Goldenbackpacker.com

LOS ANGELES - STAY FOR LESS "$$"

LOS ANGELES in the Golden State of California, is the Gateway into Western USA. Arriving in LA you soon realise it is made up of several culturally different Districts covering a vast Urban Area, enclosed by the Hollywood Hills to the North, Plains to the East & South & the Cool Pacific Ocean to the West. This unique Landscape Basin causes mists from the Ocean to mix with Inland traffic fumes to create unwelcome smogs & haze which can linger a while. It's a "Must" location to check out, however, with Santa Monica's "Bay Watch" Beach to Hollywoods "Movie" History & GB gives you the “Low Down” on what to seek out.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – SANTA MONICA INTERNATIONAL YHA at 1436 Second Street SM, CA 90401 (two blocks from beach promenade and pier entrance) tele. (310) 393 – 9913 Email: hilasm@aol.com $24 pn in 4 x bunks in dorms plus couples & family rooms with air con, sep shower/ toilets. Large self cat. kitchen ( microwave, crocks etc) spacious dinning area (with open air courtyard for bar b q's, smokers etc.) library, TV room, lounge areas (one with piano) & laundry, A great hostel, good social atmosphere with many organised trips & events on offer, GB joined a “PowWow” at UCLA. SM is the coolest place to stay.

NO1 - USA HOSTELS HOLLYWOOD at 1624 Schrader Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 (steps away from Walk of Fame & subway) tele 1 800 524 6783 – www.usahostels.com – Email: hollywood@usahostels.com - $17 p.n. dormsen suite incl. linen & free breakfast. Fully equipped kitchen & huge lounge with stage for live performances, also mega TV & movie nights. A long way from the coast so this location is for movie& party buffs

FOOD – for the self-caterer is not a problem, the closest Supermarket to the SM Hostel being VONS along Broadway, but get their free discount club card for extra value. The HI sells a good breakfast but fast food outlets, Macs & Burger K., are nearby & an oddly placed “British Pub” around the corner. For Hollywood good food deals for dry, fruit & veg, & drinks can be found on Vine St. . DOLLAR STORE or a qiucker choice Food Store on the corner of Schrader & Holly Bvrd.

TRAVELLING AROUND – anywhere in the USA is by "King Car"with the Gas price so low and the roads so fast & wide but public transport is also available, cheap & cheerful. In the US the Bus is treated as a Social Service, so Backpacker's can take advantage of this benefit, indeed, the Bus trip from LAX Airport to the Hostel (10mls) is only 75c incl. all baggage - beat that!. For visiting the many parts of LA the local busses run on the single stop fare system - buy a $1.75 ticket on the Bus and it lasts till you get off. There is a Metro system but it's not a very convenient in LA, there's one in Hollywood but excavations along Sunset Boulevard sank and work was halted a while but its now running again?.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. SANTA MONICA Promenade – palm trees, cool breezes from the Pacific & the end of Route 66
2. SANTA MONICA Pier – LA “Icon”, see it in the movies and on TV, the Carousel & Boardwalk
3. SANTA MONICA Beach – sand, waves, lifeguard “Bay Watch” babes & fit roller bladders
4. SANTA MONICA Public Library – Internet for free & find out what's going on in town.
5. SANTA MONICA Venice Beach Gym – see fit people, muscles & the right "Fashion" gear but watch out for oddballs
6. HOLLYWOOD, Boulevard -follow the "Star" pavements & get map to know which "Celeb's” are honoured/ lived/live here
7. HOLLYWOOD, Sign - World “Icon” not easy to see or get to as fog & buildings obscure but GB posted route at No1 Hostel.
8. Hollywood & Highland Centre - best long view of "Holly. Sign" also Kodak Theatre where Oscars given out
9. HOLLYWOOD, Mans Chinese Theatre - impresions of "Stars" feet, hands & comments in pavement outside, also Actors
9. HOLLYWOOD, Griffith Observatory – Impressive views over the LA basin & good sight of Hollywood Sign
10. HOLLYWOOD, Westwood Cemetery - Last resting place of Marylin Monroe & other Stars in this beautiful tranquill setting
11. GETTY CENTRE - Amazing Views overlooking LA, also Art Collection of the famous Greek Shipping Millionaire

“CHARGE” SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. HOLLYWOOD, Universal Studios – Action packed day from where the Movies are made & the history show.
2 . HOLLYWOOD, Holly Bowl Concert – Unique Open Air Music Arena with fabulous acoustics

* Apache Native American 2000 - Jimmy, Dave,Alex, Howard, Eric, Victoria & Britney 2006