The streets here are not just filled with celebrities and young actors about to get their big break, they are also brimming with tourists who want to discover the place they have only seen in their favorite movies or on awards shows on TV.
The capital of the movie world is a lot like the movies it creates, a lot of makeup and special effects, but underneath it all is just another West Coast town. Crowded, congested and more than a little expensive.
Reality: Yosemite National Park, United States
When arriving at the park in the summer, expect two to three-hour delays just to enter the valley. Even worse, the sheer number of tourists have unfortunately caused habitat loss and damaged the scenery.
If you decide to go after the summer peak, the trails are worn from overuse with park personnel not yet able to clean everything up. And with controlled forest burning taking place around the reserve, you may be in for a smoky hike.
Fantasy: Hollywood, United States
Hollywood is not just the place to go if you have a dream in your pocket or a guitar on your back. Tinseltown really has it all as a vacation destination, with shows, attractions, world famous shopping and the best hotels and restaurants.
Try and get a selfie with a big star while taking in the sights and enjoy the beautiful year-round sunshine. Hollywood welcomes you!
Fantasy: Mount Rushmore, United States
Located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is a true feat and might even be the greatest testament to America's power. This massive sculpture stands at roughly 60-ft and depicts the most influential leaders in the land; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
These four men made America what it is today and what better way to remember them than to carve their faces into a massive mountain. The sculpture began in 1927 and was completed by 1941 by artist and sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The mountain attracts thousands of tourists daily who come to gaze in awe at this impressive artwork and celebrate American culture. How can we blame them?
Reality: Mount Rushmore, United States
If you haven't yet had the chance to make it the Black Hills, and all you have is your imagination and the memory of some Google Images, you might be in for a surprise. All those close up shots over the years have certainly painted a different picture in our minds. If you do get to go there, brace yourself for a slightly different view.
It is a mountain, after all, perched up high and far away. You might have to bring out the binoculars when you're peering into the distance...from a busy lookout. There's no real path leading up to the faces. or any kind of tower that's standing close by. Not to mention the swarms of tourists milling around you.