What to do and what to see in the United States of America if you flew in for just 10 days? We have developed a unique route for you! The only thing that will bring a slight but pleasant fatigue is a great ocean of impressions. We will travel to Santa Barbara to take pictures under the famous arch, drive along the Pacific coast, see the most photographed bridge in the world in San Francisco, visit the best wineries in the Napa Valley, explore the beauty of Lake Tahoe, admire the unique nature of the huge Yosemite Park and return to Los Angeles to meet the big stars on Hollywood Boulevard.

How to get from Moscow

You can get to Los Angeles both by direct flight and with transfers. Of course, with transfers it will be much longer, but cheaper. A direct flight from Moscow to Los Angeles will take 12 hours 10 minutes, the return trip will take 11 hours 40 minutes. Flight with one change from 17:10 to 36:20. Flight with two transfers from 22 to 55 hours.

Let us consider in detail which airlines can get to the city we need:

These are the main flight options. Flights with two or more transfers are quite tedious and do not have much financial benefit compared to flights with one transfer.

How to get from St. Petersburg

There are currently no direct flights from St. Petersburg to Los Angeles, with only one or two transfers.

We have prepared for you the following itinerary for the USA for 10 days:

We hope you enjoy it and get a lot of positive emotions.

Day 1 – Arrival and walk around Los Angeles

So, your plane has landed at an airport that serves more than 60 million tourists a year! Now it remains only to go through passport control and get luggage. Since our route involves a lot of transfers, it is, of course, necessary to book a car for the duration of the trip in advance. There are a lot of options. Getting a car is very easy. Almost all major rental offices provide a free transfer from the airport to the office where the registration takes place. Now that you have received the car, you can go to the hotel to rest from the road and get a good night's sleep. There are so many interesting things ahead. If you are still full of energy, then you can go on an introductory tour.

If you have not booked a hotel yet, we recommend that you pay attention to the following options:

Day 2 Los Angeles – Santa Barbara

It takes about 2-3 hours to get to Santa Barbara by car. Since almost the entire segment of the journey runs along a perfectly smooth asphalt surface, neither drivers nor passengers will experience discomfort during their exciting tour. At the entrance to the city you will find picturesque landscapes.

There are quite a few impressive villas on the sea coast, and it seems that you have found the perfect place to live! Do not miss the opportunity to stroll along the famous pier, having previously left the car in a special area in the marina. We especially recommend you a walk along the embankment in the warm season, when there are many tourists and vacationers, and the water surface is full of various ships – from small boats to luxury yachts. It seems that you find yourself in one of the most popular resort regions of the planet.

There is good news for those who travel by public transport. So, from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara can be reached by train. Thus, you can save a lot on the trip, although this way of traveling will require a little more time (minimum 3 hours). But tourists traveling by rented car should know some of the rules in force in Santa Barbara. For example, drivers do not pay for parking in the city for the first couple of hours. But every next hour of parking will cost $ 1.5.

Where to eat and what places to visit

Since the road was grueling, it is worth thinking about where to eat and gain strength for the further journey. Fortunately, you won't have to look for a long time, because in Santa Barbara there is a wide network of restaurants and cafes where all tourists are ready to surprise with delicious dishes. The most popular restaurant today remains Bouchon (Victoria St, 9), where guests are offered to appreciate dishes prepared according to the recipes of French culinary specialists, but using their own technology and manner. The home-style design, thought out to the smallest detail, is conducive to a comfortable pastime, and loyal prices can surprise even the most fastidious customers.

You can visit another famous place called Cafe Stella, which is located at 3302 Mc Caw Ave. It also serves excellent French cuisine, but there is also an impressive menu for connoisseurs of American snacks. When you get to restaurants, pay attention to the import store, which is located at the very beginning of State Street. It is here that you can buy a lot of necessary and useful goods at very modest prices.

Do not forget that Santa Barbara is one of the centers of American winemaking. We recommend that all connoisseurs of the grape drink include in their itinerary a visit to the nearby towns of Los Olivos and Santa Inez, where the legendary Merlot brand wine was created. It was this drink that allowed California to take an honorable fourth place among wine-growing regions, losing only to the best grape plantations in France, Italy and Spain.

Separately, you can order a comprehensive tour. A tour that includes visiting 3-4 wineries for several hours will cost tourists only $ 70. But often this price does not include wine tasting and lunch, so check in advance. If during the tour you decide to look into the tasting rooms, do not forget to take a snack with you in advance.

Places for rest

If you have time and want to spend some time in nature, take a look at Santa Barbara's large beach. Here you can not only enjoy the warm sea water and golden sand, but also ride on water vehicles, ride on a luxury yacht or try yourself as a surfer.

But the American town is not famous for its beaches alone. For example, you can have a great picnic in the Botanical Garden, and lovers of hiking and extreme sports will be able to test their strength and try on the mask of the discoverer of distant lands while conquering the Rattlesnake Canyon. Amazing emotions await every visitor to Francesca Park, which presents the best achievements of California breeders.

Fans of one of the most stunning flowers on the planet – orchids will also find something to do. In the huge flower garden of Carpinteria, tourists can enjoy the aroma and beauty of different types of this flower.

Entertainment and attractions

The range of local attractions and entertainment industry facilities is also impressive. In particular, you can visit the missionary church, which was created by the Spanish colonizers in the 18th century and today is a small museum. The building of the district court is also interesting from the point of view of architecture, which occupies a huge area of the entire block! It is made in the Moorish style.

Не проходите мимо музея истории города Санта-Барбары, вход в который бесплатный. Именно здесь можно узнать историю основания и развития американского городка, познакомиться с яркими и уникальными произведениями и редкими предметами антиквариата. Любителям зоологии советуем уделить время на нанесение визита в залы музея естествознания, экспозиция которого насчитывает свыше трёх миллионов экземпляров птиц, насекомых, млекопитающих и других представителей фауны, которые населяют или ранее населяли Калифорнию. Попасть в коллекционные залы можно в любой день с 10 до 17 часов, кроме выходных и праздничных дней.

No less interesting and informative will be a visit to the Gladwin Planetarium, where you will be offered an exciting journey through air and water. In a matter of seconds, you will virtually overcome millions of kilometers, and the most distant stars will seem to be at a touch distance.

Day 3 Pacific Highway

Although many of us have the impression from American films that America is densely populated metropolitan areas, business centers that give way to slums and yellow taxis, there is another side to the coin. To see the pristine beauty of the continent, it is worth driving at least once along the Pacific Highway, which enchants with its amazing landscapes. No wonder this road is recognized as the most beautiful in the United States.

Surprisingly, it can take a whole day to drive a 400-kilometer highway! And all this is due to the fact that new amazing landscapes are hidden behind every bend of the roadway, and in order to fully enjoy them, you will have to constantly stop. The impressions of a trip in a cabriolet will be especially vivid. By the way, tourists do not need any special driving skills at all, because the traffic here is calm and unhurried.

If you go on a trip early in the morning, be prepared for the fact that nebula may await you on certain sections of the road. The fog is so thick that it seems as if you are driving through the clouds or even found yourself somewhere among the mountains of Scotland.

We propose to make the first stop in the small town of Morro Bay, which is located directly on the coast. Tourists are always welcome here, because this is the main source of income for the town. You can have a good meal in local cafes, which are dominated by fresh seafood dishes. There is always fresh fish on sale.

As for the sights, the brightest of them is the extinct volcano crater 177 meters high, which is located directly in the bay. Interestingly, since 1966, the volcano has been recognized as a historical heritage of California, and before that, stones from its slopes were used in construction.

Well, we offer to relax before continuing the journey on the gorgeous Morro Bay beach. In addition to the standard lying on the sandy shore, tourists can enjoy riding on the waves on the board. If you do not like a large crowd of people, we advise you to move to the coast in one of your favorite places.

To make it easier to navigate the road, information signs and signs are installed along the highway. For example, the Vista Point sign means that there is an observation deck nearby, where drivers can take a break from driving and enjoy amazing ocean views. Similarly, you can stop at one place to organize a picnic. Each such halt is equipped with tables.

Next, we are waiting for the town of San Simeon, near which there is a rookery of elephant seals. These clumsy animals on land can be observed for hours. If you want to see the kids, we advise you to be in these places in the winter and early spring.

If you decide to stay at one of the Pacific Highway hotels, we advise you to opt for the Ragged Point Inn, whose history begins in the distant 50s of the last century. Initially, there was a gas station and a two-room motel. But with the increase in the number of tourists, the hotel gradually expanded and today includes 39 rooms of different levels of comfort. The windows offer a breathtaking view of the ocean.

The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay: souvenir shops, cafes, snack bars and stalls with delicious ice cream. Nearby is the elephant seal beach.

It is here that you can quickly restore your reserve of strength. You will need them, because there are still a lot of different impressions and unforgettable adventures ahead of you. The Pacific Highway will give every tourist an unforgettable experience and a lot of emotions.

Day 4 San Francisco

On the fourth day of an exciting journey, the road led us to San Francisco – a city that is in no way inferior in popularity among tourists to such diamonds of the American continent as New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Do not put off sightseeing. A two-day stop in San Francisco is exactly what active tourists need, who like to arrange trips to the most interesting places on the planet.

Since our main route will be on foot, we need to take care of placing the car in the parking lot. On weekdays in the city center, finding a parking space is much more difficult than on weekends, and this must be taken into account. In addition, you will not have to pay for a car parked on Saturday or Sunday, which is very nice.

If you find yourself in the city on a weekday, we advise you to leave your car in the underground parking, although the prices for services there are somewhat higher. But you will not worry about the safety of the car, and you will not have to rearrange it periodically. The cost of parking per day is from $20. But a free space on the street at the parking meter will cost approximately $ 2 per hour, and after 2-4 hours, depending on the area, the car will need to be rearranged.

Embankment

When the car is attached, the first thing every tourist should see is the embankment. That is where we will go.

The pier itself is one of the highlights of the city. There are dozens of shops and shops, popular restaurants and cafes serving delicious seafood dishes, a huge aquarium. Hundreds of yachts and small boats are moored off the coast, which sway on the waves to the beat of local musicians.

sinister prison

To visit this amazing city and not visit the most sinister and impregnable prison of the American continent is a real crime. Initially, a small island was intended for protection; a military fortress was located on it. Well, when the need for the maintenance of fortifying redoubts disappeared, an impregnable prison was founded on the island, where the most notorious criminals of all times and peoples served their sentences.

You can get to the island on an excursion from the 33rd pier. The ticket price for an adult tourist starts at $30 (as part of night tours – $37), and for young visitors the price is almost half as much. Since the attraction is very popular, we recommend booking tickets at least a couple of weeks before the visit. Don't forget to bring some food, as there is nowhere to eat on the island, and the tour will take at least 2-3 hours.

Aquarium

Do you love marine life and have a weakness for the underwater world? Then we definitely recommend visiting another local attraction – a huge aquarium. It is located on the 39th pier and will definitely appeal to both adults and their children. You will need to pay 13-23 dollars for entry (depending on the age of the visitor). But keep in mind that the price does not include access to popular 3D shows and other entertainment, which are paid separately.

The doors of the entertainment complex are open daily from 9 am to 8 pm (in summer) and from 10 am to 6 pm (in winter). All other details and rules can be found on the official website.

Pier 39

Well, when you enjoy the contemplation of stingrays, fish and other representatives of the marine underwater world, we advise you to take a walk along Pier 39, where you will find many souvenir shops and restaurants with a surprisingly delicious menu. But you shouldn’t plan your trip in the morning, because most of the shops and cafes located on Pier 39 open no earlier than 10 am.

By the way, we advise you to try the local clam chowder dish, which in translation into the native language sounds like “bloody stew”. But you need to know where to buy this stew. If you guess right, then your taste buds will be incredibly grateful to you.

But most of all, on Pier 39, dozens of sea lions attract the attention of visitors, who enjoy sunbathing in the sun. They have long ceased to be afraid of the noise of yacht engines and are happy to pose in front of tourists' cameras. By the way, nearby is a museum dedicated to these clumsy animals, where you can look at their skeletons.

Submarine and park

At the end of the first day of your stay in San Francisco, we advise you to postpone visiting two more attractions – the Pampanito submarine and the Marine Historical Park. The Pampanito boat took part in the hostilities of the 40s of the last century, but today it is on a well-deserved rest and is a real museum piece. You can find a rare copy on the 45th pier. The price of the visit is 9-15 dollars, the doors of the museum are open daily from 9 am.

Well, in the western part of Fisherman's Wharf, a huge park awaits all admirers of maritime history. The museum of maritime history deserves special attention here. Here you will find many interesting expositions and rare objects from different historical eras. Although the majority of park visitors spend their time contemplating the water surface and picnicking. It seems that this is how the first day of acquaintance with the bewitching American city should end…

Where to stay in San Francisco? Here are some great options:

Day 5 San Francisco

On the second day of walking around San Francisco, an equally exciting program awaits us. We will try to have time to visit all those sights that were undeservedly ignored during the walks of the previous day. Today we will also make several hiking trips to different parts of the city. In order not to waste time moving around the city, we will use public transport, leaving the car in the parking lot.

richmond

The first place to visit on our list would be the Richmond area. The area itself does not stand out among others, but in order to look at the peculiarities of the life and life of Americans, it is very suitable. Among the standard-plan houses of the same type, there are many original buildings that can tell a lot about their owners. In addition, it is in this part that the largest Russian-speaking community lives, and you can also meet a lot of representatives of the Chinese people.

“Edge of the Earth”

What is this place? Located in the north-west of the city, the trail allows you to experience the most vivid impressions in the life of every tourist! It offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. Agree, you can enjoy such a landscape for hours. It is for this, and also for the sake of the opportunity to take some unique pictures, that we have come such a long and difficult journey!

Well, in addition to the picturesque area, tourists get the opportunity to take a break from the bustle of the city and sit in the shade of thick cypresses. Fresh sea air will be the best way to relax, and smartly brought sandwiches will allow you to organize the most unforgettable picnic in nature.

Legion of Honor Museum

But this is not all that awaited us in this amazing place. Nearby is another interesting museum – the Legion of Honor, which managed to collect an impressive collection of exhibits of European art. Initially, the institution was dedicated to the victims of the First World War, but later the exposition was significantly expanded with other rare items, works of art and artifacts.

The museum is located on 34th Avenue. Admission for adults is $10, teenagers can get in for as little as $6, and children under 12 enjoy free entry. In addition, every first Tuesday of the month, admission to the museum is free for all categories of visitors. The doors of the museum open at 9:30 and accept tourists until closing at 17:15. In addition, there are special days when admission to the museum is free or reduced. Check this information on the official website.

Satro Bats

To the south of the picturesque trail is another amazing attraction – the ruins of the huge Satro Bats pool, which for many years delighted all residents. For those who are not in the know, the pool was built by billionaire Adolf Satro, making a kind of gift for his fellow countrymen. Surprisingly, in addition to the standard purpose of the pool (used as a public bath), he planned to create a place for the education of visitors, in which everyone could enjoy works of art.

The pool is located north of Ocean Beach. If you decide to visit this place, we recommend that you look into the Cliff House cafe, which serves excellent seafood dishes.

Since the 19th century, the place itself has been a popular resort for the rich, here you can often see the first persons of the state and millionaires. Therefore, in the mentioned restaurant, you will definitely expect an unusual reception in addition to which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean from the window. Be prepared for the fact that the prices here are not the lowest. The average cost of a modest lunch will be 30-40 dollars. It is possible to book seats through the website.

Golden Gate Park

Since we then headed for Golden Gate Park, our route ran along 32nd Avenue through the Sea Cliff area, which, judging by the chic mansions, is another popular place for wealthy Americans to live. Many famous personalities lived here, among them the eminent photographer Ansel Adams, whose photo reports about Yosemite Park gained worldwide fame.

To enjoy the unique park, you will need more than one hour of walking. This is the third most popular park among Americans, so it is never empty here. On a vast territory is located not only the largest park area in San Francisco. Here you can find a lot of different attractions, including museums, lakes, stadiums, and several gardens.

Anyone can enter the territory of the park complex. You won’t have to pay for this, but when visiting attractions and facilities, get ready for additional costs. The park has ten compact lakes, on the banks of which you can have fun. The most popular among visitors is Stow Lake.

Do not forget to look into two gardens – a botanical and a rose garden. Here, all florists and just lovers of beautiful flowers will be able to unwind, enjoy a variety of compositions and rare plants. Entrance to the rose garden is free, but for visiting the botanical garden you will have to pay 5-7 dollars. For 8 dollars you can find yourself in a Japanese garden. Here visitors can take part in a tea ceremony, buy unusual souvenirs and just relax.

Day 6 Napa Valley – Lake Tahoe

We continue our fascinating journey through America. Today, the road has led us to no less striking sights, acquaintance with which can give a lot of vivid and unforgettable impressions. We are waiting for the Napa Valley, which is famous for its wine-making achievements and one of the most beautiful reservoirs in this part of the American continent – Lake Tahoe. You can be sure that the tour will be exciting and eventful!

Napa Valley

In the vastness of California lies the amazing, picturesque and unique Napa Valley. This is one of the most famous wine-growing regions of the country, which includes at least 14 thousand hectares of vineyards, the fruits of which barely have time to process several dozen wineries. And if earlier the result of their work could be appreciated in the best restaurants in the world, today we will have a unique chance to personally see and even participate in the process of harvesting and processing grapes.

It is not for nothing that the Napa Valley is called little Italy: here, as if every piece of land is saturated with the Italian spirit and the aroma of a sparkling drink. You can find a unique place for America in the northern part of San Francisco near San Pablo Bay. It is worth noting that the valley includes several cities and districts at once, each of which is famous for its unique taste of wine drink and recipes that are passed down from generation to generation.

The valley owes its excellent conditions for winemaking to the fertile lands that appeared as a result of the abundant emission of volcanic ash that occurred millions of years ago. But this is not all that nature has endowed this amazing place with. Before our eyes opened unique natural attractions – “petrified forest” and an impressive geyser.

sights

To get to the petrified forest, you have to overcome an easy path along Highway 121, and later along Sonoma Hwy. You will not be bored throughout the entire route – the road runs along the vine strips, where each plant has a unique, and sometimes bizarre shape.

The “Petrified Forest” is the remains of huge trees, which, as a result of a volcanic explosion, were buried under a layer of lava, ash, and then were in the water for many thousands of years. In the process of a chemical reaction, the remains of the wood were saturated with silicon and turned into a real stone. When an expedition of researchers excavated in 1870, petrified trees were discovered, which today attract tourists from all over the American continent. Many specimens are so well preserved that it seems as if they were manually hewn from a single piece of rock.

If you want to walk among the petrified giants on your own, you will have to pay only $ 10, but visiting the sights with a guide will cost a little more – $ 16.

Geyser

Further, our path lies to the geyser in Calistoga. It is worth noting that this natural phenomenon is located in the middle of the field. Since you can expect a spectacular show in the form of a huge jet of water and steam for more than one hour, the Americans decided to equip a special observation deck and create a simple infrastructure. Now you can wait for the geyser eruption with comfort, for which, by the way, you will have to pay 18 bucks.

In particular, the entire area around the natural phenomenon is equipped with tables where tourists are happy to eat sandwiches and other snacks. For those who have already had a bite, they offer a walk to the paddock with goats, sheep and llamas, as well as visit shops and souvenir shops.

The geyser erupts on schedule – once every 30 minutes. Only a small earthquake can change this order, which is not so common in this district. A powerful stream of water is ejected to a height of up to 8 meters, after which, in the form of a heavy downpour, it enters a lake with reddish water located around the geyser (due to the high content of iron).

Lock

Another attraction of the valley is the medieval-style castle Castello di Amorosa. Unfortunately, you will not be able to fully enjoy its beauties. This is due to the fact that there is always a huge crowd of visitors. Therefore, when planning your tour of the Napa Valley, it is better to choose weekdays.

To gain access to all the premises of the castle, you will have to purchase a paid tour. Well, as a reward for waiting in line, everyone will be offered a tasting of the best varieties of wine with many years of aging. So, for a standard fee, you will be offered to evaluate the taste and aroma of five brands of grape drink to choose from. But real connoisseurs of the drink will get access to the elite collection of Reserve wine for only $10. Well, if you travel in the company of children, then they will be able to take part in the tasting of grape juice.

There is an opportunity to buy a bottle or two of the wine you like, which, according to the owners, is no longer sold anywhere in the world.

Lake Tahoe

After a rest from the adventures in the Napa Valley, we head to the coast of Lake Tahoe. It was possible to find the most beautiful body of water in America on the border of two states – Nevada and California. This place is especially popular with tourists who want to combine outdoor recreation with the opportunity to try their luck in gambling establishments in Nevada, where gambling is legal. You can stay in one of the hotels located on the shore, or, if finances allow, rent a separate “living room” (house for living).

The lake is no more than five minutes walk away, and the windows of the rooms offer stunning views of the reservoir. Tennis courts are available for entertainment, you can swim on one of several beaches. The bottom of the lake is covered with sand, the entrance is gentle, which allows children to swim. It is worth noting the crystal clear water, which conquers with its bluish tint. But be prepared for the fact that even in summer the water temperature does not rise above 20 degrees. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the price of housing. You will have to pay at least 300 bucks per day for a budget hotel room, and renting houses will cost several times more.

Day 7 Lake Tahoe – Yosemite

After enjoying the beauties of Lake Tahoe, we decided to continue our journey and stop for a while in another picturesque place in the USA – Yosemite National Park. The path is long – approximately 200-300 km along the motorways, but, given the quality of the local roads, you will not even notice how you find yourself in this “wildlife house”.

By the way, if you plan to visit not only this natural park, but also make a short stop in other national parks, then we advise you to purchase a subscription that will allow you to fulfill your dream, avoiding queues and the need to waste time looking for a ticket office. According to the standard scheme, a visit to Yosemite Park will cost approximately $ 30 per car. But for a subscription that gives access to many national parks, you have to pay only 80 bucks!

And one more important point: in order to plan your route in the park in advance, we advise you to purchase booklets with maps that show hiking trails (that is, hiking trails and paths), which contain information about the level of difficulty of the route, its duration and distance.

Yosemite is considered one of the earliest nature reserves in the United States. Even today, caring Americans managed to preserve 95% of the park in its original, that is, wild form. Today, the fauna of the park consists of almost 400 species of animals, among which tourists can meet deer, black bear, lynx, squirrels, etc.

Planning a trip to Yosemite is at the end or beginning of summer, and it is better to postpone the visit until the fall. Since the equator of the summer months is famous for its consistently high temperatures and aridity, not every tourist can endure such a harsh climate. At the same time, the winter in these places is mild and it is in the winter months that the largest amount of precipitation falls.

From practical information that will be useful to every tourist, it is also worth noting the park's work schedule. Its doors are open around the clock, you can get here at any time of the year. Of course, if you plan to see the park in its winter form, be prepared for the fact that some routes may not be available due to weather conditions. But in general, nothing can prevent you from enjoying the amazing nature of this corner of the United States.

So, as soon as you are at the doors of the park, you need to make a route and mark the places you plan to visit. If you are here for the first time, then you can trust the taste preferences of other tourists and head to the valley of the park of the same name. Although it occupies only 1% of the park, it is in these places that most tourists go. The El Capitan rock is especially popular, on the steep side of which you can always see professional and beginner climbers. The height of the hill is 2307 meters, so it can be seen from anywhere in the valley.

If you're looking for something special, we recommend checking out the park's other natural attractions: the wonderful Tuolomn Meadows, the delightful Clark Highlands, Kuna Ridge, and Dana Lagoon. Some of the most interesting routes are Sierra Crest, Pacific Crest.

Do not underestimate the impressions that a trip to the groves of huge sequoias can give you, which seem to have been among the first inhabitants of these picturesque places. The trees are divided into groups and consist of 20, 25, 250 individuals. It is rightfully considered that the sequoiadendron (it is this variety that grows in the park) is one of the tallest and most durable plants on our planet. Photos against the background of these giants, who are living witnesses of many natural disasters, political events in the United States, will become worthy exhibits in your personal collection of pictures.

In addition, there are many other natural objects that we strongly recommend to include in the excursion program:

Other things to do in the park

In addition to excursions in the park, there is an opportunity to ride a horse, show your best sides as a fisherman, go on a picnic and spend it in the most picturesque place that you choose yourself, learn mountaineering skills, swim in the purest water sources, master rafting, snowboarding or skis.

How to get around

To make it easier to move between sights, tourists are offered trips not only by car, but also by regular buses that run every 20-30 minutes. But these routes are designed only for the morning and evening (from 7 to 10 hours). Well, for those who are not afraid of difficulties, there are hiking trails.

Important nuances

Since Yosemite is dominated by wildlife, tourists often encounter bears and other wildlife that you should be wary of. There are also some of the most annoying insects here – mosquitoes, which can be gotten rid of with the help of special sprays or ointments.

If you decide to spend the night, choose only specially designated places for this, marked with signs. If you prefer to travel and explore nature in comfort, pay attention to hotels and small houses for living. Although there are many cafes and eateries in the park, we still recommend taking food with you, which will come in handy during long transitions. But do not forget to hide it carefully so that local thieves do not empty your backpacks.

8 – 9 days. Yosemite – Los Angeles

Moving back to Los Angeles

If Washington is the political and administrative capital of the United States, then Los Angeles can be safely called the cultural and cinematic capital of America. Many of those who first enter the famous “city of angels” experience an emotional shock from what they see: brilliance, luxury and beauty dazzle. Already from the window of the plane you can see the panorama of the majestic metropolis, proudly stretching along the shores of the mighty ocean. A compact group of skyscraper candles easily defines the center of the city, around which there are picturesque areas with world-famous sights, mansions and villas of the rich and famous.

The second largest city in the United States owes its birth to the Spanish settlers, who gave it the name in honor of the Virgin Mary – the Queen of Angels. From a rather long phrase in Spanish, a short phrase was fixed – Los Angeles. Anyone who is not familiar with it is well aware of another magic word – Hollywood – the most powerful film factory in the world, from which it is worth starting sightseeing in an amazing city.

The film industry power Hollywood is located in the northwestern part of Los Angeles (California). Its name, minted from metal in huge letters (height 9 m, width 15 m) and placed on the slope of Maunti (Hollywood Hills), can be seen from afar day and night (each letter contains 4 thousand light bulbs). Well-known film studios create their masterpieces in Hollywood, popular and beloved Hollywood actors live and work.

Walk of Fame

Arriving in this area, start your journey with the symbolic Hollywood Walk of Fame, located on Boulevard Hollywood, where on both sides of the boulevard on the sidewalks you can see footprints and palms, autographs and personalized stars of various celebrities of cinema, theater, science and art. An interesting sight awaits you: look for familiar names by the stars under your feet. Only the name and star of Ali Mohammed are printed on the wall of the Dolbi Theater (for religious reasons of the now deceased boxer).

Grauman's Chinese Theater

When you find yourself in the center of the Walk of Fame, you will meet with Grauman's Chinese Theater. An exotic building in the form of a Chinese pagoda, the entrance to which is guarded by a huge dragon and 2 watchdogs, will immediately attract your attention. This is a functioning cinema for 1162 places, where new films are premiered, where the imprints of world-famous movie stars are forever left on the pavement. The ticket price is $17.

Kodak Theater

It is impossible to pass indifferently past the holy place for filmmakers – the Kodak Theater (now the Dolby Teatre), where the Oscars are annually awarded to brilliant movie stars. Impressions from his visit are stunning! It is located next to Chinese at 6801 Hollywood BoulevardHollywood, CA. The entrance is free.

Griffith Observatory

Now you should drive closer to Mount Hollywood, on the southern slope of which is the famous Griffith Observatory, built at the expense of a romantic colonel in 1908. It can be called public, not scientific, because Griffith wished that everyone could see the fairy tale of the starry sky and become better.

Unspeakable pleasure will bring not only the spectacle presented by the lens of a large telescope, but also an overview of the magnificent surroundings of Los Angeles, the majestic Hollywood inscription from the observation deck of the park of the same name adjacent to the observatory.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Being in Hollywood and not visiting the famous film studio is unforgivable; We advise you to visit the current Universal Studios (Universal Studios Hollywood), which is unofficially called the “entertainment capital” of Los Angeles – the dream of many. To avoid standing in line for tickets, you can buy them online in advance. Here you will plunge into the sea of exciting rides “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure”, “Fast and the Furious”, “Mummy” and theatrical shows based on the plots of popular films included in the sightseeing tour program. The cost of tickets for attractions and shows for 1 day when buying online is $ 11-26; at the box office – from $ 88 to $ 103: depending on the season and day of the week.

Beverly Hills

Is it possible to ignore the fashionable area of Beverly Hills – a paradise of the rich and famous, where luxury stores, prestigious houses of Hollywood stars and the powers that be (Sunset Strip) are concentrated. There are many luxury spas, nightclubs, museums, parks. An incredibly popular place, not inferior in popularity to the Champs Elysees in Paris, Rodeo Drive is a street of expensive shopping, exquisite boutiques, the famous plastic surgery clinic of the same name and elite visitors with a touch of sophisticated luxury.

Memorial Coliseum Stadium

How not to visit the grandiose sports facility, erected back in 1923 – the Memorial Coliseum stadium, familiar to Russian viewers from the film “The Last Boy Scout”. The legendary stadium, which can accommodate almost 100 thousand fans, hosted 2 Summer Olympics – 1932 and 1984. Various celebrations and concerts are held here, a student team plays American football.

Its design justifies the name: the majestic central entrance, bronze athletes on the pedestal, high arched vaults around the perimeter and high stands – reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. After the Olympics-84, the stadium, built in honor of the veterans of the First World War, received the status of “National Historic Monument”.

Address: 3911 South Fiqueroa Street Los Anqeles, CA 90037, USA

Prices for football matches vary by location. Inspection of the stadium is free.

Downtown

But Los Angeles is not only entertainment and shopping, there is the Downtown business center, where dozens of offices and business offices are located in skyscrapers, where financial passions boil, economic issues and problems are resolved. On weekdays, here you can see a series of office workers (white collars), busily scurrying from office to office. Quite a different picture in Downtan on weekends: neighborhoods become deserted. This situation is actively used by film directors, shooting street scenes for their films, and at such moments one may be lucky to see one of the Hollywood celebrities.

ethnic quarters

If you want to see East Asian flavor in Los Angeles, then from Downtan you can easily get to the neighborhoods (they are in the neighborhood) where the Chinese, Koreans, Thais, Japanese, Armenians live. Each of the quarters is marked with ethnic symbols: here you can see the Golden Pagoda, the Buddhist Temple, the Eastern Gate, the Japanese garden, equipped on the roof of the hotel. You will have the opportunity to walk along the street, decorated with red lanterns, to taste spicy, pepper-searing Thai or Korean dishes. The Chinese Chinatown will amaze you with its bright colors, and the Armenian Bruce with its gray austerity of architecture.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

A real happiness will be a visit to the Walt Disney Concert Hall – an unusually beautiful building of an abstract-futuristic style, a real masterpiece of modern architecture. The heirs of the famous creator of the magical land of animation donated $ 50 million for the construction to perpetuate the memory of Disney in a unique building.

This is the best concert hall, surpassing all famous venues in the world in its acoustics. Inside the walls, ceiling, spectator chairs are finished with expensive high-quality wood. An organ of more than 6,100 pipes has been installed, the purity and power of its sound are mesmerizing. And from the outside, the building resembles a space object, dazzlingly sparkling under the sun: this look is given to it by asymmetrically curved steel configurations.

It seems that this amazing building originated from Disney films, it looks so fantastic.

Address: 111 S Grand Ale Los Andqeles, CA 90012.

Open: Tuesday-Sun. 12.00-18.00, closed – Monday

Entrance for inspection – free of charge.

Фуникулёр Angles Flight

It is impossible not to take a ride on the oldest (1901) funicular Angles Flight (Flight of Angels) – a kind of visiting card of the city. Over 50 years of operation of the funicular, more than 100 million people have traveled on it. This is the shortest railway in the world (91 m), not so long ago overhauled, is very popular with citizens and tourists. Residents raised $3.5 million to renovate their favorite landmark. From wooden retro cars you can see the highest skyscraper in California – the US Bank Tower, on the roof of which there is a helipad.

Address: r / n Bunker Hill. It works every day, from 6.45 to 22.00.

The fare is 25 cents.