Rediscovering Our Town Los Angeles

Summer may be almost over but it isn’t too late to take a well-deserved summer staycation. Now that cautious spending means no extravagant getaways, this is the perfect opportunity to rediscover Los Angeles. As a true local, you share this town with 10 million other people, but if you focus on some long forgotten things about this town you may find some fodder for family fun. So put on your tourist-colored glasses with L.A. Kid Stuff and let’s rediscover our city.

(This is the first in a series of occasional staycation articles.)

Celebrity and Hollywood

Did you run into Coco Cox-Arquette and her parents Courtney and David at the L.A. Zoo recently and not bother to give them a second look? Brush up against Jessica Alba at the Gelson’s produce section and been more concerned that she took the better piece of fruit? Well snap out of it! You’re in L.A. and the number one reason people travel or move here is for the lure of celebrity, fame and Hollywood. Recognize what makes your city world-renowned and play groupie with your kids for a day with one of these adventures that will remind you about L.A.’s past, present and future. Oh, and please have fun while you’re at it!

Hollywood Sign Photo Ops

You’ve lived in L.A. for how long now and how many really good photos do you have of the Hollywood sign? Let’s not forget that this ever-present symbol presiding on its hillside throne is also ever-ready for its close up. Whether you and your kids plan to keep photos in an album for prosperity or throw on Santa hats for a Christmas-card worthy shot that says to your out-of-town friends, “Yes, we live here and you don’t,” here are a few of L.A. Kid Stuff’s favorite spots for your very own vogueing session with this L.A. icon. (MORE)

Celebrity Tours

Why compete with the paparazzi on Robertson Blvd. or take your chances that today will be the day you’ll actually spot someone famous on Rodeo Drive, when you can be chauffeured like a celebrity on a celebrity tour. Starline Tours is the recommended choice for visitors who stay at the recently revived hotspot The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. (MORE)

Walk the Walk of Fame

Start at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where you can marvel at the Chinese Imperial architecture while your kids get a kick out of placing their hands and feet in the cement impressions of Hollywood heavyweights like Marilyn Monroe, George Clooney and the Harry Potter cast. Then segue to the stars in the sidewalks. Your little fairy fans will have to wait awhile until Tinkerbell actually schedules a date to accept her star on the Walk of Fame (which we’ve learned has already been offered to her) but take a leisurely stroll directly to these locations to see some other famous stars your kids will recognize, and some Hollywood legends just for the parents. (MORE)

Not one, but two Houses of Wax

Celebrities immortalized in wax at two locations to serve you! The Hollywood Wax Museum and the recently-opened Madame Tussauds each offer something similar, yet there are distinct differences. Compare the two and decide which one waxes your interest. (MORE)

Guaranteed Celebrity Sighting at Celebrity Band Saturdays

Check out Universal Citywalk’s Celebrity Band Saturdays and you’ll get a celebrity who acts by day and will sing for you at night, for free! This series only lasts until the end of August, so check out the list of performers and plan your night out with the stars. (MORE)

Movie Studio Tours

Nothing beats the Universal Studios tour for its sheer Hollywood/thrill ride power. The tour now includes the actual Kong Island miniature used in the movie and a knife-wielding, dead-body carrying Psycho. But if the $60, six-month Southern California resident Escape Pass ticket price is a little too steep, try the Sony Studios Walking Tour across town in Culver City. For a mere $28 you can walk the lot where the Yellow Brick Road once wound through Munchkin Land, the place where the agents from “Men In Black” battled aliens from outer space and Spider-Man catapulted from skyscraper to skyscraper. Time your tour right and get in to see a taping of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. (MORE)

Movies and More

Make movie going in Hollywood an entire experience at El Capitan Theatre or Arclight Hollywood at the Cinerama Dome, where memorabilia and costume exhibits from the currently playing blockbuster is often made available for you to examine close up. At El Capitan, there is always something else to do so if it isn’t props on display, its activities and special events. Right now your G-Force movie ticket will also get you two hours of enjoyment at the transformed former Virgin Megastore building across the street where the family can play games and participate in activities based on the movie. (MORE)

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