Liz L.
Yelp
I've already weighed in on Universal Studios, the amusement park. CityWalk, Hollywood is a different place altogether. It keeps the best of the overall Universal theme park concept and has few of the drawbacks.
Los Angeles is a fragmented place. People tend to spend time in little niches and there are not as many places where a cross section of our population can come, feel relatively safe, immerse ourselves in an upbeat and almost party atmosphere, be entertained, fed and watered in a nice range of ways. CityWalk is one such place.
Now, if you want to avoid the usurious parking fees (they start at $35!), then you can take the Metro red line and walk to CityWalk (it isn't easy -- there will be climbing -- but do-able). Once you are on the concourse, you can just amble around, sit, listen to the music, watch the videos on giant screens everywhere, people watch, sip a beverage, eat something (from snacks to full meals to just desserts and coffee, etc.), and frankly just relax and take a break from all the nerve wracking tensions that everyone is drowning in these days. You can truly get away from it all for whatever time you choose to spend here.
The last time I was there, it was a hot day and I didn't get a chance to see it morph as evening and darkness fell. This time, I deliberately waited so I could witness the transformation. Twilight is a nice time to be at CityWalk. My pictures were taken around 5 pm, for reference and we waited to see the stars come out later. All of this can be done, almost for free.
I will let my pictures paint the rest for you. I highly recommend this oasis.
[For some reason, my photos are not showing up here. See them on my Yelp page.]