Today is September 9, 2013. As our plane touches down smoothly on the tarmac, I feel my heart start pounding, and the famous theme song of the American TV show that filled my childhood days with joy and daydreams begins playing in my head: "Beverly Hills, 90210" and its iconic couple, "Brandon and Kelly."
My brain goes into overdrive, triggering a parade of images, or rather clichés, of what represents America in all its glory to me: those long, endless stretches of white-sand beach famous for bodybuilders with ripped, glistening six-packs and silicone pin-ups on roller skates; massive billionaire mansions with oversized swimming pools; rows of palm trees competing to reach that impossibly blue California sky... In short, right at that moment, everything flashes by, not forgetting Pamela Anderson's legendary red bikini and the famous lifeguard towers from the TV series "Baywatch"!
Fortunately, an announcement from the flight attendant brings me out of my daydream to let me know we've finally arrived, arrived at the place I've dreamed of visiting for so many years: LOS ANGELES!
Sadly, we only have two days set aside for this legendary city during our road trip through the American Southwest with my partner, but follow along and let's see what can already be seen and done in such a short time in this multi-faceted "City of Angels"!
Before going any further, let's take a quick cultural deep-dive into this city along with a few practical tips to avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your visit.
A bit of culture...
Los Angeles, what is it?
It's first an ancient land inhabited by numerous Native American tribes, including the Chumash and the Tongva (the "first peoples"), which then passed into the hands of Spanish colonists and missionaries in 1781 before becoming Mexican territory in 1821, and finally being permanently annexed by the United States in 1846.
In fact, it was around this time that the destiny of this modest "village" completely flipped, experiencing a massive demographic and economic boom with the discovery of gold in 1848 and oil in 1890, followed by the arrival of the railroad in 1876. Add in the establishment of the Hollywood dream factory and numerous film productions starting in the 1920s, and Los Angeles was well on its way to becoming the true "Mecca" of world cinema.
But Los Angeles is much more than that. It is also a modern, giant puzzle of 88 neighborhoods spread across 1,290 square kilometers in southwestern California on the Pacific coast. This makes it the largest city in California, home to over 18 million residents from wildly diverse backgrounds (over 140 nationalities and more than 200 spoken languages), cementing its reputation as an ultra-cosmopolitan and open-minded metropolis.
While these staggering numbers might lead you to think this urban sprawl resembles a labyrinth of skyscrapers much like its rivals New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, or even Chicago, nothing could be further from the truth.
Indeed, catching a bird's-eye view from the city's hills, you will be surprised and struck by this endless and somewhat disorienting horizontality. Aside from a few skyscrapers in Downtown, Los Angeles looks more like a gigantic ocean of single-story homes bathed in a blanket of lights and neon signs, where, against all odds, vegetation still finds a prominent and cherished place.
Finally, Los Angeles is also a sprawling network of seven-lane freeways that can easily make your head spin, revealing, alas, an urban jungle of inequality where extreme poverty rubs shoulders with insolent wealth. Yet paradoxically, Los Angeles is also a wonderful place to live and has become an absolute eldorado for travelers, thanks to its legendary, ever-present sunshine!
Indeed, with a record number of sunny days per year (320), mild winters, and warm summers cooled by Pacific breezes, Los Angeles has made, makes, and always will make the whole world dream!
So, to sum it up, Los Angeles isn't a city that invites you to look up at the sky, nor is it a city of ancient stones and sculpted facades that we Europeans are used to seeing every day. On the contrary, it is a recent, modern city born almost entirely in the 20th century, built horizontally, unafraid of space, where cars rule the road, and finally, a city of eternal spring that represents both all the excesses and all the dreams of humanity!
Want to hear a fun fact? This much-adored city wasn't always called "Los Angeles." Its actual original name, given by Spanish settler Felipe de Neve back in 1781, was, take a deep breath, "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciúncula," which translates to "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola."
Luckily for us, as time went on, that ridiculously long name wouldn't fit on an envelope or a map, so locals decided to shorten it to simply "Los Angeles." Talk about a relief for everyone! Imagine the TV show: "NCIS: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciúncula" ... !!!
Getting around Los Angeles
Alright, jokes aside! Let's get back to reality and dive into the city's must-see spots, even though, I have to admit, we'll have to make a few compromises and skip a few places. Two days is unfortunately way too short to see everything, but it's definitely enough to build some memorable, unforgettable moments from this little corner of paradise!
To pull this off, though, one thing is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL in my opinion if you want to properly enjoy such a vast, sprawling place: a CAR, which you can rent online or right when you land at the airport in Los Angeles.
As for us, my partner and I always make a habit of booking our car online via BSP-Auto, a price comparison site that offers a great selection of cars at very competitive rates.
Plus, if you book fairly well in advance (around 6 to 8 months), you can grab a convertible for a very reasonable price. In my book, that's the absolute ultimate way to explore Los Angeles! Seriously, if your budget allows for it, go for it, it's totally worth it and you won't regret it for a second!
Now that your car is rented, how does it all work once you arrive at the airport?
Actually, as soon as you've grabbed your bags and stepped out the exit doors of the terminal, you'll need to wait for the shuttle corresponding to your car rental company (for instance, Hertz, Alamo, Dollar, Budget, Enterprise, Avis, Sixt, etc.). Keep in mind that this can sometimes take a little while, but don't worry, the right shuttle always shows up eventually!
Once you hop on, the shuttle will take you for free (though a nice tip is definitely appreciated by the driver!) straight to your rental agency's lot, where you'll wrap up the final paperwork (insurance, gas, GPS) and finally get the keys to your ride.
After that, aside from avoiding rush hour to dodge the city's monster traffic jams, grabbing a good US-specific GPS, and booking a hotel close to the attractions you want to check out, I only have one thing to say to you: "Have fun and enjoy your stay"!
By the way, how about kicking off your trip with a place you've all undoubtedly seen and heard about on TV, talked about, idealized, and most likely coveted in your wildest dreams? Yep, I'm talking about Hollywood, with its legendary Walk of Fame and those iconic, oversized white letters standing proudly up in the hills of Los Angeles.
Well, if you're up for it, right this way!
Day 1, in the hills: Hollywood and Beverly Hills
A few lines ago, I gave you the choice of whether or not to follow me on this tour of grand Hollywood, but to be completely honest, leaving Los Angeles without checking out its most iconic neighborhood feels like a total crime to me!
So, dear readers, this is no longer optional, consider it an order: slather on a good layer of sunscreen and follow me to discover Hollywood, starting with its famous sign. Because whether you want to admit it or not, and even if it feels a little "cliché," you're definitely going to want that souvenir photo right at the base of it!
The Hollywood Sign
At this point, you have a few different options:
Hiking there on foot
For this, I recommend taking the "The Wonder View Trail Route," which starts at the intersection of Lake Hollywood Drive and Wonder View Drive. It's the shortest path (though not the easiest) to get right up close to the famous letters.
Which brings up a good question: where do you park your car?
Just so you know, you won't be able to park right at the park's entrance gate. You'll need to park along Lake Hollywood Drive, about a quarter of a mile down the hill from the gate.
As for the difficulty of the trail, it’s all a matter of having strong calves and a good pair of hiking boots. For the first twenty minutes, you won't be on a flat, paved road, but rather a very steep, technical path made of sand and large rocks! So please, don't be as stubborn as I was, don't head out in a simple pair of flip-flops!
I promise you, though, the second part of the hike is much easier and more pleasant, offering stunning views over the Los Angeles and Pasadena valleys. It's more than enough to make you forget the sweat spent over those 40 minutes of walking, 1.5 miles of climbing, and 873 feet of elevation gain!
Trust me, once you reach the top of the hill, which is actually Mount Lee, and come face-to-face with those gigantic letters, no longer behind your TV screen but right there before your wide-eyed gaze, you'll realize all that effort was totally worth it!
Riding In On Horseback
The second option, and the one we absolute loved the most, is going on a horseback ride.
To do this, just head to the following address:
3400 N Beachwood Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068
There you'll find free parking at the top of Beachwood Drive, just past the gate on the right. You'll be warmly welcomed by the wonderful team at "
We chose the 1-hour ride, which was more than enough to enjoy fantastic views of Los Angeles and experience a rush of excitement, wonder, and, I must admit, a bit of fear. For some reason, these Hollywood horses had an annoying habit of not walking calmly along the hillside, but rather strolling perilously close to the edge of the precipice!!!
Perhaps they were channeling the adventurous, daredevil spirit of Hollywood stunt doubles?
One thing is for sure: catching a glimpse of the Hollywood sign from the saddle right in the heart of the city was completely unexpected and utterly wild!
Getting Another Perspective
Finally, a third option is to visit one of the best-known astronomical observatories in the United States: the Griffith Observatory planetarium in Griffith Park, about six miles from downtown Los Angeles. From here, you get an exceptional panoramic view of the City of Angels as well as the Hollywood sign.
If you choose this third option, I recommend arriving in the late afternoon to catch the gorgeous sunset that bathes the city in magical colors.
Even better, everything here is free: parking (though capacity is limited), admission to the observatory, the telescopes, programs, and special events. In a country where everything usually comes down to business and money, don't think twice, go for it!
Let's head back down a bit now and discover another unmissable spot you shouldn't skip for the world: Hollywood Boulevard and its prestigious Walk of Fame.
Hollywood Boulevard: the Walk of Fame
You dreamed of it, and here you are! Standing before those 2,600+ stars embedded in the world's most famous sidewalk: the legendary "
Here, the stars shining beneath your feet, spread across 1.3 miles of asphalt from Gower Street to La Brea, don't just belong to thousands of celebrities, but also to 10 inventors, 3 astronauts, and 2 American presidents. Each star features an emblem indicating the category in which the honoree made their mark:
- a motion picture camera for film;
- a television set for television;
- a phonograph record for the music industry;
- a microphone for radio stars;
- a duet of classical theatrical masks for figures from the theater world.
As you can imagine, getting your own piece of pavement on Hollywood Boulevard isn't handed out to just anyone, even though, technically, any average Joe can send a letter to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to request public recognition via an inscribed star.
To have their application taken seriously, however, candidates must prove they’ve genuinely accomplished something and have been well-known in their field for five years or more. They must also state in their application letter that they want a star and will attend the short star-unveiling ceremony a few months later. Finally, they need to come up with $30,000: half of it goes to the "Hollywood Historic Trust" association, which maintains the Walk of Fame, while the other half covers the creation of the star and the organization of the ceremony.
It’s certainly an uphill battle, but isn’t that the price to pay for eternal recognition?
Because let’s be honest: even if they get trodden on all day long, even if their star isn’t in the prime spot, whether they’re flashy or understated, adored or despised, stepping back from public life or soaking in the spotlight, simple or over-the-top, one thing is certain, any star with their name on this stretch of Californian sidewalk can and always will be able to claim true immortality!
It’s a privilege we might share one day, who knows? But in the meantime, let’s keep strolling down this massive boulevard, which is much more than just a constellation of stars carved into concrete.
In fact, it’s also home to movie theaters that immortalized the biggest silver screen legends, like the "Grauman’s Chinese Theatre", where all the major premieres take place and outside of which icons like Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, and even Donald Duck left their handprints and footprints in the cement. Right nearby, you'll also find the "Egyptian Theatre", which hosted the early days of Robin Hood, and a little further down, the "Kodak Theatre", home to the annual Academy Awards Ceremony.
All of this sits amid a maze of shops offering an endless selection of souvenirs (which I definitely let myself get lured into buying!), right outside of which you shouldn't be surprised to find a life-sized Superman or Marilyn Monroe, practically begging you to snap a photo with them. But watch out, as I mentioned earlier, you're in the land of business and money here, so a photo, even one taken with your own camera or phone, is bound to have a price tag!
With our Hollywood stroll now behind us, let's head straight for Beverly Hills, a neighborhood that was out of the question to skip as a lifelong fan of the show!
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills... When you arrive here, the first thing you think is: "Oh wow, the TV shows weren't lying!"
The massive, presidential-looking white houses; the gardens meticulously groomed by private gardeners; the neatly trimmed lawns without a single out-of-place blade of grass; the outsized gates; the luxury cars parked in every driveway; the streets lined with giant palm trees standing tall like a ballet of star-tipped dancers; the pristine sidewalks you could practically eat off of... In short, everything here is just like it is on TV, except even better because in reality, alongside this gorgeous backdrop, there's a magical, peaceful, and slightly mysterious atmosphere. Behind every gate lies a burning question: "Just who holds the keys to this magnificent estate? A movie star, a singer, a billionaire, a wealthy businessman, an heir, a diplomat...?"
These are the kinds of unanswered questions that make walking through this neighborhood so delightful.
Personally, I am an absolute devotee of walks through this prestigious area, which makes my heart flutter with wonder and fills me with joy every single time. The architecture of the houses, each one more surprising, crazier, and grander than the last, is definitely what I love most! If I could, I would take a picture of every single one, but for lack of space on my memory card, alas, I have to settle for just looking at some of them. One thing is certain and comforting, though: there's plenty of room in my heart and mind to forever lock away the memory of this fabulous neighborhood.
All this to say that YES, you absolutely must plan a walk or a drive through legendary Beverly Hills!
Of course, certain companies will offer you tours of the area, promising a glimpse of celebrity homes, but honestly, aside from the gates of their estates, you won't see much more than you could discover entirely on your own! So if someone approaches you on the street offering this kind of excursion, take my advice: keep walking and head instead toward Rodeo Drive, where even bigger surprises await!
But ABOVE ALL, before you head out, don't forget to grab your souvenir photo by the famous "Beverly Hills" sign, written in yellow on a green background, located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and North Doheny Drive. Another "Beverly Hills" sign, styled in a rainbow, is also very popular and definitely worth a quick detour for a photo: you'll find it in Beverly Gardens Park at 9439 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Rodeo Drive
« Pretty woman, walkin’down the street,
Pretty woman, the kind I’d like to meet,
Pretty woman, I don’t believe you, you’re not the truth,
No one could look as good as you »…
It plays on a loop in our heads, and we can all picture Julia Roberts walking into that prestigious hotel in an outfit that was a bit daring and out of place, only to learn how to become a lady of society with the help of the hotel manager! Well, hold onto your hats, that very hotel, the majestic Beverly Wilshire Hotel, is right there on Rodeo Drive, alongside the many luxury boutiques that famously turned Vivian away in the movie!
By the way, if you want to treat your special someone, this place offers a package that lets you step into the shoes of the famous Pretty Woman couple for a weekend. The itinerary includes: shopping on Rodeo Drive with a personal shopper, a Rolls-Royce ride with a private chauffeur to the stunning gardens of Greystone Mansion to recreate the movie scene, an evening at the Los Angeles Opera, and a night in THE presidential suite from the romantic comedy!
Since the hotel doesn't list the price for this experience, you can safely assume it's reserved for deep pockets! But nothing should stop you from stepping inside, at least just to feast your eyes on its legendary lobby, which won't cost you a dime.
On the other hand, I wouldn't say the same for the countless luxury boutiques of the most prestigious brands (Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Cartier, Dior, Hermès, Versace, Vuitton, Saint Laurent, etc.) lined up along this street, said to be the most expensive and upscale in the world. So much so, in fact, that comparing the Champs-Élysées to this avenue would almost be an insult!
But don't panic, my fellow readers, even if you don't have George Clooney's or Brad Pitt's fortune, it costs nothing to stroll around, window shop, or simply sit on a bench along the street to admire the nearly immaculate scenery and watch the luxury cars drive by.
And if you keep walking to the corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, you'll be amazed to stumble upon Rodeo Drive's most photographed and visited spot: Two Rodeo, a high-end shopping center designed to look like a Parisian street, complete with restaurants, beauty salons, and trendy boutiques… An absolutely gorgeous place!
So, to sum it up, if I recommend visiting Rodeo Drive, it's above all for the magic, refinement, and majesty of the place, which I'm sure will leave you speechless, whether or not you're into this kind of glitz and glamour! And above all, keep one thing in mind: no matter your net worth, memories are truly priceless.
And with that note of opulence and elegance, our first day comes to a close, one that I hope left you completely starry-eyed!
Day 2, on the Coast: Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach
For this second day, you're probably expecting a trip to the Hollywood studios. But honestly, in such a short amount of time, I think other iconic spots in the city should take priority. If you want my advice, it's better to save the studios for a longer stay (at least four days) in Los Angeles.
Besides, if you're willing to follow my lead and trust me, I have a hidden gem for you that people don't necessarily think of when Los Angeles is mentioned, but which is nonetheless an absolute must-see in my book. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Queen Mary!
The Queen Mary
Dear readers, have you seen the movie Titanic? If so, trust me, you'll feel like you're reliving scenes from that legendary film when you step aboard the most magnificent, grandest, tallest, and widest of all ocean liners: the Queen Mary, which now rests peacefully in the waters of Long Beach, right at the end of the 710 Freeway South.
Just who is this giant of the seas, really?
A little history…
Launched in England on September 26, 1934, the Queen Mary was the largest luxury ocean liner of her time (along with her twin sister, the Queen Elizabeth, which was destroyed by a fire near Hong Kong in 1972): measuring 1,017 feet long, 118 feet wide, and with a 39-foot draft. She could accommodate up to 2,000 passengers and a crew of 1,200.
While the Queen Mary primarily brings to mind the golden age of transatlantic crossings, synonymous with luxury and celebration for first-class passengers and the promise of a new life for those in third class (her maiden arrival in New York on June 1, 1936, was nothing short of triumphant!), she also evokes a darker era. During World War II, painted in gray and stripped of all her magnificence, the "Old Lady" took on a military career and became known as the "Gray Ghost" (thanks to her coloring and speed). Fun fact: Hitler even offered a $250,000 bounty for her destruction at the time!
Luckily for us, she wasn't destroyed. Returned to civilian life in 1946, she was finally retired in 1967, unable to compete with her new technological rival: the airplane! It was in June of that same year that she was purchased by the city of Long Beach. Transformed into a floating hotel, museum, and restaurant, the Queen Mary now enjoys a peaceful retirement under the California sun, inviting anyone who steps aboard to explore her numerous exhibits and tours highlighting her turbulent past and her reputation for being haunted (several paranormal phenomena have been reported on board since her arrival in Long Beach...).
The Visit...
First of all, this majestic liner invites visitors to explore her upper and lower decks, the engine room, the bridge, the chapel, the hotel lobby, and the corridors at their own pace (allow about 1.5 hours). You'll get an audio guide (available in French), and admission runs around thirty euros per adult (which includes the entry ticket, audio guide, exhibits, and access to the 4D theater).
By the way, if you're feeling romantic, why not head to the bow of the ship and recreate that unforgettable scene with your significant other, Leonardo DiCaprio tenderly holding Kate Winslet with arms outstretched, conquering the new world? I have to admit, I totally gave in and played along!
And if romance isn't really your thing, don't worry. You can also step back in time and feel like a sailor or a soldier for a moment through the various exhibits scattered throughout the tour. These include recreations of the captain's quarters, the officers' cabins, and the living quarters of the Queen Mary's soldiers during World War II. Having toured the ship myself, I can tell you the recreations are truly stunning!
Various restaurants and shops also await you on board, perfect for taking a little break while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Port of Long Beach.
And if you want to top off your visit in style, why not spend the night aboard one of the world's most famous ocean liners? Trust me, it's a totally unique experience with a true leap into the past, and chills guaranteed!
Finally, as the cherry on top, you can dive back into the heart of the Cold War by touring an authentic Russian submarine, the Scorpion, docked right alongside the Queen Mary (admission: $14)! We didn't tour it ourselves, but simply looking at such a formidable war machine left us completely awestruck!
After this incredible journey through time, get ready for an immediate takeoff to another equally surprising destination, not quite Florida, but pretty close...
Naples Island
While some guidebooks or blogs will likely point you toward the canals of Venice Beach, which echo the real Venice in Italy (and let me be clear, it's definitely worth a detour), I'd like to suggest a somewhat similar attraction in a completely different spot, one that's much less crowded and, to my taste, a lot more peaceful: the Naples Island Canals (or "Naples Canals"). Located just a 10-minute drive from downtown Long Beach, discovering them was a revelation I simply had to share with you.
So, what are the Naples Canals?
With their crisscrossing waterways and the lovely homes lining them, the Naples Canals feel like a mix between the Venice Canals in Venice Beach, actual Venice (the real one in Italy, since you can take gondola rides here), and Miami.
It’s lush, incredibly affluent, wonderfully quiet, and strictly residential, featuring breathtaking homes you will probably never own (unless you happen to have at least a cool million sitting in your wallet!). It’s immaculately clean, with an unmatched neighborly vibe (everyone who crosses paths exchanges a friendly hello or a kind word)... in short, it couldn't possibly be more American!
Actually, what makes this place so exceptional and why I’m taking you here is first and foremost the canal vibe. True, it's not your everyday scenery: first, there's a real vacation feel with people paddleboarding or kayaking on the water; second, those private docks right in front of the houses leading out to the owners' boats are simply surreal; and third, being able to wander among these insane houses without dealing with car traffic is just amazing!
Trust me, a stroll through the Naples Canals is a trip into another dimension, a guaranteed change of scenery, and a paradisiacal setting that, truth be told, almost makes you feel like you're in Miami rather than Los Angeles!
Personally, we only had time to explore Rivo Alto Canal, but you can also check out Mothers Beach along Alamito Bay, take a walk along Lido Lane overlooking the marina, or venture over to Bayshore Walk on the Belmont Shore Peninsula for a view of the other side of the bay.
Either way, whichever you choose, I have just one piece of advice for you, my friends: if you want to discover another side of Los Angeles, don't think twice and head straight to Naples Island for a timeless little escape!
Speaking of time, what time is it?
Don't panic, my fellow readers, we still have plenty of time to keep enjoying this wonderful day that started off so well.
Besides, how about finishing on a high note with a quick trip to Santa Monica and Venice Beach, two absolute must-see spots in LA that it would be a crime to miss?
Santa Monica
Its beaches attract surfers and bodybuilders, its gorgeous luxury buildings draw wealthy families, and its reputation pulls in business folks... And it all pulls you right into this charming coastal city with its relaxed, vacationy, seaside-resort vibe.
Before I tell you more about the city and let you discover the enchanting, spellbinding power of this little seaside gem for yourself, I suggest ditching your car and renting bikes to live out the ultimate American experience!
To do that, you'll have plenty of options between the many rental shops around or simply the self-service docking stations from Breeze Bike Share, which are just as easy to use as Paris's Vélib' stations and super convenient, I can assure you!
Now that we've got our bikes, let's muster up all our energy to cruise along "Ocean Front Walk", a bike path leading all the way to Venice Beach. You'll weave between pedestrians, surfers, cyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers, likely in bikinis, promising majestic views of the ocean and its endless stretch of white sand, and best of all, the sun dipping into that vast expanse of water at the end of the day to treat you to a dazzling sunset!
All along this bike ride, you'll also spot those iconic lifeguard watchtowers that were famously used in the filming of the legendary American series Baywatch. Sorry to burst your bubble, but contrary to what we all thought, the show wasn't filmed in Malibu (as the name might suggest) but right here in Santa Monica! What a sad illusion!
Above all, don't let that hold you back for the rest of our tour, because we definitely need to make it to Venice Beach, where the scenery and atmosphere are wildly vibrant and delightfully eccentric!
Venice Beach
Disorienting, first of all, because of its famous Muscle Beach, an open-air gym where some have annual memberships to sculpt a "Governor of California" physique (Arnold Schwarzenegger, if you catch my drift!!!), while others come on a pilgrimage to gaze at the oiled-up muscles of the athletes and, let's be honest, get an eyeful!
This extravagance is also reflected in its street art walls, especially the massive murals adorning the facades of certain buildings, which the Venice Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore via a self-guided tour.
Finally, there's a touch of madness that shines through its wonderfully eclectic crowd. Between small-time vendors of all kinds, painters, sculptors, masseurs, fortune-tellers, mimes, joggers, skaters, dancers, and bodybuilders, DIVERSITY is the name of the game here, treating tourists to a non-stop show set against a joyful, free-spirited bohemian vibe!
In short, that is Venice Beach, one of the most popular and perhaps wildest spots in all of Los Angeles!
So wild, in fact, that it's best not to linger there after dark... Which is why I suggest we hop back on our bikes and head back toward Santa Monica, where plenty of chic and trendy boutiques await us all along the "Third Street Promenade," a long French-style pedestrian street lined with countless shops open late into the evening. Every fifty feet or so, artists and eccentric performers of all stripes share a patch of pavement, eager to show off their talents in exchange for a few coins.
It's also a great spot to treat yourself to a fantastic meal and sip a cold beer while watching the sunset!
Finally, Santa Monica wouldn't be Santa Monica without its famous Pier. Far from being just a few wooden planks jutting out into the ocean, it's one of the city's NUMBER ONE tourist destinations, firstly because of its small amusement park and Ferris wheel, which have made it a West Coast postcard icon, but also because this is where the legendary Route 66 comes to an end, as announced by the iconic "Santa Monica, 66, End of the Trail" sign!
And for us, too, this is where our Los Angeles journey comes to an end. Sure, we didn't have time to uncover all the city's hidden gems, like the Hollywood movie studios for instance, but at least we're leaving this symbol of the "American dream" with our hearts full of tender emotions, our heads full of wonderful memories, and stars in our eyes.
They say there are more stars in Los Angeles than there are in the sky. Perhaps it's because this magnetic city blurs the lines between fiction and reality... I'll let you ponder that one!
Next stop on our road trip: San Francisco!
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