Walking in L.A.

SANTA MONICA

From Third Street Promenade, take the Tide Shuttle to Main Street, back to the Pier, so many Bars & Restaurants, beautiful views, why would you want to take your car?
If you want to escape the tourists, just walk a couple of blocks north to Montana Ave where the locals shop and dine to a more European atmosphere.

VENICE BEACH
The Venice Boardwalk, all the way from Washington to Rose Ave. It's a zoo, it's fun, it is so L.A. Serious posing, showing off and people watching daily in the Summer, weekends in the winter! Venice will never dissapoint!

For a more relaxed Venice experience, walk 4 blks away from the beach to Abbot Kinney Blvd where you can enjoy great Galeries, Shops, Restaurants and Coffeehouses(no Starbucks here!)

also

THE VENICE CANALS
Just 2 blks east of Ocean Front Walk between Venice Blvd and Washington you can walk around the restored Venice Canals. Beware of some Ducks who love to fight for there turf! On weekends some homeowners offer romantic canoe rides along the canals.

HOLLYWOOD HILLS HIKE / GRIFFITH PARK
This is actually a very cool, easy hike up the Hollywood Hills that rewards you with incredible views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign and the Valley.
Just follow the signs to Griffith Park Observatory
The hike starts at the parking lot, it is not very steep and well paved, so walk as far as you like.
Within 20 minutes you will encounter fantastic L.A.views and if you plan on going all the way to the top(probably 60-90 minutes one way), you will have a view, second to none! Plus you probably lost a view pounds doing so ;-)

VERMONT AVE / SILVERLAKE
On about 3 blocks you can find some of the most Off Beat Record stores and shopping experiences. Also great lounges like Dresden and Palermo Restaurant,which not only a favorite cop hangout, but also has incredible Pizzas & 75 cents Wine !!!

MELROSE AVENUE
Sunday Afternoons, between Fairfax and La Brea.
First, check out Fairfax High School's Flee Market(and the campus, which used to be Beverly High on 90210). Afterwards wear some skimpy short skirt (ladies) and a lot of leather (guys) and parade down the Street!

BEVERLY BLVD
Between Alta Vista and Gardner Street in Hollywood.
You probably wont find this stretch of street mentioned in any Tourbook! That's how hip, new and happening this area is now. Top designer, galleries, fine art and furniture stores are all lined up next to each other. Plus there are some cool coffehouses and the famous El Coyote Mexican hang out to round out this very happening corner of L.A.!

BEVERLY HILLS
You seen it all in the movies...Rodeo Drive and the surrounding areas will give you plenty of oportunities to walk around, shop till you drop or grab a good bite to eat in one of the plentyful restaurants! Parking is freeee for 3 hours in the city owned parking lots!!!!

DOWNTOWN L.A. - Broadway
Just imagine how this place must have looked like in the 20s..... Well, now-a-days it's the closest thing to actually beeing in Mexico, get some cheap electronics and clothes. Make sure to also check out the Grand Central Market(317 Broadway), The Bradbury Building(304 Broadway-Make sure to visit the inside of the building-stunning), the Los Angeles Theater(615 Broadway) and the nearbye Bonadventure Hotel, Pershing Square, Score Bar(he he).

SANTEE ALLEY
In Downtown L.A.
I call it the Disneyland for bargain shoppers. Hundreds of stores line along this 5 block alley, where rents rival those in Beverly Hills. You would not know though, as the atmosphere is bazaar like. Weekends are the most fun! At Santee you can get everything: Clothes, Shoes, Electronics, even Water turtels and bootleg videos! A must see !

WILL ROGERS STATE PARK
Pacific Pallisades
More than 80 miles of Trails @ Santa Monica Mountains. You can walk or get on your Mountainbike. Incredible views, if you go Weekdays, it seems like you the only human beeing in the World!

OLD TOWN PASADENA
Santa Monica without the Ocean, he he , nah that's not fair, it's a cool place, with nice Bars/Restaurants/Stores !

HOLLYWOOD BLVD
There is a actually Hollywood Walk of Fame walking tour, with signs along the street to point out historic Landmarks. Also check out the $650 Million Hollywood and Highland Complex, great for shopping/dining. Afterwards, stroll down towards Vine and discover plenty of new Bars, Restaurants and Shops, Hollywood has it's biggest Comeback!!

DOWNTOWN ANGEL WALK
Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there are Statues along the path which guide you thru Downtown and point out Historic sights. Start at the Downtown Library

CHINATOWN ANGEL WALK
Similar to the Downtown Angels Walk, this walk is designed to showcase cultural, architectual and fun places in Chinatown.
You can start anywhere along the path, but the most convinient spot is at the Metro Gold Line station/ The tour is about 2 miles long and depending on your pace should take two to three hours!

WESTWOOD / UCLA CAMPUS
Wander around Westwood Village, great Restaurants and Bars, nice Shopping, next to the UCLA Campus with it's beautiful open spaces and one of the best Sculpture Gardens in the Country. I know that you think I might be bias, with UCLA being my school and all, but this capmus is incredible! Check it out for yourself!

MID WILSHIRE
The Mid Wilshire area is mostly overlooked by locals, although the area boosts incredible 1920's Art Deco Architecture, huge restored Neon-Billboards and not to forget Museum - Row, the La Brea Tar Pits & Dining experiences.

CHINATOWN
Another great spot in Downtown L.A to walk around and eat, eat and eat!

CHANG KING ROAD - CHINATOWN
A cool street with art galleries, old fashioned chinese stores and restaurants and an electic scene.

SUNSET PLAZA / WEST HOLLYWOOD
There is nothing more L.A. than Sunset Plaza!
Dress nice, park your cheap car far away and indulge in the fanatiks of L.A., great place for some serious people watching. Dont miss to have a beer at Red Rock!

UNIVERSAL CITY WALK
Either love it or Hate it! Yes, it is a fake city, but you can enjoy your time here, strolling thru the stores, watch a movie, a concert at BB Kings or just hang with the tourists! If you dont want to pay $8 parking, just take the Subway.(Red Line)

GRIFFITH PARK
The biggest City Park in the World. Thousands of acres where you can go horseback riding, BBQ, walk, hike, mountainbike, lay down, visit the L.A.Zoo or the Western Heritage Museum.

BEACH WALK
Good point to start is right around the Santa Monica Pier, either walk south 3 miles towards Venice Beach or north, about 2 miles to the Santa Monica Canyon. Both routes have great little places to drink and dine on the way.

SANTA MONICA BLVD - WEST HOLLYWOOD
After spending $20+Million on remodeling Santa Monica Blvd between La Cienega and Robertson, it is now a beautiful landscaped promenade with hundreds of shops, restaurants, stores, coffeehouses, clubs and a parade of guys and girls showing off there skin and muscles! They dont call it "Boystown" for nothing.;-) . It is a place to see and be seen, anytime of the day. And yes, common str8 folks are welcomed too!!!

LARCHMONT VILLAGE
A little nice area to walk around, right next to Hancock park.

The Grove / Farmers Market
The L.A.Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax is one of the top tourist spots since the 1930s.
Since 2002 you have another reason to come here, THE GROVE, this mall has the looks/feel of Mainstreet USA, it's a mix of Disneyland, Mall, L.A.including a trolley, Nordstrom and a absolutely stunning looking movietheater!