The biggest misconception about sightseeing in LA is that one can’t do without a car. I visited a lot of highlights in just two days using only public transport.
Arrived completely fubared in LAX on a Saturday evening – 2 hours before I boarded in Sydney, WEIRD! I took the convenient ‘FLYAWAY bus’ from LAX to Union Station. Then the Metro Red line towards North Hollywood, with my final stop Vermont/Sunset. I booked a cheery Travelodge hotel on N Vermont Ave for a mild 275 $ for 3 nights (about 70 EUR or 100 AUD a night). I got 30% off through www.venere.com. This is very reasonable for this location (read: safe and close to public transport). And it has a swimming pool that turned out to be only a jump away from my room. Happiness!
On arrival I decided to explore the area and drink away the jet-lag. I got the 302 (2 is the slow one) towards ‘The Sunset Strip’. Great area for spotting cool cars and fancy people! I looked for, but couldn’t find the famous ‘Roxy’ and ‘Whiskey-a-Go-Go’ bars, and ended up in a different bar instead (which I already forgot the name of – very memorable indeed). On the way back I had a nice chat with a bloke about LA music. And I have to admit, the huge amount of music venues here…oh my! Seems like I’ll have to move to LA for a while!
Next day, I got up early (hello jet-lag!) at 8 am. First on the agenda: the Getty museum. I took the 2 (or 302, whatever) again to Westwood, which is also better known as UCLA. Transferred to 761 at Hilgard towards San Fernando and hopped off at Getty Centre Drive (10 minutes). Following this route you will pass Beverly Hills and Bel Air, which have some very interesting examples of other ways to live your life 🙂
The Getty museum is amazing. Not so much for the art collection, but because of the elusive and mind-boggling architecture and gardening! The museum is built on a hilltop. While preserving all the forms, ridges and curves of its surroundings, the famous architect Richard Meier managed to exploit the location and combine both classical and modern influences. Wonderful. Absolutely worth a visit AND totally free to boost.
Next I hopped back on the 761, direction Westwood (15 mins). There I took bus 4 (or 704) towards Santa Monica beach (20 mins). Apparently going into the water is a big no-no. Swimming is especially hazardous after rain, when the storm drains directly enter the sea. The beach however is gorgeous, it looks endless, wow! Takes at least 10 mins to walk from the boardwalk to the water across the white sand. The Santa Monica Pier is a commercial theme park. Interesting, but not very entertaining. Next to the pier, some old war veterans and youths protest against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. And did you know this is also where Route 66 ends?
I loved ‘Venice’ beach, a small area south of Santa Monica. It is a beach-side strolling avenue dotted with bars, fire eaters, tattoo shops, fortune tellers, freak shows,….Even walked past a ‘djembe’ party with samba music and the air was filled with sweet marijuana. Awesome atmosphere. Also couldn’t ignore the ‘presence’ of my idol Sheldon (what a contrast 🙂
After this nice walk – 3km towards Venice and back on foot – the 704 bus eagerly awaited me to take me towards the crossing of Santa Monica and Highland. From here it is only 15 mins to Hollywood Boulevard! This, ladies and gentlemen, is the spot with THE Walk of Fame. The world famous stars on the ground that take your breath away! Not…at…all. Boo! Triple boo! Yes, the sidewalks are full of stars, but what are they doing in that jungle of fast-food palaces, cheap stores, and neon???? Well, I went to Hollywood, and all I got was a stupid picture of the Kodak theatre and a star of Fleetwood Mac! Because I couldn’t find Patrick Stewart’s star 🙁
By then it was already time to head home (hotel). Took the Red line Metro system and in less than 10 mins I was at the hotel. Total cost of the day: $9 on bus and metro tickets and 15$ on food. I had a moderate lunch plus delicious Fajitas diner at ‘Los Burritos’ on Sunset Boulevard, west of my hotel. Btw, I also discovered Tom Cruise’s secret hiding place, the Scientology headquarters, brr!!! They even have their own street!!! I would’ve much preferred ‘L. Philip K. Dick’ street. I prefer to dream of electric sheep instead…
Cheers from sunny LA,
Bram