Los Angeles Things to Do Tips by Etoile2B

Universal Studios Universal Studios Review

Universal Studios is an amusement park of a different breed. It takes the public’s love of Hollywood and provides a behind-the-scenes look into the movie making business. Universal features a multitude of live action shows and demonstrations on all things cinema, from a Wild West Stunt Show to a stage devoted to animal “actors” and trainers. In recent years this theme park has gone through many redesigns, and in a recent effort to maintain its competitive has added several new rides and attractions including, my personal favorite, the Back To The Future ride. The biggest draw is still the tram tour, which has been drastically reduced over the years but still features crowd favorites like Jaws and King Kong. The tour operators give guests the inside scoop as the tram takes visitors through the vast backlot. Universal is an interesting theme park for any movie lover. There’s a lot to do and see here. Don’t forget your camera.

Admission: $43
Parking: $10

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Phone: 1-800-UNIVERSAL

Website: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Santa Anita Racetrack

Santa Anita Racetrack is probably the nicest horse track in the area. If you like betting on the ponies this is the place to go. It’s a bit out of the way, located in Arcadia, but worth an afternoon visit. During the running season, the park is teaming with gamblers and gapers checking out the horses. Races are run every half hour and those wanting to lose a little dough can place bets at either self-service betting stations, or the old fashioned way at the human operated counter. Reservations can be made in advance for group bar-b-ques in the Infield. Open December 26 through mid-April for the Spring season and early October through early November for the Fall meet, racing days during the season are Wednesday through Sunday. During the off-season the track is open for Off Track Betting.

General Admission: $5
Club House: $8.50
Box Seats: $7.50
Turf Club: $15 (dress code enforced)
Parking: $4

Address: 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA 91007

Phone: 626-574-7223

Website: http://www.santaanita.com/

The Happiest Place On Earth Disneyland Review

Disneyland needs no introduction. It’s home to rides, shows and parades and Mickey Mouse. Some say the rides are a bit dated and geared more toward children. You won’t find the park filled with mammoth roller coasters that reside at other area amusement parks, but a trip here helps us all find the kid inside. Compared to Walt Disney World in Florida, the original park is smaller, more compact and easy to navigate. The rides are constantly being updated, during the Off Season rides are shut down for routine cleaning, inspection and renovations. One of the most famous coasters here, Space Mountain, has been closed for several years undergoing a major restoration, reopening later this year (2005) with a brand new track.

Overcrowded during the Peak Season (June - August and end of November - December), the best time to avoid the masses is on fall weekdays, but if your holiday schedule doesn’t allow they have installed a Fastpass system which allows guests to insert their ticket into the machine at the most popular rides in the park and skip to the front of the line. The machine prints out a ticket with a timeframe to return to the ride. This service is free, but can only be used on one ride every few hours.

A schedule of events is available at the ticket counter and at guest services on Main Street. All the parades run down Main Street (where most of the shops are at the front of the park) and people line the streets sometimes several hours in advance to get a good spot. Fantasmic is another crowd favorite and after dusk it’s not uncommon to see people staking out places near Pirates of the Caribbean waiting for the show. The characters can usually be found around Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, but some do roam the rest of the park. And the park offers a couple sit-down restaurants in addition to the plethora of walkaway eateries.

Disneyland is still a great way to spend a day in Southern California and this child at heart never grows tired of it. It never gets old… just more expensive.

Address: Anaheim, Harbor & Katella Blvds.

Directions: When in town be sure to check out any promotions that they may be running – any discount helps.
General Tickets: $53 age 10+ / $43 under 10
Hopper Tickets (incl. admission to California Adventure): $73 age 10+ / $63 under 10

Website: http://www.disneyland.com

Disney's California Adventure Disneyland Review

California Adventure is Disney’s new theme park. Built on Disneyland’s old parking lot, this park is smaller, and a little more adult. California Adventure’s two biggest draws are the roller coaster and the Tower of Terror. It’s California themed “lands” include Hollywood and the Wine Country. In fact, the Wine Country in California Adventure is the only place in either park that serves alcohol. The Electric Light Parade moved over here from Disneyland when the park opened a few years back. Another popular attraction is Soarin’ Over California. And don’t forget to check out Disney Animation where guests can learn all about the animation process. Frankly, California Adventure isn’t worth the price of admission. Tickets are the same price as its sister park next door, but should be cheaper. The best way to see this park is to buy the “Park Hopper” ticket, which allows guests to move between the two parks.

Address: Anaheim, Harbor & Katella Blvds.

Directions: When in town be sure to check out any promotions that they may be running – any discount helps.
General Tickets: $53 age 10+ / $43 under 10
Hopper Tickets (incl. admission to Disneyland): $73 age 10+ / $63 under 10

Website: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/landing?name=DisneysCaliforniaAdventureLandingPage