"The Late Late Show - Jonh Mayer"

Going to TV Shows

Welcome to our new post! Yesterday February 6th we had the incredible chance to be in CBS's studio for "The Late Late Show"  on the last day of John Mayer as Host, and Ed Sheeran, Stephen Merchant and Jillian Bell as guests. I'm just gonna say that it was unsurpassable.

John Mayer, one of my idols who is in 6 of my TOP 10 favorite songs, was just a few meters far making jokes and singing with one of the greatest singers of the moment... We were so lucky.

Let me tell you the truth. We had no clue that John Mayer was going to be the host when I applied for our tickets. I expected that he would be on the show as the principal guest... What an incredible surprise when we arrived and found out the truth hahahahaha. Not only John Mayer but also Ed Sheran? For FREE?

And yes, my friends, I said for FREE. We didn't pay not even a cent for our tickets thanks to "1iota Tickets". On its website, you can find a lot of TV shows to go and the only thing you have to do is to have an email address, to apply for the tickets you want (max of 3 per petition) and wait!

And that's why we also wanted to recommend you, as a new LA Tip to go on 1iota and find some shows that you would like to go to on the dates that you will be on Los Angeles. It is worth, I swear.

It was that easy... I still dont believe the incredible day we had yesterday! For those of you who wanna watch the show, it was on air yesterday night at 8PM on national television (you can watch the complete episode in HD on CBS's website), but I found that some fans already posted it on youtube, so let me show you, at least, the part when they sang "Don't", by Ed Sheeran.

We hope you liked it!

Read this post also in Spanish and Portuguese.
See you soon.

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'Hollywood Boulevard'

The Famous Walk 

Ranking: 4 stars

Hey everybody, this last weekend we went to the most famous street in Los Angeles and here we have one more LA Tip. We are talking about Hollywood Boulevard and if you are not familiar with this name you will probably know about the Walk of Fame that occupies "only"15 blocks of the Hollywood Blvd.

We really love this place. I think I could go there every weekend without being tired and in my opinion it is a great place to get distracted and have some fun. Well, I've known many people that got disappointed with this place and most of them said that it looks much better in the movies but what doesn't look better in the movies?

Oh, and you must be advised that you won't find Brad Pitt or some other famous actors walking on the street (unless it's your super lucky day), instead you will find many crazy people dressed as famous characters and also some talented people singing, dancing, drawing and etc..

Coming back to the finding-famous-ppl subject, I've been here for almost 2 years and I'vent found any actor/actress yet. Well, one day we did but it was the Once Upon a Time premiere and we didn't even know. It really was our lucky day. Oh, and I'vent been lucky enough to meet Adam Levine on the street, and of course take a pic, hug him and give him my phone number. haha just kidding baby, I'll give yours cuz you two could go surfing together! hahaha.

Anyway, on the walk of fame you will be able to see, at least, 2 thousand stars. Among them, there are great directors, actors, musicians, producers, fictional characters and others.

Another awesome place to visit there is the El Capitan Theatre that is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company and usually host premieres of great movies and tv series like Once Upon a Time.

The Dolby Theatre is another "must visit" place. It is located in the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall. It was opened in 2001 and it is already the first permanent home for the Oscars Ceremonies. The interior of this theatre is fantastic and it has one of the largest stage in the United States.

They often have guided tours for those who want to see the theater a little bit better and the tickets range from $15 to $19 but you cannot take pictures inside.

Oh, and last, but not less important, don't forget to see the Chinese Theatre that has not only an incredible design but also nearly 200 celebrities footprints, handprints and autographs in the concret
.

As you can see this place is full of great attractions so you should save a day only for this visit to be able to enjoy every single thing. Walk through its pavement full of stars, go on a tour at the Dolby theater, go shopping on the Hollywood and highland mall, look for your favorite artist footprint, but don't forget to go up to the second floor of this mall to see the Hollywood sign that I particularly adore.



Hope you liked it and don't forget to put "Hollywood Blvd" on your list.

See you, bye bye!

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'Third Street Promenade'

A Street Full of Talent

Ranking: 3 stars

Helloooo everybody! As we promised in our previous post, today's LA Tip is about the ôther famous part in Santa Monica besides the pier, the Third Street Promenade.

On 1960's, 3 blocks of the Third Street were converted into a pedestrian mall, and later (1980–2007) an enclosed mall was added at the Promenade's southern end, now known as Santa Monica Place. The renamed Third Street Promenade opened on September 16th, 1989, and has bsince become the nationally success that is today.

Besides the countless national and international brands along the street (famous Forever21, Apple Store, Zara, Louis Vuiton or Tiffanys as a few examples), and the incredibles restaurats, one of the best things that you will find here is many over talented performers and entertainers. On a warm Saturday night, singers, classical guitar players, magicians, street dancers and other artists can line among this street to show their talents. 

We have been here at Santa Monica Downtown many times, and we were frequently surprised by many artists, but we both agree that the young violinist Daniel Morris that played on Thursday was awesome, becoming one of our favourite street performer in LA. Here you have an small part of one of the songs he performed:

As we explained yesterday, just a few blocks away you also have the pier. The day is long enough for enjoying both places in only once, but if you are too bussy, just write down the name of the one you let out and come back in you next free time.

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.

More pictures on our Flickr.

We hope you like it!
Read also in Spanish or Portugues.

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'Santa Monica Pier'

The Night Paradise of Lights and Roller Coasters

Ranking: 4'5 stars

Hello everybody! Yesterday we went out to find a new place to show you, and we think you guys are gonna like a lot this one... We decided to lead our trip to another famous place in the coast of LA, well known for its countless apearences on TV series and Films, and also with a high reputatation between those who love to go shopping... Yes, the protagonist today is Santa Monica.  

We are gonna divide this one in 2 different posts due to the high amount of information we have to give you about 2 different places here, the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade. Lets start with the pier ok?

It doesn't matter when you go... it's always full! This landmark has become one of the most famous palces in LA. If you are asking why, the answer is easy to find as soon as you stop at the entrance of the bridge that leads you to the pier. Such an incredible structure going is hard to forget.

Don't forget to wait your turn to take a selfie with the sign before you go down. Also, if you are brave enough to put on a big snake (I AM NOT), you can find a "strong" man (sometimes 2) with a big one that will offer you to take a pic with it for a few dollars.

Walk down the bridge! now you are officially in the pier. There are plenty of things to do here, so choose the ones that fit more with you! From renting a bike, playing videogames or enjoy the incredible food (the Pier Burguer, the Bubba Gump Shrim, the Marisol Mexican Food... and many more), to ride the rollercoasters or enjoy the street performances inside the pier (singers and dancers, but also some weird people).

Walk around and check everything you can, that's the best advice we can give you. The are also many talented artists drawing caricatures of the tourists! Do whatever you want to do around but just be sure you are on the pier yet when the sun goes down. Again, the city of LA will present another incredible sunset. Everything here costs money, but this one is FREE, so be ready when it's almost time and find a bench if you can. Enjoy it.

Ouch! I forgot... Did you know that the worldwide Route 66 ends here?  You will be able to take a picture with the famous sign "Santa Mónica Route 66 End of the Trail". For those Motorcycle's addicts, this is another reason to visit the pier...

If you have the chance to go back to your hotel or house late because you have a car, we are gonna suggest you something... Go early in the morning (10 AM is fine). Visit the pier, check all the stuff you can do BUT don't stay too much in the Pacific Park (rollercoasters and games). After that, walk to the 3rd Street Promenade (we will talk about it in our next post), enjoy shopping and also eating! Spend there about 2 or 3 hours and go to Ocean Ave (the closest to the beach) and enjoy the small parks and gardens. Stay there, lay on the grass, take a nap... When the sun is going down, lead to the beach but this time try going through one of the small bridges for pedestrians over the freeway (north and south from the Ocean and Sta Monica Blvd intersection).

Go to the South side of the beach and find a place on the sand or in the "park" (close to Arcadia Terrace"). The sunset is already one! From this side, the last orange sunbeans will be hiding behind the pier's structure. Now go to the pier an enjoy the weak light in the horizon until it's dark.

Waiiiit, waiiiiit.... Lights ON! hahaha. Perfect time to enjoy the attractions and the lights show before go home.

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.
More pictures on our Flickr.

We hope you like it!

Read this post also in Spanish or Portuguese.

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'Redondo Beach Pier'

A Beautiful Pier with a lot of Mad Animals

Ranking: 3 stars.

Hi guys! Yesterday was another "day of work", so we went out to write our new posts. Today we start with a new LA Tip for you. It is a special place for me because it's one of the very first that I visited when I came to LA for the first time. The Redondo Beach Pier.

This pier has been rebuilt and altered by storms and redevelopments, but its first was built between 1895 and 1915. The pier's modern reinforced concrete version was completed in 1995, bringing back the appeal to Redondo Beach's business district ever since.

As you come into the pier, you realize that everything fits in the place. You can find many souvenir shops (SO tipical here in every pier), and many places to have different kinds of food. From seafood restaurants, to hotdogs or burguers. 

If you are going to visit the pier, be sure you come hungry to fully enjoy the area, and let a small place to try the churros, crepes and icecreams. Just be sure you are not being followed to the cute tables outside... or you won't have anything to eat! There are starving seagulls everywhere in the pier, and they aren't joking, so keep always an eye on your food. Ok?

There are many fishermans trying to enjoy the ocean, and some of them almost live there. But even them know who the real locals are. As you go inside the pier, you will find more than one big Brown Pelicans not only on the floor but also on the roofs. These big dudes have taken the control of the area... LOL.

If we had to choose the best views here, we will take the ones when you are in the Western and  Southern part of the pier, and no matter where you look, it's awesome. Looking to the South, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes hills; to the east, the structure of the pier creates a small beach in the middle; and looking to the North you enjoy the incredible view of the wharf and the boats coming in and out... There is also an awesome view of the pier from the southern part of Redondo Beach with the wooden structure of the pier inside the water and the small waves landing on the sand. We LOVE this one.

Notes: The pier is also famous for "The O.C" since The Coffe Shop at the end of the pier was one of the common locations for this TV serie. If you are a fan, you have to know that althought The O.C was set in Newport Beach (Orange County), many of the filming locations were in LA (Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, UCLA and USC).

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.
More pictures on our Flickr.

We hope you like it!

Read it also in Spanish or Portuguese.

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'Grand Park'

A Park Full of Colors

Ranking: 4 stars

Hey guys, today we have a new recommendation for you. Our new LA Tip is about the incredible 12 acres park located in the civic center of LA, Grand Park, which is often compared by tourists to other well-established public parks as Central Park (NY) or Union Square (SF). 

The park conects the Music Center with the City Hall on Grand Avenue. These other famous places give to the park an estrategic location on the map, so it is pretty easy to arrive by public transportation.

We found really interesting things, as the big artistic Welcome Signs (in so many different languages), an interactive fountain, many drought-tolerant plants and trees all around the park, or movable park furniture (some exterior-pink chairs and tables in an opened green space ready to be moved to its best position depending on the time and preferences of the user, something that I had never seen before).

This park was one of the main points for celebrating New Year's Eve, offering projections and live performances on 3 different stages with many important artist. Music performances are not unusual here since the enterteiment program of the park is mantained by Los Angeles Music Center. On the list of artist that already played here, we find, for example, the incredibles Jonh Mayer, Imagine Dragons and Kayne West (August 31st,2014)

We liked every single detail in here, and it's nice that the park is well iluminated for a walk under the moonlight, something that if we put together to its fountain constantly changing the colors, gives a perfect atmosphere to the enviroment. 

In adittion, the park offers regular events in its calendar, as Yoga and lunchs during the daytime (for most info, go on its website). 

More pictures on our Flickr.

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google maps.

We hope you like it!

Read me also in Spanish or Portuguese.

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'Vista Hermosa Park'

A Nook of Nature in the Middle of the City

Ranking: 4 stars

Walking throught the city can be stressing for those who love nature's blue and green. Downtown LA has a few places where you can feel the O2-charged air of the countryside but still have the amazing view of the enormous buildings and the sunset effects over them. Here we suggest our new LA Tip, the Vista Hermosa Natural Park. 

The Vista Hermosa Park opened its doors on July 2008, being the first new public park opened in Los Angeles downtown area since 1895.

The park contains different paths to walk all around the green area. It also has open spaces to lay down or play with your friends or dog, and in the top it offers a recreational area for the younger ones.

It was't really crowded this last time, but it's true that the some other times it could be full of kids running around families and couples taking pictures.

We liked the whole park, but the best part is this amazing point with a bench where you can find this amazing $1000 view of the downtown skyline. I think I could never have enough of that.

More pictures on our Flickr.

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.

We hope you like it!

Read me in Spanish or Portuguese.

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'Walt Disney Concert Hall'

An Artistic Building in LA

Ranking: 3 stars.

Hello guys, here comes our second LA Tip, and it is the perfect place for those who love classic music and well designed structures.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall was named after the huge figure of Walter Disney, well known for being the co-funder of The Walt Disney Company and his cartoon characters like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. He also created the world-widely famous theme park, the Disneyland.

Located in Downtown of Los Angeles and designed by Frank Gehry, the WDCH have been opened since 2003 and it is already so famous. The outside is stunning, what calls everyone's attention when passing by it. It's also a place often chosen for shooting modeling pictures and specially wedding pictures.

This well-looking building should be on your list of places to visit in LA even if you don't really like classic music or orchestras because only the outside already deserves to be seen and photographed, but if you are still curious about the inside, the ticket prices start at 25 dollars.

In addition, its perfect location on Grand Ave with 1st street allows you to visit other important turistic places here in downtown in the same day, as Grand Park, The Music Center, the City Hall or Vista Hermosa Park. 

More pictures on our Flickr.
How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.

We hope you like it!

Read me also in Portuguese or Spanish.

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'Venice Canals'

An Italian Touch in Los Angeles

Ranking: 4 stars.

Hey Guys, yesterday was January 1st and we bring here our 1st "LA Tip". This place is called "Venice Canals" and it's well known for its man-made canals built in 1905 in order to have a small touch of Italy in Los Angeles.

It was our first time there, even though we have been in Venice Beach a thousand times, and in our opinion it deserves the trip, especially if you haven't seen anything like that before. You can see that the water is pretty clean, and the houses and trees reflected on its surface. 

One more thing that we liked to see was the little "boats" in front of the houses. Not sure if the owners really use those boats but it is pretty cool to see them tied up there. During the daytime, you will probably find many tourists like we did yesterday, what makes us ask... Why didn't we hear about this place until these last months!?

To complete the day, we strongly recommend you to go to Venice Beach that is only 5 minutes walking from the canals to see the sunset just like we did today.

Oh, this incredible sunset worth our freezing 1st day of the year. You can see more pictures here on our Flickr.

How to arrive? - Take a look on Google Maps.

We hope you like it!

Wanna read in Portuguese?

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