Smoggy City

In spite of the morning smog which seems to blanket the area every day, we enjoyed our visit. My relatives were pleased that we had come cross-country. Traffic in the L.A. area, where we needed a rental car (shudder!), to Baldwin Park, CA, was problematic, but we survived to travel another day. Drove up the coast and got some beach time, which we wouldn't otherwise have had. Very scenic drive. L.A. is a big city with lots of interesting places to visit. Our visit wasn't long, but it was fun.

Quick Tips:

We seemed to do best when we stayed in the city and used public transportation or cabs or tours to get around. An out-of-towner may have problems traversing the area; there is alot of traffic.

Best Way To Get Around:

Most of the time we had to use taxis or public transportation to get around. Even though we were in the center of town, it is such a large city that we could not walk to points of interest from where we were staying.

Disneyland was Walt Disney's original creation, from which the Florida Disney World kingdom was created and expanded. It is not as large as the Florida location because the land was not available, but they are gradually expanding and adding new vistas. It is enjoyable for young and old alike. But it can be very tiresome. If you want to take a break during the day, get your hand stamped for re-entry later in the day. Sometimes younger children get overwhelmed by the constant stimulation, or even afraid of the larger-than-life Disney characters. It is truly a fantasyland for all to enjoy. Don't overdo it and you'll enjoy it to the fullest. Fast-Pass is available for certain rides and shows; all you have to do is register at the show or ride in question, and they will give you a time to return. You are then free to roam the park, and return at your check-in time. No waiting in line at that point. It is a free service and a good one to utilize. The lines can be very lengthy. In the heat of the summer, try to visit the air-conditioned shows during the hottest part of the day. Drink plenty of fluids. Have a blast in Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Frontier Land, and the Magic Kingdom. Shop 'til you drop on Main Street U.S.A. In-park restaurants can be rather expensive, so be prepared. Credit cards accepted.

This was another trip that we made while we were visiting the Los Angeles area. We took a bus tour. It was different than our trip to Disneyland, in that we concentrated on the how and why of the movie/television production industry. For example, we saw how Moses parted the Red Sea in "The Ten Commandments," the burning of the southern plantation, Tara, in "Gone with the Wind," as well as the opportunity to catch a quick glimpse of some of our favorite movie and/or television stars.

The Universal Studios is a big place and there is a lot of walking, but at least you can sit during the tours or performances and rest. There have been many new attractions that have been added since our vacation trip, but we went away satisfied and informed.

One of the most unusual and educational places that I have had the pleasure to visit has been the LaBrea Tar Pits. Located in Hancock Park in Los Angeles, CA, it is surrounded by the typically cosmopolitan city, but these excavations and discoveries have been anything but typical.

To date, there have been over 100 pits located in a 23 acre area of the city. There is only one pit that is still being worked at present. That is Pit 91. It is worked for only two months each summer. Fossils are usually presented, after being cleaned, identified, and catalogued, to the museum attached to the LaBrea Tar Pits. You can actually watch the work going on if you should visit during this time, but you can always see the results on display in the museum.

These fossils go back thousands of years, but because the tar pits are still active, new fossils are still being created, which will be probably be uncovered at some future time. Don't miss the chance to visit this fascinating excavation, but be prepared for the strong smells that pervade the area.