Los Angeles is one of those cities I have never had a desire to visit.
It's smoggy and over-hyped. The latter is more off putting than the former but we've travelled enough over the past four years for me to realize my preconceived notions of somewhere isn't always accurate.
Yes, Los Angeles is smoggy.
Yes, the traffic is insane and no, I wouldn't want to live here.
That said, I had a tremendous amount of fun visiting the City of Angels during the few days we were able to be here.
We didn't go to Disneyland as we had just been to Disney World the previous year. We did go to Universal. I love California's Universal because they have a lot of older or less visually jarring rides so for once, I was able to go on most of the rides in the park!
There's the fashion district where you buy fabric and other sewing needs from stalls or stores with bolts of fabric just stacked against walls without pricing.
It's fantastic!
I will be back here when it's time to decorate our future home.
The overflowing parking lots and vehicles parked along side the road should tell you how popular the iconic Griffith Observatory is. Can you watch any movie or tv show set in LA without seeing it?
Its location provides beautiful views of the valley while the inside is well done and fun to walk around. Admission is free and it's definitely worth a stop at.
You can even get your wings here.
The more cultural inclined may enjoy a visit to the LA County Museum of Art. We stopped by to see the free outdoor exhibits including this fabulous street light installation.
During which we ran across the severed heads of the Chinese zodiac cast in bronze and very huge.
The more nerdy crowd MUST stop for a drink at the Scum and Villainy Cantina. It feels like being in the Star Wars universe and the drinks aren't bad either.
The projected menus flicker just like the projected images in the movies.
If you step outside of LA and go to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center you and a friend can recreate the famous scene from the original Star Trek series between Kirk and the Gorn.
Honestly though, just wandering through the downtown is interesting. So many varying styles of architecture and other random things. Like a very short ride on the Angels Flight.
Or inside the Ray Bradbury building with its stunning Art Deco style.
Try one of our favorites The Last Bookstore; two stories of books and whimsy.
Is it really a trip to LA if you don't follow the stars to The Chinese Theater?
We were fortunate in our late evening exploration time as the theater and streets were only mildly busy, allowing us a better experience.
This area is bustles with people and shops but if you stroll a mile or so away you find the above mentioned cantina and a dimly lit charming little bar called the Black Rabbit Rose Magic where magic indeed abounds.
Not only is there a theater in the back for magic shows but Micah, who was performing that night, entertained those us simply having a drink with some up close tricks. He left me with a black rose fashioned from a napkin before moving on.
We were in LA when their Chinatown was celebrating the New Year with a parade. Sadly it was more bands and politicians waving from cars than the cool people in long dragon costumes, but it was still enjoyable. Checking out the small shopping square afterwards was a delight and I loved the Thien Hau Temple we located before leaving the area. So pretty.
All that's left to say is thank you LA, it was a treat!
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