Whenever I think of Los Angeles, my mind immediately jumps to images of glorious sunshine and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It’s all too easy to take a trip to LA and do nothing more than explore its many famous attractions, but I always think it’s more exciting to delve beneath the surface and discover a different side to the destination.
So, I’ve decided to dedicate this post to places you can visit and things you can do in order to see LA in a new light. Hopefully, it’ll inspire you to do something a bit different during your break and give you a few ideas of where to start. On the practical side of things, there’s more information on hotels in Los Angeles here.
Delve into the stories of the Los Angeles police
LA is home to plenty of decent museums, but I’m particularly fond of the Los Angeles Police Museum, which gives you the chance to rx generic find out more about the local law enforcement system, as well as giving you a peek behind the scenes of famous crimes.
You’ll find this museum at 6045 York Blvd, Highland Park. It’s the oldest police station still standing in the city and dates all the way back to 1925. Packed with interesting artefacts, it is home to things like Charles Manson’s booking photo, as well as disguises used by the perpetrators of the 1997 North Hollywood Bank of America holdup (in fact, there’s a whole exhibition dedicated to the latter, in which you can also see some of the vehicles they used).
As well as simply looking at historical items, you can have a few unique experiences. Sitting in a police helicopter was one of the highlights for me, while you can also find out what it’s like to have your mugshot taken and sit in a jail cell!
Hike in the moonlight
I always love going for walks when I’m on holiday – partly because when I’m working I spend all day sat at a desk, and partly because of the simple fact that it’s a great way of seeing more of the places you visit. In LA, the huge Griffith Park is easily one of the very best places to hike – in fact, come here and you can trek to the summit of the famous Mount Hollywood.
While you can take a walk here at any time of day and have an amazing time, I thoroughly recommend going on evening hikes instead. Typically, you’ll need to go with a group – the Sierra Club meets at the Upper Merry Go Round car park at 18:45 local time every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There are usually hikes for people of all abilities, but Wednesdays are generally confined to easy/moderate routes, so are the best choice if you’re not used to hiking or want to avoid anything too strenuous.
Have a surreal night out
Last on my list is having a night out you won’t forget. Now, there are plenty of trendy bars and clubs in LA, but totally bizarre venues are thinner on the ground. The California Institute of Abnormalarts – which is also referred to as the CIA – is a nightclub that, frankly, isn’t for people who scare easily.
You see, it’s packed with weird art – and I do mean weird. Think zombie clowns, dead fairies, waxworks of pirates – and that’s only the beginning. This club also has a reputation for hosting unusual live acts, including bands and circus performers, so be prepared for an utterly unique night out.
