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Los Angeles, Ameripass stop 6

A June 2003 trip to Los Angeles by kwadz

HostelMore Photos

Los Angeles was our sixth stop on our 30-day Greyhound Ameripass trip. We would've liked another day to spend checking out the Sunset Strip.

  • 9 reviews
  • 2 stories/tips
  • 5 photos

Los Angeles, Ameripass stop 6Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Los Angeles was one of my least favorite cities. Everything was expensive. Everyone was fake. The girls were nowhere as hot as I expected or as I have been told. The weather was cold and damp (that's why the lady is a tramp). We were told that June is the worst time to be in southern California, and I have to agree.

Quick Tips:

We should've followed Donny's advice (from The Big Lebowski) and stopped at the In-N-Out Burger and Ralph's. It probably would have been more fun than anything else there was to do here. Unless you're a hot girl or a guy with a ton of cash, this city sucks.

Best Way To Get Around:

The bus system wasn't too bad. Of course I did my research on the internet before going.

Hostelling International-Santa MonicaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hostel
We had a private double with a shared, dorm style bathroom. There is no air-conditioning, but in California it actually gets cold at night, even if the day was warm, so you don't even need it. The hostel was in a great location, about a block from Santa Monica Pier, but the people at the front desk were the most miserable hotel/hostel clerks I've EVER seen.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Hostelling International-Santa Monica
1436 2nd St Los Angeles, California 90401
(310) 393-9913

Jinky's CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Jinky's"

We ate at Jinky’s, some breakfast-only place where the waitress made fun of our accents and how we say water, coffee, and mall. She ended up planning to tell people she was from south Jersey and trying to imitate us for the day, but since she was 100% Italian, I told her to say she was from south Philly instead. The food was typical breakfast food, but at least it didn't cost us LA prices. Plus the waitress was hot, so it was worth it.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Jinky's Cafe
1447 2nd Street (2nd & Broadway) Los Angeles, California
(310) 917-3311

McCormick Schmick's & Fish House: RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "McCormick and Schmick's"

By the time I showered and napped, it was about 7pm and we caught the 4 bus to Rodeo Dr., where we had an awesome dinner in a great atmosphere at the fancy, brick section of Rodeo Dr. The restaurant was called McCormick and Schmick’s, The Fish House. It was a really fancy place with all rich people and few tourists. Of course they sat us far from the richies and towards the back of the patio, but it was still great. We shared fried calamari and each had fettuccini with dungeness crab and sourdough bread. The food was top notch without tasting "rich", and servings were large. Considering all the factors, the $35/person (after tip) actually wasn’t too bad.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

McCormick Schmick's & Fish House: Restaurant
206 N Rodeo Dr Los Angeles, California 90210
(310) 859-0434

Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive Shopping DistrictBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Rodeo Drive & Beverly Hills"

We caught two busses to Rodeo Drive, where I went to Starbucks and found out that nothing opens here until 9 or 10am since the west coast is so lazy. In all seriousness, on a weekday, at 9:30am, NOTHING was open except Starbucks! We couldn't believe how lazy these people are. We came back around 5pm to find a place to eat dinner and all the stores were closed all ready! They're all only open for about four or five hours/day. I was getting disgusted with LA already. We then walked right through Beverly Hills, where we got a lot of weird looks from rich snobs and then rested at the park before catching a bus to the hostel on Second and Broadway.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive Shopping District
Rodeo Drive (and surrounding area) Los Angeles, California 90210
(310) 248-1000

Third Street PromenadeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "3rd St. Promenade"

We were able to check our bags and walk around the 3rd St. Promenade. Most of the shops were nothing more than you'd expect at any outdoor shopping mall, only it was more of a social gathering here. Similar to Faneuil Hall in Boston, but without all the fun comedy clubs and musicians. Just a bunch of fake people. I saw an attractive brunette on 4th and Arizona and as she got closer, I realized it was Julia Roberts! She was just gossiping, girl-talking, and window shopping with a blonde friend with straight, shoulder length hair. I was shocked that Julia wasn’t taller, but I confirmed it was her from a lady who says she loves Santa Monica and is always on the streets there. Julia’s hair was very curly and she didn’t even have a bodyguard with her. She was off in her own little world.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Third Street Promenade
3rd St (between Wilshire and Broadway) Santa Monica, California 90401
+1 310 393 8355; +1

Santa Monica PierBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Santa Monica Pier, Muscle and Venice Beaches"

Santa Monica
We then walked the one block to Santa Monica Pier and walked south to Venice and Muscle Beach. SM Pier wasn’t even as nice as Morey’s Pier in Wildwood and the whole beach had such a slow, laidback stoner vibe that Aaron liked, but it drove me nuts. The promenade was half like the boardwalk with food and shops, but the other side had thugs selling incense and stoners displaying very liberal and aggressive messages. Like I said, I wasn’t digging it.

Also disappointing was the lack of "California blondes" that I’ve heard so much about. I mean, there were a few cute rollergirls, but nothing like the Jersey Shore and most were brunettes, too. Overall, I don’t understand the Cali-hype and obsession at all.

  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 458-8900

Whisky a Go GoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Whiskey-A-Go-Go"

When we got down to the Whisky-A-Go-Go and other former Metallica and Motley Crue venues, the air lightened and we felt more accepted, especially when Whiskey’s bouncer let us in without having to pay a cover just to catch the end of a metal band’s set. It was the best small rock club I’ve ever seen. I wish we had time to stay there longer and check out an entire set. The crowd was much more our type instead of the stuck up, ritzy people in the other clubs.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Whisky a Go Go
8901 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, California 90069
+1 310 652 4202

Hustler HollywoodBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Hustler Store"

We headed across the street from the Whisky-A-Go-Go to the Hustler store, which was actually really cool in a clean, kinky way, unlike the trashy sex shops that you normally see. Everything was much "cleaner" feeling, but yet very raunchy as well. There were even porn star action figures and postcards of Hustler centerfolds. . .yum. Everything you can imagine that Larry Flint would have here and more.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by kwadz on December 19, 2003

Hustler Hollywood
8920 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, California 90069
+1 310 860 9009

Hollywood & Vine and Grumman's Chinese TheatreBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Why?
Today we arrived in Hollywood at 5:30am and ventured down Hollywood Blvd. to Hollywood and Vine, which was absolutely useless and uneventful. There was nothing at all out of the ordinary there, so I don't understand what all the hype is about. We turned west towards Grumman’s Chinese Theater and got a picture in front of it. We checked out some of the handprints on the ground. My favorite was Sylvestor Stallone's "Rocky" handprint.

Sunset Strip (Sunset Blvd.)Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

After walking to Santa Monica Blvd., we caught a transfer to Sunset Blvd. to walk the Sunset Strip. I now started to see the stereotypical LA in the fakeness and wealthiness of the people. Afterwards we came to the agreement that we’ve never felt so inferior and unwelcome like it was here. The caliber of good looks, fancy clothes, cars, and just overall wealth exceeded anything I’ve ever seen before. You could actually smell the money in the air.

Nevertheless, it was neat to experience the materialistic beauty of the people and the area. We walked down to Santa Monica Blvd. through Hollywood and caught the four from the Troubadour back to the ocean so we could glance over and see all the people chillin’ on the beach at night.

About the Writer

kwadz
kwadz
Merchantville, New Jersey

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