Santa Monica & Venice Beach

(06.05.2017)

Since I had read before that it is quite difficult to get around in L.A. with public transportation, and I also planned to go out to Santa Monica or Venice Beach, I had already arranged for a rental car in advance.

A few years ago we already used a 'group tour' rental car in Florida, so I still had some memories of American traffic. So I quickly got used to it again. But sometimes you just have to smile at some things. For example, that the traffic light is not where you have to stop, but further ahead (where you want to go). Or that there are stop signs on all four sides at intersections.

When I started driving this morning, it unfortunately started raining. Nevertheless, I made my way to Santa Monica. The drizzle had stopped by then, but the clouds were still there.

First of all, a coffee!

Route 66 ends at Santa Monica Pier. Of course, there had to be a 'I was here' photo ;-)

After strolling along the pier and listening to Daniel Morris playing his violin...

...I also ended up in Third Street Promenade. The shopping, dining, and entertainment complex of Santa Monica. There, the young musicians of Santa Monica played 'Sweet Child of Mine' (really cute!)...

and finally, I had my first typical American lunch. Burger and fries.

In Venice Beach, I also made a stop on the way back. And it was really worth it. Colorful. Vibrant. Lively.

By the way, I didn't even know that döner is 'german' ;-)

The clouds had also cleared and finally the sun was out.

In Venice Beach, you can do some great 'people watching'. Street performers, skaters, bodybuilders, quirky people, graffiti artists... It's never boring.

But - just like back then on Ocean Drive in Miami - you also see the other side here. Homeless people pass their time here...

I also found it interesting that I handed in my car with the key in the parking lot. But I did indeed get it back ;-)

Afterwards, I drove extensively through Beverly Hills. Roxbury Drive, Bedford Drive, Benedict Canyon Drive, Mulholland Drive... I looked at the nice villas (as far as driving allowed). The biggest and most beautiful ones were unfortunately hidden.

Finally, I wanted to take a photo of the Hollywood Sign, so I drove up to Griffith Observatory. Or rather, past it and down the other side of the mountain. Everything up there was hopelessly crowded at this time (around 6 pm). Let's see if it works out in the morning.

And then it's already time to say: 'Bye, bye, Hollywood Hills...'

and '...if you're going to San Francisco...' :-)