Los Angeles
Everybody wants to visit Los Angeles. We all want to see Universal Studios, and the Hollywood sign, drive the Sunset Strip and tread the Walk of Fame.
Los Angeles in a nutshell
Everybody wants to visit LA – and no wonder. We all want to see Universal Studios, that huge Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills, drive along the Sunset Strip and tread the Walk of Fame. Los Angeles is the world of fame and fortune, celebrities and imagination, where fantasy is the name of the game in the movies, theaters and on TV screens.
We are all relatively familiar with this iconic, sprawling city as it spreads out along the coast – in actual fact, LA is a variety of small cities, each its own little world, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica.
When you’re not celebrity spotting, there is plenty to do in Los Angeles, home to some of the most exceptional art collections and museums in the world, including the Getty Center, the LA County Museum of Art and the Broad Museum.
The beaches are another big drawcard, so make sure to visit those in Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu to people watch and soak up the sun.
Explore the city’s diverse communities to learn about some of the different cultures that live here, such as Koreatown and Chinatown, shop till you drop in some of the most famous stores in the world and dine on diverse cuisines prepared by world-famous chefs. That’s what to expect in a day in the life of LA.
Best time to visit: Come in the spring, March to May, when the weather is idyllic and the crowds have thinned. The cheapest time to visit is January to April, when hotel rates are at their lowest.
Best Area for Sightseeing: This vast, sprawling metropolis has many stunning sights and activities to enjoy. Look at Things to do in Los Angeles below for some inspiration.
The Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States.
Shopping in Los Angeles: Of course, you have to hit Rodeo Drive, followed by the Golden Triangle, Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard and Canon Drive. Then there’s Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, The Grove district and Downtown LA. For trendy stores, there’s Fairfax Village and the iconic Melrose Trading Post flea market on Sundays. Pick up all sorts of items every day of the week at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and great vintage items at Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. And that is literally just a sample of what’s in store!
Food & Restaurants in Los Angeles: With so many diverse cultures living in this metropolis, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to cuisines to enjoy in the multitude of restaurants on offer. For a great foodie experience, head for the LA Farmer’s Market for stunning fresh produce, a variety of ethnic food stalls and plenty of entertainment.
Nightlife: Fantasy and nightlife go hand in hand, so you’ll find plenty of fun to enjoy after dark, in everything from celebrity hangouts to casual bars and laidback music venues.
Beaches: And now for the beaches, of which there are so many… Let’s start with Venice Beach, an entertainment mecca, too, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful people, street performers and tattoo artists. You can see pumped up bodies at Muscle Beach, or head for Malibu to enjoy secluded Paradise Cove Beach as well as Carbon Beach, also known as Billionaire’s Beach, a secluded, posh stretch of sand, with great swimming. Further afield is Huntington City Beach in Orange County, home to the International Surfing Museum. Laguna Beach’s Main Beach is a popular spot with lots of sports facilities. Let’s not forget the secluded but very beautiful El Matador, as well as nearby El Pescador and La Piedra beaches that together are known as the Robert H Meyer Memorial Beaches. Surfers love Zumba Beach, close to both Will Rogers and Surfrider Beaches. Or visit another great surfing haven, El Porto Beach, near the airport, or equally popular Surfrider Beach. The vast Santa Monica State Beach literally runs the length of Santa Monica, and you can also head north to Malibu’s County Line Beach, close to Ventura County.
Things to do in Los Angeles:
- Visit Venice Beach to see the people, the action, the fun and the wacky atmosphere.
- Explore the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), famous for its superb permanent contemporary art works and rotating exhibitions and the equally iconic Getty Center, with its stunning art collection.
- Enjoy a variety of entertainment options along LA’s famous Sunset Strip.
- See fossils dating back 40,000 years at the La Brea Tar Pits.
- Watch a football game at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
- Enjoy a day at Disneyland or Universal Studios.
Best way to get around: Rent a car, take the Metro or use the Downtown Area Short Hop (DASH) shuttle system that operates in Downtown, Hollywood and the west side of the city.