I’m enjoying my first weekend here in southern California, and decided after doing some organizing that I’d visit Hollywood proper. It was an interesting trip. On the way to the subway I walked past The Academy, which is three blocks from my house. I also walked past the sushi bar/karaoke joint that I can see myself frequenting in the future. I took the subway and three stops later I was at the notorious Hollywood and Vine intersection. First I should comment on the subway system: it’s beautiful. It’s also underground. Shocking, I know. The NoHo (that’s short for North Hollywood for all you northerners) Subway station is decked out with murals.

I got off the subway and strolled around. Finding the Hollywood/Vine signs was pretty easy since, well, that’s where the subway stop was at. My next course of business was to take a shot of the sign and get the Capital Records building in the background (I can’t believe they made a building just like the one in GTA: San Adreas! They must really like that game). Then it was off to Borders to pick up a Thomas Guide for LA county so I’ll never get lost.

Now I just need to get a car. Or not. I sort of like the idea of living here and thumbing my nose at all the cagers stuck in traffic.
After picking up the Thomas Guide, I aimlessly wandered Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards for several hours, taking in all the sights. I observed that there are warring factions in the Hollywood area. Those are Lingerie/Stripper supply stores, tattoo shops, head shops, and Scientology centers. I’m not up on my Scientology trivia, but I believe Hollywood may be the sort of Scientologist Mecca, and the faithful are expected to make a Hajj here at least once in their lifetimes.
Tomorrow I think I’m going to go to Santa Monica and the beach to check things out there.

Be sure to check out the rest of the shots I took in my Flickr account.