The glitz and the glamour of Hollywood clashes well with the rugged landscape of Los Angeles, or "The City of Angels". This city's sprawling nature, sparkling ocean view, and sunny weather put all the other urban jungles in the United States to shame. How convenient is it to go surfing one minute, and then attend a record label meeting the next? Catch celebrities left and right as you explore shopping malls, casinos, amusement parks, museums, and other attractions in Los Angeles.
Go on a magical adventure in Disneyland Park! With characters and rides inspired by Pixar movies, this amusement park can be accessed via the fast pass. Visit the Star Wars Land, Indiana Jones, and other 8 themed lands and discover all sorts of exciting surprises. From the haunted mansion to the delicious dole whip, visitors have found themselves coming back for more since 1955.
A good old-fashioned Harry Potter-themed park never fails to entertain all ages, most especially Universal Studios Hollywood. Enjoy a myriad of rides, attractions, activities, restaurants, shops, and shows inspired by the likes of Simpson, Transformers, The Mummy, The Walking Dead, to name a few. Experience a hassle-free entrance by skipping the line with the express pass. Enjoy Los Angeles to the fullest!
Perhaps Los Angeles’ single most popular headline is the Hollywood Sign. The gritty glamour of the city reflects on the letters, which have been reinstalled twice only to break again in the next few years. When hiking along the trails, please use sunscreen. Technically it’s not allowed to hike up close to the sign, but viewing spots are available all over Mount Lee, Griffith Park, and Griffith Observatory. What makes this landmark intriguing is that it has been around since 1923, and has stayed a cultural icon over the years.
Find yourself in a starry, starry night at Griffith Observatory, one of Los Angeles’ top sites. This 1935 art deco landmark’s nightscape view spans the entire LA Basin and the surrounding nature. Its Zeiss Telescope is made available for public viewing, while its amazing planetarium has discounts for children and senior citizens. See fragments of meteors, gigantic models of planets, exhibitions, and so much more space-related content.
Los Angeles’ romantic side shines in Santa Monica Pier, the sunny beach. Here, you’ll meet all kinds of humans -- famous people, musicians, the homeless, out-of-towners, and tourists -- packed along the strip. Catch Santa Monica Pier Carousel’s classic Ferris wheel, grab a Mexican street food from a family taqueria, buy a souvenir from the vendors, and watch the sunset at Palisades Park. Side note: Pokemon Go players are gonna have a field day catching ‘em all at this touristy pier.
At the eastern tip of Santa Monica Mountains lies Griffith Park, one of the biggest urban parks in North America. Here you’ll find the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Greek Theatre, and the famous Hollywood Sign. Its rugged landscape makes way to hiking and equestrian trails that lead to a breathtaking city view. Frequently featured in famous Hollywood films like La La Land, Griffith Park is a must-see for movie buffs and nature lovers.
Go full-on tourist mode with a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles. Check out your idol’s star at the Walk of Fame between Gower and La Brea Streets, then proceed to Madame Tussauds for a selfie with wax versions of famous celebrities. The ‘Four Ladies of Hollywood’ is also a touristic spot, which celebrates the ethnically diverse stars of Hollywood. But if you’re a sucker for vintage, the El Capitan Theatre and Hollywood Museum should be in your itinerary. Discover more entertainment and shopping places along this famed winding street.
With its sophisticated architectural style and vast art collection, it’s hard to believe that The Getty offers free admission. Our advice? Take advantage and book a carpool to make it happen. Enter the hill via tram to see more of the gorgeous landscape and ocean view. Exhibitions starring American and European artists like Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Rubens, to name a few. For a self-guided tour, grab an iPod by the entrance and plug in for an interactive audio experience. The grounds are also great for picnics with friends and family.
Dubbed as the Movie Palace of the Stars, the TCL Chinese Theatre is famous for its cemented footprints and signatures of celebrities. The opulent pagoda-style movie house has been around since 1927 and continues to premiere the most anticipated movies. If you’re more interested in its rich history, you can join a half-guided tour available daily. Get more insight into the movie industry in Hollywood, your favorite celebrities’ imprinting ceremonies, and so much more.
Rodeo Drive’s three-block stretch of luxury stores and fashion boutiques are straight from the movies. Its iconic palm trees are uniformly lined up along the street, a classic scene in LA. Walk the beaten path of extravagance as you window shop and rub shoulders with American celebrities. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the two-mile-long road as countless luxury cars speed by in succession.
Los Angeles is home to the stars of Hollywood. Whether it be in music or film, this city is a creative place for all kinds of artists. And the surfing spots are to die for!
Contrary to popular belief, Los Angeles isn’t sunny 24/7. To see more sunshine, visit from March through May. Summer is just around the corner during these times, but it’s not as crowded in the beaches.
The best places to stay in Los Angeles are the safest ones. Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Los Feliz, and Venice Beach are all near each other and share tourist attractions with each other.