I heard so much about Los Angeles in the media, that it was hard to believe I was actually there when I arrived.
We flew into LAX airport and took a cab to Santa Monica. We stayed at the Hostelling International in Santa Monica. I recommend staying in a private room as the dorm rooms are quite small and you never know who you can get staying in your room. However, Hostelling Santa Monica had free breakfasts and the staff were very friendly. There iare also two tv rooms and 5 internet computers as well as a library.
Santa Monica is right on the beach. We walked down to Muscle Beach which eventually lead to the famous Venice beach. Santa Monica has a lot of nice restaurants and bars and shops stay open till 9:00 pm. There are all the main shops - Abercrombie, American Eagle, Borders, GAP and ZARA.
To visit the other Los Angeles sites, you have to take a bus. We took a bus to Rodeo Drive and walked around the Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gucci shops. It only covered about 2 or three blocks. On the other side of the main road was Beverley Hills, which you can go round if you go on a tour bus. The houses of the rich and famous tend to be older Hollywood people as the stars now a days have houses high in the hills or behind gated communities.
Hollywood Blvd is one of the main attractions in LA. You have to go down the Walk of Fame where the celebrities have their names in stars on the pavement. The Kodak Theatre is the home for the Academy Awards and tours are available. Next door is the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre where there are more than 100 Hollywood handprints, footprints and autographs in the cement. You can also do a bit of shopping in the Hollywood and Highland centre.
I have to say, Los Angeles was not very friendly for non car owners. You need a car to go everywhere. There are pockets of communities like Santa Monica, Beverley Hills, Hollywood and then there are just lanes of roads. You do need a car, so I would recommend hiring one if you want to the freedom to go where you want, when you want.
A short train ride away from Los Angeles Union Station is San Diego, another town that you must visit.
