The parking lots were spread around the base of a hill. The City Walk was atop the hill. This escalator led up to both the City Walk and the Universal City tours.

A boy with a souvenir inflatable bat stood waiting for his folks. His stance suggested a wait for the ball to be pitched.

The City Walk appeared to be no more than a small town composed of an outrageously large number of advertisements. Clearly the attempt was to create a town that appeared as one great entertainment adventure.

One building was fitted with a rocket ship crash.

Wolfgang Puck was a renowned master chef who founded an empire of restaurants. This restaurant is one of the "fast-casual" restaurants. In addition, Wolfgang Puck offers find dining locations and cookbooks.

In the lobby of a Mexican restaurant stood this statue. Although odd looking, it clearly conveyed the feeling of good food with good music.

Despite its look as if there were only shops, street vendors were also busy selling. This man played music on his guitar and sold CD's to anyone who enjoyed his music.

One fountain featured soap suds that fell as if they were snow. Children, if parents permitted, could frolic in the fountain.

At the time, this cutout of King Kong hung off a Sam Goody super store. Later, Sam Goody morphed into f.y.e.

This huge electric guitar was found just outside the Hard Rock cafe

Bocca di Beppo is a chain of Italian restaurants . Because of its location on the Universal City Walk, it featured photos of famous Italians from the movies.

One of the small private dining rooms in the Bocca di Beppo restaurant was decorated like this.

One of the larger group dining rooms in the Bocca di Beppo restaurant was done up in a Pope theme. This could either result in a solemn occasion or in good humored jokes.

In winter the sun sets early even in southern California. Already a few lights had turned on.

A huge, multi-screen movie theater, including an Imax screen, was open there . The outside looked odd with its huge popcorn theme.

The NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway claimed, "Racing so real you can fee it."

We passed a big dome with trees inside, but did not enter it.

There was a huge statue of a Mexican bandito atop the sign to Camacho's restaurant.

Even in the late afternoon, the City Walk is very crowded.

A dairy cow with neon glasses had evidently back her car upside down into a Ben & Jerry's ice cream store.

The Upstart Crow used to be a chain of fine book stores. You remember them, places that sold hard-bound books and magazines. Small places with caring helpful people to guide you through the messy nest that was published literature.

The classic Universal Studios fountain at the entry and exit to both the City Walk and the Studio tour. It looked very dramatic in the setting sun.

Katy Welte and Denver Welte and an unidentified tourist walked the red carpet to have their photograph taken.