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Ever since I was little, I was enamored by Hollywood.  I remember dreaming of driving around in LA in a custom red drop top convertible. As life would have it, however, I didn’t venture out of Chicago much.  And that’s fine.  Everything happens for a reason, and everything that has happened turned me into the person I am today.  I am very grateful for that.

I learned from others that LA and Hollywood were places that were based on ideas and that the reality of those places were different than I had envisioned. Even so, I just had to see the place I dreamt of as a little kid, and that brings me to my next bucket list item: visit Los angeles, and I did just that, for the first time this year, and had a blast!

First of all, my hotel was right on Rodeo drive, a famous 2 mile stretch of road in Beverly Hills that is lined with luxury shops.

Also, I did get to drive around LA a drop top convertible.  Now, it wasn’t red, and it wasn’t custom.  It was a silver Chevy Camaro, which was more than enough for me.  I even took it for long drive along Highway 1, a coast hugging drive that runs from San Francisco to San Diego.  I always get a bit apprehensive about renting a car, while traveling, because it means I’ll be driving in an area I’m not familiar with.  And that is, precisely, why I do: so, I can step out of my comfort zone.  So, I took that Camaro to check out were some of the tourist spots.

First stop was Hollywood and Highland, a famous intersection, as it includes the Chinese Theater, a very famous movie theater that hosted many famous movie premiers.  You can still go there to watch movies.  Right outside are some 200 Hollywood celebrity handprints, footprints and signatures.

Hollywood Boulevard is also home to the infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame, which consists of 2,600 five-pointed stars embedded in the sidewalks along 18 blocks bearing the names of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical groups, even fictional characters. I recommend visiting these areas during the day and with, at least, one other person, particularly if you’re female, as this area can be a bit sketchy. 

Los Angeles is also known for its beaches.  So, I decided to hit up the famous Venice beach and went surfing for the first time!  My instructor was awesome, and despite the numerous wipe outs, I had so much fun! Thereafter, I rode a bike for the first time in over a decade along the Venice Beach boardwalk which consists of shops, artists, street performers, bodybuilders, shops & eateries. I was super excited to see Muscle Beach, but was disappointed that it was a bit run down than was described.  I also recommend that you visit this area during the day. 

Finally, I didn’t want to miss seeing the Hollywood sign.  Being as it was I trying to catch a flight, I caught a (very distant) glimpse of the sign from the Hollywood and Highland Mall.  I didn’t have enough time, but you can also hike to the back of the sign or see it from a distance on horseback.

Sometimes, things happen the way that they do, when they do so that you can have a better experience, and I had a wonderful one. So, thank you, Los Angeles!

When I travel, I have an opportunity to learn & gain from that travel.  I also view myself as a guest, and I try to bring something to the place that I visit.  With that being said, I would like to shed light onto a charity local to LA: LA Kitchen* [www.lakitchen.org], a non-profit organization that provides employment training program for youth out of foster care and collaborates between local farms and wholesale companies to reduce food waste and feed low-income Angelenos.  Be sure to check it out!*

Now, you tell me, where would you like to go and what are you doing to get there?  Or where is the best travel destination you’ve gone to? Tell me in the comments below!  After all, it’s never too late to start living.

*No part of this post is sponsored, in any way.