Is it worth going to see the celebrity houses in LA?

Question

Should we just buy a map and drive ourselves around? Or would one of those tours be better?
Is it a nice drive around the hills? Is there much traffic?

Answer 1

If you are really into houses, I guess it's OK. I used to call it the "Tour of homes of people who were once famous but are now mostly dead". Most of the homes aren't even owned by the celebs any more, and aren't necessarily the nicest on the block. If you are going on the tour thinking that you might see a celeb, the chances are next to nothing. But there are a lot of nice houses on the tour, though.

Answer 2

LA is like any and every other major city in the world. It has its GREAT points and its AWFUL points. Yes, there's a lot of crime in some cities (because remember, LA county is HUGE... very, very big), high prices in others, etc., but there are also advantages like nicer weather and lots of stuff to do. It really just depends on what you're looking for. People have glamorized Los Angeles for years, just like they do Hollywood (which is technically a city in LA county). Truth is, most of Hollywood is a hell-hole. Lower income people live there, and homeless people. A lot of people think everything is like.. Beverly Hills, I guess. But not even Beverly Hills is like Beverly Hills, if you know what I mean. Before ever moving anywhere, especially with LA, I'd suggest an extended visit. The average salary I'd guess is around 50k, if people are lucky. It's tough to make ends meet sometimes, it really is, because things are pretty expensive in some cities in LA county compared to what people are actually making. I wasn't born here, but I was raised in the Burbank area. I've been all over the world, and I can honestly say that I love living in the San Fernando Valley. There's a ton of good people, lots of stuff to do (and I mean lots), and I just can't imagine myself living somewhere else. Sure, you always have to keep your doors locked, and should never sleep with your windows open, and if you leave something outside, chances are it won't be there the next day.. but again, as with all major cities, it has its ups and downs. LA county is such a huge place that it's possible to find everything under the sun here, from ghettos to mansions. And by the way, LA won't be underwater by then.. even when that whole thing does happen, if it does, I recently heard on TV that it will separate, like an island. Minimum wage here is I believe 8.50. Sales tax is 8.25%. The average apartment rental in a safer city (for a 2 bedroom) is around 1500. Utilities are pretty expensive. Cable is 50 bucks, gas is 50 bucks.. Home ownership is crazy here right now.. a regular condo goes for around mid 300's. A receptionist here makes about 10 or 11 dollars an hour, sometimes less, sometimes more of course. Basically, it's just a major city full of imperfect people, making it an imperfect place (like every other place in the world). Good luck, no matter what you decide. :o)

Answer 3

No. The maps is a scam, too. Just drive around and look at the houses if you like that kind of thing. You can't go inside those houses anyhow. Celebrity houses are like regular houses in that area ... maybe even in worse condition due to their way of life. Why do you think houses are regularly torn down?

The drive is nice. Not much traffic during the late morning and early afternoon hours on the weekdays.

What I like to do is visit the Getty museum. The old Getty museum by the beach is nice as well. Now that's a house worth visiting. I am sure that's no longer open to the public, though.

Answer 4

The tour is definitely not worth it, and I don't know that driving through Beverly Hills or Brentwood is anything very exciting either. You'll mostly see fences and hedges. You can see about as much taking the #2 bus down Sunset.

What you may find more interesting is buying a guide to the various places around L.A. where the exteriors for TV shows and movies were filmed.

Answer 5

a scam. tours show homes of dead people like lucille ball and others that used to live there and children of stars living in the homes they bought for them.....the beatles, frank sinatra, etc... Ozzie Osborn was the only current one and they don't stand outside waiting for you. You may get lucky and see the gardener. He's the one with the 67 Chev pickup.

Answer 6

I think you will find most the houses to be very ordinary and not the MANSIONS you think they are. They are just very expensive but ordinary houses...Also you can not see very good because of privacy fences...

Answer 7

No, you cannot come by and see my house!