A full day tour of the "City of Angels" in a private stretch limousine was on the agenda for today, so up early. The 8-seat,35-ft piece of decadent machinery arrived promptly @ 8.45am & 20 minutes later we were at our first stop; Santa Monica's "3rd St Promenade" pedestrian mall with its wacky street performers & impressive selection of shops & restaurants. A stroll down this tourist strip with some shopping consumed about half an hour & then it was onto the zaniness of "Venice Beach".
"Venice Beach" is renowned for it's crazy personalities, ranging from wannabe Schwarzeneggers @ "Muscle Beach - the fenced off gym right on the beach, speedo-clad shot putters patrolling the zone offering themselves as photo-opportunities & even roller-skating Sikh minstrels - Truly a human zoo & as they say "Only in LA".
The venerable "Santa Monica Pier", where diversions included a historic carousel & a solar powered Ferris-Wheel, was the next sight where the "big" car stopped. A quick stop @ a liqueur shop was needed for the rest of the days journey & then it was onto the "Westwood Memorial Park".
This is the final resting place for many actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Crane (Colonial Hogan from "Hogan's Heroes"), Roger Dangerfield & even Don Knotts. A beautiful oasis within the heart of this thriving metropolis.
We then travelled down "Sunset Strip" for another look @ this infamous section of LA & then it was onto Hollywood & the legendary "Hollywood" Boulevard. We stopped near "Grauman's Chinese Theatre", famous for its forecourt where screen legends have left their imprint in cement; feet, hands & even a nose...
Lunch was consumed @ "Shelly Cafe", where some of Clint Eastwood's film, "Million Dollar Baby" was filmed. Then it was along the "Hollywood Walk of Fame", which honours more than 2000 celebrities with brass stars embedded in the side-walk. Great photo opportunities.
Then it was into the "Hollywood & Highland" mall & up the stairs to the top which offered great views of the famous "Hollywood" Sign. A trip up to the "Hollywood Vista Point" provided a magnificent view back over LA & the "Hollywood Bowl" & then back to the famous Hollywood sign.
The day trip concluded with an hour of viewing the star's homes, or at least their high fences & gates!!! - The Playboy Mansion being the highlight. Back to the hotel by 5pm where we briefly refreshed & headed out to a very nice Chinese restaurant.
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