Beach Day

 Now, it is true that I had been warned about the weird people at Venice Beach along the boardwalk.  I took the warning lightly because I had been encountering weird people all throughout LA.  Oh my goodness... weird is right. 

The beach itself was pretty- had a more surfers than swimmers.  I took a quick dip and then tried to avoid the seagulls creeping closer to my bag of Pringles by drying off a bit and walking over to the boardwalk where many people were out displaying their artwork and crafts. 

Across from the tents and stands was the line of shops with souvenirs, clothing, tattoo parlors, and medical marijuana clinics.

Random people would just fly passed as you walk: a guy screaming into a video recorder, someone roller blading while playing the electric guitar, people singing to you and handing out CDs, street performers, and just characters that were either dressed like hippies, needed a shower, or would just scream or sing out random phrases.  I didn't know whether to be amused or concerned at some points!

Also, there is an area where people with a permit can paint on the walls and on the bases of palm trees.  A very colorful area to say the least!

Next stop: Santa Monica.  Now this was more like it.  A very nicely set up area leading up to the pier and a gorgeous view as you walk out towards the end of it.  And the beach has a backdrop of mountains. 

 Still had some amusing characters, but a little more mild.  Street performers- who weren't playing instruments while speeding down the walk- and vendors lined the pier.  People dressed up as Disney characters were out to take pictures with kids too.  A nice atmosphere, similar to Navy Pier but not nearly as big (the views make up for that though!).

This beach is a little more lively, in a couple ways.  Not only did it have more families and more attractions, but I would say that every third shell that I picked up had something still living in it... totally not used to that.  I wandered underneath the pier too- now that is a different world!  Barnacles, starfish, and crabs clinging onto the pillars while the tide rolls in and out.  Seagulls were picking at them for lunch; no wonder these birds were huge and fat!  Definitely a cool place to explore, as simple as it is.



This seagull has entire starfish stuffed in his mouth!





"LA, Hollywood, and the Sunset Strip..."

(in the words of Huey Lewis) "...is something everyone should see..."

 

I started out by parking my car at a station at the end of the Gold Line and took the Metro into downtown.  The train system is very nice, by the way. 

Got off at Union Station and walked over to Chinatown.  I really liked LA's Chinatown, better than the one in NY or Philly.  Different plazas to weave in and out of, and you could find anything there: shoes, clothes, handbags, watches, movies, bedding, luggage, fruit, jewelry, etc.  A lot of the shops had merchandise set up outside on the streets too because the weather was so nice. 

Walked through El Pueblo de Los Angeles- a little plaza with Spanish music, food, and merchandise carts- and over towards the Historic District of downtown.

  








Not too far stands the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels and it is a church design like I had not seen before- very modern with clean lines.  It's backed by a steel tower from the Music Center that can be sen through large etched panes of glass along the side of the Cathedral grounds.

 

On the way in towards the middle of downtown, I passed the LA Times building, the Civic Center, and around Pershing Square.  It was different to see, but not a bigger or more exciting city than Chicago!

Hopped on the Metro Red Line at Pershing Square and took it to Universal City.  I just wanted to stroll through City Walk and see how it compares to Orlando's City Walk.  Of course City Walk is always more stimulating at night with all of the buildings lit up and music and events going on, but the colorful array of restaurants, stores, and attractions is still great to see in daylight too.

Back to the Red Line and off again to Hollywood.  Hollywood Blvd's Walk of Fame was spread over a stretch than is longer than I had expected!  I almost made it to the end before dark and then turned back to get some night photos near the Chinese Theater.  The Kodak Theater, El Capitan, Chinese Theater, and Hollywood and Highland Center (along with the Hollywood sign) were all so great to see.  I didn't get very many good pictures of the Chinese Theater, nor did I see the hand prints of the stars in the cement, because this week was some filmfest and the movie premiere of Love and Other Drugs was going on.  The sidewalk from the Hard Rock Cafe to the corner had been blocked off.  (no, I didn't get a glimpse of any stars)

 

That night I stayed with members of Bill's family near Pasadena- only about 15 min from where I had left my car.  It was so nice of them to put me up!  They live in a really big, beautiful home in an area not far from a canyon/ woodsy area.  They have a pool that frequently gets a furry visitor... a bear actually likes to take afternoon swims there!

Tomorrow is supposed to be another day in the 90s... perfect to check out some of the beach cities.

"White, sandy beaches; cleverly simulated natural environment; wide-open enclosures. I'm telling you, this could be the San Diego Zoo..."

And the San Diego Zoo it was! 

I got to San Diego by first going through part of the Mojave Desert National Park to see the Joshua trees... those trees look weird; almost like I was in the middle of a Dr. Seuss book.

Well, of course I had to see San Diego Zoo... someone told me it was worth it and I now agree that it most certainly is worth it!  Pandas, koalas komodo dragons, giraffes, elephants, snakes, meerkats, birds, lions, tigers and bears...

oh my! So many animals and such a great way to plan out the park.

The trails weave through vegetation, rare and common, that compliments the environment. 

You feel more like you are in a jungle or forest while navigating yourself to the next exhibit.  Bird aviaries were something interesting to walk into- birds just chattering away and swooping down next to you.  The air tram gives a nice bird's eye view of the zoo, and the guided bus tour was a good way to get a vague look of the layout and some info about the animals.  I spent most of the day there and I think it's safe to say I saw about everything I could.  The zoo was a hike in itself!

Drove up to La Jolla shores to see some of the beaches.  Waves were pretty high today so there were a lot of surfers out in the ocean.  The current was so strong and the sun was going down, so I didn't spend too much time in the water.  After about the eighth wave knocking me over, I went to sit on the beach and watch the sunset.  The beach itself was not as pretty as Miami Beach, probably because the sand was not white.  And it had many piles of seaweed that attracted these weird tree bugs that liked to hop on you.  Blah.

But the sunset was amazing- I couldn't believe how beautiful it was!

San Diego is a very nice city with beautiful weather- almost 90 today- and awesome views.

I can't wait to start the drive along the coast.

Happy Halloween from Sin City!

Coming to Vegas is always a great time.  Two of my friends live there and we have a blast.  I didn't know I was going to be here on the weekend of Halloween, but was really glad it worked out that way.  Halloween is my favorite holiday and I really didn't want to be on the road in the middle of nowhere, missing a good haunted house or scary movie.  I've been down to the Strip a few times and really didn't need to spend time there on this visit (besides, I would like to spend my birthday here- save the partying for then!).

 

We had our pumpkin-carving night with the Rocky Horror Picture Show playing in the background on the eve of Halloween.  I carved a bat and Kellie carved Spongebob... I thought they were quite impressive. 

Doin' the Time Warp dance and lighting pumpkins in the window was a good way to end a low-key night :)

Halloween was spent hiking in Red Rock Canyon- a nice easy trail- and had lunch near La Madre Spring.  Beautiful weather and a perfect scenic lunch date!

For dinner, Bill and Kellie brought me to "the best buffet in Las Vegas" an the M Resort... this buffet was insane and so good and so dangerous... I really thought I was going to explode!  Crab legs, sushi, ribs, tri tip, vegetables, rolls, salad, pad tai, teriyaki chicken, fruit, yogurt, sweet potatoes, paella, and the best desserts too: cookies, pudding shots, cheesecake, chocolate-covered marshmallows, chocolate-covered rice krispie treats, gelato... oh my gosh.  It includes beer and wine too, but I certainly couldn't drink at a time like this.  I tried a glass of cider, and that put my over the top as far as FULL goes.  I had 3-1/2 plates and 2 dessert plates.  I experienced my first real food coma!

After resting off the some of the huge meal, Bill brought me too... guess what???... a SAW haunted house!!!

I couldn't believe the coincidence.  I didn't even think I would make it to Vegas by the end of Oct, but after leaving FL early 'cause the SAW attraction wasn't there, it all worked out.

We went to Circus Circus, where they turned the Adventure Dome to the Terror Dome: 5 haunted houses, 3 scare zones, and rides all in one!  It was awesome... I had a great time.  It made me feel better about "missing Halloween" in Chicago.