After Chicago, the California Zephyr, San Francisco, Sacramento, Vancouver, Seattle, and the Coast Starlight we ended our 2016 America Tour in Los Angeles.
I remember at first we planned a week in LA but many people quickly told us no. A day or three would be enough.
So we planned three days. The first for LA itself, the second for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. In between a ‘transfer day’.
Hollywood
We started the day with Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Well well, what a sad looking neighbourhood, outside the half mile of movie theaters and tourists. We took many photos but we were done quickly.
On to The Grove
The Grove is an open air shopping mall and entertainment center with stores, theaters and restaurant. At the time Danny and I were avid YouTube watchers an The Grove seems to be a hotspot.
We had lunch and we didn’t know what to do next.
So we decided to go to Universal Studios.
Universal Studios
At Universal Studios we bought fast pass tickets. We didn’t have much daytime left and being October, the park closed earlier to prepare for the Halloween themed night.
These fast passes were very expensive. Over US$ 100 per person. But we were so glad we did. We did the studio tour, which a fun activity and four or five attractions.
We did a ‘Harry Potter‘ virtual reality ride, a ‘The Simpsons‘ themed simulated rollercoaster, a ‘Jurassic Park‘ themed water attraction and something wit ‘Minions‘.
So although it was very expensive, the fast pass was totally worth it.
Disney Day
After Universal we a ‘tranfer day’ to Anaheim. We spent the day at the pool and at the Disney Village near the parks.
The next day we did Disney. We started early at Disneyland. As we stayed at an official hotel, Paradise Pier, we got an one hour head start on others. We chose to start with the ‘Indiana Jones‘ ride. We did almost every attraction at Disneyland, except the one for the smallest children.
There’s no easy fast pass system so we just tried to be strategic. Waiting lines were doable.
Another story across the road at California Adventures. Every top attraction had 2 hour + waiting lines. So we waited for the water attraction but we chose not to do the top rides such as ‘Cars‘ or the ‘Tower of Terror‘.
If we ever go back, we’ll just do two mornings and do something else in the afternoon.
So?
So, well, yes. We weren’t inspired by LA. Sorry. It’s just not our cup of tea.
I hate to break it to you, but you really didn’t see LA. Instead you went to two theme parks, a theme park-esque mall and a tacky tourist district many Angelenos avoid. Better luck next time.
It’s true. There were many things we could have done. But we weren’t inspired.
As neither of us can drive getting somewhere was also very limited.
Fair point. It is a challenge, but the metro now connects from downtown to Santa Monica.
Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I…
Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I…
International travel to the United States remains in decline at the start of 2026, with new data confirming a prolonged slump that is raising concerns…
September 2025. After Oscar came to London in June 2024 and I joined him there for a day, I’m now going to his hometown of…
Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land…
September 2025. After Oscar came to London in June 2024 and I joined him there for a day, I’m now going to his hometown of…
The United States has long been a firm favourite among roadtrippers, but that may be changing. Popular American routes are being booked significantly less this…
In 2024, I showed Oscar from Denver, Colorado the highlights of London. It was his first time in England. In contrast, Thanh and I have…