Los Angeles, California: DO IT!

An endless stretch of beach, packed with volleyball players and beach cruisers.

I used to work on the lot, and I had access to my company's private golf cart. I gave my parents an unofficial backlot tour when they visited.

It's probably not fair to list the Magic Castle, as it's a private club and you can't get in without an invitation from a member. If you CAN get it, do it! The Castle itself is a Victorian mansion on a Hollywood hillside. The typical evening consists of pre-dinner cocktails downstairs, a mandatory dinner upstairs, and then several hours of close-up magic in intimate theatres and several drinks at one of their many bars. You can also sit at some of the tables scattered throughout the Castle (including the cellar) and watch magicians up close.

I made the mistake of trying to get from Beverly Hills to Hollywood along Mulholland -- little did I know that portions of it are narrow, dirt fire trails that close during certain parts of the year. Regardless, the views are amazing -- ideally you'll rent a convertible and take the drive at dusk.

Go here on a weekend evening, if you're early enough you can squat a good seat. They have a rooftop swimming pool, couches and a bar.

An outdoor, upscale shopping "mall" between the original Farmer's Market and the Pan-Pacific Park. Watch overdressed women yap on their cellphones while parading around their little lap dogs on designer leashes. The central fountain is a miniature version of the one at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, complete with synchonized music. The Grove features a movie theatre, several restaurants and a multitude of stores.

Featuring dozens of restaurants, bars and stores, Westwood Village is directly south of the UCLA Campus.

Sailboats, bike rentals, rollerbladers, slackers, tourists, restaurants, bars and gift shops -- what else could you want? Oh -- perhaps a parking spot. Don't be a chump -- take Washington Blvd. east and turn right at Sanborn and park for free on the public street.

"Caves"? I don't think so. The original Batmobile of the 60's pulled out of a cut-out hole in a hill. I go here for the quiet hiking trail, which includes a skateboarding half-pipe, a dog run and a mini-waterfall. The views are nice at the top.