Los Angeles is one of my personal favorite places to visit as I visited four summers in a row. Not only is it a cool place to visit, the stardom and recognition of spots from movies make it exciting.
My third summer in a row there I had a pretty good sense of how to get around and what there is to see. I flew into Orange County to be picked up by some of my closest friends. I stayed a few days with them at the base of Camp Pendleton, one of the largest bases for the Marine Corps. During this time I toured Camp Pendleton and assured myself that I'd be alright in the next war.
They showed me around the area, which is a much calmer spot than LA. I went to a trampoline park (this was before they were out east), went to some great beaches and hung out with them before heading up to San Bernardino where we'd meet again.
San Bernardino is a sketchy ass place on the news, but the two times that I've been there have felt very safe. I stayed right beside the Ontario airport, which is an area with a lot to do. There is a strip of a mile or more with a ton of different stores, theaters, restaurants and other things to do. The reason for my stay in San Bernardino was for the Glen Helen National (part of the Outdoor National Motocross Series). Little did I know I would be interning for a company that required me to be in the same exact spot a year later, but this time working. The race I attended was at the end of May and had perfect weather. I got to meet my favorite MX rider on the planet, James Stewart.
I also got to hang out with two friends from high school at the race that were stationed at Camp Pendleton. What a small world we live in, 2,300 miles from home and we were all at the same place.
After the race I ventured to LA. I stayed in the Hilton right by LAX. When I visited the World Series of board games was taking place. People often say that you will meet the oddest people on the strip of Hollywood Boulevard and Times Square, but those people have never been to the largest board game convention in the world. I witnessed my first real life larping session (it's like role playing medieval times). The lower levels of the hotel were definitely entertaining.
I first went to one of my favorite places in the U.S., Venice Beach. Venice Beach has so much to offer. There is a collection of street performers, a gym on the beach, a skatepark, artists, those cool spray paint artists you see on social media, musicians and so on. It is a unique collection of people from all different spectrums of careers and wealth. My only complaint is that all four times I've visited, the water has been freezing. Perhaps this is because I'm used to humid beaches in the southeast of America.
From Venice Beach I rented a bicycle to ride to Santa Monica pier. This is roughly a 2.5 mile bike ride on the designated bicycle/running path. I recommend riding the path; it is clear and well maintained.
The next day I went to the Griffith Observatory. This is the most visited spot in Los Angeles. From the observatory you overlook LA and behind you is the famous Hollywood sign. You've seen it a million times in movies and television shows. Recently, the first dance scene of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone together in 'La La Land' takes place at the Griffith Observatory.
The next day I went to Hollywood for all of it's glory; it's a must visit. I strolled up and down the walk of fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the shops on the strip. I then drove around Beverly Hills to witness the houses and lavish lifestyles. Some of the richest people in the world live in and around this area if you're into that kind of thing. I do recommend driving up and down Rodeo Drive to see the iconic storefronts (don't get out though, a tee shirt costs like $400).
Later that day I went into downtown Los Angeles as I had never been there before. I can say that was my first and probably only time ever going downtown. It is not glamorous and like many other cities, you can't take the grime out of a downtown. It isn't very clean, there are a ton of people on their own mission and not really anything to do for a visitor. There is also Skid Row, America's homelessness capital. It is a sad sight.
My last day in LA consisted of Venice Beach once again. The cool thing about Venice Beach is that you'll see something different everyday, whether that's a different street performer or a celebrity, something will always surprise you.
I ventured back to Oceanside to spend the last day with my friends before heading back from a great trip. Southern California is a place with a ton of stuff to do from sight seeing to actual activities. You can find something to do for every hour in the day. Overall, it's a place one must visit.
Do's:
Venice Beach
Santa Monica Pier
Griffith Observatory
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Rodeo Drive
Oceanside Beaches
Bicycle/running path from Venice to Santa Monica
Dont's:
Downtown Los Angeles
Forget to pay your electronic tolls (I received a $135 fine in the mail)
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