advice LA
Orright, I just got back from college in LA 3 months ago,
here's my tips:
1. If you're there in time for sales, you can get some freakin' awesome bargains, otherwise, expect stuff to be expensive but quality. There's heaps of things you can buy there [retail-wise] that you wouldn't see here in Australia. Suggest: American Eagle, etc
2. Disneyland: good to go for 'yeah... I um went there once in my life" but not really a big event. Think trailer-trash, cheesy rides, 999 statutues of Mickey mouse, etc. go once, but that's it.
3. Go to 12 flags [or is it 8 flags?] - just mention that you want to go on some awesome rollercoaster rides and a local will point you to this place. I think it's also called Magic Mountain? anyhow - this IS what you're looking for, it's disney-land for adults IMO
4. Californian beaches [and girls] are over-rated, our beaches are cleaner, have better bods, and aren't hyped [nor are they full of hobos - see point 5], nonetheless, go to Santa Monica Pier
5. America has no welfare system imo, expect to see hordes [yes, hordes] of hobos and bums EVERYWHERE. Yeah, and don't go to Compton. I'd feel perfectly safe walking around Redfern compared to some of these suburbs, and there is no reason to go to these shady suburbs.
6. LA is huge, it is spread out into valleys, You need a car to get around. Get your parents to rent a car [they are cheap to rent!] at the airport, otherwise it's the MTA for you baby.
7. Californian people are awesome! it's just like Australians [except we're more cooler] they are generally friendly ppl, they LOVE australians, they know NOTHING about Australia as it really is but yeah, Californians are fantastic people.
8. Go to San Diego, San Fran, even Vegas if you can make the trip, motels are cheap-ish, and highways are great.
9. Shops, yeah, Ripcurl, Billabong etc are the fad at the moment over there so expect heaps of these stores, i think the best I can do in terms or recommending shopping is to tell you to check out Santa Monica, 3RD STREET, it's a promenade of retail stores - go at about 5pm so you can watch the nightlife.
10. a lot of my advice depends on w/er you go with parents or if you go by yourself [like me]
11. Go "Downtown" and walk around there for a day
12. Drinking age is 21, they are totally strict over there about this. DO NOT get caught.
13. Try walking from Santa Monica beach down to say, Venice Beach or just along the beach path [rent a bike!],
14. Go watch some movies, they get released over there before they get released over here.
15. Cruise Sunset Boulevard with the top down during the evening, then go eat some Californian food - Mexican! [love it or hate it]
16. Food is expensive.
17. If by yourself and old/mature enough, go watch some concerts!
18. Go to The Beverly Centre shopping mall [as sung about by Usher] and check out Macy's and shops etc
19. Drive through the hills above UCLA where all the rich people live, Bel-Air... do this, tell your parents to do this, the houses are fucking amazing
20. Don't walk around by yourself at night in a shady area.
21. Hollywood is cheap, seedy, over-rated, and has NOTHING to do with movies, that being said, buy some cheap bling, there's some clubs here, check out Mann's Chinese Theatre as well.
22. Universal Studios. Go or forever regret it, DO EVERY SINGLE RIDE AT LEAST ONCE!
23. Quickly stop by at the Penthouse Store on Sunset for some naughty thrills and a great cappucino [only if with friends]
24. Make plans to come back here sometime in future!
25. LA is dirty and urban, and polluted. Expect this, Also, TRY not to give money to hobos no matter what amazing story they spin.
Have a great time!
