Six Day Trips from Los Angeles,
by Olivia Neri
Los Angeles is a car-culture society, but driving
in and around the city can take some patience. It has 12-lane
freeways, notorious traffic and carpool lanes. But its scenic
drives make it all worthwhile. Here are six day trips that
give you reason to take your car out of the garage.
Santa Barbara
Travel time: 1 hour
Santa
Barbara is nicknamed "The American Riviera,"
not only for its inviting location, famous beaches and fabulous
weather, but also for its surroundings, which include wineries
and Los Padres National Forest. Although its population is
now approaching 100,000, it retains an atmosphere of a small
beach community. Located just north of Los Angeles, it is
home to many celebrities, so be on the lookout!
To enjoy the city at its best, take a walk down
State Street. Enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants,
or stroll through the many beachside boutiques. The red roof
tiles, arched windows and white stucco walls of the Spanish
architecture give the city its unique style. Be sure to visit
the Santa
Barbara Mission to learn about Santa Barbara's rich history
and its Spanish heritage. The view alone is worth the trip.
Santa
Barbara's wine country ranges about 35 minutes northeast
of the city. Go on one of the many wine-tasting tours and
you'll see why the region is gaining the attention of wine
lovers. Fans of the movie "Sideways" will want to
take the
self-guided tour inspired by the 2004 Oscar-winning movie.
San Diego
Travel time: 2 hours
Don't let the freeway traffic deter you from
visiting San
Diego, about 120 miles south of Los Angeles; it is worth
the drive. San Diego County, which borders Mexico, offers
70 miles of beaches plus plenty of shopping and dining options.
Shoppers should make time to visit the Westfield
Horton Plaza, an outdoor shopping mall that boasts 140 shops.
Another area definitely worth exploring is the Victorian-era
Gas Lamp
Quarter, which offers pubs, shops and dining, along with
art galleries, offices and theaters. Allow enough time to
visit Old Town and the San Diego Mission.
There are plenty of activities to keep children
interested and occupied, starting with the world-famous giant
pandas at the San Diego Zoo. It's easy to spend a day at Legoland
California, which has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions,
including the new Land of Adventure area. SeaWorld, a premier
marine park northwest of the city, offers many chances for
up-close interactions with animals on its 200-acre preserve.
Can't decide what to see and do first? You don't
have to. You can just hop into your vehicle and follow San
Diego's 59-mile
scenic drive. Visitors can easily navigate through the
city's top sites just by following the blue-and-yellow signposts.
Santa Monica
Travel time: 30 minutes
Santa
Monica's world-famous beach has been immortalized on TV's
"Baywatch" and in countless films, but the city
is more than bikinis, beach volleyball and tanned bodies.
In fact it is a glamorous city that attracts plenty of tourists
and is home to many stars. You can enjoy Santa Monica's famous
sites from the seat of a car or by foot on the city's pedestrian-friendly
streets.
Stroll down the Third
Street Promenade - no vehicles allowed - and enjoy people-watching
or street performers; on Wednesday and Saturday mornings,
there's a farmer's market. Or head for Main Street, where
you'll find cafes, shops, bars and restaurants. It is a lot
less crowded than Third Street Promenade and offers a different
atmosphere. Third Street is almost overrun with tourists,
while more locals head to Main Street. All in all, Santa Monica
offers hundreds of retail shops and more than 400 dining options.
After a walk on the beach, visit Pacific Park,
an admission-free amusement park located on the Santa Monica
pier. It is a nice way to enjoy the beach without getting
wet!
Disneyland, Anaheim
Travel time: 1 hour
Whether you are traveling with children or are
just a child at heart, Disneyland
Park is a must-see attraction. Known as "The Happiest
Place on Earth," it is the home of Mickey Mouse and Minnie
Mouse and many other famous childhood characters. Rides like
Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, The Haunted House,
and The Teacups will have you reliving your childhood days.
Disney's
California Adventure Park, another amusement park, is
situated directly across from Disneyland. The newest addition
to the Disneyland family, the park offers rides and attractions
with a California theme. A "Park Hopper" ticket
will get you admittance to both parks.
Not enough time to spend a day at an amusement
park? The Downtown
Disney District gives you a chance to enjoy the cheerful
Disneyland atmosphere without paying an entrance fee. Here
you can watch a movie at the AMC Movie Theatre, visit ESPN
Zone Sports Arena, or stop by the House of Blues Stage and
spend as little or as much time as you choose. Of course there
are shops where you can buy your favorite Disney products.
Although the price of admission might seem high
(single-day theme park tickets start at $56, Park Hopper tickets
at $84), the experience is worth it!
Hollywood
Travel time: 30 minutes
Hollywood
has experienced a renovation during the past five years that
has taken it back to its glamorous first days as "Tinsel
Town." It's a glitzy town filled with self-promoting,
young, good-looking people with one goal: to become famous.
Walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame to take
a picture with your favorite "star" -- perhaps even
with the celebrity himself. More than 2,000 stars are on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, and each month one or two more stars
are added. If you see a crowd forming, get your camera ready
- maybe some new star is about to be immortalized. Tinkerbell
will get her star sometime next year, along with Hugh Jackman,
Robert Downey Jr., Shakira, Leslie Caron, Cameron Diaz, Kyra
Sedgwick, The Village People and a bunch of others.
You'll find the footprints and handprints of
Hollywood's greatest legends in front of Grauman's Chinese
Theatre. The theater is the site of many swanky movie premiers,
and the public can still see a movie here. Get information
on tours of Hollywood in front of the theater. Choose the
classic "Movie Stars' Homes" tour and you'll see
where some of the biggest names in the business live. Beware
of huge gates and shrubs that can obstruct your view!
The Hollywood
& Highland mall and the Kodak
Theatre are at the center of the new Hollywood. The outdoor
mall includes retail shops, restaurants and the permanent
home of the Academy Awards, where Hollywood's elite gathers
each year in hopes of winning a coveted Oscar. The $94 million
live-entertainment theater, which opened in November 2001,
boasts 3,350 seats.
Malibu
Travel time: 1 hour
The first inhabitants of Malibu
were Chumash Indians; today it is home to some of the biggest
names in the entertainment industry.
Getting to this coastal community is one of the
best parts of the day trip. Heading north from Los Angeles,
Pacific Coast Highway winds above the ocean, giving drivers
and passengers good views of the ocean and the multimillion-dollar
homes of the rich and famous. Sometimes you'll come across
a surfer by the side of the road, changing into dry clothes
after a day of surfing.
Malibu Canyon is another great drive; it takes
you toward LA's San Fernando Valley. The windy drive can be
packed during rush hour, but there are opportunities to escape
from the traffic and to enjoy the views.
The Getty
Museum Malibu is a premier museum dedicated to the study
of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria.
The museum is open Thursday through Monday, and although admission
is free, reservations are mandatory.
Enjoy lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch at Duke's
Malibu. Named after Duke Kahanamoku (the "Father
of International Surfing"), this oceanfront restaurant
offers a menu of fresh fish, along with its original Hula
Pie dessert. The Barefoot Bar offers a bar menu and outdoor
seating. Keep your eyes open and you might see your favorite
TV or movie star enjoying the Malibu sun.
Southern California has a lot to offer visitors.
There is plenty of sun for everyone to enjoy, and many opportunities
to hop in your car and to explore. These six trips are just
the beginning!
Olivia
Neri
9/12/08
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