LA

We got up early to take a tour of the LA area and do the obligatory tour of the star’s homes. Rather than drive in the van (we have already spent too much time in the van), we took an organized tour. In LA, these are over priced, but that’s LA. We had to get up very early to get to the tour start because the trip from our hotel in Sherman Oaks, north of the downtown area, to Mann’s Chinese, where the tour starts, went through the hills during morning rush hour. Our driver certainly knew all of the side roads.

The tour has ho-hum for me because I have seen the sights many times before. It was interesting to see the homes of the stars and how some relatively unknown people have huge mansions and the very well known have smaller, more modest homes. It’s clear that these people own the homes, but pay others to run the homes. Not sure if that is a balanced life style. Elizabeth loved it and Jon had moderate interest. When we finished the tour, Julie and the kids jumped off the bus to tour the Paramount studio back lot and I went back to the hotel to catch up on emails. Perhaps a mistake because there were so many emails from the trades, and only a few “for action by Mike” emails. I caught up on what is happening in tech.

We went back downtown to experience the night time action. Actually, Hollywood is dark at night and a lot of scary people walking around. People who go to high end clubs get dropped off by limo and get whisked right into the club. The lessers stand out front and wait for admittance. Dinner was at Mels Diner, which inspired the set of American Graffiti and Happy Days. Food was burgers and shakes and each table had it’s own juke box.

We went star hunting on the walk of fame. Johnny Depp, Mike Myers and that type were popular with the girls. Spent some time looking at the hand and foot prints at Manns. Now the kids can say that they did that and don’t need to do it again until they take friends or family for the next trip.

Hollywood is changing. The residential areas are stable and prices are escalating. Old houses get torn down and replaced with more opulent palaces. The home of the old stars have a distinct look of hollywood mansions, but they emphasized entertaining and not living. Many only have one bathroom. This is the primary reason why new buyers are tearing them down. Modern mansions need 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms (according to the tour guide). The new mansions are built like movie sets so clearly they are not designed to last a long time, just look good. Essentially, the owners are paying for the land and if you can afford 15 million for a lot, what’s 2 million to build a movie set to live in.

The studios are moving out. Land is to valuable to keep that much property tied up in large buildings. Problem is, the homes near the studios are tacky, cheezy and no one would want to live there. On Rodeo drive, they have a store that is closed. To get in, you need to make an appointment and have a credit check done. If you don’t earn more than one million/year, you don’t get an appointment. If you fail to show up, or buy something, you will be charged a $1,500 inconvenience fee. Why on earth would anyone want to shop there. The owners have accomplished the ultimate branding project.