The first part of our 10-day tour in California was concentrated in Southern California. On the first day we started with the obvious - Hollywood, Bevery Hills and Los Angeles. We were very lucky with the weather, because the entire time that we were in Southern California the temperature was sunny 25-39°C degrees.
Naturally, the California cruising has to be done with style. This beautiful Mustang was our loyal means of transportation throughout the vacation.
We wanted to multiply our chances of spotting a celebrity or at least getting to know the star lifestyle so we took a guided Hollywood tour. We got to know where some movie stars live and saw many filming locations. The tour also included a cruise in Beverly Hills and a drive on Rodeo Drive.
For example, this used to be Dr. Phil's house but he recently moved out. Other houses - or the gates - we drove past included the Playboy Mansion, Aaron Spelling's house, Michael Jackson's rental villa (also the same house where he died), Christina Aguilera's crib, Lucille Ball's old home, Ozzy Osbourne's property and many more. Additionally, we saw the restaurant where River Phoenix died, the restaurant Ketchup which Ashton Kutcher and Wilmer Valderrama own and the location, where Hugh Grant got busted. To my disappointment, I didn't meet any celebrities. Didn't get even a glimpse of Jennifer Aniston!
Which one of you recognises this hotel? Hint: note the ladder. Yes! That's one of the locations where Pretty Woman was filmed.
The Rodeo Drive.
After the tour was over, we continued exploring Hollywood on foot. We saw some peculiarities, such as the tallest man replica in front of the Guinness World Of Records museum.
We got to see the Kodak Theatre, where the Academy Awards take place annually.
Souvenir shopping. Also I got an Oscar!
The Walk of Fame.
On the Walk of Fame you had to keep your eyes on the ground to spot famous stars.
The Grauman's Chinese Theatre, in front of which the hand and foot prints are.
"Here's looking at you, kid." The legendary Humphrey Bogart.
Some of the imprints date back as far as 1935. Many grown women, like Marilyn Monroe, had as tiny feet as Shirley Temple did, even though she was just a 7-year-old little girl at the time.
The newest comer is Helen Mirren.
On Jack Nicholson's footsteps.
The Road to Stars led us to the vista point of the Hollywood sign. And to Victoria's Secret. ;)
It's small, but there it is! The now famous sign was actually an advertising gimmick launched in 1923 in Hollywood Hills.
I met the slightly less glamorous Superman - also he gets sweaty at times!
But he truly was a Superman. He let me try how heavy his bags were.
Of course the Hollywood sign was too far away for us, so we tried to get closer to it.
And we did!
The next day we headed for the coast, to Santa Monica.
First we did some shopping on the pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade.
I found the Pottery Barn!
Unfortunately I couldn't buy everything I wanted to. It was so sad, but how would I have travelled with it?!
But a girl can dream, right?
While I was dreaming in the store, Lukas was admiring a classic parked outside.
After the shopping was done (just for the day), we thought it's time to see the sea. 
Santa Monica Pier is the oldest amusement pier in California from 1909.
Look at the lifeguards Santa Monica beach had!
Baywatch. Or babewatch?
If you anytime in the future will hear about a movie or telenovela called Mi Corazon Insiste, please remember that we saw it being made.
Our third day in Southern California we continued cruising and beach exploring. This time we got to know a city called Manhattan Beach, which was a cute little town filled with gorgeous houses.
Manhattan Beach pier.
One-legged gentleman surfer.
The surfer girl hit the waves like a pro!
Manhattan Beach boardwalk.
The cities we saw in Southern California are all tidy and well taken care of. The houses can represent various kind of styles, such as this...
Or the more known beach house style, my personal favourite.
Aren't they just beautiful?
A slightly more central Manhattan Beach.
The next city stop was Hermosa Beach. Hermosa means beautiful in Spanish, which it was.
Because the afternoon was still young, we decided to take another look at Beverly Hills.
On the highway the cars with 2 or more people are allowed to take the carpool lane.
The traffic was quite hectic.
Since we wanted to have a better look at Beverly Hills, we drove back to the city. On the way we saw some monuments...
... some more palms...
... and even a broadcasting TV lady waiting for the cue to go.
The most of the streets in Beverly Hills are ligned with tall Californian palm trees.
Rodeo Drive is just as posh as you may think it is.
The Drive is filled with fancy cars, posh people and beautiful boutiques.
Rodeo Drive II.
Where Julia Roberts got a taste of high-life, we did too - at the hotel Regent Beverly Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard.
Delicious Californian chardonnay.
On Thursday it was time to leave Los Angeles behind and drive up north. The first stop was half an hour later in Malibu.
Zuma Beach is also a part of Malibu, where we made the second stop.
Lukas interviewed the lifeguard who told us that for example Pamela Anderson has been spotted playing with her kids on that very beach.
During the 8 hour drive on the scenic Californian Interstate 1 and later on Highway 101 we switched drivers in order to let the other one rest. Destination: San Francisco.To be continued...
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To get the right mood and the Californian set of mind, there are some old classics and new pop songs that can tune you to the moment:
The Beach Boys - I Get Around
Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin'
Katy Perry - California Gurls ft. Snoop Dogg
Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor ft. Pitbull
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