Cruises from Los Angeles

The city of Los Angeles is the home to a variety of different movies, television shows, and books, as well as some nasty earthquakes that fiction writers seem determined to use to break the entire state of California free from the rest of the United States! But this Pacific Coast city has considerably more to offer than just an adrenalin pumping ride when the world begins to shake. You will definitely need more than one day to see everything this American city has to offer.

Besides the usual array of internationally known hotels and motels, visitors to Los Angeles can find plenty of places to rent for self-catering and Bed & Breakfast for a more homely feel. Visitors from outside the United States need to keep in mind, however, that self-catering options and Bed & Breakfasts in the United States are not quite the same as they are elsewhere in the world. Some of the amenities that are offered abroad are not offered in the United States. However, dining is not an issue here as there are many restaurants, bistros, and cafes available in Los Angeles.

Trying to decide where to visit when you go to Los Angeles is a confusing prospect because there is so much to do. There are, however, some places that should be seen during your first visit. These are the places that make Los Angeles what it is today and they are the icons of the city. The first place to go is the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is beautifully decorated and the acoustic qualities of the hall are just superb. As you drive through the city to your next destination, you will find yourself recognising places that you have seen on television and in the movies.

The Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard was opened in the 1930s and was the home to the Oscars and movie premieres for many years. The first circular office building, the home of Capitol Records is north of the theatre and the mural on the south side of the building pays homage to Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday. Hollywood & Highland Centre is one of the newest and brightest shopping centres in the city and you can get the perfect photograph of the Hollywood sign from the upper walkway.

What else should you see? The Kodak Theatre is the home of the Oscars and 30 minute guided tours are being offered throughout the day. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre are a must, and make sure you have your picture snapped with Darth Vader while there. And don’t forget to see how well your hand fits in the prints of the many stars immortalised in the sidewalk. When you hit Sunset Boulevard make your way to the Sunset Strip and if nothing else, take pictures of the House of Blues, the Comedy Store, the Viper Room, the Laugh Factory and the Roxy. All of these clubs have launched the careers of many celebrities in and out of America.

Finally, jump onto the Pacific Coast Highway past UCLA, Bel-Air, and Brentwood, and take a ride to the beaches made so famous on television shows such as ‘Baywatch’. Get out and enjoy a picnic lunch while dipping your toes in the warm surf and sand and soaking up some California rays before heading back into the City of Angels for a night on the town.