LOS ANGELES FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE
The second largest city of the US, Los Angeles has its own unmatched magnetism. In my growing up years, I recall Los Angeles as the venue of the Olympics. And then subsequently over the years, this most prominent metropolis in California, as the glamorous hub of Hollywood. Beverly hills where stars own palatial houses. And of course Disneyland ! If you’re a Disney fan, and are traveling with your family surely you couldn’t possibly return without a trip to Disneyland in Anaheim.
Best Los Angeles Getaway With Family
As LA is huge, with Anaheim being a city in itself, plan your itinerary in such a way that you first visit the parks. There are two Disney parks near Los Angeles in Anaheim, 26 miles away. It is highly recommended, to first spend 2-3 days here. Stay in one of the hotels just walking distance from the parks and then move to main LA for the remaining part of your trip.
HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES
Staying in a centrally located hotel in West Beverly Hills, Hollywood, at the doorstep of the Walk of Fame boulevard has its advantages. Just as you step out, you’ll find yourself on the legendary Walk of Fame boulevard, having the longest list of stars, celebrities and performers.
It’s a pleasure to stroll here. The views of the tree lined street, the blue skies above and brightly colored buildings is picture perfect in the day and transforms into a wonderland in the night when the fluorescent lights are lit.
It was Halloween during that time, and if you too happen to visitng in this month, then look forward to being fully entertained by all sorts of the weirdest and scariest dressed passerby’s.
There are a plethora of museums on the boulevard that can be visited depending upon your interest and time. These include the Guinness World record museum, World of Illusions and the Hollywood Wax museum to name a few, that are great for families. Also plenty of cultural activities happen – live theatre, art galleries, film complexes and music concerts.
BEVERLY HILLS
Beverly Hills has been the setting of innumerable films, and to be actually present there was like a dream come true. And above all, the most magical moment was to watch the shooting of a movie starring Brad Pitt on the streets of West Hollywood. This sort of completed our trip and was the ultimate experience.
If you’re a tourist visiting Los Angeles for the first time, it’s worthwhile to take a chartered tour to the famous Beverly Hills. There are multiple types of private trips with a live commentary at hand including half day, full day or few hours. The three hour tour included Beverly Hills, residence of celebrities and film stars, and finishes off at Rodeo drive . This is actually quite sufficient, as you can do it at your own pace rather than a hurried, longer trip, in which a lot is squeezed in.
One advice here, before the tour begins make sure to eat something and be refreshed as there are no stoppages in between, specially if you have younger children accompanying you.
The tour halts at vantage points from where the iconic Hollywood sign is visible on the hill-side. Sunset Point and Bronson Avenue give a clear view, and are ideal spots for photos.
You’ve seen them in movies, now see where your favorite stars live, hang around for a while, listening to interesting stories narrated by your guide, gazing at their posh, sprawling homes/ mansions !!
Afterward, the tour continues onto the upmarket Rodeo drive, with its high class stores of luxury brands. Here again there are no halts and is the final destination, where you are dropped off.
Griffith Observatory – There is more to the Griffith Observatory than the exteriors and stunning views of the city from its elevated position. A planetarium inside and a number of ticketed shows too draw tourists.
FAMOUS BEACHES
Santa Monica beach – the pier at Santa Monica is worth visiting. It’s a picturesque point on the Pacific Ocean, having loads of activities, a children’s park, or street performers vying for attention and tips.
The other prominent beach of LA is Venice, spectator sports like basketball, baseball, football, soccer etc are played in abundance on these beaches.
The `city of angels’, looks spectacular after dark when it’s lit up and truly comes alive. The best way to enjoy that is to drive through the streets around the Hollywood area, where traffic congestions are less. Admire the high-rises or the wonderful houses in the residential neighborhood!
If you wish to have more adventure and unlimited fun, then there is Universal Studios, Hollywood. Apart from the plethora of thrilling rides and sci-fi shows, of particular interest here are the movie shooting sites, and complete tours of how special effects are created in films.
Though Los Angeles is fringed by the Pacific Ocean, and has nice beaches, the weather is not typical beach type. It can be classified as a Mediterranean climate – characterized by dry summers and wet winters. My own experience of the weather in October – sunny and warm during the day and evenings becoming mildly cold as temperatures go down. Going by the diverse activities offered here, travelers can pack accordingly.
There are lots of day trips that can be undertaken from Los Angeles. To write about them would require a separate blog than this `Los Angeles Family Travel Guide’.
Read my other US blog : https://travelsimplygo.com/new-york-city-itinerary-7-days/
Dream| Discover | Travel | Bliss
