19th July - LA

Started out with breakfast at the hotel (hmmm) and then headed out in the car into LA (had to take the car out as we were moving hotels). Drove to Hollywood Blvd via Beverly Hills (to see how the other half live) and the Sunset Strip and then went exploring. They were setting up the red carpet for the G-Force Premier. Then we went to see Grauman's Chinese Theatre which is beautiful. The walk of the stars is looooong! Found John Singleton so have a photo of that star. Also found a Penny Singleton.

We then went to the Hollywood Museum: Lots of great stuff but the quality of the displays wasn't that great (they could learn something from the Seattle Sci-Fi museum) but it was all very interesting. The problem was that some of the displays weren't labeled and some were labeled wrong.

Oh, also got chatted up by the guy on the door as we were leaving. Nice but no.

We then headed up to the Griffith Observatory. Busy so a long-ish walk from the car (feet nearly melted). Shortly after we got in they were demonstrating the Tesler machine (very cool) then we had a wander round the ground floor displays and made our way down to the cafe to get some lunch.

Random Moment: had a text from Katy asking what I was up to so texted back where we were... then had a call from Katy saying they were just walking into the Observatory! So, had a chance to catch up with Katy which was cool!

Then it was back to the coast (beautifully cool breeze coming off the ocean) but to Santa Monica rather than Venice and the Sea Shore Motel. We then headed out to Santa Monica Beach and walked up to the Pier.

We passed by the original location of 'Muscle Beach' which how has a load of gymnastics equipment (parallel bars, rings, etc) and we stopped and watched some very fit guys 'do their stuff' on the beach and then made our way to the Pier.

Lots of tat on the pier but lots of bustle and atmosphere with beautiful views as the sun was setting and the Pier itself was beautiful after the sun went down, all the lights of the funfair and the ferris wheel all pretty and lovely.

I'd rather have stayed the two nights in Santa Monica but hay, you live and learn!