Los Angeles Travel Forum

hi,
i'll be coming to LA in May.

would like to cover Holywood/beverly hills in 1 day if that's possible.

may i know what are the interesting/must-visits in Hollywood/Beverly Hills?

we will not be driving and will be coming from Santa Monica, may i know which bus/shuttle i have to take to reach Hollywood/Beverly Hills?
where do i alight and where do i go first and next?

thanks!

The metro bus 704 is the way to go, but there are many buses from Santa Monica to Hollywood. Beverly Hills is in the middle between the two areas, so you can go to Hollywood first, then return via bus to Beverly Hills and back to Santa Monica. Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive is famous for shopping from Santa Monica Blvd to Wilshire Blvd. There are about 3 or 4 blocks in all directions to cover. Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd and the walk of fame, Kodak theatre & Shopping complex, Chinese Theatre for movie stars hand prints and autographs in courtyard cement, and up the hill on Highland Ave. is the Hollywood Bowl for concerts and further up the road, Universal Studios Tour, and City Walk, shopping and dining at Universal. The Getty Center in the Westwood/Brentwood area of Los Angeles is a must visit with the museum, art works, and view of the west Los Angeles area to the beach at Santa Monica, from the gardens. See the bus website: www.metro.net

I'll let someone else get you to Beverly Hills...but..

Once you're in Downtown Beverly Hills(called "The Golden Triangle") it will be very easy to get to Hollywood.

Grab either the #704 or #4 bus eastbound on Santa Monica Blvd(north side of Triangle), or any eastbound bus on Wilshire Blvd(South side of Triangle). Switch at Fairfax for the #217 north. This is one of the only bus lines I travel in LA, as it is fast and goes right into the heart of Hollywood(where I live).

If you go via Santa Monica Blvd., you will travel through the heart of West Hollywood, which a very upscale, pretty, walkable(unusual for LA)hood, and the heart of SoCal's gay community. Very lively.

If you go via Wilshire, the transfer to the #217 is right next to the Automotive Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art(LA's biggest traditional art museum). Then, the #217 will take you right by the famous Farmer's Market at 3rd St.(I'd stop there), as well as through the young, hip and lively Fairfax district...before you end up in Hollywood proper.

A lot of people will talk down the buses in LA, and I can be one of them, but these legs I just described, are safe, fast, heavily travelled, and dare I say it...kinda fun.

So welcome and let us know if you have other questions!

GC