Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles

I think there's a belief when people travel to LA that the city is teeming with celebrities and that you are sure to bump into one or two during your visit. I'm not celebrity crazy although I wouldn't complain should I spot Orlando Bloom or Viggo Mortensen (and I would like to personally thank Peter Jackson for casting them both in three epic 4 hour movies).

I have been to Los Angeles many times over the years and granted, I have not been searching for celebrities but until my October 2006 trip not once did I spot even a minor celebrity unless you count the taping of the Tonight Show we went to see. And even then it was only Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) and Motorhead.

Finally in October 2006, I was walking through the Grove shopping complex near the Farmers Market and I heard this familiar voice and I turned around to spot Jerry Stiller, best known as George Costanza's father on "Seinfeld" and his wife Anne Meara. About time!!!

In October 2007, I'm pretty sure I saw Paul Giamatti at the Farmer's Market but I was trying not to stare. In December 2010 I got to see part of "Extra" taping at the Grove, Mario Lopez is a celebrity still, I think...In October 2012, I saw Steve Carrell while out trick or treating with a friend's kids. But a visit to Bar Marmont, which I was sure was teeming with all kinds of celebrities? Not even a D lister!

Last time my parents came to visit we took a trip downtown to see some of the sights he knew as a kid. The Olvera Street he remembered from his youth far surpassed the one we found. Traditionally speaking, Olvera Street is known as the heart of the Mexican community in downtown Los Angeles, and although there is a plethora of Mexican culture in the area the actual street is nothing more than an alley with restaurants and street vendors. I am sure the food here is good, but the vendors hawk nothing more than silly little trinkets. I suppose it would be exciting for the kids, but unless you’re dining here, don’t expect to kill more than an hour here. If you must go combine it with a trip to Chinatown (within walking distance of each other) and get a taste of two cultures in one.

Officially, the Bev Center is in (West) Los Angeles but I like to consider it Beverly Hills also. This is a better place for shopping if you make a modest living. Definitely it is cheap compared to Rodeo Drive, although there are plenty of high-end stores.

People just love to shop here. I stil get a little excitement when I am in the area. The feeling is really hard to grasp why. Maybe I'm just a shopping junkie :-)

This multiple level mall is a good spot for catching celebrities. On my last visit, I saw a TV star of the 80s, Mackensie Phillips who was on One Day at a Time. She was right by me eating with, presumeably, her mother.

Fun Alternatives: If the Beverly Center is too much for you go across the street and shop the the Beverly Connection a lesser mall but nevertheless worth spending time.

Taking a taxi is a mistake. They must think that people have no sense of direction because they take you the whole way around when you can just go straight through.

Unique Suggestions: Tell the driver where you want to go and how to get there. Act like you know where you are going, otherwise, $40 later (when it should have been like $10 at the most) you're going to be really pissed off.

Fun Alternatives: Subway system/bus is good! It's a lot like DC's Metro...clean like that, but they have transit authorities and cops come on to make sure you have your ticket. I think this could be arranged a little better--like NYC, Philly, DC...any other city, really...but it's still a much better alternative than cabs

Dirty, crowded (long lines for everything including the rest room), and run- down. I was sooo disappointed . The "small world" trek I remembered fondly as a kid looked neglected with its peeling paint and warbled music. Oh and did I mention the lousy overpriced food? Tickets for this tourist trap are a whopping 47 bucks a pop, plus parking and overpriced food/drink etc.

Unique Suggestions: I hear kids still enjoy this and perhaps do not notice the lack of care. I would be apprehensive if I were a parent and choose kiddy rides close to the ground.

Fun Alternatives: I hear the neighboring California adventure park is fun but I was afraid to spend 50 more bucks to find out.

Tourists galore are here, yet there is much of a local feeling here as well, which is good to experience. There is of course a strong Chinese atmosphere here, but don't think that you will satisify your love of what's "Chinese". Go to China for this! What you see here is Chinese-American or oriental style American version!

Unique Suggestions: Do take advanage of shopping (for some things) here. Buy bamboo and other plants and fashionable jewelry, clothes and shoe here of which their clones are often more expensive when buying them in the malls of suburbia. beware of the counterfeit items sold here- that is, if you prefer the authentic brands. Of course, I don't mind getting the Dooney Burke purse here for $30 instead of $300 one at Saks Department Store!

Now I know... driving on Sunset Blvd. and seeing a man holding a sign offering to sell you a map to stars' homes, can be quite alluring-- but tourist beware!! Do you really think A-List stars would provide their addresses for all who desire to drive-by and possibley get a glimpse of them bathing in the nude mid-day? Even if the address on the map is in the vicinity of their home, do you think you would even be able to get close-enough to see anything worthwhile? You are much more likely to run into Ozzy Osbourne or Madonna going to the supermarket in Malibu or in Pacific Palisades, etc.

Here's yet another beautiful, trendy outdoor plaza in the Euro style. The Grove is just so pretty but oh so crowded. Well, if you want to do the typical tourist thing or to be seen, come here. It is perhaps the ultimate meeting place on the westside. It is almost always crowded during any part of the day, save Christmas Day perhaps?

Unique Suggestions: The shops here are very commercial. If you want a more unique shopping experience, explore a few streets away on Melrose , 3rd or Fairfax Ave.