What could possibly be interesting about getting off a ship at the end of a cruise? How about an excursion? Although we were the only natives on the bus, we really enjoyed touring Los Angeles.
Taking a tour turned out to be pretty fun and different and it didn’t seem like the end of our vacation. We first rode through downtown and made a short stop at Olvera Street. We hadn’t been there in years.
Olvera Street hasn’t changed.
The front of the Pico House, once the premier hotel in Los Angeles
I wanted to take a quick picture of the Pico House and walked along the side where the staircase used to be, the one I descended during my daughter’s field trip years ago. Also the one Emmett used in Catching Nettie Gordon. See L.A.’s Chinatown: History or Urban Legend? They were preparing for an event and had the side blocked. I couldn’t see the staircase. It might have been paved over. That was disappointing.
Next stop: Hollywood. It was loud and crowded and irritating and dirty. I remember why I don’t go there. Nonetheless, we did touristy things.
The iconic Hollywood sign.
We walked around Graumann’s Chinese Theater.
I looked for old-timers.
Judy’s prints date to 1939, the year of The Wizard of Oz.
I got a clean shot of Michael Keaton’s star, not easy with so many tourists wandering the street. There were a lot of “stars” I didn’t recognize.
Last stop: Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. I have never walked on that street ever in my life although I have driven by. I could have skipped that part. The rich and famous have not impressed me in decades. However, the tour group was quite excited when Lisa Vanderpump from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills walked out of a store right into our group. A few people snapped a quick picture.
Beverly Hills City Hall.
After a cool weather trip, it felt warm in L.A. I suddenly wished I’d packed shorts!
It was finally time to head to the airport so we could catch the Flyaway to Van Nuys. We were prepared this time, having downloaded the app and purchased our tickets. It’s always good to be home!
Thanks for coming along on our little vacation! Feel free to post a comment below and add your own vacation snapshot.