Los Angeles has much more than traffic and smog.

It’s a sprawling metropolis, made up of a collection of different cities. Each has it’s own distinct nature and characteristic. These cities have personality!

Image courtesy of kla4067

Venice Beach

Venice beach is one of the most unique places you’ll ever visit.

They have a lively Art scene including painters, singers and street performers. They also have a bustling entertainment scene where you can enjoy live music or break-dancing!

You can also stroll down the Venice canals. It may not be the real Venice, but it’s close!

Hollywood

Hollywood is one of the most popular tourist destinations. But for good reason!

If you head to where Hollywood and Highland streets meet, you’ll find a huge three story center for shops and restaurants. You’ll also find The Kodak Theater (home to the Academy Awards) and a Cirque du Soleil show Iris: A Journey through the World of Cinema.

You can also search for your favorite actor’s hand prints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Beverly Hills

Last but certainly not least, Beverly Hills should be one of your LA stops. They’re home to every fashion designer you can imagine, and more nice restaurants than you can count.

It’s also home to some of the most famous actors and actresses in Tinseltown. What trip to LA would be complete without celebrity sightings?!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly when to travel.

I mean the right place at the right time.

Well a great article from About.com has given us some clues and detailed when you should travel to specific U.S. cities.

Image courtesy of BG³Photo

January

New York, NY
San Francisco, CA

March

Los Angeles

June

Phoenix

August

Las Vegas

November

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Reno, NV

December

Napa-Sonoma, CA

What do you think?

Do you know of a good time to travel? Let us know in the comments below!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Southern California is full of beautiful beaches, amazing museums, and picturesque views.

And best of all, they’re almost all free!

Here are some of our favorite things to do in San Diego and Los Angeles.

San Diego

San Diego is a very diverse city with lots of attractions and great neighborhoods with various events year round to keep you busy during your visit.

Image courtesy of Port of San Diego

Free Harbor Tours around San Diego Bay: The Port of San Diego offers 2 hours tours to help you learn every thing about San Diego for free. You get to learn about the organization of the port itself but also history facts about the city while enjoying a beautiful view of San Diego Bay from the Ocean. After you enjoy the tour, you can walk around Seaport Village and check out all its boutiques.

Image courtesy of Bill Gracey

Taylor Guitar Factory Tour: Have you ever heard of one the finest Guitar makers in the US? Taylor Guitar. If you like music and if you are passionate about guitars you will find this free activity quite interesting. At 1 pm, between Monday and Thursday the factory offers free tours where you learn every step  of the guitar making process.

Of course, you can also enjoy the San Diego beaches for free, or go fly a kite at the bay, and go watch the seals in La Jolla. Don’t forget to go walk around Balboa Park, go to the top of Mount Soledad for a great panoramic view of San Diego and drive to Anza Borrego or Julian to discover the behind the scene of San Diego County! Of course there are so many more fun free things to do, just maybe start with this!

Los Angeles

Image courtesy of jntolva

If you want a nature break, Griffith Park is also a very popular stop to make while visiting LA. At the Greek Theater they often have concerts going on. It is easy to attend the concert without buying a ticket, just park your car and walk up toward The Observatory - which by the way is another very interesting free attraction in Los Angeles. As long as you are respectful security will leave you alone. So you might not be able to see the show, but you can still take advantage of the music for free!

Another popular attraction in Los Angeles is the La Brea Tar Pits Museum, which offer free entrance every first Tuesday of the month. It is a very interesting fossil museum, where you get to learn a lot about the last Ice Age and observe a large collection of fossils.

Image courtesy of @andrewghayes

While talking museums, let’s not forget to mention the Getty Museum, which is free and always presenting incredible exhibits. The Academy of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is another fun free things to do in Los Angeles. Its galleries will let you have a closer look at incredible art pieces, and also movie and celebrities’ outfits, and other diverse exhibits.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

About the Author: Amy Schmittauer is currently on a road trip sponsored by Fox Rent A Car.  She is a freelance social media consultant, blogger, and copywriter from Columbus, Ohio.  Her true passion lies with video production and vlogging, originating from the influence of the many inspiring personalities of Youtube. You can find her videos at Savvy Sexy Social for advice on implementing social media for your business, and on Schmittastic for personal experiences and all the footage from the #FoxRoadTrip.

A road trip wouldn’t be a road-trip without a few beers, right?

And what’s better than drinking local brews?

California has some GREAT beers, and Phil Baxter, the real-beer-loving General Manager of the Four Points LAX laid on beer tasting and fish tacos at the Pool Bar for the bloggers on the Fox Road Trip.

The main bar – Brewsters – already stocks over 110 beers from around the world. This summer, Phil decided that Brewster’s Pool Bar would only serve “beer so fresh you have to slap it”. (Yep, that’s what it says on the menu.)

That means that the six beers on the specialty menu this summer are all brewed within ninety minutes of of the hotel, which is perfectly located for any trip to Los Angeles.

Try them yourself:

24th Street Pale Ale from Strand Brewing in Torrance

Their flagship beer. It’s a classic pale ale – slightly floral, slightly fruity and with a bitter finish.

Solidarity Black and Mild from Eagle Rock Brewery in LA

A deceptively dark beer. Deceptive because dark beers are typically heavy, but this is a light, mild, malt-accented beer that’s low in alcohol. Perfect for a summer’s day.

El Toro Trio Haferweizen from Cismontane Brewing in Rancho

Three grains, three brewers and three hops. Not quite a Hefewisen, hence the name. This is a complex beer with a banana nose, a hint of caramel and a sweet, creamy texture.

Happy Pils from Tustin Brewing in Tustin

A very light, crisp and refreshing lager. If you like the classic pilsners from central Europe, then you’ll like this one. A delicate hop flavor and slight spicy aroma. (My favorite, but don’t tell anyone.)

Golden Chaos from Bootlegger’s Brewery in Fullerton

This is a beer that lives up to its name – a Belgian-style Golden Ale brewed using the finest American rock candy. This has got just the right blend of fruity aroma and dry finish that makes it complex and chaotic on the palate.

Bavarian Style Wheat Ale from Black Market Brewing in Temecula

An award-winning example of an authentic, traditional Bavarian style beer. Only you don’t have to go to Bavaria to enjoy. Instead, you can just head to Brewster’s Pool Bar at the Four Points LAX

If you’re a fan of real ale, or even if you’re curious, hunt down Phil and his crew at the hotel near LAX. They have regular brewery nights at the hotel bar (the next one is on Friday June 10th – check out the event on Facebook.) Fore more information, Follow the Four Points LAX on Twitter.

I’ll be back next time I’m in LA. You can count on it.

About the author: Matthew Kimberley is the author of How To Get A Grip and Fox Road Trip blogger. Read more about his adventures at Matt Is In …

California his home to some of the most unique landmarks and beautiful countryside in the entire nation. This diversity lets you surf in the morning, have lunch at a winery, and go skiing the next day. However one of the best things you can do is a California Coast Road Trip. Driving down Highway 1, you’re able to really see the best California has to offer. For the perfect week trip, Fox Rent A Car suggestions going from San Francisco, all the way through the Central Coast and down to Southern California.

California Coast Road Trip through Northern California

San Francisco is a small, bit city packed with everything imaginable. You can visit a Bed & Breakfast, take a romantic trip with your loved one, and visit one of the most infamous prisons ever! It’s also home to great live music and nightlife. A great way to plan a fun night out and experience the San Francisco Nightlife is to go listen to some live music. One of the most famous live music places for live music in San Francisco is the Boom Boom Room. The San Francisco Opera has an amazing program every season. If the tickets are a little bit over your budget, you can discover Opera at the Pocket Opera.

California Coast Road Trip through the Central Coast

You follow the coast, most likely drive along the Highway 1. An especially breathtaking scenic drive is the 17 Mile Drive, where you can also see the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. An amazing scenic drive you cannot miss!!! Of course there is San Jose, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara along the way. Close to San Luis Obispo you’ll find Paso Robles. What makes Paso Robles such a great wine destination is the down-to-earth people, and lack of wine-snobbery that may be at some winery destinations. Even casual wine drinkers will have a great time relaxing at the vineyards and enjoying a wine tour.
Paso Robles wineries grow mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. However they’re also known for their great Zinfandels.
So where do start? One of my personal favorites, the Tobin James Cellars, is a great place to begin, and has one of the best tasting rooms.
On your way down the cost you are passing by  Hearst Castle. Just a short drive from Paso Robles, you can visit the famed Hearst Castle. In 1919, William Randloph Hearst inherited the land that would become one of the greatest showpieces in the world. Hearst Castle stands at 90,080 square feet, 56 bedrooms, 41 fireplaces, 61 bathrooms, and 19 sitting rooms. They offer guided tours, as well as self-guided tours, however it’ll be difficult to take in all the buildings, gardens, and pools in one day. You have to see it, just for the architecture alone! As the road is beautiful, but winding, it is a good idea to make a stop along the way. I would recommend Cambria. This town is beautiful, friendly and the Bluebird Inn absolutely charming and all the restaurants are have great food at affordable prices! If you’re hungry on your way to the finish line, the La Super-Rica Tacqueria in Santa Barbara  is a great place to savour authentic Mexican cuisine.

California Coast Road Trip to Southern California

Los Angeles is known for Hollywood, the Lakers and traffic. But it’s also home to some of the most interesting museums. The Getty Center has gathered an impressive collection of the 20th century European and American Art. The Getty Center is a must see in Los Angeles for its fascinating galleries, architecture and gardens. You are promised an unforgettable experience. The Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits will give you glimpse of California during the Ice Age. The Page Museum is a geological, science and paleontological museum where you can discover one of the largest fossil collections in the US. Venice Beach Boardwalk a different world. It is crazy, over the top and loud, but definitely a must see, when you are in LA. You are surrounded by a mix of cultures, arts and creativity in a funky atmosphere.

On your way to San Diego
On your way to San Diego, San Juan Capistrano is a great place to take a break. You can visit the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano and its peaceful gardens. Who knows? You might actually need it after LA traffic! L’Hirondelle is a wonderful place to have lunch especially on their charming patio. In San Diego you have quite a list of things to see and do. In function of the time period in which you are visiting San Diego, certain hotels offer great deals you should check out. Every neighborhood of San Diego has a large choice of cuisine from Thai to Italian, French to Mexican; and great happy hour deals.

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Check out these pictures of one of our BMW’s in Los Angeles (LAX).

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Here’s some photos of a sporty, white Camaro from our Los Angeles (LAX) Location. Enjoy!

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The best skiing conditions this winter may not be in Colorado or Utah.

Mammoth Mountain has received over 17 feet of snowfall in 12 days.

Set high atop an ancient volcano, Mammoth Lakes is a 7 mile ski resort divided into four areas. Situated on the eastern edge of California, Mammoth is accessible from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe / Reno, and Las Vegas. This winter has seen record breaking snow fall (over 3 times the December average); 17 feet of snowfall in 12 days. (Don’t buy it? Check out these Web Cams)

If you’re a pro, you should check out Avalanche Chutes, Wipe Out, Paranoids and Gravy Chute. If you’re more into cruising, St. Anton, Broadway and Forest Trail are perfect.

Some of the best lodging includes The Village Lodge, Juniper Springs Resort, Mammoth Mountain Inn, and Tamarack Lodge. If you’re going with a group of people, you can also rent condos and homes. Mammoth also has a mix of fine dining, casual dining, and nightlife that complement a full day on the slopes. If you want more inside info – check out the official Mammoth Mountain Blog.

There’s something for everyone in Mammoth. With record snow fall, and perfect conditions, what are you waiting for?

2010/2011 Opening Day Video, Courtesy of TheMammothMountain

How to Get There

From FOX Los Angeles

5500 W Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
1. Head east on W Century Blvd toward S Concourse Way
0.6 mi
2. Take the I-405 N ramp to Sacramento
0.5 mi
3. Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-405 N
26.6 mi
4. Merge onto I-5 N
3.0 mi
5. Take exit 162 for State Route 14 N/Antelope Valley Freeway toward Palmdale/Lancaster
0.6 mi
6. Merge onto CA-14 N/State Route 14 N
69.0 mi
7. Turn right at CA-14 N/Aerospace Hwy/Midland Trail
48.8 mi
8. Continue onto US-395 N/Three Flags Hwy
123 mi
9. Keep left at the fork
38.0 mi
10. Take the CA-203 exit toward Mammoth Lakes/Devils Postpile
0.2 mi
11. Slight left at CA-203 W
3.2 mi
Mammoth Lakes, CA

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From FOX San Francisco

This route has tolls.
780 N McDonnell Rd
San Francisco, CA 94128
1. Head north on N McDonnell Rd towardSan Bruno Ave
0.2 mi
2. Continue onto S Airport Blvd
0.3 mi
3. Turn left onto the ramp to I-380 W
0.5 mi
4. Merge onto US-101 N
9.2 mi
5. Slight right at I-80 E (signs for Bay Bridge/Oakland)
Partial toll road
81.2 mi
6. Continue onto I-80 BUS E/US-50 E (signs forInterstate 80 Business/Sacramento/South Lake Tahoe)
5.3 mi
7. Continue onto US-50 E
93.4 mi
8. Turn right at CA-89 S/Luther Pass Rd(signs for Markleeville/Jackson/CA-88)
11.2 mi
9. Turn left at CA-88 E/CA-89 S
11.9 mi
10. Continue onto NV-88 N
4.4 mi
11. Turn right at NV-756 E/Centerville Ln
1.2 mi
12. Turn left to stay on NV-756 E/Centerville Ln
0.7 mi
13. Continue onto Dresslerville Rd
1.4 mi
14. Continue onto Riverview Dr
0.6 mi
15. Turn right at US-395 S
113 mi
16. Take the CA-203 exit toward Mammoth Lakes/Devils Postpile/National Monument
0.3 mi
17. Keep right at the fork, follow signs forMammoth Lakes and merge onto CA-203 W
3.1 mi
Mammoth Lakes, CA

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From FOX Las Vegas

8801 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89123
1. Head south on S Las Vegas Blvd
0.1 mi
2. Make a U-turn
1.0 mi
3. Turn left at Blue Diamond Rd (signs forState Route 160)
0.4 mi
4. Merge onto I-15 N via the ramp to Salt Lake City
9.0 mi
5. Take exit 42A to merge onto I-515 N/US-95 N toward Reno
1.8 mi
6. Continue onto US-95 N/Veterans Memorial Hwy
74.0 mi
7. Continue onto Veterans Memorial Hwy
40.7 mi
8. Turn right at US-95 N/Main St
51.7 mi
9. Turn left at NV-266 W
40.1 mi
10. Continue onto CA-266 N
4.4 mi
11. Slight left at CA-168 W
37.6 mi
12. Turn right at CA-168 W/US-395 N/Three Flags Hwy
15.4 mi
13. Keep left at the fork
38.0 mi
14. Take the CA-203 exit toward Mammoth Lakes/Devils Postpile
0.2 mi
15. Slight left at CA-203 W
3.2 mi
Mammoth Lakes, CA

View Larger Map

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The art scene is LA is not confined to the museums and some special places that people can go to. It is all over the place for the art lover to revel in and enjoy. In fact, LA has art walks, art museums and various theatres for performing arts too. A leisurely walk or self tour along any of the art walks can leave you completely bewitched with the talent and creativity of the artist. Here are some art places that you can go to when you are visiting LA.

Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk – In the downtown financial district and historical core you can enjoy an art walk every second Thursday of each month. The walk is open from noon till 9pm. In this tour, you can cover about 40 art galleries and museums that are located in various places in downtown LA. Some of the galleries that you can visit include The Hive Gallery & Studios and Bert Green Fine Art. While the former breaks limits and provides shocking entertainment, the latter believes in showcasing contemporary art that blends in despite the strong message that the art communicates. The Los Angeles Center for Digital Art has a display of digitally created magic. Some of the displays and exhibits shall have you wondering how it was possible to create such a masterpiece.

Chung King Road – For anyone who is mesmerized by oriental art and culture this is a place that should not be missed. There are various artifacts that you may have to actually discover as you walk the street.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – A well known museum in LA located midway between downtown LA and Santa Monica, this museum is closed on Wednesdays. Operating hours are from noon to 8pm but the museum opens an hour early on weekends. Some of the galleries that you can view include European paintings, Art of the Pacific, Korean Art, American Art, Art of the Ancient Americas and Modern Art. Some of the collections are changed periodically for restoration and other reasons but you may be also able to see African Art, Chinese Art, Costumes and Textiles and Ancient Egyptian Art too. When you are there, do not miss the Teresa Margolles, Steve Wolfe On Paper, Eye for the Sensual: Selections from the Resnick Collection, Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915 and In the Service of The Buddha: Tibetan Furniture from the Hayward Family Collection.

The Museum of Contemporary Art – Located downtown this is a museum that no art lover can miss. The museum has more than 5000 pieces of art ranging from pop art to more recent renditions of emotions. Some of the popular collections of the museum include The Panza Collection (80 seminal works for your viewing pleasure), The Barry Lowen Collection (minimalist, post-minimalist, and neo-expressionist pieces), The Rita and Taft Schreiber Collection, The Scott D.F. Spiegel Collection and many more. There is also the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Photography Collection too.

Performing Arts – The art scene is LA is not confined to static arts that you can just watch. Performing arts thrive in the city with many theaters and theater groups that bring different kinds of theater for your pleasure. Ahmanson Theater has been around for more than 40 years and brings comedies, drama, musicals and more from time to time for residents and tourists alike. Some of the hits that have been put up include the Light in the Piazza, The Color Purple and My Fair Lady among others. Pantages Theater has been open for more than 75 years and is a legendary place to watch some of the legendary shows like Wicked. Mark Taper Forum offers plays and shows that are more contemporary in nature and therefore apt for the avant-garde folks. The place has received tony Awards and Pulitzer Prize too. The Actor’s Art Theater is a cozy place with 32 seats for anyone who wants to visit. But the size is not to go by since it presents some of the most awesome theater possible. And if you are in the mood to see something original, then you may want to check out Hollywood Fight Club, a place that puts up independent pieces and brings out new talent.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.