Life amidst the glamour of Hollywood

It's always fun to people watch in LA, especially with so many celebrities. The most exciting encounter was when George Michael bought me and my friends a bottle of wine. . . ! Sunny weather makes hiking, outdoor shopping, volleyball and other beach activities most enjoyable year-round. The great thing about LA is that all kinds of terrain are within reach in just an hour or two. Go skiing in Big Bear, drive to the dessert, sun bathe at the beach, hike in the hills. . . LA's got it all.

Quick Tips:

Bring sunglasses! They aren't just used for hiding your identity or looking cool - the sun really does cause glare. Sunscreen should also be used. . . Dress is generally casual, though 'nice-casual' may give you better service in restaurants/shops/clubs - yes, people can be superficial. Oh, and yes, it does rain in So. Cal and it can get cool in the winter/at night.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is necessary to get around to all the sights.

A restaurant by the renown culinary master Wolfgang Puck, Chinois provides the opportunity to eat delicious gourmet Chinese food, without the noise, cheesy decor, and family-style of serving which characterizes most Chinese restaurants. Yes, I know Chinois is not truly "authentic" cooking; however, I very much enjoyed my tender roast Peking duck served on a bed of rice with baby bok choy. The decor is clean, simple, and elegant. Although I ate here with a friend of mine, I think this place would be perfect for a romantic date. And, since this restaurant is located in Santa Monica, an after-dinner walk on the beach is quite convenient!

Starving student? Or are you simply looking for a good cheap bite to eat? This bare, Mongolian BBQ hole-in-the wall may suit your needs. It’s half self-serve, which makes this place somewhat buffet style. Rather than all-you–can-eat, Mongols is "all-you-can stuff-into-your bowl." Pay $6-8 and fill your dish with all the frozen sliced meats (chicken, lamb, beef, pork), uncooked veggies, noodles, and Mongolian spices/sauces your tummy can handle. If you’re like me and always try to get the most for your money, you’ll enjoy the challenge of piling as much into the bowl as possible (you only get one shot at the bar).The chef will take your bowl and cook its contents in front of you on a large round heated iron surface. After using super long chopsticks to rotate your food around the grill, the cook stuffs your food back into a bowl for you to enjoy.

A great casual date-place (e.g. "dinner and a movie") and all purpose hang-out, Universal CityWalk incorporates trendy dining, entertainment, and shopping into one location. Almost as colorfully and brightly lit as Las Vegas, this outdoor area reflects the glamour of the Hollywood movie industry (on which it’s amusement park next door is founded). I used to come here with friends for dinner and to stroll around and people watch. Since it was also near to Universal Amphitheatre, it was nice to catch a bite here before the concert (besides which, you have to walk through CityWalk to get to the theatre or the amusement park). Select from popular restaurants which serve all types of food – American, seafood, Italian, Japanese. Two establishments popular with visitors to LA include the Hard Rock Cafe and Gladstones. I have to say that I preferred the Gladstones in Malibu better though. Beware of the crowds at peak dinner times; you may want to make a reservation ahead of time. Although not a hard-core shopping area, CityWalk shops sell candy, UCLA Bruinware, toys and stuffed animals, and other trendy and fun paraphernalia. Entertainment-wise, there is a large multiplex movie theater (of course), and ice-skating rink (open in the winter), computer/arcade-type displays, water-fountains, Wizards magic show, and a pool hall. New attractions are constantly being added.

The quintessential feel of LA can be found at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. Here, you may find movie stars, UCLA students, tourists, beach lovers, skaters, and everyone else in-between. Located just a few blocks from Santa Monica Beach/Pier, these few blocks of shops and restaurants is a pleasant area to dine, shop, and enjoy the sunny Southern California weather. While there is a large, traditional shopping mall on one end of the Promenade, the shops along 3rd Street are more unique and eclectic. From grungy music shops to trendy fashions to ethnic arts, there isn’t much that you won’t find here. Yes, this is where infamous Heidi Fleiss owned a lingerie shop, though I’ve heard she is now bankrupt! The varied restaurants around here generally serve up fair to good meals; appropriate for meeting up with friends and family in a casual-nice setting. Besides the sit-down, semi-trendy restaurants like Trilussa or Yangstze, there are also fast-food type restaurants, including Benita Frites and Johnny Rockets.