Your idea of California was sun, sand and warm temperatures. Yes, we do have a lot of that! This beach picture was taken in early November 2008 at Crystal Cove's Beachcomber Cafe.
But what shall you do if you are not so lucky? Because there are days like this when even the dog won't leave the house. (December 15th, 2008)
Don't worry. You can still have a good time! Just keep a few things in mind.
1) We do need the rain desperately because all of California has been in a severe drought for a number of years so every drop is welcome by us locals.
2) Since it hardly ever rains we have no idea how to drive on wet roads! Traffic snarls as the first drops fall so plan on at least twice the time for any driving distance. Or better yet, take our metro!
3) When it does rain it pours! It's not like in my hometown of Hamburg, Germany, a polite steady drizzle. In Los Angeles it can be inches of rain fall within a few hours with streets and freeways flooding, hillsides sliding and mountain roads closing because just North of here we get snow!
But now the good stuff, all the things you can do on a rainy cool day:
Go to a museum.
Los Angeles has much to offer from museums showing everything about automobiles to Greek artifacts featuring Zeus. The Getty Center has a world famous collection of antiquities, and the visit is free. All you pay is parking. It will take most of the day to see all exhibits. The Petersen Automotive Museum features the history of urban development in Southern California based on the importance of the automobile in our culture as well as Cars of the Stars, famous movie vehicles and changing specialty shows featuring different car makers. It is here that I finally understood my husband's love of his garage! Cross the street from the Petersen and visit The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also on Wilshire Boulevard on Museum Row. Go Downtown for modern art at the Museum of Contemporary Art, or travel up the Interstate 5 to visit the world's largest museum of the Wild West, the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum.
And there are more! Check out details on the official website of LA Inc.
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/visitors/what-to-do/museums
Shop till you drop
The current development favors outdoor malls to take advantage of our beautiful weather but on a wet day you can still stay dry at the venerable Beverly Center (a whole big city block along La Cienega Blvd, between 3rd Street and Beverly Blvd.) Macy's, Bloomingdale's, many young hip designer boutiques, restaurants for every taste and every budget, a cinema multiplex and a very good chance of spotting a celebrity!
Even the parking lot is under the roof!
http://www.beverlycenter.com/
See water life in the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
It features enormous tanks showing Pacific marine life from Alaska to Palau, including an acrylic tunnel through the shark exhibit, a jelly fish hall and children friendly petting pools with rays.
Once in Long Beach, you can catch the local trolley to go eat on Pine Street or just cross Ocean Blvd and go to The Pike, a center offering restaurants shops and a movie theater.
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/
Check out the movies
You are in Hollywood! So go see a movie in a palace! The Chinese Theater is not just a tourist attraction, it is a movie theater showing the latest releases at regular ticket prices. If the kids are with you, visit Disney's El Capitan. If the film is a new release you may get lucky and catch the pre-movie live show featuring live organ music and Disney characters.
Travel one block East on Hollywood Blvd and get to the Egyptian Theater, nowadays home to the American Cinemateque. Many special film series presentations are followed by question and answer sessions with directors and stars!
Pamper yourself with spa services
Most hotels have taken to offering luxury pampering but the best secret spot is in the Eastern part of Hollywood, aka Korea Town.
The Beverly Hot Springs are the only spa in town that offers a real alkaline hot spring water pools, steam room and sauna, as well as all the usual spa services, including many different types of massages. Men and women have strictly separate pool and treatment areas and bathing suits are not necessary. Cell phones and cameras are not allowed. And yes, the Beverly Hot Springs are a celebrity favorite! Imagine sitting in the mineral pool with Bette Midler and Liv Tyler, like I did! A true Hollywood Moment!
http://www.beverlyhotsprings.com
Look forward to the Day After! I took this shot last winter on the morning after a storm. In the front the Newport Beach Back Bay, in the back the snow capped Angeles Mountain panorama.
Rain storms here usually blow over within 24 hours and you will be rewarded with incredible views and crisp, clear air.
