IgoUgo

Los Angeles Journals

Los Angeles--Fun activities to enjoy inexpensively

Best of IgoUgo

A March 2005 trip to Los Angeles by VickiFunes

Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park Photo - Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California More Photos
Quote: Most of us have to face the sad fact that, alas, budgets DO exist, and that every day in greater L.A. can't be an expensive theme-park day. Here are some wallet-friendly things I like to do, and maybe you'd enjoy these things, too.
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Santa Monica Pier Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Santa Monica beach, pier, and vicinity"

Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park Photo - Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California
Quote:
I love visiting Santa Monica because of its beauty...and also for nostalgic reasons, since I was born here. I loved taking visitors here when I lived nearby (I lived in greater LA until recently) because it offered "something for everyone." My guests--of all ages--could find something to enjoy. Within a range of just several blocks, lie the Santa Monica State Beach and pier--which feature fishing, dining, shops and an an amusement park (Pacific Park.) Also nearby, strolling paths wind along a tall bluff overlooking the ocean in green, tree-lined Palisades Park. Plus, there are shopping opportunities beckon at the Santa Monica Place mall and in the many outdoor shops of the 3rd Street Promenade. ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 25, 2005

Santa Monica Pier
Ocean and Colorado Avenues
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 458-8900

Griffith Park Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Griffeth Park"

Griffith Park Observatory Photo - Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California
Quote:
Be sure to take your car when you visit Griffeth Park! This isn't your ordinary patch of grass with swings and a picnic table! Griffeth Park is the largest city park in the USA! Part of the park is developed (with green lawns, tall eucalyptus trees, and activity areas) and part of it is "raw"--hills covered with the same natural landscape that has grown in the area for thousands of years. As you drive through the park, you'll climb mountains with stunning views of the city. On Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Park Observatory was once a great free activity--with several exhibit halls to explore--until it shut down for renovations in 2002. It will re-open in May 2006, though, and will have 2 A...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 25, 2005

Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
Los Angeles, California

Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive Shopping District Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Touring Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills"

Beverly Hills Photo - Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive Shopping District, Los Angeles, California
Quote:
As long as you lock up your wallet, you can have some inexpensive fun touring the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The shopping district on Rodeo Drive lies between Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire Blvd. You'll see a number of famous shops. Some, you can see in other upscale retail facilities--such as the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, or at the South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa (Orange County.) Others include one-of-a-kind art galleries and boutiques. Some of the stores with familiar names are Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, Giorgio, Chanel, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Armani, Gucci and Giani Versace. My advice for enjoying Rodeo Drive is this--just have fun enjoying t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 26, 2005

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

Mulholland Drive Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Touring Beautiful Mulholland Drive"

Mulholland Drive Photo - Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, California
Quote:
Would you like to take a beautiful drive that will offer you spectacular views and give you a country feeling while still in the middle of the city? Then try driving along Mulholland Drive. Not many cities have a big mountain running through the middle of them, so not many cities have a crest-of-the-ridge drive that has scenic views of valleys to the left and right of the road AT THE SAME TIME! One "valley" is the ocean side of the city, and you can look out over areas such as Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, and Venice. The other valley is the San Fernando Valley--and it's actually an official part of Los Angeles City, too. The San Fernando Valley is home to Encino, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 26, 2005

Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, California

Universal City Walk Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Universal CityWalk"

Universal CityWalk Photo - Universal City Walk, Universal City, California
Quote:
This is an article about INEXPENSIVE things to do in greater Los Angeles. Now, you CAN drop quite a load of cash at Universal CityWalk! It's a shopping and entertainment district lined with great restaurants and unusual stores. BUT if you keep a tight control of your wallet, it can ALSO be a budget destination. The CityWalk is right next to Universal Studios, which might be one of your vacation destinations anyway. You'll have to walk through this district to get to Universal Studios from the parking lot (unless you pay the outrageous extra fee for close-up parking!) Yet Universal CityWalk is cute and quirky---and definitely deserves its OWN special tour time, rather than just being seen on a qu...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 26, 2005

Universal City Walk
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, California 91608
(818) 622-4455

About the Writer

VickiFunes

VickiFunes
Phoenix, Arizona

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