In 1923 the Hollywood(land) sign was erected to advertise lavish living in the Southern Californian neighborhood, Hollywood. The original sign was only intended to stay up for one year.  With the success of the movie industry it was decided to let the sign remain.  Now almost 90 years later the sign is still standing and attracting thousands of people each year who want to capture a piece of the Hollywood dream by taking a picture with the famous sign.

We will lead you through a neighborhood filled with faux castles and secret staircases that the original Hollywood sign was created for.  On this city hike you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the famous sign up close as well as spectacular pictures of the cityscape.

Don't let the title mislead you and have you rushing to put on your sunscreen and swimsuit to relax the day away to the sounds and sights of a Californian beach.

While a beach, or aptly beaches, will be visited for a totally different experience, we at LA Active Adventures promise you a unique experience beginning with a drive through the hills.

Most films today carry the logos of Paramount, Warner Bros, Sony, Dreamworks or Universal to name a few. The majority of these studios are built and set within the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

But long before green screens enabled film makers to avoid costly relocation film costs, if John Wayne wanted to ride his horse up into the hills in search of Indians, no downtown city back lot or stage could recreate this, so the filmmakers had to head to the mountains (hills)!!!

Ever seen classics such as 'Never Say Die' with Bob Hope (1939) or 'The Good Fellow' (1943), or more recently, 'Van Helsing' (2003) and 'The Lake House' (2006)?

Well, one of our stops is a hidden well kept secret that, due to its location, is normally never covered on a usual Hollywood tour nor can be found on any studio website.

From the late 1920s until the late 1950s, this site was being used almost fulltime with crew and actors setting up camp here.

The TV series 'Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman' starring the actress Jane Seymour was filmed here. Fortunately for you, most of the set is still standing. So forget the 21st century for a while, with a quick change into some costume pieces provided by LA Active Adventures, you'll fit right in!

Please, whatever you do, don't fight over who gets to be the Sheriff! The jailhouse is already pretty crowded!
Fantasy quickly resorts to reality as we slop on some sunscreen and head out of the hills towards the expanse of blue sea, and just in time for lunch too!

After a short walk up a sandy path, we'll take time out to sit, while enjoying a picnic and taking in the spectacular view from this advantageous point in preparation for the next stop of this adventure.

This hike is less a journey down a rugged trail than a leisurely exploration of California's coastal areas, although the climb down is far easier than the one up!

But would you want to miss it?

The tide pools that we will explore hide many a creature which are normally seen in an aquarium, but today you get to see them not only up close and personal but in their natural habitat. Huge starfish grip around and under rocks in anticipation of the returning tide. You will see mussels clustered together, crabs darting in and out of view in search of food and shade. In the distance you will hear the clanging of a nearby buoy, which provides a resting place for sunbathing seals 'til they dive back into the water.

Though whale watching season is usually between January and March, if you are lucky enough there is a good chance of spotting dolphins swimming close to the shoreline.

Before we head home, take off your shoes and cool your feet in the sea, or take a stroll down the beach, find a shady spot to sit, and gaze out into the distance where you can see the island of Catalina. Some adventurers have been known to take a quick nap!

Enjoy! "Sweet dreams are made of this" as Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics once sang.

No matter which country you're from, we've all seen recycling bins, and the media frequently educates us on ways to save our planet. But have you ever wondered, what does 'green' really mean? Our first stop will be to a unique location that is a LEED certified building giving children as well as adults a great opportunity to see environmental technology in action!

Then we will make our way to explore a hidden gem within Beverly Hills hiding a bountiful as well as colorful history! If you have ever seen one or more of the following movies:

• Ghostbusters
• Spiderman III
• Indecent Proposal
• X-Men
• Charlie's Angels Full Throttle
• National Treasure II

Your memory may get triggered as you explore the grounds, as these movies and many more were filmed here. Who knows, you may stumble across the next big blockbuster or television series starring this location!

Or should you be searching for the perfect wedding venue, then look no further, the gardens alone are a photographer's dream.

Our next stop is hidden within a busy business district of the city of Angels, Los Angeles. Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner, has paid a substantial amount of money to secure his final resting place within this tiny oasis.

This sometimes forgotten cemetery contains the remains of some of the biggest Hollywood stars. Look out for some of the humorous epitaphs upon the varied tombstones. It is rumored that dear Batman star Heath Ledger's remains stopped here overnight from New York before he was flown home to Perth, Western Australia for cremation.

From the land of yesterdays our final stop takes you to see and learn about how Venice came to America!

Meander on the sunny boardwalk, watch the varied street performers, marvel at the outdoor fitness area, shop for souvenirs, watch the fishing off the pier, and explore some of the unique art created by local artists.

Walk the backstreets that hide behind these busy roads to find white arched bridges, and gape in awe at the quaint and often colorful architecture that line these quiet waterways. See why if you had a million or two to spare, you'd choose to live here!

The hiking expedition will afford you with a drive on the winding roads through the majestic Santa Monica Mountains. You'll get a chance to view some breathtaking scenery including sprawling vineyards on the way to the trailhead! While hiking, you will have an opportunity to delight your senses with the smell of earth and the scent of wildflowers (seasonal). Rejuvenate yourself with huge gulps of fresh air, feel the breeze on your skin, enjoy the beautiful vistas, and listen to the chorus of birds chirping, frogs croaking, and the leaves rustling in the wind. View fossils and interesting rock formations and explore ruins. We might even identify some animal tracks! And, depending upon the amount of rainfall, you might see streams filled with clear water cascading over rocks and some glorious waterfalls! Who knows, maybe you'll catch a glimpse of a red-tailed hawk soaring in the vast blue sky or perching on a tree at the edge of a meadow! Not to worry, your tour guide is equipped with binoculars! Watch out for the mountain bikers and those on horseback! You'll be so entranced by it all you won't realize the bustling city of Los Angeles is only a few miles away!

No concerns if you are not an avid hiker! We can choose a trail that will enable you to take a stroll through the dense thicket of shrubs and trees found in the foothills of California.

Unless you are a local, the term 'Farmer's Market' may conjure images of livestock auctions, fresh produce, dairy queens, and haystacks topped with banjo playing farmers chewing on an ear of wheat!!

Naturally very un-Hollywood!

However, fresh produce will be in abundance here in one of Los Angeles' largest Farmer's Markets. It is splattered with the sounds, smells as well as visual helpings of good wholesomeness.

If Hollywood stars do their shopping here, so should you!

So reserve your buying 'til today!

Deep in the heart of LA is this busy street haven of stalls, decked with the expansive, colorful range of the fruits of their labor. Most of them provide free samples, so come hungry and eat samples to your heart's (or your stomach's) desire!

This market provides seasonal fare; some of the tastiest and most unusual things can be bought from here that can not be found in the supermarket.

If you are not looking for produce, do not fear there is still plenty to see or buy. Ethnic foods, flowers, handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry and much more can be found here.

With, hopefully, bulging bags, we return to the vehicle to rest our feet as well as wallets or purses 'til the next stop.

Visiting one or more outdoor antiques and collectibles markets, you are once again exposed and able to browse some unique things.

Vintage clothing from circa 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and before is affordably available, as are hard to find or even first edition books.

Furniture from all eras, retro, art deco, antique or even downright weird can be viewed and should your fancy take you, purchased... just make sure there is enough room in the vehicle!!

So if you are looking for something that didn't come from an Ikea catalog, whether it be photographs, paintings, ornaments, glassware, frames, etc... you'll love this adventure of discovery!