Los Angeles Visitors Guide
Consisting of over 463 square miles, made of scenic mountains, deserts, beaches and canyons, a coming together of historic buildings with the contemporary, and calling people from across the globe to its ultramodern activities and attractions, excitement and even tranquility-all this and more is Los Angeles! The city is home to such personalities as movie stars, would-be stars, writers and musicians. It offers libraries, museums, art galleries, shopping, sporting events and a plethora of attractions to entice, entertain and enchant you. It is a city where visiting requires a vehicle, so plan on renting or bringing your own—but don’t despair there are plenty of parking spaces to go around.
L.A. Beaches
Los Angeles has a myriad of beaches all with their own
unique feature. Its beaches include Malibu where Rockford
Files and Baywatch were taped, the pier amusement park at
the Santa Monica, Redondo with its kid friendly fun, Venice
where you can people-watch for hours, Manhattan for surfing
and beach combing, and Zuma Beach with its fantastic surf.
Each beach has its own benefits - crowded, less crowded,
snack bar, picnic, admittance fee, no cost- but no matter
your style there’s sure to be a beach that’s perfect for
you! Here's our list of California's
best beaches.
L.A. Shopping
The Beverly Center- the Center is home to over 160 stores, a 13 screen theatre and eateries like Hard Rock Café, and P. F. Changs. It is a favorite shopping center of stars like Ben Afleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry and others, so be sure to bring your autograph book—you never know who you may see!
ARCO Plaza - For a blend of subterranean shopping where you will find art shows, exhibits, specialty shops, restaurants and service shops spend some time here.
Broadway Plaza - This beautiful shopping center is pattern after an Italian Renaissance galleria.
Grand Central Market - This open-air market has vendors offering fruits, veggies, meats, herbs and seasonings, homemade (quite often prepared as you watch) dishes and beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers.
Los Angeles Fashion District - On the weekends you will find over 2,000 wholesalers selling their wares at prices 40-70% off! During the week there are more than 200 vendors selling Hollywood fashions for less than retail. So if you are looking for just the right outfit to knock someone off their feet, this is the place to go.
Los Angeles Mall - Here you will find shops, restaurants, music and light shows.
Sur La Table - This is a great resource if you are shopping for kitchenware, appliances, utensils, gadgets, cutlery, specialty foods and cooking classes.
Westfield Shoppingtown Century City -A high-end shopping mall where you will find a movie theatre, restaurants, such as Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry’s and retailers like Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and Coach.
Westside Pavilion - This 3 level glass ceiling mall has over 160 stores and restaurants so you should have no trouble finding that something special. Situated in the elite Westside area, the mall was used as a hang-out for the shop-a-holics in the movie Clueless.
L.A. Museums
 Museum
of Contemporary Art (MOCA) - For artwork from the 1940s
to today, this is the place to go. You will see works by
John Baldessari, Lee Krasner, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol
and numerous other art talents.
Wells Fargo History Museum - To see how banking has evolved in America—especially as part of the western growth, then this is the place to go.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles - To see exhibits
on animal life along with displays of minerals, metals and
gems, as well as a gallery on the history of California,
you will want to spend a day touring this great museum.
Docent lead tours are available daily.
Japanese-America National Museum - A wonderful museum
where you can learn about Japanese life in the U.S. and
how their way of life has influenced the culture.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art - Known for its Japanese art collection, this is one of the premiere art museums in America.
Southwest Museum - This is Los Angeles’ oldest museum. It shows the history of the original Californians, the American Indians, the Southwest, the Great Plains and the northwestern coast.
Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits - A great place to see over 10,000 fossils removed from area tar pits and put on display.
Petersen Automotive Museum - Do you love cool cars? What about vintage hot rods? If so, then the Petersen has everything you could ask for in the world of cars. From Fred Flintstone’s Rockmobile to model T’s—if it has wheels and an “engine” you’ll find it here.
Downtown L.A. Attractions
Chinatown -Though not as well known as its San Francisco counterpart, this is still a great way to see how the Chinese have influenced western culture. Be sure you check out the assortment of shops and restaurants.
Little Tokyo -If you find the Japanese lifestyle fascinating, then this is the place to go. You can enjoy sushi at Ebun Market, visit the Buddhist temples, relax in the gardens, or shop for silk kimonos, tableware and other Japanese goods.
Music Center -Do you love the performing arts? If so, spend some time here. You will find four separate venues—the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is home to the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Center Theatre Group.
World Trade Center -Head here for stores, restaurants, driving ranges, tennis and much more, all in one grand complex.
Olivera Street/El Pueblo - To see historic buildings, houses and Mexican market places along with a taste of life south of the border—plan to spend some time here.
So, pack your bags and head to Los Angeles where there are a multitude of activities and attractions. From sporting attractions to concerts, relaxing on the beach or shopping, you are sure to have a sensational time!
Photo Credits: LA Sunset by Kla4067; LA hat by Chez Dom; LA palms by Tiare Scott; MOCA by Jason Hickey; LA skyline with snow by Todd D Jones; |
