TRAVEL // Los Angeles, California Pt. 1

Friday 26 June 2015

Hey there!
I think this will be the post before the penultimate post recalling my trip across North America. It feels as if I have relived my journey for a second time and, yet again, I feel really quite sad it is over.

Anyway, we took the Coastal Starlight Amtrak from San Fran to LA. It may have taken 14 hours but I read an entire book and met some rather lovely people too. It was a long journey, and not the cheapest, but we got some of the most beautiful views (eventually).


LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES

We eventually got to LA and got a taxi to our hotel. It wasn't extortionate but we only went about 7 minutes down the road, so you'd sure hope not! We booked a room at Stay On Main which was pretty much the only reasonably priced place we could find. The lobby of the hostel was absolutely gorgeous and breakfast was included (oh yeah). We booked a private room and bathroom and, whilst it was nice to not have to share a bathroom, it was not the nicest room! However, what can you expect? I had just been staying in a boutique hotel in San Fran so nothing was going to compare. I cannot fault the location though. It was less than a 10 minute walk to a metro station direct to NoHo (North Hollywood - man that made me laugh).


LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES

On our first day in LA we went to Universal studios but that deserves it's own post (of course!). Our first day in Hollywood however was full of rain. I thought it wasn't meant to rain in LA but it does and it was so heavy I actually thought I was going to be in a reenactment of Twister. As soon as we got off the Metro we were approached by people saying they were doing a half price Hollywood and homes tour. We jumped on to realize they had no roof on their van and that it would rain 20 minutes in. Fortunately we managed to photograph the Hollywood sign and Downtown LA before the heavens opened!


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Whilst it was raining I managed to convince my sister to tour the El Capitan Theatre. It is the cinema where all of the Disney premieres take place. That's right, Johnny Depp, James Franco, Angelina Jolie and the cast of High School Musical have all been backstage in this place. We got to go through all of the backstage dressing rooms, have a look behind the cinema screen and got lots of little facts and tidbits about how it runs. The manager of the cinema also took lots of photos of us which we really appreciated and even gave us popcorn when we left.


LOS ANGELES

What makes this cinema just lovely is that they actually put on a little something more when it comes to cinema showings. Tickets may be $15 (which isn't that much more than anywhere else to be honest) and they may show only one film at a time, but they always have a little extra with the show. They were about to play the new Avengers film and so had a costume exhibition. They were telling us of lots of other events they held and I know that if I ever came back to Hollywood I'd 100% go see a show there.

So that's a brief overview of my first day in Hollywood. Have you ever been? What are your favourite spots along the Walk of Fame? Let me know!

25 comments :

  1. Great post :) So jealous of you!

    Natalie Ann xo // Petal Poppet Blogs ♥

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  2. I'd have loved to have gone to that cinema - sounds like my idea of heaven with all the costumes from the films. Would have loved to have seen those costumes from Age of Ultron. I'd love to go to California...namely because of Comic Con. ONE DAY, ONE DAAAAAAY!

    A Little Twist Of…

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    1. It's just a fantastic place. You WILL go one day!

      :)

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  3. So jealous of your amazing travels! I've always dreamed of going to Hollywood - that film stuff is AMAZING! xx

    Sophie Elizabeth
    www.popcornandglitter.co.uk

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    1. I absolutely loved Hollywood! There's so much to do and it's only a couple of hours from the beach.

      :)

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  4. Ahhhh so awesome! I miss the west coast a ton. Loved your photos and stories. Also, I love the amtrak, perfect service at all times!

    xx -n
    Naomi in Wonderland

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    1. I much prefer the west cost! I have got to give it to Amtrak, they were certainly punctual.

      :)

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  5. Thank you for sharing an awesome post with such beautiful pictures! Sounds like you had a great day despite the rain (a rare occuarance in LA). The El Captian theatre is truly a special place and I'm kicking myself that I didn't take the tour when I visited the US :)

    Shannon xx | http://www.lotsofloveshannon.com/

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    1. No problem! It certainly rained a lot (it was shocking!). You should definitely visit the El Capitan. It was one of my favourite things I did!

      :)

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  6. Beautiful photos! That cinema sounds so cool, I'd never heard of it before. I'm a big Disney fan, so if I ever make it to Hollywood, I'ma go there.

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    1. Thanks lovely!
      I hadn't either but it was such a lovely building, I couldn't help but take a tour.

      :)

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  7. So jealous of you if there is anything more that i want do right now is travel!x
    Jess x
    www.momentsofbeautywars.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. Can't wait to see Part 2 - I'm gonna be almost as sad as you were about leaving when this series is over!! Haha. You got some fab images againnn too :)
    Rebecca | The Two Twenty Somethings
    Xx

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    1. Coming on Wednesday! I'll be so sad! I'll need to start travelling again so I can take more photos.

      :)

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  9. idk if it's coincidence or not but everyone in blogosphere seems to be in la at this time! making me SO jealous!

    theleeday.com

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    1. How strange! I met film writers, directors and music producers but no bloggers. I wish I was back!

      :)

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  10. Love the photos. I really want to go to Hollywood and explore, hopefully one day! Looks like you had an amazing time though.

    Emma xxx
    Writing Essays With Wine

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    1. Thanks lovely! Make sure you do go - it's just so much fun!

      :)

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  11. These pictures are amazing - makes me want to go to LA :)

    Hannah x
    Paloma in Disguise

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  12. These are such beautiful photos, a 14 hour train journey with a view so sounds worth it! I'd love to go to Hollywood, and America really!


    India | www.touchscreensandbeautyqueens.com

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  13. Ah your photographs are always so gorgeous and Quickslivers and Wandas look amazing! x
    fashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie

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Thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate every single one of them and will get back to them as soon as I can :)