Surprise LA Trip – Cool things to do that aren’t too touristy

So last weekend we were in LA taking in some of the less touristy sites. After having been to LA quite a few times I only needed to fight with Spider man, The Tin Man and crowds on Hollywood Blvd once before I knew that was just not for me. Tacky overload. It's good to do it once and say you've done it, but I'm not going back unless there is something special going on.

The first day we were there we spent it in Malibu. We've stayed there before and just love kicking back and walking the beach. The weather couldn't have been better and we saw dolphins. That just makes me happy.

I had heard lots about the current Stanley Kubrick exhibit at the LACMA. It  was the first time we visited that gallery and it was totally worth it. If you are a fan of his work, or only know a few of his films I think you will find the exhibit fascinating. It really shows the creative process of film making. Stanley Kubrick was truly a dying breed insisting on doing everything himself in each of his films. We truly see his vision, rather than the vision of a team. I commend him for being true to himself despite the amount of time and effort that took. From one A type personality to another I can say I understand his need for control.

Droog costume from A Clockwork Orange ( I haven't seen this film, from the props we saw it seems very crazy and disturbing).

The typewriter from The Shining. Best.   horror.   film.   ever. 

The light post installation outside LACMA. I wish we had seen in at night when they are lit. We could have Tango danced between them.

We also saw their permanent collection of contemporary art and a rather gross temporary exhibit by Robert Mapplethorpe XYZ that is considered to be glorified porn by many. Initially as I went through the exhibit I didn't think it was so bad and it had artistic merit but then when I got towards the end I literally had to stand in front of one photograph for about 2 minutes before I could bend my mind around what was actually happening in the photo and then I think I gasped out loud in horror. The image  burned a scar into my brain.  It was very disturbing to me. I'm not naive. I've seen stuff. But that freaked. me. out. That is all I can say about it and now I sincerely wish I had not seen it. So…should you decide to see the exhibit, you have been warned. It is not easy to erase such an offensive image from your brain. I guess if his plan was to shock he succeeded.

After that we visited Greystone Mansion. It was a gorgeous day, so walking around the beautifully kept gardens, smelling the fragrant blooming roses and listening to the gurgling water in the fountains was such a lovely respite from the traffic and noise of LA, even though we were still right in the heart of the city. 

We stayed there until almost sunset just chillin' on a bench watching the butterflies dance by. Sigh. Heaven. 

The photo below was taken there as well. You can see most of LA from their gardens.

Then we decided to take the sports car up Mulholland Drive at sunset since that was one of the touristy things we hadn't yet done.

This bird was living the high life at the top of Mulholland Drive. 

Looking not one bit LA in my vintage boots and shirt with jeans. My excuse is that I had no idea I was going to LA otherwise I would have packed totally different.

You can see the Hollywood sign in between our heads. Thanks dude that offered to take this photo of us.

We finished off that day on Sunset Blvd eating at a lovely little restaurant and then headed back to the Beverly Hills Hotel to enjoy some more champagne on our balcony. Perfection.

The last day we went to a great bakery called La Provence which was fab-u-lous! We had breakfast and then took some extra treats for later in the day. If you go I highly recommend the salted caramel macaroons. 

I quickly visited the Anthropologie store and then we capped off the trip with a visit to Camarillo to shop at the outlet stores. We had been before on several occasions but it was a long weekend and I can tell you definitely stay far away from that place on a long weekend. It was a nightmare to find parking and hard to even look at stuff or try on anything in the stores. It didn't deter us from finding some great deals, but I kind of had a headache afterwards. 

Overall I just loved my surprise trip to LA and I can't wait to go back. Or move there.