California Dreamin': 48 Hours in Los Angeles

End your night at Good Times At Davey Wayne's, a funky, 1970s-themed "dive" bar. Enter through an old refrigerator and step into a replica of what Hollywood must have looked like at its grooviest. The psychedelic music, strong drinks (which include boozy snow cones), and fun crowd make this place popular, but always fun.

Yes, it's touristy and kitschy, but you can't visit LA without at least driving down Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Whether you're searching for your favorite stars, want to stop at Grauman's Chinese Theater, or you just want to get a good view of the iconic Hollywood sign, this should be your first stop in the City of Angels.

Grab some breakfast at the famed French-inspired Chateau Marmont, hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Whether you're in the mood for decadent brioche French toast, or you want to revitalize with cold-pressed juice, you can enjoy it in this old-school Hollywood hotspot. Plus, it's a pretty good place for celeb-spotting, if you're into that.

If you'd rather see something a little lighter, then stop by The Comedy Store. Grab tickets to one of the shows in their three theaters, which offer all different kinds of performances, from big headlining acts to strange and offbeat smaller shows. There's a two drink minimum here, but it doesn't have to be booze... although that never fails to enhance the experience.

Make sure you snag tickets in advance to the legendary Whisky A Go Go, which is famous for hosting all kinds of legendary acts like the Doors, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin, among many others, and for spawning the "go-go dancer" fad of the late 1960's. They still put on shows for cool up-and-coming acts, so it's worth checking out.

Next, hit up the iconic Venice Beach. Everything you've heard about Venice Beach is true. Within seconds of stepping onto the pavement here you'll see fortune tellers, folk artists, people doing yoga in the middle of a crowded sidewalk, and probably even a couple guys in full teddy bear costumes skateboarding. If you're worried about sorting through a full-on sensory assault of the strange and bizarre, just wander around and check out the skate-dancing plaza, muscle beach, the basketball courts, freak show, or join a drum circle on the beach.

The neighborhood's name, "Venice," was, at first, very literal. Developer Abbott Kinney actually built canals in 1905 in an attempt to mimic the look and feel of Venice, Italy here in Southern California. But, of course, the rocketing popularity of the automobile shortly after made people change their tune on the once scenic canals. Some were filled in for roads, while others fell into disrepair as disputes over how to deal with them raged for years. In the 1990's, the Venice Canal Historic District was cleaned up and redeveloped, and you can see some pretty swanky homes here.

Is the next stop on your road trip the distant past, or the near future? If so, then you'll need to stock up on supplies at the Time Travel Mart. Whether you need mad scientist goggles, a "pastport," or a conquistador helmet, this quirky little store has all kinds of silly souvenirs that any quirky person will love. And the best part? It's actually a front for a non-profit dedicated to helping kids improve their writing skills, and proceeds benefit 826LA.