Very Casual Trip Report - updates on Page 4.

[kylieh]

We've been back home for a few days, and it's finally time to do a TR. We had the best trip so far. A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that caused any major probs overall.

Now because it was a casual trip, with no huge plans or many appointments the trip report may appear just as vague in some parts.

OK, so here goes, DH, DD11 and me. One week in LA, one week in Anaheim. Hire car. Rental houses.

Photos are either from the iPhone, pocket Canon G11 or DSLR Canon 60D. Prices are in US$ and include tax and tip where applicable.

Here is the plane at the airport before taking off. Coincidentally, we had the same plane coming back.

Upstairs at the back of the A380 there is a mini-cabin of bout 30 economy seats. Really quiet, no bassinets or anything like that. We were in the bulkhead of that section so no one reclining into us either! Pretty uneventful flight, we were perhaps an hour late. About a 10 minute wait for customs, then we were good to go.

We got a meet and great service from Execuar/Suppershuttle. The driver helped with the bags etc. The first night we checked into the Loews on Hollywood and Highland. Didn't need to wait for the room which was good. Had a "suite" with two king beds. Nice view to the Hollywood Sign.

We freshened up a bit and went downstairs to grab some lunch at Johnny Rockets. It was pretty good value.


DH had a hamburger

I had a chicken burger/sandwich

DD had a hotdog (no picture) and we shared some fries. With drinks it was under $40 total.

DD wanted to go to Madam Tussaud's. We were feeling good enough after the flight to go straight away. We liked that you could touch the figures and interact with them. Here are some highlights.

Beyonce

Simon Cowell

The Oval Office

ET

So true, so true.

We wandered around Hollywood and Highland and the area with the stars. It is a lot seedier than even 3 years ago. We picked up some essentials from the supermarket, went back to the room for a bit, then ventured out to grab quick bit later that night and wander around the Hollywood and Highland Centre then went back and had a really good sleep on very comfy beds, ready to pick up our car and head to the holiday house the next day.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yay, I'm here. looking forward to reading along.

Love the pics of the wax museum and may have to add that to my wishlist. Any idea how difficult it is to drive and park in Central LA?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Looking forward to seeing more of your gorgeous pics!

Your DD has grown up.

 

[kylieh]

Day 2. After breakfast at Maccas we picked picked up the car from Hertz. The Hertz office is in the same building as Loews Hotel. We had a Nissan Altima which was a good size for the 3 of us. All our luggage fitted in the boot.

We arranged a house through VRBO: http://www.vrbo.com/322858 The owner gave us access to the house early (I asked), so we could drop out stuff off then go get supplies.

The house is in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Universal Studios. The road was a bit of a goat track though! I would advise anyone that you need to go for the first time in the day. We had practiced driving on Google Maps. These pics are from a few days combined together.

Road to the House

The views...

Inside (not a great pic, but gives you an idea)

The entry door from inside.

DH cooking breakfast

The Grounds - this one is early in the morning just before sunrise when I couldn't sleep.

The car parking is behind the brown door at the very top of the stairs (middle of the picture towards the top) This house had a lot of stairs!!

Stairs to the laundry 1.

Then the 2nd lot of stairs to the laundry, taken from one of the balconys - these stairs are at the bottom of the previous picture, just to the left.

Sunset

At night overlooking Universal.

The house was old and creaked a lot! Wooden floor boards and all. But it was very relaxing and easy. Good for 3 or 4 people. It only had the one bathroom / two toilets.

We then went to pick up supplied for the week (next post....)

 

[aussie shaz]

Following along! We loved Johnny Rockets. We went both times we ventured into Hollywood.

Wanderlust, parking is easy in Hollywood. Just park at the Hollywood and Highland Centre. It's right in the middle of everything. As to the driving, hubby did that, but he was fine.

 

[Turbanator]

great pics and great report kylieh

 

[kylieh]

Yay, I'm here. looking forward to reading along.

Love the pics of the wax museum and may have to add that to my wishlist. Any idea how difficult it is to drive and park in Central LA?

DH found it pretty easy. Make sure you have a Navman or similar and you'll be fine. DH thinks driving in LA is a lot easier than Sydney - better signposted and people normally let you in and change lanes.

Looking forward to seeing more of your gorgeous pics!

Your DD has grown up.

Oh yes - this pic was 5 and a bit years ago

Following along! We loved Johnny Rockets. We went both times we ventured into Hollywood.

Wanderlust, parking is easy in Hollywood. Just park at the Hollywood and Highland Centre. It's right in the middle of everything. As to the driving, hubby did that, but he was fine.

We enjoyed Johnny Rockets. Food was decent enough, and the service was quick.

 

[kylieh]

great pics and great report kylieh

Thank you

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Cheers for the advice Kylie and Shaz. You are helping put my mind at ease.

Kylie, the house looks great. I'm really enjoying this TR.

 

[zanzibar138]

Sounds like a great flight - I have yet to try the A380. Hopefully on my next US trip.

I love your DD's dimples! So cute! Great photos all round I especially love the sunset and night views from your holiday house. I never would have thought about staying in a holiday house in LA!

The road up to the house looks very similar to the roads in my area (except they're not sealed either), so wouldn't be much of a problem for me

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh yes - this pic was 5 and a bit years ago

I remember the one you took of her in the teacups. She had the happiest look on her face.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

- like the VRBO property.

 

[becpee]

Loving your TR

We've booked to be on the A380 and sitting in the upper deck right at the back on the right, hope we're ok waaaaay back there

Love the look of the rental

More please??

 

[kylieh]

Thanks all for following along.

Loving your TR

We've booked to be on the A380 and sitting in the upper deck right at the back on the right, hope we're ok waaaaay back there

DH and DD sat in these two seats - 36 JK from memory - next to the window there is a storage bin for your inflight stuff. a lot easier than under the seat in front! Plus it's really quiet. I'd advise anyone upstairs to get on as early as possible to claim their overhead space. Reason being it's pretty limited upstairs. The flight attendants will find a place for your bags if it's taken, but I'm guessing you would rather be really close to it!

ETA: You board upstairs through Business and Premium Economy, and that also makes it quicker to get off as they let them off before regular economy. So there are a lot less pax in front of you compared to if you were downstairs at the back.

 

[kylieh]

Continuing along, after dropping off our luggage we headed over to Glendale Galleria. Think like a large Westfield, perhaps Chatswood or Parramatta.

We learnt the US way of getting a table at a food court - either line up or CHARGE!!!! Serious. There were people lining up for tables, holding their trays waiting for the next available. The other method was "ooh, there's a table, knock over everyone to claim my space." I have never seen anything like it before, even at pre Christmas shopping!

Something that was a Wow moment for us was the Target in the centre. Three levels. Serious.

But then to get between floors there were escalators for trolleys. These are from the iPhone.

You go up or down at the same time as your trolley, and they are set up so the trolley remains flat so your stuff doesn't go flying everywhere.

Those totally spun me out.

After shopping there we headed to Wholefoods to grab some grocery supplies. It was expensive compared to regular supermarkets, but not that scary compared to Australian prices. DD loved the salad bar, she made a custom salad to her liking and loved all of it.

It was dark when we headed back. OK, next post, we head to American Girl.

 

[kylieh]

On Monday we took DD to The Grove to go to American Girl. We booked some time with a personal shopper - well worth it if you're purchasing a lot - a hair do for her doll McKenna, and lunch. DH went and wandered around the Farmer's Market, I think it was a little too much for him!!

DD with McKenna

the waiting area for the Cafe

Each doll in the Historical collection has a section like this. I think there is 9 or 10 of them

DD and McKenna in the cafe.

DD had mini hotdog and burger for lunch.

I had the Chicken Pasta

Dessert - it's fixed.

there was also a first course which I didn't get pics of. All up it was around $75 for the two of us as I ordered additional drinks. If you stick to the standard menu and drink offering it's about $24 each + tax/tip.

DD was going to purchase a doll they didn't have in stock (Christmas present from her Nan), so her shopper arranged to get one in for her that we picked up later in the week. We also purchased dolls for her cousins for Christmas, and I had given DD money to spend there. In total it was scary, but DD loves her dolls and I love that age 11 they are still special to her.

We met back up with DH and headed off. I think it was all starting to catch up with us, so we headed back to the house where DH cooked dinner, and we watched infomercials and DD discovered Wheel of Fortune which is still running in the US.

 

[kylieh]

On Tuesday we started off pretty slowly. We drove up to Fry's in Burbank for DH. Love the UFO crashing into the building.

We went to the supermarket on the way back, grabbed a few supplies, then headed up to Griffith Observatory. I had booked in a viewing at the Planetarium which was really enjoyable, and comfortable! We wandered around the Observatory as well, and had a light dinner.

We joined the Friends of the Observatory a couple of months before we left home. This allowed us to pre-book the Planetarium, and have guaranteed parking. Both of which was very much appreciated when we got there and it was pretty busy. It also gave us discounts on food/drink. If you're planning on doing it it may be worth joining, around $40 from memory just to have the parking available.

View over LA

The Observatory at night.

I'm regretting not taking up my better camera, but the G11 did ok

And that ended the Tuesday. It was very relaxed day. I did at some point I also went to a chemist to get some more cold meds. Two things spun me out.. I could buy cigs at the chemist if I was a smoker, and I could buy 24 hour Sudafed with 240mg pseudoephadrine (sp?) over the counter. You know the type that you need to show your ID for and only comes mixed with Panadol. I was too scared to take a whole one, so I divided it up into smaller doses just in case (I had a really heavy head cold which was slowing me down quite a bit.)

Next post will be about our drive around town, then Universal VIP tours. Probably tomorrow!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Fun days, KylieH.


Love the American Girl Doll. I'd love one for myself but sadly, I have a DS. So it's probably not going to happen.


Loving the TR.

 

[zanzibar138]

Is that what American Girl is? I keep hearing about it and assumed it was some sort of tween fashion store or something

I love your photos from the observatory, even if you didn't have your best camera

 

[gogo65]

Is that what American Girl is? I keep hearing about it and assumed it was some sort of tween fashion store or something

Haha Zanzibar, I also thought it was a fashion store for Tweens

Loving the trip report kylieH