theDIBB - Tourin' Over California 2017

28 July

It was a more leisurely start to the day and by 10.30 we were ready to go to Griffiths Park Observatory to get a view of the Hollywood sign.

We parked in a space that was free until 12pm which would be plenty of time for us.

We walked the rest of the way up the hill to the observatory and the sun was hot already.

We took some photos with the sign behind and also some of LA back down the hill before walking back down to the car and setting the sat nav for Hollywood Boulevard.

We had considered a few options of how we would approach today including whether to do tour or the HOHO bus. In the end we decided we would drive ourselves roughly following the route of the bus.

We started on Hollywood Boulevard and quickly turned onto Sunset Boulevard.

The traffic was heavy at first but got lighter as we got away from the strip having passed The Comedy Store, we got to an area where there were some very nice houses lining the route.

We came into Beverly Hills and missed the Rodeo Drive turn so after driving a bit further we turned round and headed back to Rodeo Drive where the expensive houses changed to being expensive shops. We passed the Beverly Hills Hotel and The Four Seasons BH as we drove.

We headed back along Wilshire Boulevard and then Fairfax Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard, parking at Hollywood & Highland shopping centre. We had a look in a few shops and then went for food at Hard Rock Cafe. Megan has a flatbread, Tracey had ribs and pulled pork combo and I had ribs.

Too full for dessert I paid the bill while the girls went to the restroom. I had to go with the waiter to put my PIN in, so when the girls came back I wasn't at the table and they met me and we left.

As we got to the door we realised that I had left my hat and Megan left her shades at the table, so went back but the table had just been cleared and there was no sign of them.

We asked one of the staff who spoke to the front desk but nobody knew where they were and he suggested we ask at the front desk later by which time they should be there.

We went to look at Graumans Chinese Theatre and walked along Hollywood Boulevard reading the names in the walk of fame. Took photos along the way, including of Dolby theatre.

A guy dressed as Superman jumped out at Megan and frightened the life out of her.

We crossed over and walked back reading the names on the other side, before crossing again and going back to hard Rock to ask again about our things. Still nothing, but Tracey ended up speaking to a manager who went off to investigate and came back with Megan's shades but still no hat. Better then nothing

Back out on the street we saw Superman again so Megan got a photo and after a couple more photos we went back to the car park to drive back to Safari Inn.

Megan was on FaceTime with Ellie again, so me and Tracey had a walk to the shop to get drinks and Cadbury chocolate for Megan.

We had an evening of snacking, packing and watching Jeff Dunham on TV

Day 17 here