After a jetlag fuelled night, where I tossed and turned and slept a bit, I finally got a couple of hours sleep in the wee hours of the morning. I got up and went to the gym again and then visited the market, a little eating nook inside the Marriott complex. I had sone avocado on toast and a cup of tea.
I then made arrangements with David, the Taxi Driver from yesterday who offered to show me around.
So, throughout the course of the afternoon, David proceeded to show me, Venice Beach, Santa Monica pier and boardwalk, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Sunset Boulevard and Strip, and of course Hollywood. Although Hollywood was pretty much shut down as a result of the Academy Awards which were being held today.
First, let’s talk about Venice Beach. Venice Beach is a vibrant and eclectic community located in the western part of Los Angeles. The beach itself is known for its wide, sandy shoreline, and the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, which is lined with street performers, vendors, and musicians. The boardwalk is a great place to people watch, shop for souvenirs, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes. It felt a little tacky to me. I was approached a number of times and offered “free” CDs or a chance to appear on Tik Tok.
Interestingly, Venice Beach and the neighbourhood of Venice is actually named after Venice, Italy. Built by Abbot Kinney in 1905, a series of canals were constructed to emulate the famous Italian city.
As we moved further inland from Venice Beach, we come to Santa Monica Blvd. This thoroughfare is home to some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment in Los Angeles. One of the most popular destinations on Santa Monica Blvd is the Santa Monica Pier, which features an amusement park, aquarium, and restaurants. I walked the length of the pier, which was packed with an eclectic mix of locals, tourists and performers. Other notable attractions on Santa Monica Blvd include the Getty Center, the Beverly Center, and the Hollywood Bowl.
Next we drove through Beverly Hills, this upscale neighborhood is famous for its luxurious homes, high-end shopping, and celebrity sightings. Some of the most famous shopping destinations in Beverly Hills include Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Center, both of which feature designer boutiques and upscale department stores. Rodeo Drive is a monument to wealth and capitalism. Each of the store fronts are over the top representations of the brand that can be found within. Cartier is encrusted with fake jewels the size of footballs. Gucci is a mix of silver and gold paint in parallel lines. Rolex features, it’s iconic three-dimensional crown over the door.
Finally, no tour of Los Angeles would be complete without a stop in Hollywood. This neighborhood is known for its association with the entertainment industry and its iconic landmarks, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre. The Walk of Fame features stars dedicated to the most famous actors, musicians, and other celebrities, while the Chinese Theatre is a historic movie palace that has hosted countless film premieres over the years. Coincidentally, today is the day that the Academy Awards being held. This means that much of Hollywood Boulevard is closedown. As I walk around, countless police on the ground and in helicopters in the air, undertaking surveillance operations of all the fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite actor. I’ve only a couple of minutes I’ll give up. There are too many barricades, too many people and nothing really to see. I jump back in the car with David and we head back to Anaheim.
In the evening, I get ready for the conference which starts tomorrow. I review exhibitors, my itinerary, and prepare for four fantastic days, looking at accessible and adaptive technology and meeting some great people.
