Los Angeles is a city that’s difficult to navigate, especially if you’re a tourist. Most people live and play in the cities around Los Angeles, not in downtown L.A. itself. Some of the more famous locales surrounding Los Angeles are Beverly Hills and West Hollywood and there are small beach communities located up and down the coast, like Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach. And, of course, don’t forget Anaheim, where Disneyland is located. If you’re visiting Los Angeles for your next vacation, it’s best if you stay in one of the cities to get more fun out of your trip.
Beverly Hills is known for celebrities and remarkable mansions where the rich and famous reside. Beverly Hills also offers amazing shopping and beautiful hotels which cater to stars. The year-round sunshine and incredible homes make this part of Los Angeles a wonderful place to stay.
Home of the world-famous Sunset Strip, West Hollywood is a unique cultural center that’s close to the other parts of L.A., too. The Sunset Strip offers dining, shopping and nightlife that are legendary. West Hollywood has also a thriving art and design community, featuring over 30 art galleries, 200-plus design showrooms and the Pacific Design Center.
Santa Monica is probably one of the most beautiful areas around Los Angeles, boasting an astounding beach-side location, great night life and plenty of celebrities frequenting the area’s restaurants and bars. At night, visit the many bars or clubs – remember, however, that parking can be difficult. To avoid problems with finding parking, take a taxi or a limousine.
You should never be afraid of taking limousines for transportation because, contrary to what you might think, they’re not expensive in Los Angeles. Limousine companies in L.A. usually charge per hour. If you want to get the best prices, check with a couple of limousine companies for their rates. And if you book your limousine a couple of days in advance you may be able to get a good rate.
Manhattan Beach is 3 miles from Los Angeles International Airport, on the south end of Santa Monica Bay. The beautiful 928-foot pier at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard offers year-round fishing. The pier also has an aquarium and marine studies lab, free to the public.
If you’re traveling with your family, visit Anaheim, about an hour south of Los Angeles. Here you will find Disneyland, the jewel in Disney’s Southern California crown. This is a great place to bring your family to spend the day with the Disney characters and riding classic rides like Space Mountain. And don’t forget to watch the parade and fireworks display at night.
In 1915, Hal Roach began producing short film comedies with his friend Harold Lloyd, who portrayed a character known as Lonesome Luke.
A few years later, unable to expand his studios in downtown Los Angeles because of zoning, Roach purchased what became the Hal Roach Studios from Harry Culver in Culver City, California.
In 1919 he opened Hal Roach Studios at 8822 Washington Blvd and National Blvd in Culver City, California.
The administration building was covered with ivy, and the picturesque little comedy plant became known as the green ivy studio.
It would be comedy's home for nearly half a century.
See video at end of article
8822 Washington Blvd Culver City, California
During the 1920s and 1930s, Hal Roach employed Harold Lloyd (his top money-maker until his departure in 1923), Will Rogers, Max Davidson, the Our Gang kids, Charley Chase, Harry Langdon, Thelma Todd, ZaSu Pitts, Lupe Vélez, Patsy Kelly and, most famously, Laurel and Hardy.
Laurel and Hardy in front of Hal Roach Studios
It was here that many of the Harold Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy, and Our Gang movies were shot. The site was known as “The Lot of Fun.”
1924 Film
Aerial Photo of Hal Roach Studios 1926. Note the railroad tracks running up along the left side of the studio.
Below: Aerial Photo of Hal Roach Studios 1938. Railroad tracks crossing under Washington Blvd.
The studio was bulldozed in 1963.
Today at the same location the railroad tracks seen in the above aerial photos are now raised above on a concrete bridge and now cross over Washington Blvd and continue past what was once the infamous Hal Roach Studios.
8822 Washington Blvd Culver City, California
About where the camera was positioned in the above image there is a patch of grass with two or three park benches and a tree. In the patch of grass is a plaque that marks the site of the Hal Roach Studios, though the actual site was several yards ahead as seen in the photo above.
The Queen Mary has been a permanent feature in Long Beach, California for a couple fo decades and is one of the most famous cruise ships of all time. The ship has become a hotel, museum and popular tourist attraction, and the historic ship is internationally recognized and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Besides the living guests, the ship is said to play host to several ghosts.
It has been speculated that the Queen Mary might be one of the most haunted places in the world. Reports say that as many as 150 known spirits have taken up residence and lurk in various locations all around the ship.
The Queen Mary sailed her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. Built in Scotland to be used as part of a two-ship express service from Southampton to Cherbourg to New York, the Queen Mary is 1,000 feet long, and in her day was said to be bigger, faster and more powerful than the Titanic. She also held the record for the fastest-ever North Atlantic crossing. The historic ocean liner's passengers included the most celebrated people of the time, including royalty, top entertainment figures and important world leaders.
Transporting Troops during WWII
At the start of World War II in 1939, luxury travel stopped and the ship was turned into a carrier ship that was used by allied forces to carry troops from March of 1940 to September of 1946.
It was during this time that she would become known as "The Grey Ghost". By the end of World War II, the ship had carried more than 700,000 troops, traveled over 500,000 miles and played a significant role in almost every major Allied campaign. She also survived a collision at sea, set the record for carrying the most people ever on a floating vessel (16,683), and participated in the D-Day invasion.
When the war ended, the Queen Mary was refurbished and started up her elegant cruises again in July, 1947, with weekly service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York. By the early 1960's, the popularity of transatlantic cruises greatly decreased due to the increasing affordability of air travel. The ship attempted to revive its popularity, but without central air condtioning, outdoor pools, or other amenities offered on most other cruise ships, the attempt was unsuccessful.
In 1967, the Queen Mary was pulled from service and was sold to the city of Long Beach, California, to be used as a maritime museum and hotel. On December 9, 1967, she made her final voyage to Long Beach.
During her 60-year history, the Queen Mary was the site of 49 reported deaths, opening the doorway for potential spirits to haunt her. Reported hauntings include a young crewman in the engine room, swimmers in the first-class pool, a man in black, and a woman in blue. Some of the Queen Mary's most haunted places include the propeller box, engine room, boiler room, cargo hold and first class swimming pool.
Queen Mary Swimming Pool
One of these hauntings is thought to be the spirit of John Pedder, a fireman in his late teens who was crushed to death by a watertight door in 1966 during a routine drill. Unexplained knocking has been heard around the door, and a tour guide reported she saw a figure dressed in dark clothing as she was leaving the area where the young man had been killed. She saw his face and recognized him from his photographs. He was dressed in blue coveralls and sporting a beard. The young man has often been seen walking along Shaft Alley before disappearing by door number 13. This famous door was used in the filming of the Posiedon Adventure and has reportedly crushed at least two men during the ship's history.
The first-class swimming pool seems to be a hot spot for ghostly encounters. Wet footprints mysteriously appear even though there's not a drop of water in the pool. These footsteps lead from the deck of the pool to the changing rooms. Women in vintage bathing suits are occasionally seen stopping by for a swim ,even though the pool has been closed for more than 30 years. There have also been reports of seeing the spirit of a young girl carrying her teddy bear along with disembodied voices, laughter and splashing sounds.
In the second class pool area the spirit of another little girl named Jackie is often been seen and heard. The girl drowned in the pool during the ship's sailing days and doesn't seem to want to move on. Her voice and the sound of laughter has been captured in this area.
In the room that was used as the third class playroom, there have been reports of the sound of children crying in the nursery room. There is also a report that a single baby's cry has been heard. This crying is thought to be that of an infant boy who died there shortly after he was born.
In some of the first-class staterooms there have been reports of a tall, dark haired man wearing a 1930's style suit showing up in various places. In addition to sightings of the man, the faucets and lights get turned on in the middle of the night, and phones ring in the early morning hours but no one is ever on the other end of the line.
There are several other reports of sightings about the ship including a beautiful young woman in an elegant white evening gown who dances alone in a shadowy corner of the salon, which was once used as the ship's first-class lounge. Another mysterious woman in white has been seen close to the front desk. She will usually disappear behind a pillar.
Other phenomena that has been reported throughout the ship include the sounds of knocking, doors slamming and high pitched squeals, drastic temperature changes, and the recurring smells of another time.
The Queen Mary has been investigated by a number of paranormal professionals, printed publications, television shows like Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted, and several others. In addition to portions of the movie "The Poseidon Adventure" being filmed there, the X-Files filmed a 1998 WWII era episode about a time warp in the Bermuda Triangle aboard the ship. That was a great episode - it was called "Triangle" - you should check it out if you missed it!
On the Ghost Hunters episode, what was thought to be a fantastic paranormal event caught on tape turned out to be not so fantastic as it appeared someone had tampered with the video camera. So is the Queen Mary really haunted or not? The Ghost Hunters are heading back out there in February of 2008 to see if they can find out. Hopefully there won't be any tampering this time and they can capture some evidence to support all the claims of paranormal activity on the Queen Mary.
If you happen to be near Long Beach, California in the month of October check out the Queen Mary's Dark Harbor (see their promotional video below), the ship's annual Halloween attraction which runs from September 30th - October 31. Dark Harbor is open 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM (1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays). Live your nightmares aboard the haunted Queen Mary and join our cast of ghouls, spirits, and undead for an unforgettable, frighteningly authentic haunted experience.
See promotional video below
Dark Harbor is not only a unique haunted experience in Southern California, but also a great value with ticket prices starting at just $24 online. For more information visit the Queen Mary's Dark Harbor ticket page at www.queenmary.com).
The Queen Mary Hotel is located at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California.
Who says money can’t buy happiness? You are obviously right but maybe it fits if you add, ‘but it can take you to the best places where to find it’. You see the best destinations and spots for a romantic vacation getaway always have to be paid. The most are far away so you still need to spend a lot of money for the fare and some other miscellaneous stuff.
But then, it doesn’t have to be expensive to say that you will be very happy with the travel or getaway. There are also some cheap romantic vacation getaway that you can really enjoy time with your family and friends at. Some of these places are as follows:
- South Padre Island, TX – During spring break, South Padre Island is at its peak days. During these times, it will cost you a lot but not if you order an affordable holiday right after or any month that is not in the peak months. The Gulf Coast resort will be the best choice for you during these days.
South Padre Island, Texas
- Amelia Island, FL – If you are looking for a nice and quiet plus cheap romantic vacation getaway, Amelia Island is just the right pick for you. At best, you can avail of their weekend deal that already includes not only a four-poster romantic bed but scooter rental too. For just as small as $159, the Florida House Inn weekend deal will make your getaway perfect. If you add another $89, you will enjoy champagne in a romantic dinner as well as a sentimental carriage ride.
Amelia Island, Florida
- Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. For 60F and more under the sun, Myrtle Beach is the right place to have your cheap romantic vacation getaway. For as low as $75 a night, you can find the best beach.
Myrtle Beach
- Palm Springs, California. Known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, natural beauty, and sparkling pools, Palm Springs has the perfect blend of outdoor activities and casual relaxation. You know you've arrived at this beautiful Southern California desert city when the mountains look so close that you feel as if you can reach out and touch them. Here you can lounge by the pool or go stargazing practically year-round.
At the Base of the San Jacinto Mountains and just walking distance from Palm Springs, your expectations will be fully satisfied from the luxury and charm of Marquis Villas Resorts. Elegant with oversized accommodations, the Marquis Villas is located right in the heart of the fashionable town of Palm Springs.
Palm Springs
- Auberge Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire in Quebec, Canada. If you want something more exotic and adventurous, the deep forest package in Quebec, Canada is a great choice. For only $289, you can enjoy a package good for 2 nights with buffet breakfasts and dinners. You also get to enjoy a dogsled ride and as much outdoor activities as you want.
Auberge Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire
- Romantic Cabins, homes, cottages, and log cabins rental in Tennessee's Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah VA and other scenic spots. You can also opt to enjoy quality time in quiet surroundings of any place you want to be at when you rent a cabin or cottage for two from vacation home rentals. This cheap romantic vacation getaway has no minimum stay required so you can enjoy to the fullest.
- Caribbean and Mexico cruise. $199 can take you and your loved one on a 3, 4, up to 5 nights Caribbean and Mexico cruises.
From these many choices, you can surely find the best destination for your planned cheap romantic vacation getaway!
