Travels on the West Coast of Xiaomei

At the end of 2019, I went to the west coast of the United States for a literary and intellectual trip to the mountains and seas of Western America, experiencing various cultural and natural feasts, including the Mexican stroll, the prosperity of the city, the indigenous Indian culture, the shock of nature, the style of exotic customs and the slow life of a small fishing village.

The total number of days for the trip is eight days. Due to the limited number of days in my own itinerary, I didn't stay long in each section. Below, I will share with you six key areas starting from Los Angeles:

 

Zone 1: Play for 1 day

Zone 2: 1 day each way

Zone 3: Play for 1 day

Zone 4: Play for 1 day

Zone 5: Play for 1 day
Zone 6: Play for 2 days

 

Zone 1: ●Mexican Stroll●

Driving distance: Los Angeles (120 miles) - San Diego (96.6 miles) - Anaheim

Must-see attractions in San Diego

◆La Jolla Bay

La Jolla is a small oceanfront area known for its rugged coastline, luxurious boutiques and oceanfront restaurants that line the streets and dot the La Jolla Village. Our group walked from La Jolla Cove along the coast, passing Shell Beach to the Children's Pool. In fact, this distance only takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk, but once you come here, you will definitely be reluctant to leave like me. This place is really beautiful. It was once voted as the sixth most beautiful beach in the United States on a well-known American travel website! Facing the sea breeze, looking at the anemones and crabs on Shell Beach, suddenly, I heard an unknown animal cry not far away...

It turned out to be a sea lion? seal? I can't tell them apart~ (Encyclopedia time - seals: no external ears, degenerate hind limbs; sea lions: have ears and hind legs)

The correct answer is: the sound of a seal. There is a famous Seal Rock next to it. If you are lucky, you can see many seals sunbathing on it!

◆Old Town

Want to know why I wanted to call it Mexican Stroll in the title? The answer is right here.

The old town is the birthplace of San Diego's history, and before that it was once Spanish and Mexican territory. In the 19th century, the United States won the Mexican-American War and Mexico ceded San Diego to the United States. Coming to the old town, you can deeply feel the strong Mexican style. The streets are lined with Mexican-style buildings and Mexican restaurants. In the afternoon, you can see foreigners gathering in groups of three or five to chat and drink. There are also many exotic decorations and clothing items full of Mexican style in the market in the old town. With the warm sunshine, you feel far away from the hustle and bustle, as if walking in the clouds, and your mood is light and floating, making you feel relaxed and comfortable.

District 2: ●Urban Prosperity●

Driving distance: Anaheim (32.1 miles) - Los Angeles (109 miles) - Bustoles (178 miles) - Laughlin

(Return) driving distance: Las Vegas (271 miles) - Los Angeles

 

Must-see attractions in downtown Los Angeles

◆Chinese Theatre×Dolby Theatre×Hollywood Walk of Fame

Officially entering Hollywood! Celebrities gathered here.

The exterior of the Chinese Theater features a huge Chinese dragon pattern, and on both sides of the entrance are Ming Dynasty guardian lion statues, giving the theater a feeling of being in a Taiwanese temple. There were also many handprints, footprints and signatures left by many Hollywood celebrities on the floor. In order to avoid damage, some areas on the scene were cordoned off, so we could only observe several Chinese celebrities from a distance.

Walk to the right of the Chinese Theatre and you will reach the Dolby Theatre, which has been the permanent venue for the Academy Awards since 2002. Walking on the stairs, you will feel like a star and walk in the wind! Continue walking up and you will reach Babylon Square in the center of the highland. There are many shops to visit. The most recommended thing is that this is a great place to see the Hollywood sign! ※Remember to go to the second or third floor corridor for a better view.

 

Each star on the Avenue of Stars has a ring-shaped logo in the star, which has five fields:

◎Movie camera: Contributed to the film industry.

◎TV: Contributed to the television industry.

◎ Phonograph records: Contributed to the record industry.

◎Broadcast microphone: Contributes to the broadcasting industry.

◎ Tragicomedy masks: Contribute to live drama.

 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have enough shopping at Highland Center. There are many stores and department stores where you can go shopping if you walk outside along the Avenue of Stars. If you want to bring some souvenirs for friends or as a souvenir, there is a large souvenir shop about five minutes’ walk to the right after leaving the Chinese Theater or Dolby Theater!

※There will be many street performers on the streets who make a living by cosplaying or performing. If you want to take a photo with them, it is recommended to confirm the tip fee with them first to avoid unpleasant memories for both parties. On the contrary, there will be many black people on the street handing out CDs. Although they say free, they will start to pester you for money once you take the CD. Please remember not to take it casually!

◆Overa Street×Union Station

Los Angeles is the "City of Angels" in Spanish. Los Angeles originated in 1781, when it was still a Spanish territory. The development of this land was planned by the Spanish governor and established by 44 Spanish immigrants from northern Mexico. Olvera Street was the earliest developed old town at that time. Therefore, it is full of exotic style and is regarded as the birthplace of Los Angeles. Olvera Street, also known as Mexico Street, is not a long street, but it has all kinds of Mexican-style handicrafts and fabrics, such as leather goods, bags, clothes, masks, jewelry, etc. In addition, there is the Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles. Be sure to go in and take a look if you have time.

Union Station

It is the most important railway hub in Southern California, about a five-minute walk from Olvera Street. The architectural style of the station hall is a combination of Renaissance and modernism. When you walk into the hall, you feel like you have become the protagonist of a movie. The architecture and furnishings are both retro and modern.

◆Grand Central Market×Angels Railway

Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and has a history of over 100 years. Foods from all over the world are gathered here, such as American, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Salvadoran snacks and Mexican cuisine. In addition to gourmet food, there are also dry goods, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.

◆Across from the Central Market is the filming location of the famous movie "LA LA LAND" - Angels Flight Railway, one of LA's famous landmarks. It began operation in 1901 and is 99 meters long, making it the shortest cable railway in the world. The orange-black carriages are quite eye-catching. The one-way ticket price is $1 USD. When you come here, you might as well go and experience it. If you have time, you can also continue walking to the nearby Broad Museum of Modern Art and Walt Disney Concert Hall to take pictures of the unique architectural shapes.

◆Griffith Observatory

Opened in 1935, it is one of the landmarks of Los Angeles and a great place to overlook the cityscape of Los Angeles. In addition to the movie "LA LA LAND", it is also the filming location for many other movies. Griffith is open to the public free of charge, only the nude performance venue is charged. During the day, you can overlook the city view and the HOLLYWOOD logo; at night, you can see the night view of Los Angeles. It is very suitable for going with lovers and girlfriends.

◆Santa Monica×Third Street×Venice Canal

Santa Monica is the terminus of U.S. Route 66, which starts in Chicago and runs all the way to Los Angeles, spanning eight states. It is 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) long and is known as the Mother Road. It is said that famous movies such as "Titanic", "Forrest Gump" and "Californication" were all filmed here. It is a famous coastal attraction and resort in the United States.

At the intersection of Ocean Ave and Colorado Ave, you can see the big Santa Monica Arch sign. Walk along the sidewalk for about five minutes until you reach the boardwalk. You will start to feel the crowds of people. There are long queues at each restaurant. There is also the famous Pacific Park next to the pier. From afar, you can see the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel, which is an important landmark of the pier. If you have enough time, you can take a ride on the Ferris Wheel or challenge the five-story roller coaster to take in the beauty of Southern California.

Third Street is about a 5-10 minute walk from the Santa Monica Arch. It is a paradise for women, with major brand stores gathered here, such as Apple Store, Victoria's Secret, GAP, ZARA, Levi's, H & M, Nike, Adidas, Guess... etc. Of course, in addition to the major brands, there are many specialty stores worth exploring. You can definitely shop here until you forget everything!

Finally, the Venice Canal is one of my favorite attractions. It is about 10-15 minutes away from Santa Monica. Different from the strong tourist atmosphere of Santa Monica, this place makes me feel leisurely, peaceful and relaxed. Early canals were three to four times larger than today’s canals and facilitated many trading opportunities during a time when transportation was difficult, but as cars quickly became popular, canals were gradually considered outdated and were filled in as roads. Although the current Venice Canal cannot be compared with the past, its history and importance are still worthy of attention.

Zone 3: ●Shock of God's Craftsmanship●

Driving distance: Laughlin (205 miles) - Grand Canyon National Park South Rim (280 miles) - Las Vegas

 

Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1979World Natural Heritage,Depend onColorado RiverIt took thousands of years to cut outGrand CanyonThe landscape is world-famous. The Grand Canyon can be mainly divided into three parts: the South Rim, the West Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim is open all year round and has many tourist services; the West Rim is an Indian reservation; the North Rim is slightly higher in altitude than the South Rim, and it snows thicker in winter, so it is only open in summer. The natural environment is also kept relatively primitive and is not accessible by any public transportation. Most people who visit the Grand Canyon only go to its South Rim.

Recommended walks in the Grand Canyon

◆Mad Point-Angel Point

Hiking distance: 2.7 miles (about 4.4 kilometers)

Hiking time: about 1-1.5 hours

Difficulty: Low

Since the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is far from big cities, and in consideration of travel time, group tourists usually have limited time in the Grand Canyon, so I recommend this hiking route to everyone. Most tourists going to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center as their departure point. If they are group tourists, they will gather at the bus boarding and alighting area next to the Visitor Center. The nearest viewing point to the Visitor Center is Made Point. The trail from Mad Point to Angel Point is gentle and suitable for all ages. Walking along the Grand Canyon, you can admire the vast canyon from different angles and feel the vastness, endless depth and wonder of the Grand Canyon.

◆Desert View Watchtower

The unusual stone tower was designed by Mary Colter in 1932 in the style of the ancestral Pueblo towers. Desert View is a small settlement on the South Rim, 25 miles/41 kilometers east of Grand Canyon Village, near the East Rim of the Grand Canyon, most commonly referred to as the East Entrance/East Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is about 40 to 50 minutes’ drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. After arriving at the parking lot, it takes about 15 minutes’ walk to reach the observation tower. The lower level of the tower now contains a gift shop, while the upper level is a 360-degree observation deck from which visitors can view the eastern part of the Grand Canyon and the Grand Canyon is the only way to the city of Page in the north and the town of Flagstaff in the south.

Area 4: ●Indian Aboriginal Culture●

Driving distance: Las Vegas (129 miles) - Grand Canyon West Skywalk (97.4 miles) - Hoover Dam (6.6 miles) - Lake Mead (32.3 miles) - Las Vegas

Las Vegas

After finishing the trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, we arrived in Las Vegas, the world's largest gambling city with its extravagant lifestyle. Every night, the whole city comes alive. The main and most lively areas can be divided into two areas, one of which I call the Las Vegas Strip area, and the other is the old city area.

◆Old Town

It was the earliest birthplace of the gambling city, but gradually declined with the rise of the Las Vegas Strip. However, after joint efforts by industry players and the government to transform it, Fremont Street still retains its bustling scene, with restaurants, casinos, bars and souvenir shops on both sides, and neon lights everywhere. After nightfall, there will be a six-minute light show and various street performances every hour. It is worth visiting this old town full of history and modern charm.

◆Las Vegas Strip

It is currently the most lively and prosperous area. Walking on the street and looking at the hotels lined on both sides, one can't help but feel the competition for beauty. Each hotel is competing in grandeur, splendor, and characteristics. There are the Pyramid Hotel, Castle Hotel, Planet Hotel, Eiffel Tower Hotel, the magnificent Trump Hotel, the Circus Hotel... and so on. In addition, many hotels also have their own shopping centers, exhibition areas and various well-known show venues.

※Famous show information:

◆Grand Canyon West Skywalk

The geographical location of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is relatively convenient compared to the South Rim. In principle, when visiting the Grand Canyon, you will definitely choose to stay in Las Vegas for one night. The West Rim is about 2.5 hours' drive from Las Vegas, while the South Rim is about 4.5 hours from Las Vegas. Therefore, the driving time will also affect the time passengers can stay.

●This time I took part in the package tour of the West Canyon, and I got three kinds of tickets: one is the shuttle bus ticket; the second is the Skywalk ticket; and the third is the Indian-style meal voucher.

● Upon arrival, go to the shuttle bus station immediately. The shuttle bus stops in a fixed order. The first stop is the Skywalk (Eagle Viewing Point); the second stop is the Bat Viewing Point; and the third stop is the Indian Village.

In the case of limited time, I will first recommend the following three popular attractions to you:

District 1_Eagle Point

Eagle Rock is located next to the Skywalk. It is called Eagle Rock mainly because there is a groove in the middle of the cliff, which looks like an eagle perched there. There is a wide platform here where tourists can take photos as much as they want, but there are no protective measures or fences around it. Tourists who go there must be careful to avoid slipping and falling.

Zone 2_Skywalk

The glass bridge skywalk can be said to be the signature feature here. Walking on the glass bridge and looking down, it feels like you are above the canyon, with beautiful scenery in full view. However, the disadvantage is that you are not allowed to bring any items in, not even mobile phones. They must be left in the lockers. If you need to take photos, you can ask a professional photographer on site to take them, and then go to the counter outside to select the photos and pay afterwards. Well... the price is not cheap! In addition, there is an area called Native American Tribal Structures Grand Canyon near the Skywalk. If you don’t have time to go to the Indian village, you can stop by here to see the original buildings of early Native Americans.

Area 3_Guano Point Bat Viewing Point

If you depart from Las Vegas to the West Canyon in the morning, you can go to the Bat Viewing Point for lunch around noon. There is a semi-open-air dining area here where you can enjoy an Indian-style simple meal while looking at the scenery, including salad, mashed potatoes, corn, meat, bread and biscuits. After eating, be sure to take the time to walk north for about 20-30 minutes. On the way, you can slowly appreciate the vastness of the canyons on both sides and experience the wonders of nature. When you reach the end of the cliff, the scenery is unobstructed. It is definitely not to be missed. I would like to remind everyone again that there are no protective measures on the cliffs of the West Canyon, so please be careful.

◆Hoover Dam × Lake Mead

Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are famous attractions in the suburbs of Las Vegas, both located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. During the Great Depression in the United States in 1931, the president at the time started building a dam in order to resolve the crisis and accelerate the prosperity of the southwestern region. A considerable number of unemployed people were hired, the government spent a lot of money and sacrificed many lives. After four years, this huge project was finally completed. It is the largest reservoir in the United States. After the dam was completed, Lake Mead was formed, which became the largest artificial lake in the Western Hemisphere. Both have brought many benefits to the three neighboring states. Today, the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead have become well-known tourist attractions. The Hoover Dam has a visitor center that offers paid power generation tours. If you are interested, you can check and make reservations online. Group reservations are also available. In addition, due to the time difference between Nevada and Arizona, there is a clock at each end of the dam, which has also become one of the landmarks.

◆Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States. As early as 1964, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area was established. The area offers recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and water skiing, as well as its unique landforms. It is now a leisure destination for locals and tourists.

District 5: ●Shock of God's Craftsmanship●

Driving distance: Las Vegas (49 miles) - Valley of Fire State Park (49 miles) - Las Vegas

 

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is located 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas, about an hour's drive away. It is the oldest state park in Nevada. Valley of Fire State Park has a desert climate, with warm winters and very hot summers. The bright sun shines directly on the red sandstone of the Valley of Fire, as if it had turned into flames. I think this is probably why it is called the Valley of Fire!

There are two entrances to Valley of Fire State Park, the west entrance and the east entrance. People usually enter and exit from the west entrance when departing from Las Vegas. I use the visitor center as the center point and divide the Valley of Fire into three areas: west, east and north. Then I will introduce the important attractions in each area to you one by one.

◆West

 Attractions_Beehives

 Each groove line on the Honeycomb Rock represents different materials deposited at different times. It has undergone different wind or water erosion in each period. As the wind and water flow in different directions, cross-groove layers are deposited, creating a unique natural landscape.

Attractions_Atlatl Rock

 Atlatl is a device used by early American Indians to launch spears, and these Indian ancestors carved this weapon into the Atlatl Rock, which has become a major feature of this place. Atlatl Rock has stairs that you can climb to the top and carefully explore the ingenuity of our ancestors.

Scenic Spots_Arch Rock

  Arch Rock is right next to Atlatl Rock. You can admire the natural Arch Rock by turning a corner. Although its fame and grandeur cannot be compared with the arches in Arches National Park, it still has its own small beauty.

◆East

The two major attractions in the east are:

Seven Sisters and Elephant Rock

Both can be considered photo spots. The Seven Sisters are actually seven large rocks standing on the roadside. Even so, people look really tiny in front of them. As the name suggests, Elephant Rock is shaped like an elephant, just like the Elephant Trunk Rock on the north coast of Taiwan, but the geology of the two elephants is completely different!

◆North: mainly walking trails

Trail_Mouse's Tank

※Trail length: round trip about 0.7 miles (about 25-30 minutes walk

※Features: Prehistoric rock paintings

※Note: The edges of the darker areas on the picture are engraved with prehistoric murals

Trail_Rainbow Vista

※Trail length: About 1 mile round trip (about 30 minutes walk)

※Features: Various strange rocks and rocks with varying colors

Trail_Fire Wave

※Trail length: round trip about 1.2 miles (about 40 minutes walk)

※Features: Circles of red and white stone patterns, very similar to the valley patterns of the wave valley

Trail_White Domes

※Trail length: Circular trail, about 1.1 miles (about 30 minutes walk)

※Features: A circular trail around the Giant Stone Mountain with diverse scenery and various strange rocks and terrains

Although the trails are not too long or too difficult, it is impossible to visit all three attractions if you only have half a day or a day. I focused on the west area and chose the Mouse's Tank and Fire Wave trails. Although they are all in the same geology, they have their own unique features. People who like hiking or red rock geology are advised to arrange more time. There is no food or accommodation in the park, but fortunately it is only about an hour's drive from the big city of Las Vegas, so it is quite convenient! Recommended places to visit near Las Vegas!

District 6: ● Exotic folk customs and slow life in a small fishing village ● Two-day and one-day tour

In the United States, in addition to the famous Route 66 that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, another world-famous highway is California Coastline Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. It starts from San Francisco in the north and ends in Los Angeles in the south. There are many beautiful mountains and sea views along the way. We will introduce the must-stop attractions on California Highway 1 in another article later. Here we will first introduce a small part of California Highway 1, which is divided into two sections:

 

Route (1): Los Angeles (128 miles) - Denmark Village (54.5 miles) - Monarch Butterfly Valley (26.6 miles) - Monroe Bay (13.7 miles) - San Luis Obispo

◆Senmark Village

Solvang is a small village in Santa Barbara. It was originally composed of a group of Danes. Then it gradually attracted the attention of national media and developed into a theme town. Whether it is European-style buildings, Danish windmills, Danish bread, the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, or even the Hans Christian Andersen Museum that everyone must have seen when they were children, all of these can be seen in the Danish Village in California.

Of course you have to try the authentic Danish bread when you come here. There is Olsen's Danish Village Bakery here, which is a well-known traditional old shop that sells all kinds of bread, but it is a bit too sweet for Taiwanese tastes. There is also Paula's Pancake House next to it. The crowds are really endless. I don't have much time to queue up. I hope I will have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage next time!

Coming here, it really feels like moving to Europe in an instant. The entire Danish Village to the south of Mission Dr. is full of souvenir shops and specialty shops to visit. Most of the busiest ones are Mission Dr. and Alisal Rd. The northwest intersection of the two roads is where the Little Mermaid statue is located. The statue is not big and you may miss it if you are not careful, but it is not difficult to find. Turn right onto Alisal Rd and look towards Solvang Village Square, you can see the small landmark here - the windmill. The surrounding atmosphere is also great!

◆Monarch Butterfly Valley【Seasonal Limited】

Monarch Butterfly Valley is the backyard of many locals. It is located near Pismo Beach. Every winter, from early November to February of the following year (depending on the climate), flocks of monarch butterflies come from the north to the south to avoid the winter. There are monarch butterflies dancing next to the trees, and many butterflies are clustered on the trees. If you don’t look closely, you might think they are just ordinary trees. There are several telescopes set up at the right angles on site, so you can clearly see the clusters of monarch butterflies. It’s really beautiful and romantic! This is also the back garden of many locals. Following the butterfly-watching trail, you will reach the North Beach camping area, where you can see many people enjoying the beauty of nature.

◆Monlo Bay

Monroe Bay belongs to San Luis Obispo County, about 20 to 30 minutes' drive from the downtown area of San Luis Obispo. The most eye-catching thing is the Monroe Rock standing in the harbor. It is a volcanic object formed by the hardening of magma from an early volcanic eruption. It seems to be the patron saint of the port, giving people a very stable and calm feeling. In addition to Monroe Rock, you can also see many small boats docked on the shore. There are also glass boat companies operating during the day, which are suitable for small groups to take a boat ride and watch aquatic creatures. This is also a small paradise for the locals. It is highly recommended to come here to watch the sunset. It is beautiful no matter how you take pictures. There are also many shops on the street. You can look at the Monlo Rock with friends in the restaurant and appreciate the changes in the sunset glow.

※For this itinerary, San Luis Obispo is a great place to stay. If you don’t plan to go to Monroe Bay or Monarch Butterfly Valley, Santa Maria south of San Luis Obispo is another option.

Distance (2): San Luis Obispo (94.4 miles) - Santa Barbara (27.4 miles) - Ventura (69.1 miles) - Los Angeles International Airport

◆Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, one of the resorts in Southern California, is located northwest of Los Angeles, about 1.5 to 2 hours' drive away. It is a must-go on California Highway 1. Many Spaniards settled here in the early days, and red roofs are also one of the architectural features of this place. In addition, this place is also an important base for the development of the early film industry and the shipping industry. For example, in the silent film era, Chaplin often filmed here, and Stearns Wharf is the oldest freight terminal in California.

Santa Barbara's main street is State Street. The closer you get to Stearns Wharf, the more lively it becomes. There are many shops and restaurants along the street, which is very suitable for window shopping. Or you can do your homework in advance and choose the stores you are interested in. Otherwise, it may take at least a day to visit them all. In addition to Stearns Wharf, there are also the Courthouse and Old Mission Church, which are very famous attractions nearby and are not far away by car. The Courthouse is especially recommended.

●Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Known as the most beautiful government building in the United States, it is free to enter. When you come here, you must go up to the bell tower. From the top of the bell tower, you can overlook the entire city and enjoy the 360-degree beauty of Santa Barbara. There are also thoughtful location signs on all four sides, so you can take in the beautiful city scenery. After enjoying the view of the clock tower (4 stories high), you can walk slowly up the stairs to see the Clock Gallery, and then continue to admire the flower-tile stairs to the second floor to visit the mural room. It is a tourist attraction with a very high CP value!

Before heading to Ventura, I would especially recommend that you take Amtrak, an American railway, for a sea view train trip from Santa Barbara to Ventura, which takes about 40 minutes. The railway is close to the coastline, so you can easily enjoy the beauty of California Highway 1.

◆Fantora

Ventura is also one of the places along California Coast Highway 1. This time when I visited Ventura Harbor, the overall atmosphere gave me a very peaceful, leisurely and colorful feeling. There are some shops near the harbor, but without too much commercial color, it is a very simple fishing village. In addition, it is not far from the Channel Islands National Park in the open sea. If you are interested, you can also take a boat from Ventura Port.

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This time, we have briefly introduced the west coast and coastline tourism of the United States. In fact, there are many well-known attractions worth recommending in each city. However, the United States is so vast that it is difficult for most people to stay in each city for a long time due to the flight and time difference adjustment. This is a pity. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to share more city gameplay and strategies with you in the future!