Craig Bennett, Showbiz Reporter talks LA

Showbiz journalist, radio broadcaster, television presenter and all round delightful man, Craig Bennett loves talking celebrity gossip and entertainment.  Craig has written for a variety of publications and he is a regular on television and can be heard on radio across Australia and New Zealand dishing out the latest Tinsehown news.

Craig lived in Hollywood from 1999 to 2001 and reported on everything from the Oscars to Elizabeth Taylor's newest health crisis and the contents of Pamela Anderson's handbag. He now lives in Sydney with his pet pythons.   he joins us as a Guest God and shares his other love, travel and provides some great tips on getting up close and personal with LA.

"I love talking gossip and entertainment and I love to travel.  My biggest joy is boarding a plane and leaving every care and drama behind – even if just for a few days!

My favourite holiday destination is Los Angeles – not just because its the entertainment epicentre of the world, but because there is so much to see and do beyond the smog, the traffic snarls, the shopping malls, the fast food outlets and what's hyped in the the travel brochures.

Having lived in LA for years, and as a frequent visitor, you get to know those fascinating and secret places even many locals have never heard of.

Want to get up close and personal with the famous Hollywood sign? Wend your way up to the end of Deronda Drive in the Hollywood Hills. There's a walking track that takes you right up to Mt Lee and the sign. The views over Hollywood are superb. If you're a fan of the old Batman TV series, you can visit the cave that was used as the setting – it's at Bronson Canyon. Speaking of caves, Jim Morrison fans can sit in an eery cave he'd regularly spend hours chilling out in. It can be found on a walk in the beautiful Solstice canyon in the spectacular mountains behind Malibu.

While in Malibu – don't miss the great local seafood at Neptune's Net, a great setting on the Pacific Coast highway, amid burly bikers and blond surfers – the fried clam strips are superb!

If you're hunting for the best hamburger in town, In'N'Out burgers are a must! Be brave and try yours 'animal style'! Now you're really talking like a Los Angelino. The burgers are so good, Academy Award winners have been known to leave a swanky party – still clutching their Oscar – for an In'N'Out fix!

Shopaholics should try one of the two nearby premium designer outlets. One at Camarillo, off the 101 freeway just outside of Los Angeles, the other at Desert Hills, off the 10 freeway near Palm Springs. The best flashy brands, all at a fraction of the regular retail prices. But you'll need a full day; the array of stores is mind boggling!

Palm Springs, too, is a must. Don't miss the Palm Springs Follies – an all singing, all dancing, sequins and feathers extravaganza boasting some of the oldest entertainers in the world, who's talents and showbiz razzamatazz shame those quarter their age."

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Alison Carmichael-Rulten

Hi, I'm Alison Carmichael-Rulten the Publisher of Vacation Goddess, and I want to thank you for visiting Vacation Goddess – the one-stop shop for insider travel news, deals, 'Guest Goddes's stories, and of course our personal travel experiences. Plus, as we love to cruise we also try to find some amazing cruise deals for you too. From luxury, longer escapes right down to weekend breaks we know you love everything travel related. Here at Vacation Goddess, we hope you will find loads of inspiration and of course some amazing travel deals. We love a holiday at a great price and that's why we seek out what we call 'Champagne Experiences, on a Sparkling Wine Budget.' We constantly showcase a variety of special deals and offers and from time to time some very special competitions. Our recent 'Win a Trip to London' competition received over 24,00 entries. We invite you to visit us often, join our mailing list and please tell your friends