Thursday, 31 October 2013

Day 19 - Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Santa Barbara

Gorgeous warm day, not a cloud in the sky.

After weeks of build up Halloween in Santa Barbara was a big let down. A few kids with parents trick or treatin' the bars and restaurants on State Street and various adults wandering around in ropy fancy dress. Plus the below 'performance' of Thriller. Hard to know which of the dancers actually needed or had make up.

 

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Day 18 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour and the Getty Museum

Hired a car again for a couple of days.

 

Whilst nowhere near as informative as the Paramount tour, the Warner Brothers Studio had much more going on and they were prepared to let visitors onto 'live' but not filming today sets on the various stages - Two and a Half Men / Hart of Dixie. Also seemed to be a lot of outdoor set filming going on.

 

The 'Geller House' where Ross was planning to ask Rachel to the prom when her date did not arrive on time.

 

Central Perk

 

The Getty Museum just north of LA was 'awesome'

 

St. Albans comes to LA

 

Monday, 28 October 2013

Day 16 - Paramount Studios, Hollywood

Fascinating and insightful tour of Paramount Studios in a very small group. Excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much better than the Sony studios tour I was on a few years ago.

Stage 5 was where one of my favourite films of all time was shot, The Graduate.

 

You need to feel sorry for the 3.

Chinese Theatre entrance all blocked off for the Hollywood Premiere of Ender's Game this evening.

 

Sunday, 27 October 2013

Saturday, 26 October 2013

Day 14 - Day trip to Los Angeles

Caught the train from Santa Barbara to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles

Coming up to the 31st anniversary of when 'Thriller' was released. Tribute street performance in Hollywood.

Universal Studios Citywalk

Would have been a good strap line for my old company

America is gearing itself up for Halloween and many bars and restaurants are already decorated with still nearly a week to go. Festival around Mexican street market near Union Station, one of the oldest parts of the City.

 

 

 

Friday, 25 October 2013

Day 13 - Santa Barbara

Very quiet day. Not much going on.

Dolphins swimming near the wharf this afternoon.

Another huge cruise liner moored just off-shore

 

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Day 11 - Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice Beach

Santa Monica from the pier

 

Santa Monica view from near Venice Beach

Greasy and revolting

The Doctor is always in

Venice Beach