See the best Southern Califonia tourist attractions in one day trip

This is an article that I wanted to write for a long time. It is a bit long, maybe that’s why I took such a long time to write. However, this is our favorite Southern California tour. When we have friends and family visiting from outside of California we always take them on this tour because they get to see some of the best tourist sites in SoCal. Yeah, it’s true, this tour doesn’t include Disneyland, Universal Studios or Sea World, but those are attractions that anyone would know about. Our tour hits the best things to see in SoCal apart from amusement parks. The best thing about this tour is that it can be done in one day…a full day that is.

Third stop: Beverly Hills for 2 hours

Getting to Beverly Hills

5:00 pm.Continue south on Pacific Coast Highway all the way down to Sunset Boulevard. Take a left on Sunset Boulevard and follow it all the way to Beverly Hills. It will take you about 1 hour. You will pass right by UCLA and if you have time you can stop for a quick visit. You can also visit the Getty Center but that will take the whole day. Well, there are way too many things to see in Southern California. Ok, ok…let’s just stick with my plan, so keep driving on Sunset Boulevard until you reach the famous…drumroll please…Rodeo Drive.

Take a right on Rodeo Drive and go down, slowly again for two block and right after you pass Camelita Ave park somewhere on the street. Then start walking down Rodeo Drive. The actual world famous stree starts right after Santa Monica Boulevard…so keep walking for a little bit. If you’re tired you can stop at the Beverly Gardens park which is right here on Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Beverly Hills, California – The Beverly Hills Hotel is a famous landmark.

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Things to do in Beverly Hills

• Walk on Rodeo Drive from top to bottom. Yeah it’s expensive to shop on Rodeo Drive, but nobody forces you to shop…just stare at stuff and look important! Please notice that at the end of Rodeo Drive, on Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive is the famous Regent Beverly Whilshire Hotel where the movie Pretty Woman was filmed.
• Walk the streets in the residential area and admire the houses. Walk back towards your car after Santa Monica Boulevard and start walking some of the streets…it’s very relaxing. You can also admire the unique houses you see in Beverly Hills. Who knows, maybe you’ll run into Madonna or Elton John. Just say hi if you do !
• Avoid buying star maps…they are expensive and inaccurate. Yep, it’s true ! I have bought a star map and we ended up chasing many addresses that didn’t actually exist. Just save yourself the frustration. Plus, if you actually do get to see a famous star’s house, be sure that it’s surrounded by a tall and thick wall that will prevent you from seeing anything.

Beverly Hills, California – The Bang & Olufsen store on Rodeo Drive.

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Now it’s time to go to Hollywood, where the stars are made! Well, that’s what people say Don’t get your hopes up because you will be dissappointed. Hollywood is only glamorous in the movies and not in reality. Granted, the city has cleaned up the area very much and they brought the subway all the way there. Great improvements to be fair, but the area is far from what it’s made to look like in the movies and in the media. But it’s fun to see it anyway.

Next Stop: Hollywood, California

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| May 7, 2009 | Posted in California, Destination Guides, SoCal Day Trips |