After three days in San Diego, which were unfortunately a bit disappointing, I went on to Los Angeles. To be honest, the city I had the lowest expectations for, although I can't say exactly why…
I knew LA was big, a lot of things were far apart, and I probably wouldn't get very far with my "we'll explore the whole city on foot" approach. Once arrived, we bring the car anyway directly to the airport and were from there with the subway further. And afterwards? First of all, putting the suitcases away, and then of course exploring the city!
And pretty soon I realize: yes, that's right. Los Angeles is huge, and between the individual neighborhoods and areas that are worth seeing, you really get lost. It's not bad, just different. Especially if you have been in New York for a longer time and have gotten used to the fact that everything in Manhattan is relatively close to each other and you usually only have to walk one street further to get to the busier areas.
Day 1 – Walk of Fame, Walt Disney Concert Hall& Japanese Village
First of all we go to the Walk of Fame of course. It will be only a short trip for now, because I want to come back in the next few days and see everything in detail. The first photos are taken, the first souvenirs are bought and then it goes on: to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We explore the area, take a lot of pictures, are happy about the warm weather, which was missing in San Diego, and go on to the Japanese Village. And this is an absolute highlight! I feel reminded of the exchange in Japan, which is somehow way too long ago, and I can't walk past the many little shops without buying something. In a small restaurant nearby there is handmade pasta, which is unbelievably delicious – the post about it will follow later!
Day 2 – Santa Monica& Venice Beach
I finally want to go to the beach, have a relaxing day and do nothing – so on the second day it's off to Venice Beach. With the subway it's relatively easy to do, it just takes some time. Whether that would have been faster with the car, I do not know, I have no comparison. It is wonderful! First the Santa Monica Pier, then Muscle Beach and then Venice Beach, it's just unbelievably beautiful.
We lie on the beach, a really lazy day, after we already photographed an outfit, and just do nothing at all. At some point we get hungry and slowly start to walk again. When we are back at the hotel in the late afternoon, we get changed and decide to go to Universal CityWalk and finish the evening there.
Day 3 – Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills& Walk of Fame
The next day, I'm going to photograph another outfit, then I'm going to Rodeo Drive. Since we still don't have a car at our disposal, we use Uber Pool every now and then, a really cheap and fast way to get from A to B!
I enjoy the weather, the shop windows, the general atmosphere and just let myself drift. For so long I've said I'd be standing here one day, and somehow a year ago I wouldn't have believed it could happen so quickly. After we have looked at Beverly Hills, we go to the Walk of Fame again – this time we take more time.
Looking at the Hollywood Sign, which is quite far away, we decide: instead of spending a lot of money for a bus tour to get there, we go to Universal Studios. Because even if we fly on to Hawaii tomorrow, we'll be back for two more days before we head back to Europe. We leave early for the hotel, because we have to pack our suitcases so that they are not too heavy for the flight to Hawaii and at the same time do not overload our hand luggage. Yay!