noted by every civilization who passed through here because animal bones were always there. Scientists have researched thousands of bones which were found here to determine the pre-historic species which roamed and died here. Such animals as the giant sloth, dire wolves, mammouths, and mastadon, and sabre tooth tigers and camels all found their way here to drink, only to discover that they were stuck in the tar and either died of starvation or were eaten by predators, who also got stuck. The museum is a wealth of information and well done. Your entire family will be fascinated. The fee is nominal.You will want to go to the J. Paul Getty Museum, famous for its exquisite art exhibits and beautiful architecture. Admission is free, and parking nearby is $5, or you can park away and ride the free shuttle. Reservations are important.
The Huntington Library & Gardens in San Marino is a must for those who appreciate cultural experiences. The Library contains one of the world's most priceless collections of manuscripts, beautifully displayed in changing exhibits. We saw originals of William Blake, Guttenburg Bible, Book of Hours, Abraham Lincoln, and many more. In the Bectel Vault they have the official photographs of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The art museum has many of the world's masterpieces which are priceless.
Take a picnic, a book, your camera, comfortable shoes, and a blanket, and your favorite sweetheart and go for a day on the exquisite grounds of the Huntington. The vast gardens are divided into huge sections, each replicating a different area of the world. You'll find a desert garden, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, an Australian garden, a rose garden which has specimen tracing the evolution of roses through history. Many movies are filmed in these gardens. Don't miss this marvelous place.
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