Tourist In My Own Town

Last weekend I got to play tour guide to friends visiting from San Francisco.  They brought their younger sister from Ireland to LA for her first trip here and she was wowed.  I thought I'd spend the day showing her the sights she wanted to see and ended up seeing LA through fresh eyes.  Thank goodness for visitors!

Our route - with Rodeo Drive being the end goal:

• South Pasadena through Los Feliz to Beachwood Canyon.  Up Beachwood to the top to get the vista of the Hollywood sign and the stunning view from up there.  I'd never stopped to climb to the top and was amazed like all the rest of us up there.
• Back in car, across Franklin to The 101 Diner for lunch and to see the renovation of the hotel.  Which is quite fabulous I might add and perfect for a star-struck 20 yr old as the lobby is MCModern and filled with autographs and photos of celebs.
• Down to Hollywood Blvd with a stop to stroll (not really as you can't stroll with all those people crowding you but roll with me on this) and see the stars on Hollywood Blvd (a nod to Ray Davies here).  The topper being Marilyn's footprints.
• Away from that madness and down to Melrose for a few blocks stroll of shopping.  Wasteland was amazing!  We totally scored some choice pieces for pennies. 
• Across Melrose past Vivienne Westwood, Fred Segal, Jonathan Adler and a stop at Urth Cafe for a delightfully refreshing beverage.  Organice iced coffee granita.  Need I say more?!
• Down Robertson for a view of the potential shopping experience one could have.  Had to put her eyes back in their sockets.
• Across Wilshire to Rodeo Drive where we scored an amazing parking space from a very kind valet who shall remain nameless as it's my secret spot.
• Strolled Rodeo Drive where we went into the Prada store designed by Rem Koolhaas, Gucci, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.  Alas Chanel was closed already.  Winner of best window display?  Chanel.  Her list from our game of "if money were no object" (thanks LeFlufy!): Dior sparkly boots, Prada sunglasses, white LV bag.
• We also saw - and kicking ourselves for not photographing - the world's most expensive car.  A Bugatti.
• Back up and over Coldwater Canyon to the 134 East.

And that's how you tour LA with Danielle.  

Isn't that huge Prada suitcase amazing?!