Okeydokey, here's part two where we make our way to L.A. proper (and Beverly Hills) - lots of photos in this thread.
Leaving the Lake Elsinore area:
In California? Who'da thunk?
Downtown L.A. - the iconic Watts Towers are on the left:
Almost to Beverly Hills (and our hotel):
The highrises of Century City:
My partner snapped this pic of a church in Beverly Hills:
We stopped briefly at the hotel and then headed to Studio City - on the way we saw a bit of Hollywood:
We went over the mountains via Laurel Canyon Boulevard, but everything was so close to the road and I didn't have a chance to get any decent pics. Ah well, we finally made it to CBS Studios and saw a taping of 'Hot in Cleveland'. Obviously it's been great to see my photo as the opening title on the show every week - it was flat out surreal to see that it's shown on every monitor on the set in between takes, and being introduced to the audience as the photographer was really humbling:
Of course, no photos during filming (shucks!) but ah well - afterward we wandered around Studio City. Not sure *what* the deal was here
No, we did not eat here:
Sights along Ventura Blvd:
Prices are a *little* higher than in Cleveland
Last shot of Ventura before we head back to the hotel:
Speaking of, did I mention our hotel had a lovely rooftop pool?
Century City:
Beverly Hills City Hall:
Downtown L.A. in the smoggy distance:
The Century condo building - Candy Spelling downsized from the 56,000 sq. ft. Manor to the penthouse in this building:
More humble abodes in Beverly Hills:
And not-so humble abodes on higher ground:
Can't go to California and *not* get a shot of some 'Googie' architecture!
"Until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard" Well, SOUTH Santa Monica Boulevard ... you get my drift.
Yeah, I saw more Bentleys and Rolls-Royces in three days than I ever have in my life:
Of course, I had to stop at the best chocolatier on Earth!
Back to the fancy vehicles:
What a cute little... moose??
Took a walk around a small park:
Even Beverly Hills has "scary" back alleys!
OMG, they even have vandalism!!!
Some of the homes are lovely, some are fugly!
Not sure what the hell they did to this Tudor
Back to the park:
I have NO idea:
Our hotel, the L'Ermitage:
Grabbed lunch at Il Pastaio:
Of course, when in Beverly Hills, you have to go to Rodeo Drive!
Bwahahaaaa!!! Discount store invades Rodeo Drive!
EEK!!! Run for the hills - they have aggressive panhandlers!!!
Holy high heels!
Via Rodeo - the 'everybody and their brother' Kodak shot:
Ooo, sparkly!
Okay, I have to admit I enjoy "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills", especially Lisa Vanderpump, so we had to stop at Villa Blanca for a drink. While we were leaving we had a celebrity sighting - Drake
http://www.drakeofficial.com/ was having lunch with a friend on the patio; however, I also got a celebrity 'death stare' when he saw I had a camera so no, no photo of him. Oh well.
A nearby building had huge movie posters plastered on it:
And back up to the rooftop pool at the hotel - sorry for the blurs and noise on the photos, I didn't have a tripod with me.
The next day we headed over to West Hollywood - en route we went to Wilshire Boulevard:
Holy cow, another scary back alley!!!
The Four Seasons Hotel:
This stretch had quite a few design and furniture stores:
It's not Beverly Hills but it's still pretty posh - in Cleveland, this would bottles of Cobra or Colt 45
Pacific Design Center by Cesar Pelli:
Yep, an ironworks studio:
EEK!!!!!!!!!! Okay, interesting way to advertise your spa but yeesh!
Farmers Market on Melrose Place (no, I'm not kidding - this street *is* Melrose Place!):
Some nicely landscaped homes nearby:
And not-so nicely landscaped:
There *might* have been a little Photoshopping here
Yep, we're in West Hollywood alright!
Stopped at the Abbey for a drink:
Okay, last of the scary back alleys, I promise!
Last of the Googie gas station!
And back to LAX - hope you enjoyed!
Hot in CLEVE**LA**ND - Part 2
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