Hollywood Signlink
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tour -- on top Mount Lee. Hollywood Hills. The most
famous sign in the world is perched on top Mount Lee's Beachwood
Canyon, LA's tallest peak. Erected in 1923 to advertise
a property development, the original 50 ft. high letters
spelt out Hollywoodland and were lit up at night by 1000's
of light bulbs. A caretaker cared for the sign and lived
in a cabin behind one of the L's. The last four letters
of the sign were removed in the 40's after Hollywood had
become the worlds movie capital.
Can be seen from various high points all over town including
Griffith Observatory, Mullholland Drive, Hollywood Freeway(101)
etc. But for the best view head north up Gower St. from
Sunset or Hollywood Blvd's, the sign will be directly ahead
of you. To get really close just keep driving north, onto
Beachwood Drive, the sign will be in front of you and be
getting closer all the time. You will eventually get to
within 100 yds. of the sign where you can get some great
photo's using the sign as a backdrop. Unfortunately you
cannot now get any closer as a locked gate and added security
has now been added to keep trespassers out.
Griffith Parklink
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-- The largest municipal park in the US covers over 3,000
acres in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Horse
riding, hiking trails, picnic areas are just part of the
attraction of this park. The observatory houses an astronomy
museum, daily laser shows and free evening use of a giant
Zeiss telescope to view the stars. The park also contains;
The LA Zoo, Gene Autry Museum, 28 tennis courts, 4 golf
courses, miniature railway and merry go rounds for small
children plus plenty of convenient parking.
Alhambra Parklink
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-- One of the nearest and actually nice park in the good
area. If you don't have stove, you could go there with friends
and make some BBQ party for free.
Exposition Park -- In this park there
are many museums and land mark buildings but the two most
interesting places are the Natural History, and the California
Science museum. - Natural History Museumlink
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- California Science Museumlink
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-- a lot of scientific toys to play with, plus there's a
huge rose garden in front of the building on the exposition
side.
Hand Cock Park -- Another park with 3
museums.
- La Brea Tar Pitslink
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-- If you watched "True Lie" the movie, you will
see this prehistoric oil pit. It's also where the first
volcano erupted in "Volcano" the movie, played
by Tommy Lee Jones.
- LACMA (LA County Museum)link
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-- Next to La Brea Tar Pits museum to the east, there's
another art museum, showing pictures and exhibitions.
- Peterson Automotive Museumlink
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-- And next to the east of LACMA, standing a car museum.
Getty Center Museumlink
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-- The modern-style building showing Greek and Roman arts
bought by J. Paul Getty, an American oil business executive,
one of the richest men in the world during his life.
Downtown Walklink
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-- You could go round the LA small downtown and visit these
places all in one day by taking some buses or just walk.
Thai Temple at North Hollywoodlink
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-- the nearest Thai temple around USC, plus a great place
to find Thai food "Talard-nud" market on the weekend.
Santa Monica Pierlink
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-- Built in 1908 this world famous pier as been completely
restored over the years and is a vibrant fun spot for all
the family. From its famous Ferris wheel, which overlooks
a 1922 carousel, the one Paul Newman operated in "The
Sting", to buskers & street traders should not
be missed. A favorite film location of movie makers, remember
Judge Reinhold in "Ruthless People" well it was
this pier that he drove off. Just one of many locations
filmed here.
Disneyland (Theme Park) link
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-- Who doesn't know Disneyland ?
Universal Studio (Theme Park) link
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-- Umm I'm sure each of you guys have at least watched a
movie from Universal. Well, the name said it all.
Six Flags Magic Mountain (Theme Park)
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-- A city of scary rides, this is a real thing, and not
beautiful and fancy like Disneyland at all. Check for your
heart health, first.
Santa Monica Beach
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-- Wide sandy beach, world famous pier and nearby 3rd street
promenade make this one of the busiest LA beaches. Beach
activities include bicycle-roller skate-skateboard path,
volleyball nets, playgrounds, lifeguards, rest rooms, showers,
bike - skate rentals and food concessions. The pier it self
includes an amusement park containing a roller coaster,
Ferris wheel, carousel and arcade. Also containing gift
shops and restaurants the pier itself as been used as a
film location in many movies.
Within walking distance are some great shopping malls, whilst
just to the west of the pier are a row of celebrity beach
homes once owned by Hollywood Greats. Many stars have homes
in Santa Monica today as this is one beachside community
that really does have everything.
Malibu Beach link1
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-- Most northerly beach in Los Angeles and perhaps it's
most famous. Malibu Beach is not the vibrant bustling beach
that is portrayed in the movies. It is in fact a relatively
quiet beach, no entertainers or beach side shops here, ideal
to escape the hustle and bustle of LA for a day. Take a
walk along the shoreline to see the fabulous celebrity homes
that front the beach, watch the surfers or hire a board
yourself (Lessons are available) or take a stroll around
the local shops and shopping mall. For the more cultured
there is the original J.Paul Getty Museum a fabulous roman
villa set on a hillside which houses countless works of
art, splendid gardens and J. Paul Getty's grave.
Venice Beachlink1
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-- Magnet for the most outrageous of LA's beautiful people
acting out their fantasies as artists. The beach sidewalk
consists of souvenir shops, tarot & fortune tellers,
buskers, sand sculptors and virtually everyone doing their
own thing can be seen. Keep fit is the religion here from
body builders at Muscle Beach to skaters, bikers & joggers
constantly traveling the beach bike path to Santa Monica
& back. Skate & bike hire is everywhere so if you
fancy a workout you're in the right place. The place where
anything goes and nobody takes the slightest bit of notice.
The beach itself is wide and sandy with lifeguard towers
everywhere and is right next to all of this hustle &
bustle.
Manhattan Beachlink1
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-- Fashionable beach used by the locals. Good swimming and
surfing and many games areas provided. Usual rentals available
as well as a host of beachfront cafes and shops.
Long Beachlink1
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-- The last of the beaches in LA County and one of the largest
with over 5 miles of sandy beach. Long Beach is actually
a beachside city of vast proportions with its own airport
and many major attractions including the "Queen Mary".
Everything is available here including trips to Catalina
Island, and Free Passport shuttle around downtown and the
waterfront.
Redondo beachlink
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-- Hotel lined beach with a heated lagoon for children.
This beach has its own pier which is ideal for fishing or
why not try one of the 777 different beers available in
Najo's Place. A variety of equipment hire, plenty of shops
the Galleria of South Bay alone contains 140, outdoor cafes,
bars and all the usual facilities. Deep sea fishing and
Whale watching trips available. Plenty of parking and full
time lifeguards are available in this beachside town.
Laguna beachlink
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-- Laguna has always been a resort area - a place for rest
and relaxation. In the early days, people came from miles
around to enjoy its beauty and tranquility, pitching tents
on the beach, exploring the intimate coves and the rolling
hills. Very very far from USC (about 2 times the distance
of going to Disneyland).
Outside LA, there so many places you would want to visit at
least once.
San Diego -- The nearest cheap road trip
where you could find lots of zoos, two San Diego Zoo places,
a Sea World, and gardens. It's a 2-3 hours ride on 5-south
freeway. You may make this trip passing Disneyland, Long
beach, or Laguna beach along the way. Normally, people went
right to San Diego and come back home in the evening. the
only real expenses are the car rental and the zoo ticket.
Great for a weekend trip.
Las Vegas -- The nearest tricky road
trip where you could pay almost nothing or end up broke
in one night. Practically, people go there in a big group
and stay in one fancy hotel room during the low season period.
It could be like just $10 for each person. If you like to
gamble don't forget to bring along some luck. This is a
4-5 hours trip. In the middle of the way to Las Vegas, there's
a huge out let (places where they sell discounted and old
brand name stuffs). You could shop around on the way back
so that the car won't consumed too much gas. A great for
a weekend trip.
San Francisco -- A charming sea port
city where driving is a pain in a butt. There are so many
places to go in this town eg. Alcatraz, Exporatorium, Cable
Car, Pier 39, Mount Twin Peak, China, Japanese, Italian
town, normal beaches, nude beaches, Pacific ocean cliffs,
and the high-light "Golden Gate Bridge".
One of the nicest picture can be taken from the other side
of the golden gate bridge, cross the bridge and exit Alexander
St., go under the freeway and head 101-south toward the
bridge, exit the first exit up to the hill , there's a place
that they set for tourist to park the car and has a short
walk to the bridge. You will see the bridge from above with
the whole city and Alcatraz as a background.
However, it's a 6-8 hours long boring drive on 5-north freeway.
You could also take the 1 freeway to see the scenery but
it will add several more hours to your trip. Make sure you
go there with friends who could switch the driver seat with
you. Great for any long weekends.
Yosemite National Park -- The most beautiful
park for all season in California. Esp, during May-June.
You would find several stunning and intimidating scenes
of jet stream water falls and mountains. The activities
include hiking, rafting, swimming, BBQ, picnic, taking photograph,
and recharging several batteries. Following each amazing
postcard pictures to the place where they took it, you could
stay there for 4 days and never get to see all the things
there are to see. It's about 6-8 hours from LA and about
4-5 hours from San Francisco. All in all, it's definitely
worth going multiple times, a first choice for Summer.
East Cost -- Going to Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Washington, Orlando, and Miami is a dream
come true of the westerners. Also great in summer and spring,
but best in Fall, you know seeing the the red trees in Central
Park must be wonderful, don't you think ? (if you can find
a hole in your semester)
Chicago -- Nice, romantic, and very cold
in winter city with a lot of museums. You saw my best friend
wedding right ? Great for summer and maybe fall.
Yellow Stone National Park -- The biggest
national park in America. People says it's also the most
beautiful one. You would see lots of gazers and hot springs
here, great for several seasons.
Colorado -- With in the Rocket mountain
shadow, lies another nice group of places to visit Denver,
Bolder, and Colorado Spring. There're so many top notch
ski resorts and many country stuffs to check out. A winter
to spring break trip :-)
Canada -- Adorable nature places for
you to take pictures. Great for summer and spring, best
in Fall.
