All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray. I've been for a walk on a winter's day. I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A. California Dreamin' on such a winter's day. And then, as if my magic in the middle of winter I had the chance to work in California for 3 weeks. Bring on the warmth and sunshine.
California Sunset
As a child California was always a mythical, dream of a destination where only movie stars existed, living out their celebrity lifestyles with the fellow rich and famous. Stories from The Viper Room and Chateaux Marmont as well as adventures along Sunset Boulevard where excess of every kind made these tales from Hollywood exhilarating and impossible to ignore.
I first visited California in 1994 and it was exactly as I expected and hoped. A vast sprawling city where beach life met the movies studios in the shadows of the Hollywood Hills. The city of Los Angeles and Hollywood itself had seen better days. It knew exactly what it was - a trophy reminder of the golden age of Hollywood. Yet it was still a magnet for people the world over, all chasing their own dreams and destinations. A city that was worn and tired but gave everyone who arrived the energy to feel alive. In 1994 It was a city, a visit and a time in my life I will never forget: a young man from the UK experiencing Hollywood for the first time - Tinsel Town of Dreams.
In 1996 I found myself unexpectedly heading back to Los Angels to sofa surf in Los Felix while I tended to a broken heart. It was one of the most incredible times of my life. Swingers the movie had just been released and suddenly as the twentieth century was heading to a close this city was becoming itself again. Maybe it was my age, maybe it was that moment in time but I always look back at the months I spent in LA fondly, a time in my life with nothing to do except dream and explore. But all good things must come to an end and before I knew it my California stint was nothing more than an amazing memory.
Fast forward 24 years and it’s time to head back for work, but this time I get to work in California for a few weeks - with evenings to explore this amazing city. From Anaheim to West Hollywood, to Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Marian Del Rey - I became reminded very quickly why California is such a dream of a destination.
In the middle of winter at the worst time in NYC it was such a treat to enjoy the weather temperature that California provides, and the sense of freedom less clothes brings!
The Viper Room, Sunset Boulevard
Venice Beach, California
Venice Beach, California at Sunset
Venice BeachCalifornia at Sunset
The work side of my trip was intensive with very little time to explore, but i made the most of the few hours I was able to leave my hotels with my camera. The downside is that i haven’t yet taken my US Driving Test which means I’m stuck with Ubers and walking, and California really isn’t a very friendly city to walk! But I was able to get back to a few favorite haunts from many years ago and also explore and discover more. The last evening I was there I was able to enjoy my first and only California Sunset on the beach, and headed to Venice to enjoy this spectacular sunset, and I was able to gather my thoughts from my visit west. Now for sure a full California Adventure to explore even more is on the cards - so I better get planning, and studying for my US Drivers license soon!
I left California with a wonderful feeling of how lucky I am to explore so much while working and the draw from California gets even stronger. Beautiful California, you can check out any time you like, But you can never leave.
Los Angeles from West Hollywood