Beverly Hills 90210

Annie and I braved weekday traffic on the 405 to venture into Los Angeles for a little field trip today. I wasn't sure what to expect since LA is notorious for its traffic... but the highway actually wasn't bad at all. We dropped Patrick off at work at 8:30am and were in the city by 9:15am. Traffic once we were actually there was another story... but more on that later.

Since we're here for so long (and also because I'm working on limited time with Annie's mid-day nap) I thought it would be nice to go into LA and focus on one area at a time. Today's outing was Beverly Hills. We started out on Robertson Boulevard - which has a string of popular shops like Kitsons, Stella McCartney, and Curve (basically all the places you see Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and the like shopping in US Weekly and People Mag). I looked at some $84 t-shirts in Kitson's Kids and confirmed that Target is much more my speed.

Next we headed over to Rodeo Drive and did some window-shopping and people-watching. I saw more BMWs and Mercedes than I could count - and a Porshe or two as well. I also saw a handful of black SUVs parked in front of stores with drivers idling... but alas - still no celebrity sightings (there's really only so much celebrity stalking one can do with a toddler in tow). We had lunch at a well-known delicatessan just a block off Rodeo and it was filled with 'important' looking people. I've decided that the problem with LA is that everyone either looks famous or thinks they are. :) Annie charmed the patrons... smiling and waving at everyone while chowing down on half-dill pickles... her new favorite food.

Here are pictures of us on Rodeo Drive and in front of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel at the south end (most famous for the part it played in 'Pretty Woman').


We wrapped up our outing by driving through the beautiful residential areas of Beverly Hills and stopping at a local playground. The park was full of kids and nannies... I'm not sure there was a Mom to be seen.

Here's a picture of Annie at the park.... smooching a dinosaur (her standard greeting for any animal she comes across - living, plastic or stuffed...).



Finally - I just have to comment on LA's bizarre traffic. My cousin Taryn had warned me about this - but LA doesn't have many left turn arrows at intersections. There is two-way traffic constantly and many times I was waiting to make a left hand turn. I would be in the left turn lane but waiting at the light for a break to come. People behind me would be blaring their horns and I couldn't figure out what they wanted me to do. Turns out you are supposed to drive into the middle of the intersection and make your turn after the light turns red. I even asked a police officer about this (don't ask how I got the opportunity...) and he confirmed that it is LEGAL to make a left turn on a red light if you are already in the intersection... it is ENCOURAGED. Very, very bizarre.

Oh - and another observation... the nicer the car, the louder and more aggressive the honks. :)