Prior to this visit, I haven’t been a fan of Los Angeles - it’s sprawling nature, dirty streets, and fake lifestyles, so generally it’s an overnight stop before we head to wherever we are going. This time, Hayden had requested multiple days, as his interest in the film and television industry was based around the area.
The first afternoon was a write-off due to our delayed flight which saw us take off half an hour after we were due to land in LA, so we checked into our modest Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel on Beverly Boulevard had a delicious meal at Swingers Cafe (which was part of our hotel - I can recommend the turkey meatloaf) and walked the 5 minutes to the Farmer’s Markets to show the boys what was nearby and familiarise ourselves with the neighbourhood.
Monday morning and we were back at the Markets to buy our public transport tickets - something I’d never done in LA - use their Metro System. This turned out to be the best thing we could have done as it opened up so many opportunities for us to see more of the city. We became very familiar with the 217, 22 and 14 buses and the LA Metro trains.
First stop, Hollywood Walk of Fame. Took a good block of time to walk the multiple blocks to “star spot” and while doing so was lucky enough to see Sam Elliott honoured with his handprints at the Graumann Chinese Theatre and a live performance being recorded outside of the Jimmy Kimmel studios on Hollywood Blvd. Found most of the stars we were looking for, and then completed our trifecta of US Tussaud museums by visiting the LA venue.
Back onto the bus and over the Hollywood Hills to Burbank to find a makeup shop that stocked the lipsticks that Jordan had ordered for Christmas. Found the shop but out of stock of the colours she wanted so after a quick phone call found some alternatives before grabbing a bite at Portos Bakery, which we figured must be good due to the two long lines to get in.
I couldn’t resist ordering a “meat pie” as I was keen to see the American interpretation and while not disappointed with the flavour, the aesthetics were a little off. Their take on a pie was two pieces of puff pastry with a thin stuffing of minced meat in between. No delicious gravy to bind it and no harder pastry on the bottom. Worth trying and the boys’ meals were also delicious, so we were glad we stopped there.
Our next adventure was the LA train system, including a shuttle bus to the Metro Station followed by train and transfers to Santa Monica for dinner by the ocean as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. The train station at North Hollywood was decorated in true Hollywood fashion with old film reels and cameras in the foyer.
Now for a parent, one of the big fears you can have is of your child being left on public transport as the doors close and you are separated as the train pulls away from the platform. At least that has always been a big one for me. And it was realised in LA.
Hayden jumped on the Metro as Brendon and I quickly checked that it was the right train. We were only a step behind him, but the doors closed and we watched helplessly as the train pulled away with him on it. Not so bad when he’s 17, but still enough to bring on a dull sense of panic that is is now not under our protection in a group. Luckily our phone coverage worked and we stayed in contact until he got off at the next stop, then doubled back to find us. Hardest moment was when he got off on the opposite platform - we could see him but he couldn’t see us, there were two trains between us so we couldn’t call out, and I think he may have had a moment or two of anxiety when he couldn’t spot us.
On the pier at Santa Monica we got the obligatory Route 66 sign pics, explored the fun park, and enjoyed a delicious meal at Bubba Gump’s. Then a Metro and a bus and home ready for Tuesday’s adventure - the VIP experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.
What an experience it was - starting the day in the VIP lounge, with danishes and croissants and coffee, followed by a personal tour guide who took us around the backlot tour and an inside look at a working studi,, and then VIP access onto all of the rides for the day. Delicious buffet lunch and just the best day ever. Only disappointment was that they were filming at Courthouse Square (Back to the Future clock tower) and couldn’t get on to see it, but being able walk around the Good Place was pretty cool! And we bought a LardLad donut in Springfield for dessert when we got home.
We caught up with the Creati family again at the park and had dinner at Universal Citywalk’s Hard Rock Cafe. The trio of fajitas was delicious and only slightly surpassed by the Bahama Mama cocktail - easily the best one of the entire trip. Our waiter was so hyper and excitable, I swear he should have been medicated, but so worth it when he surprised Julianne with a birthday sundae and an announcement to the whole restaurant to wish her a happy Australian birthday.
Rendezvoused with the Creati’s again on Wednesday for a hike to the back of the Hollywood sign. Originally thwarted as the access path has been locked down by the property owner, so we had to walk just over a mile up and down through the Hollywood Hills to access from the opposite end and take the slightly steeper trail up - but totally worth it once at the top and looking down over the sprawl that is LA. Not many people do this one in LA - so if you’re ever there and you have a couple of hours to spare, uber to the end of Mulholland drive and make your way up - you’ll need plenty of water if doing it in the warmer months and sunscreen and a hat are a must.
Shake Shack for lunch followed by a visit to check out the footprints and hand prints at Graumann’s Chinese Theatre before bussing down to the La Brea tar pits to learn a little more about pre-historic life in LA. Back to the hotel for a quick rest (sometimes there is nothing better than just taking your shoes off) and then a bus up Beverly Blvd to Taco Bell for dinner. The walk home (it was only 10 minutes) once again highlighted the homeless plight in the city, but was enjoyable none-the-less.
Final day in the city and we took the hop on, hop off Starlines bus tour to learn a bit more about LA. Hayden loved the Guitar Centre, where the handprints of many musicians are set in the sidewalk outside, as well as hundreds of guitars for sale! Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills (this is a bit of a tradition for me as we have eaten here every time we’ve visited LA), before a quick trip out to Santa Monica and walk to Venice Beach and then back to our hotel to make our way to the airport and the long flight home.
We saw some interesting things in LA - our street was shut down one block down from our hotel due to a shooting, and remained closed for hours, there was a high speed chase through the streets around our hotel one morning, and sadly we witnessed a mugging/fight from the top of our bus while passing through Santa Monica. Lots of homelessness, and sadly healthcare concerns - a local told us there’s isn’t a psychiatric facility in LA, so police only have the power to lock up MH patients and then release them into the population again. Without healthcare insurance, they can’t get the help they need and the spiral continues.
But I loved our time in LA and I’m looking forward to heading back in October for a work conference.
And so our schoolies trip is drawing to an end. It’s been a long 38 days. It has been a cold, rainy, sunny, snowy memorable trip. And I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Final wrap up coming soon.
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