Play. Shop. Eat. Los Angeles, CA

I've explored Los Angeles, CA a handful of times and each time I discover something new. If you go, don't show up on a Friday. Traffic is atrocious! Be prepared for their relentless smog. And if you've seen the documentary "Confessions of a Superhero" you'll want to head downtown to see the characters in action. Here is how to play, shop and eat in Hollywood.

Play
If you like old movie star films head to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. My personal favorite to visit is Audrey Hepburn's star on 1652 Vine Street. While you are in the downtown area go on a walking tour of Grauman's Chinese Theatre (home of all red carpet movie premieres). And for artsy folks you'll love The Getty featuring the works of Rubens and Impressionist paintings by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and Van Gogh. For beach lovers head to Venice Beach. A great place to relax and people watch and get your sports groove on if it's not too crowded.

Shop
Even if you can't afford to shop at Rodeo Drive it's worth walking the area to get a glimpse of the high life. The architecture alone is stunning to see in person. One of the best places to shop, seriously, this place has a store for everyone is Third Street Promenade (pictured above). It will easily take you all day to shop this area and after shopping you can literally walk straight down to the beach. One-of-a-kind shoppers will want to head to Montana Avenue. And bargain shoppers will enjoy the Fashion Garment District.

Eat
Just a couple block walk from the Third Street Promenade is Huckleberry Cafe. A mouthwatering place to have breakfast or lunch. For dinner head to Joe's for a California-French-inspired meal or Bottega Louie's for yummy pizza. And I adore the The Edison Downtown it's a 1920s-themed bar that invites you to literally dress the part and during happy hour (5-7 pm) they offer 35 cent cocktails (Fridays, first drink only), happy hour food is only $5 a pop.

Best place to snap a photo of the Hollywood sign is at the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. It is also the closest you can get to it by car. To get there take US 101 to the Barham Blvd exit. Follow Barham to Lake Hollywood Drive and turn right. Follow around the reservoir and then turn left at Tahoe, right on Canyon Lake and head past the dog park. Snap your photo.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands