24 Hours Series: Los Angeles

Living only 3 hours away from Los Angeles, every time someone comes to visit, we always make a trip up to Tinseltown for a day of sightseeing. With Hollywood and Santa Monica pier being two of the most recognizable attractions in the USA, Los Angeles is a perfect place to visit for anyone looking to check things off of a travel bucket list.

Our recommendation for your 24 hours in Los Angeles:

• 8:00-14:00: Walking around Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, and grabbing lunch at the original Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• Located in the heart of Santa Monica, Third Street Promenade is the main shopping plaza or any visitor to the area. With dozens of stores and restaurants, it is easy to spend a morning walking around while listening to street musicians play. Santa Monica Pier, only two blocks from the Promenade, is famous for its Pacific Park ferris wheel and as being the ending point for Forrest Gump's long journey.

• 14:30-16:30: Drive along Route 66 to Beverly Hills.
• Though this part of Route 66 is not known for its beautiful views, it does drop you off right in the center of Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive.

• 16:30-17:30: Grab a snack at Pink's Hot Dogs.
• Recognizable for some of the famous faces that are fans of the hot dog stand, Pink's has made a name for itself with some of its out there topping combinations that some celebrities, such as Martha Stewart, have concocted. 

• 17:30-19:00: Sunset and a tour at Griffith Observatory.
• Offering the best view of the Hollywood sign, many visitors go simply for the view. At sunset you can see the city transform before your eyes as the lights slowly turn on until the entire city is illuminated.

• 19:00-20:00: See the stars at Hollywood & Highland.
• Though you may not see anyone famous hanging out around here, there are plenty of people dressed up as your favorite movie characters for you to take pictures with for your friends back home. 

• 20:00-21:00: Dinner at Hollywood's Hard Rock Cafe.
•  A famous chain found in major cities across the globe, it is hard to pass up Hard Rock Cafe when passing by its Rock n' Roll decor when seeing all of the stars of some of music's biggest names.

• 21:00-23:00: Shows and sleep.
• With comedy shows and live tapings of some of the most popular talk shows on TV, seeing a show is the perfect way to end a night in LA. 

Attractions:
Third Street Promenade- Filled with streets, good restaurants, and live music from local artists, Third Street Promenade offers a nice environment for anyone looking for some retail therapy. It's hard not to get pulled in by the stores offering up huge markdowns but if you do manage to pull yourself away some of the artists playing and interacting down the road are really spectacular.

1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Santa Monica Pier- The most notable landmark of Santa Monica, the pier has multiple parts so that you will never get bored. From their own small amusement park and arcade, Pacific Park, to the leisurely fishing docks at the end that offer sweeping views of the beaches, there is something wonderful all around.
Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401

Hollywood Boulevard- Although some tourists may find themselves disappointed upon arriving in Hollywood, I find it a fun place to go and take in. With street performers dressed up to look identical to some of Hollywood's biggest characters, to the Graumann Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame, the only thing Hollywood is missing from the movies is the actual celebrities.
6801 Hollywood Boulevard #170, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Food:
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.- Located on Santa Monica Pier, this chain restaurants offers up fresh seafood with its origins starting with Forrest Gump. In the movie, Forrest ends his adventure across the country at the Santa Monica Pier so it only makes sense to have a restaurant whose basis is in the film to be front and center.
301 Santa Monica Pier Building 9, Santa Monica, CA 90401

(Bubba Gump Website)

Hollywood Hard Rock- When looking at the stars of some of the biggest names in music it is hard to pass by this restaurant filled to the top with memorabilia and that rockstar atmosphere. Order their BBQ Chicken pizza or a burger and you won't be disappointed.
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

(Hard Rock Hollywood Website)

Pink's Hot Dogs- Recognizable for some of the famous faces that are fans of the hot dog stand, Pink's has made a name for itself with some of its out there topping combinations that some celebrities, such as Huell Howser, have concocted.
709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

(Pink's of Hollywood Website)

Hotels:

Westin LAX
5400 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

(Westin LAX Website)