It's great in LA?

Ok so I may be biased to Chicago, but I am not sure we fit into Southern California. We ended up in this awful RV park in Anaheim, which is close to Disney and what looks like 10 minutes from Hollywood (try like 2 hours in LA traffic.). We thought about staying at a really nice one in Santa Monica on the beach but thought we should stay closer to Disney. MISTAKE!  Plus we missed out on spending more time at the ocean. (Which is my big regret of the trip.) The kids enjoyed he hustle and bustle of Hollywood but it was a little sad and messy, although we got a tour of the Grauman's Chinese Theater, saw the Hollywood sign and ran around Beverly Hills looking at star houses. Molly's pee pee problem got us into the Beverly Hills Hotel and then we had drinks at the pool!  That was my big excitement of the day!  I was still looking for celebrities but nothin'. It took a long time to get to short distances, really hot outside, nothing jumping out at the kids and Nolan was testy with the weather, residents and the kids. All in all, felt like a tough day. I missed one of the cool cemeteries and Venice beach. I have to go again without kids!  

Took us a while to drive up but we managed to get a good view! Turns out many of the celebrities live in the hills around the sign. There are some incredible fences and bushes on the streets. You can't see the houses. Everyone has all this privacy blocking. 

Finally got to the actual Hollywood and ate at Mel's Diner, the diner that inspires and stars in American Graffitti. (Rom Howard wasn't here today. Oh well...)

Grauman's is smaller than you'd think but still pretty interesting. Loved all the kitchy decor!

Marilyn Monroe's make up mirror when she put her handprints in the cement. 

Here's an exciting tidbit!  Henson Studios bought the old Charlie Chaplin movie studios. 2 of my favorite things in one! Adorable!

One of Molly's many potty breaks brought us into the Beverly Hills hotel! I may have to cut her a break on this one... It was really beautiful!!

We managed to wander down for drinks at the pool!  (The most expensive drinks ever but nearly worth it!)

Marilyn Monroes house with Joe DiMaggio. Very quaint!

We ended up going to a very cool record store with a live band outside. It had everything outside. I thought Ray was in heaven!

Last view of Hollywood before I passed out... I have to try this again another time!