May 1, 2005. 21 years ago.
I was living in Chicago back then, and having just come out of yet another heavy Mid-West winter, I decided I needed to warm up; so I packed a small suitcase and took a plane to a place that a year later became my home for past 15 years.
California.
I went by myself. At time I was not sure if it was a right thing to do, as I knew very little about California. Had a list of few places I wanted to visit and no concrete plan. And it turned out to be a very good decision.
I stayed in a small hotel in Torrance, about 20 miles (32km) from Hollywood and Walk of Fame and about 22 miles (35km) from Downtown LA. However, a place I wanted to visit most, Malibu, was already 37 miles away (59km). I am giving you this information so that you are aware of the distance in California. It is a huge state, the third largest in the United States, and what looks close on the map often turns out to be much further than we thought. Add to that the ubiquitous traffic jams and the schedule of the day in which we assumed seeing 4 different places will decrease significantly.
My first steps were to the well-known Walk of Fame. I will leave it to your decision whether you like it or not, but I think everyone visiting Los Angeles should check it out one time. It is certainly overrated, however, any visit to SoCal would not be full without seeing the stars on the sidewalk, a Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre, and that was the name when I first visited California) where Oscars gala is held and a first glimpse at Hollywood sign (from a distance, but you can still see it fairly well). I also took advantage of several attractions offered by Hollywood Boulevard – hence the photo with “Elvis” and a visit to the wax museum (during my stay, in 2005, there was no Madame Tussaud museum yet).
I spent my second day at Universal Studios and let me tell you; one day is not enough to see and experience it all. From shows and performances, through catching a small train that will take you on a ride to see how different movies were filmed and how the movie sets are created, to rides and attractions, everyone will find something that will spark their interest.
As we all know; Los Angeles and Hollywood are the main movie and TV shows producers in the entire United States. With its many film studios you can always pick one to visit. Although you have many choices of studios to visit, I would suggest that you pick at least one. My choice was Paramount Pictures and, because it was raining a bit, I was their sole visitor at that time (I can’t say it didn’t make me happy). Having a very knowledgeable and well informed tour guide all to myself was an unexpected treat.
Finally, on day four, I decided it was time to go to a beach; and where if not to Malibu? Being a home to many celebrities, Malibu is a very unique place stretching 27 miles along the coast line; it has the best of both worlds: ocean one side, hills and Santa Monica Mountains on the other, multi-million dollar mansions on the hills and at the beach and breathtaking views along Pacific Coast Highway – otherwise known as CA1 or PCH.
Day five was a visit to Disneyland. I went there for two reasons: first, I wanted to compare California Disneyland with Disneyland near Paris, France, where I worked for two years just before flying to the United States; secondly, I decided that a visit to California would not be complete without visiting this iconic rose park.
My last day I spent in Santa Monica, where I took a walk on the famous pier and beautiful beach, and in Beverly Hills, where, of course, my choice fell on Rodeo Drive – the most expensive street in the United States and certainly one of the most expensive in the world.
Evenings were a different story. As rock and roll music lover and a huge fan of 80s hair bands. I decided to visit Sunset Boulevard and its famous clubs, where all my favorite bands all played, at some point. Among those bars and clubs were today nonexistent Cat Club, Rainbow Bar and Grill (which this past April celebrated its 54th anniversary), Roxy Theatre and Whiskey a Go Go.
My trip was short and lasted only 6 days, but I came back home to Chicago, knowing I found a place that I wanted to move. 20 years later I’m still here, discovering new places to go, new restaurants to eat at, new stores to shop in.
I will share all of that with you, here, on blog, as well as on our Instagram (@worldofadventures_pl) and facebook (World of Adventures). Because we all need a little adventure in our lives.
California never disappoints.
