Page 106 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

Watch an LA Lakers basketball game at the
Staples Center and see stars on the court
and in the stands. End the day sipping a
cocktail at Chateau Marmont on Sunset
Boulevard in West Hollywood, where
celebrities meet their agents and studio
execs.
Hollywood
Conceived originally as an outdoor bill-
board promoting a housing development
called “Hollywoodland” in 1923, the Holly-
wood sign sits on the south side of Mount
Lee and Griffith Park—long a symbol that
this is a place where dreams can come true.
The first movie studio, the Nestor
Motion Picture Company, opened in the
fall of 1911 in Hollywood on the northwest
corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gower
Street. It was absorbed by the Universal
Film Manufacturing Company, which
later became Universal Studios. By the
1920s, 80 percent of the world’s films were
shot in California.
Learn more about Tinsel Town’s history,
and experience its memorabilia at The Hol-
lywood Museum. Or participate in the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
ences events and get swept up in the
pre-Oscar buzz.
The Great Outdoors
Despite its car culture rap, LA County offers
lots of outdoor activities. Rent a bike along
the Santa Monica Pier and ride down the
104 2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
SAILING in Long Beach, left.
path that parallels the ocean, through
Venice and on to Marina del Rey before
doubling back. Pack a picnic lunch and
hike Echo Mountain in Altadena or the
Arroyo Seco trail system in the San Gabriel
Mountains. Sign up for rock-climbing
instruction, or take a surfing lesson from
one of the many surfing centers in Santa
Monica. Or lounge around on the sand or
join an impromptu beach volleyball game.
Explore the county’s many and varied
beaches, from the iconic to the little
known, but bring a sweater. In the
summer, moist marine air is pulled inland
and forms a misty cover till it burns off by
the afternoon. Start in Malibu and show
your stuff at the iconic “Surfrider Beach” at
Malibu Lagoon State Beach and explore
tide pools and caves at Leo Carrillo State
Park. Perhaps watch filming in progress at
Malibu’s Point Dume State Beach, often
featured in movies such as the Iron Man
series (2008-2013), and it appeared in the
last scene of Planet of the Apes (1968). Or
look out for California gray whales during
their migration from December to mid
April. Next, wind your way down through
Topanga Beach and stop over for a volley-
ball game at Will Rogers State Beach in
DRIVE
»
TOUR
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
offers spectacular views of
the HOLLYWOOD BOWL,
the LA BASIN and
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.
It’s about 24 miles from the
405 freeway to Hwy 101 with overlooks all along the way. Or, drive in a
loop from HOLLYWOOD. Starting at the DOLBY THEATER, home of the
Academy Awards, go west on HOLLYWOOD BLVD. in Los Angeles till it
ends. Turn right on LAUREL CANYON BLVD. and at the top, turn left on
Mulholland Drive. Stop at the NANCY HOOVER POHL OVERLOOK and
enjoy a great view of the “Valley.” Return to Mulholland Drive, going
eastbound, past Laurel Canyon Road until you see the HOLLYWOOD
BOWL OVERLOOK on your right. Park and walk up to see the
panoramic views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, Griffith
Observatory and the Hollywood Bowl Amphitheater. Continue east
until you reach the bottom of Mulholland Drive. Turn right on
Woodrow Wilson and make an immediate right onto CAHUENGA
BLVD., heading south back to Hollywood.
LONG BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU