Hollywood to Venice Beach

Out onto the Hollywood Boulevard we wandered up and down the street looking at the stars names that make up the Hollywood walk of Fame. Some well know like Michael Jackson, Kermit the Frog, Brittney Spears to some we no idea of (Sorry can’t name any here as I don’t know who they were in order to remember them).
With many of the places still shut we got a pass for the Hop-on-hope-off Starline tours. Atop the open top double-decker red buss we had a prerecorded commentary of the highlights around Hollywood from famous restaurants, movie locations to celebrity hangouts.
We drove down Rodeo Drive to see the top stores some of which require reservations to enter.
Changing busses we headed to the coastal area of Santa Monica. With the city built up to the wide sandy beach it is a very popular area. Walking down the designated pedestrian path, as apposed to the two way bike path, we saw the variety of people that gather here. Surfies, hippies, homeless, Rastafarians, bathers and us tourists make up this facilitating beach atmospheres. With the beach continuing into the smog we go as far as Venice Beach. This beach side is packed full of stalls selling various gifts. Other things on offer included physic readings, medical marijuana, botox, tattoos and various food and gift stores.
Passing back through this area we saw the two headed turtle and more buckers. We put our feet into the Pacific Ocean (The other side from home in NZ) and then went up onto the Santa Monica Pier. Having been to various theme parks across the country we didn’t bother with this smaller one. We did however see the car show of mainly Shelby Cobras all in mint condition.
Hopping back on the bus we got a further commentary of the sights we past before Mexican food for lunch then a wait for the next bus in the heat of the Californian sun. Back onto the open top bus we clipped the overhanging trees that line the streets and got more prerecorded commentary on the places like the Farmers Market, CBS, Paramount Studios and Pink’s Hot Dogs. Unfortunately the one of the busses had a rather noisy muffler so the commentary was not always heard. Still a great day was had the beach and across the city areas of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Back at the hotel we realized more sunscreen was required through out the day as we are now a little redder.