Everyone loves the girls of California. Katy Perry sang about it; even David Lee Roth wished everyone could be California girls. Them girls are pretty. Being on the receiving end of their "oohs and aaahs" and pats on the head and rub on the back, Tico agrees.
It rained off and on today. And I feel bad because Tico would go crazy each time I open the front door, thinking that he'll go out today. So after the rain stopped, aka I got off my lazy butt and turned off my new cheap toy Netflix, it's almost 5pm and we rushed towards Redondo Beach. Knowing that the dog park will close soon; I veered north and headed towards the Strand in Hermosa Beach Pier instead. And it was a perfect day to go; with a combination of rain, the sun going down and being a Sunday night, aka tomorrow's workday, the Pier is practically empty.
The people that frequent Hermosa is a great mix, but it's definitely a party town for the 20 and 30-somethings who are young professionals and trust fund babies combined. I've known people that would have frequented these Pier bars on almost a daily basis. When Bryan and I lived in Huntington Beach, it has a little bit more of a family feel, but not entirely a lot more. I like Hermosa Beach because of its energy. Some of my favorite hangouts are Hennessy's for its perfect ocean view on the rooftop, Fat Face Fenner's Fish Shack because I never fail to find a seat, and of course, there are the other bars, such as Poopdeck which offers cheap beers like $5 pitchers on Wednesdays- yay! Definitely a far cry from $10 bud light bottle at the hollywood club last night. And it turns out, Fritto Misto, one of my favorite Italian places in Santa Monica, is also here in Hermosa. I'll definitely come back for that.
There's something for everyone here as well. On the strand is a mixture of million-dollar homes, and motels such as the blue Sea Sprite hotel. I like the Beach House hotel; because it reminded me of Shutters in SM. Their rates run from $230 and up. But it's not a dog-friendly hotel; so keep looking if you're planning to vacation with your pooch.
I like people watching. And the Strand is a perfect place to people watch. On a given weekend, there are a mix of skaters, joggers, family with baby strollers, surfers and beach goers, girls and boys in their bikinis and trunks, small and large dogs alike, mixed with tourists, etc. It's great place to visit. Dogs are not allowed on the pier, nor are they allowed on the sand. Just keep them behind the fences, and don't go beyond the walk/strand, and you'll be fine. Tico wanted to play in the sand, but no can do. There is however, a little green park just north of the Pier called Noble Park; just next to the Beach House. There are tons of street and meter parking, as well as paid parking. My favorite is the structure between Coffee Bean and Starbucks. Tonight, the gate is up; so it's free for us to park. But on a busy season, parking is enforced 24 hours. Just be prepared to keep a few dollars of cash on you, as the meter parking still only accepts coins or key cards, but not debit/credit cards. The parking structure accepts cards, but the prepaid parking lots in the area only takes cash as well.
Speaking of parking, I vowed to not carry cash, and it bit me in the butt last night when I was looking for parking in Hollywood. The W hotel charges $20, but there's $10 prepaid parking across the street. Being a cheapskate that I am, I circled around the block and found an ATM, and risked being late for the line to get in to Drai's, just so I could save a few bucks. But it worked out perfectly for us because Bea and her friends were just at the beginning of the line once we got there.
I like LA, but Hollywood is a once in a moment place for me. At the age of 38, I've seen girls in their skimpy outfits that could very well be my daughters, and they were all made up. Drai's clientele is a beautiful mix of girls and boys, celebrities and regular folks in every ethnicity imaginable; and Drai's pool area is great with cabanas up and down and all around the pool. And being on top of the hotel on the 12th floor, the view is great. It will be perfect to go on one of those weekend pool parties.
I used to go to Highlands, The Lounge, Beauty Bar, Avalon, Level 3 - my favorite! I also like Citizen Smith, Geisha House, and I liked Forbidden City for cheap Chinese food - which is next to Pantages, so it's perfect to dine in before going to plays. I also liked Micelli's, an oldie but goodie italian place. But being AWOL from this area for a very long time, there's 10 million other clubs that have sprouted all around ever since. Beso's is here, and XIV, two places I wouldn't mind checking out one of these days.
We got to chat up with Bea's friends, one is Raymond, who's going to the Arts School in Pasadena. Being from New York, he said he appreciates being able to get out of the house with just a dress shirt on in the late January; since it's 70 degrees. There's another friend who's visiting from Canada who's excited about going to the designer shops in LA, as well as being able to check out a TV taping of some game shows.
Which brings me back to realizing why I chose California to move to, after 16 years of being in Hawaii. The weather is great, and the melting pot of people and food is amazing. It's a relaxed culture, and the best thing about this place that Hawaii does not have is that I can get in my car, and I could be anywhere I want to be in a few hours. Vegas is 4 hours away, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs less than 2, and San Francisco is 6 up north. Phoenix and Sedona is 6-8 hours east of us. I still have plans to go cross-country driving with Tico one of these days, but that will be a multi-week event; so it's something for us to look forward to in the next year or two.
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