We take you to visit Los Angeles in California in this new post of our travel blog simplelive.us through ideas of must-see visits but also less touristy. This blog post is the last of a long series produced after a 5 weeks road trip in the American West from Denver, Colorado to the City of Angels. You will find at the end of the article all our practical advice to visit Los Angeles.
It is not our first time that we decide to visit Los Angeles so we are not going to go back to the amusement parks (but we are going to tell you about them anyway) that Franck already knows by heart like the Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain that we advise you if you are looking for thrills. We will also give you 10 ideas of visits that will allow you to have a nice overview of the Californian megalopolis.
Between the heights of Hollywood and its famous giant letters, the edges of the Pacific Ocean between Santa Monica and Venice beach, the immersion in the cinema via a stroll on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood boulevard or in Beverly Hills, you will see that there is no time to get bored when you visit Los Angeles. You'll see that you can also visit neighborhoods less known to travelers such as Silver Lake or Echo Park Lake.
The Los Angeles Pass gives you access to more than 30 attractions (pdf link to all attractions) and can be adapted to the length of your stay between 1 and 7 days. For a minimum of 3 days, you also automatically get free admission to Universal Studios!
1. Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame: Two must-sees in Los Angeles
Hollywood boulevard is the image of the city of Los Angeles. It is huge with its 7,4 km length! It is obviously the obliged passage when you come to visit Los Angeles. True cultural icon of the city of the Angels, Hollywood boulevard highlights its cinematographic heritage, in a slightly kitschy way we must admit.
But Hollywood boulevard remains a must when you come to visit Los Angeles for the first time. The most interesting part of the avenue is located around North Highland avenue.
1.1 Feeling like a star on the Walk of Fame of Hollywood boulevard
We start the article with Hollywood boulevard because we are staying close to the famous avenue (see paragraph 10) but also because starting a visit of Los Angeles here promises a total immersion in the city of Angels. We come here to see the stars of the Hollywood walk of Fame which pave the sidewalks of one of the most famous avenues of the world but not only. And we are not safe from meeting superheroes!
We could attend by chance the inauguration of the star of Snoop Dog, the 2651st star of Hollywood boulevard!
Do not miss the TCL Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. On the esplanade of the famous Chinese Theatre are the hand and footprints of many world famous actors and singers such as Frank Sinatra, Jack Nicholson or Mickey Mouse. I (Frank) happen to have the same hands and feet as Jonny Depp! The prints on the floor match perfectly. It's unbelievable!
1.2 Hollywood boulevard between shopping, Tussauds museum and El Capitan theater
On Hollywood boulevard, you can also do your shopping and find all the souvenirs and trinkets possible around the theme of American cinema (and not only). Richard obviously bought himself a cap with the initials of Los Angeles!
As in London, wax personalities are waiting for you in the neighborhood at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. You can find Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, Rihanna or James Dean.
1.3. Visit Hollywood boulevard with a French-speaking guide
You can visit Los Angeles independently or take advantage of the experience of French-speaking guides who know the city of Angels like the back of their hand. As we experienced in New York, we can also enjoy a 2h30 walking tour of the mythical district for 35 €/person with our friend Alex's agency, Los Angeles in French. It's always a great opportunity to learn more about the history of the district and the city through beautiful stories and anecdotes.
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2. Getting lost in the heights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills (Mulholland drive)
2.1. General presentation of Mulholland drive
Mulholland drive is the famous road that overlooks Los Angeles and crosses the neighborhoods that house the villas of movie stars and show business as well as the wealthiest personalities of the City of Angels. The most beautiful villas are located between Outpost Drive and the Bel Air golf course. Most of the time, it is very difficult to see them because of the high fences.
The winding road is ideal for enjoying the best views of the American megalopolis. Built in 1923, it winds along the Hollywood hills for almost 80 km (50 miles). We warned you, everything is excessive in the American West!
Driving on Mulholland Drive is like being in an American movie. That's what people come to L.A. for, isn't it?
2.2 Mulholland Drive from East to West: Viewpoints on Los Angeles and walks
If you decide to take the famous Mulholland drive from East to West, you have to start at the Cahuenga boulevard near the highway 101, not far from Universal Studios Hollywood and the Hollywood Bowl outdoor concert hall.
Then we climb very quickly in the heights of the city. We advise you a first stop to the n°7036, a point of view called Jerome C. Daniel Overlook which dominates the Hollywood Bowl. We pass then not far from the university of California of Los Angeles where we can leave in hike at the level of the North entrance of Runyon Canyon at the level of the 7317 Mulholland drive. The path is a loop of 4,3 kilometers very frequented by the Californians good walkers and sportsmen of West Hollywood.
We continue Mulholland drive on a few kilometers until a new point of view breathtaking and impregnable on the valley of San Fernando, the Universal City Overlook, which is situated in the n°7701. From this platform built in 1984, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the world famous movie studios of Los Angeles: Warner Bros, Disney and Universal of course.
By continuing in West Hollywood, we pass near architectural curiosities like the Chemosphere or the Fitzpatrick Leland House before reaching a new point of view: The Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook at Fryman Canyon, at 8401 Mulholland drive. Trails are possible from this spot. The opportunity for the most courageous to learn more about the fauna and flora of the hills surrounding the Californian megalopolis.
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