USA – Los Angeles (Part 2)
8:38:00 PM
As always, click on street address and they will open straight into google maps app - saving you some time to type + ensure the correct address. Enter your 'Current Location' when in Los Angeles and it should take the shortest route for you, which may be different from mine, based on where you would be.
Do also look out for the gold stars ('★') for extras on how to save money! All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated.
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A quick recap...
(Click to enlarge)
Day Four – L.A. (Used our Go LA card!)
Started the day with a scrumptious brunch at Ledlow!
I went for the Breakfast Combo ($16) because it is a safe choice when you have completely no idea what you should be having. Crisp pork belly, salsa verde, fried eggs... Who cares what are 'duck fat potatoes' are anyway? So good!
Ledlow is located at 400 S Main St. Opens 9.30am - 2pm / 5.30pm - 11pm on most days.
We started off day 2 (of 3) on the Go LA card at the city's spanking new attraction – OUE SKYSPACE.
Overview of activities on day 2:
1) OUE SKYSPACE
2) Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
3) Pacific Park @ Santa Monica
Since the OUE SKYSPACE seemed like the biggest hit in town or rather the most exciting thing during Summer in LA... We must definitely give it a shot. It officially opened a day before we visited, so everything from the process of ticket collection to getting to viewing deck was a little awkward, if I may add. But eh... I'm sure it's on track by now!
Present your Go LA card (or rather, the QR code) to the ticketing officer in exchange for an admission ticket. If your time of admission is not within 30 minutes, exit the line (see what I mean by awkward) and go back in when it's time.
The flashy facade.
Interior, sofa that resembles an ice cream sandwich cookie and downtown LA!
Yet another concrete jungle with no greens and lots of landing pads. Haha!
Is that the Hollywood Hills in the background?
Looking like an exploded enoki mushroom #whytho
Walked through a really dark walkway which featured visuals of what DTLA looks like at night...
It must've looked really beautiful with all the lights illuminating the streets.
One of those 'endless pits' again hahaha.
They have another attraction – the Skyslide, an outdoor glass slide 1,000ft above the city that takes you from level 70 to 69 of the U.S. Bank Tower. Of course it's not free... Single-ride tickets go for $8. We didn't do it because the queue is ridiculously long and cheapskates don't want to pay so much just to slide down a transparent tube. HAHA. So... That's all for OUE SKYSPACE.
It's located at 633 W Fifth Street, Suite 840, Los Angeles.
Check out more ticket options here if you don't have the Go LA card.
Check out more ticket options here if you don't have the Go LA card.
Onwards to Santa Monica beach!
It is THIS crowded... Perhaps it's a Sunday thing. We took the 720 Metro Rapid bus and journey was about 1hr 20mins. #thingstouristsdo
Postcards! So cute.
Idk what this is but it seems like a memorial for someone...?? Veterans??
PACKED with people.
And more people...
Started off with the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and I must tell you that this place is pretty much falsely advertised as an aquarium when it's actually more of a... Well... Little learning lab for kids. What was I expecting in the first place though. Haha!
Think lots of preserved specimens, small tanks of jellyfish, experience zone (touch 'em starfishes) and an activity area to learn more about marine life and conservation efforts. This place can be completed in 30 minutes or less.
On to the next...
Started off with the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and I must tell you that this place is pretty much falsely advertised as an aquarium when it's actually more of a... Well... Little learning lab for kids. What was I expecting in the first place though. Haha!
On to the next...
Pacific park! It's similar to NYC's Luna Park except it's... In LA?? Hahaha. Anyway, it's a pretty cosy little amusement park (Singaporeans: think Downtown East, not USS) that's great for spending an afternoon. The Go LA card includes a full day unlimited rides, exchange for a wristband at ticketing offices to enjoy this privilege!
No pictures because... Who take pictures on rollercoaster rides, really. Pacific Park operates extended hours on selected days, check back on their website for details.
Pacific Park is located at 380 Santa Monica Pier. It's almost impossible to miss an amusement park, huh?
After experiencing all the rides, we went for a well-deserved shopping trip at the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade - basically just another shopping strip with your usual brands.
Who gets sick of shopping at Forever 21, Foot Locker and H&M? Not us, I guess!
No pictures because... Who take pictures on rollercoaster rides, really. Pacific Park operates extended hours on selected days, check back on their website for details.
Pacific Park is located at 380 Santa Monica Pier. It's almost impossible to miss an amusement park, huh?
After experiencing all the rides, we went for a well-deserved shopping trip at the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade - basically just another shopping strip with your usual brands.
Who gets sick of shopping at Forever 21, Foot Locker and H&M? Not us, I guess!
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Day Five – L.A. (Used our Go LA card!)
Anyway. Our last full day in LA was made awesome with a trip to none other than the Universal Studios Hollywood! Only utilised the Go LA card in USH cos it's practically a full day activity and there's not many other places for you to go to after the park closes at 8pm.
Hello, King Kong!
Started off with a super generous platter of fried seafood bites at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co before all that madness. There are plenty of restaurants at the Universal CityWalk Hollywood shopping zone but we went for this because I've been dying to try 'em since our trip to Santa Monica. So here it is!
The platter is super filling, recommended to be shared between 2 pax. I almost died trying to finish everything. HAHAHA asians don't waste food so... *burp*
More dining options here, in case you want to decide before heading over.
A simplified map of the attractions in Universal Studios Hollywood. Our route was pretty much all over the place... Hahaha!
Started off straight up at Universal Plaza (middle of map, thereafter clockwise) since the Walking Dead Attraction only open 10 days after our visit boohoo ⇒ (left turn) Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ⇒ Super Silly Fun Land (Despicable Me play area, but we didn't hope in cos you'll get wet!) ⇒ skipped Universal's Animal Actors soz ⇒ also skipped the Special Effects Show lol ⇒ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ⇒ The Simpsons ⇒ skipped Studio Tour too ⇒ (take the escalator down to lower level) Transformers ⇒ Jurassic Park ⇒ Revenge of the Mummy ⇒ the end!
Let's go!
But why "Welcome to New York City" tho. LOL
Expect lots of movement, bumping up and down, twists, turns and much much more in this family-friendly ride! Watch the official video for a sneak peak on the ride here.
Psst... Factor about 20 minutes for queueing.
P.S. I didn't read the HP series (ha-ha) and only watched the first 2 installments of the film series so it's safe to say that my memory of Harry and friends were still stuck at enrolling into Hogwarts and boarding school days.
We tried everything - the Forbidden Journey ride (3D!), Hippogriff coaster (although the queue was just was too long - idk why urgh see the pic above) and visited the Wand store at Hogsmeade. Stopped by to watch the live performers dressed up as... Eh... Hogwarts students too because all that iced Butterbeer was giving me a brainfreeze. The 3D ride was pretty awesome - I don't know how they do it but it feels like I'm actually in a super thrilling Quidditch (surprise: I do know what the broomsticks game and flying gold ball thing is) game gone wrong??? As usual, lots of twists and turns and levitation (!!!).
Queue for the ride was approximately 20 minutes, another 45 minutes for the coaster and about 30 minutes to enter the Wand store. Probably because everyone was queueing to buy stuff, eh?
See more here.
More on the Simpson's ride here!
Larger-than-life taco?
Sidetracking: view from the upper deck ⇒ lower deck. Giant studio or what??? That 'golf course' there makes it look somewhat similar to Canada although I've never been to Canada?? But I imagined that's how the land of maple leaves would look like... Tranquil, serene and just really green.
Another pic of the impossible view cos #wow
★ There are free lockers at the lower deck for you to store your bags away while waiting for the ride. You might have to take your bags out and deposit it again before your next ride. It is complimentary for the first 25 minutes, thereafter chargeable.
Nothing much on the Transformers ride because it's basically the same thing as what you get in USS. Except you're surrounded by screaming angmos... Wait, you get that at USS too. /lol/
Waiting time is about 15 minutes at this ride... Luckily the queue was short and the ride went by in a minute (or so).
Jurassic Park. The queue was insanely long compared to the rest of those at the upper deck - brace yourself for a whopping 110 minutes (yeah, close to 2 hours)! The ride was similar (if not, the same) as what we have at USS so if you've experienced that, you know what to expect! Otherwise, think of being stranded (ok la, with 8 other people) on a float, having no control over where it's heading for and end up going straight towards the mouth of a giant T-rex................. Bleh. More on the ride here.
Oh and there was this special 'show' about a rex on chains and out for photographs with people. I know it's not real and all but damn! It looks super lifelike and this kid who was taking pictures with it got shocked by the suddenly-snappy dino! Tsk, feel bad for him but had a good laugh. Soz!
Didn't take any pics at the Mummy zone cos it's pretty much just the ride and it's similar to the Mummy ride in USS. Except the ending was different and there was no rever... Oops. Shall save it for your visit! Waiting time was about 20 minutes. If you're interested, see more here.
While making our way back... Lovely sunset!
Hogsmeade at sunset... Think 8.30pm not 6.30pm lol! It's still bustling with people!
On the way out... Doesn't the Citywalk resemble Vegas??? Although I've never been to Vegas???
Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Universal Studios Hollywood! Relatively fast queues (have you been to USS? Oh God those 60 minutes queue times are totally downers), exciting and engaging rides plus really upbeat staff all around!
Comparing it to Disneyland Paris that I visited earlier this year, I felt USH was more... Teenager-friendly, had more 'fun elements' and had more exciting rides. On the other hand, Disney was just... Dreamy, princess-y and probably more suitable for the younger and young-at-heart I guess?
I didn't have time to visit Disneyland Anaheim so I can't be 100% sure but I'm glad we went to USH (despite the ticket price) afterall!
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Day Six – Bye L.A.
Beautiful mountains and lake at San Luis Reservoir State Recreational Area, after the pit stop at TCA.. Anyway, it's time to say goodbye and onwards to San Francisco!
★★★ We got our Megabus tickets for super cheap - $1 only!! We only managed to snag one, so the other one was US$4 and we paid for seat selection (another $1) so the average came up to only $5 per pax. Still a super great bargain compared to flights or any other options to get to SFO. There were no tricks or hacks involved... Sorry. Hehe I think we just got lucky! Megabus regularly run $1 sale events, so keep a lookout if you're intending to travel between states! I use the wanderu.com website to search and book my bus tickets.
Our journey to San Franciso took approximately 8hrs, inclusive of a short stopover at the TCA rest stop and San Jose (dropoff). The journey starts at Patsouras Transit Plaza in LA at approx 6.10am and arrives at San Franciso Townsend St and 5th Station around 2pm. Exact route here.
Why not the overnight ride? True that - an interstate ride at night would've made more sense economically (no need to pay for one additional night's stay, early morning ride to the station, etc) but you don't get to see the beautiful sights along the way. It really depends if you have your schedule planned out... We didn't, so taking half a day to commute sounds ok to us.
Most importantly, the tickets only cost us $10. No other reason necessary, really.
Think this was at Castaic, about 1 hour on the road? We passed by so many of these mountains along the way that I think I slept for close to 1/2 the journey. Haha! Click here (and zoom, zoom, zoom lol) to have a look at the beautiful great nature you'll see on the way.
The first stopover was at the Travel Centers of America (TCA) rest stop in Buttonwillow. No points for guessing who went crazy with the candies... And Taco Bell. Hehe.
Bus in the background and hobo on the floor.
And so with that... Hello, San Francisco!
Promise the post WILL come... Somehow somewhat before my annual retreat to Tuas.
Thanks for reading!
xx
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