From the Hollywood hills to the Venice Beach boardwalk, Los Angeles is a cinematic city of dreams, where every sunset feels like a scene from a movie. The center of the entertainment world
This little museum consists of two galleries that showcases arts and crafts from around the globe. It gives visitors a chance to learn more about the origins of these pieces and cultures of the people who made them. A small gift shop is also located within the museum,
The third oldest ballpark in the United States, Dodger Stadium has been home to the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball since 1962. A great place to watch a professional baseball game, Dodger Stadium has also had many of the world’s top music artists perform there including: Madonna, Kiss, The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Bee Gees, Elton John, Michael Jackson and U2.
The Farmer’s Market boasts numerous food stalls, sit-down eateries, multiple produce markets and food vendors, and is a historic Los Angeles landmark and tourist attraction. In total it features more than 100 restaurants, grocers, and tourist shops.
This opulent building was built by Sid Grauman in 1927 and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hollywood. Renovated several times in the past, it's facade has a distinctive Oriental look resembling a pagoda.
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and is the second largest city park in California. Often referred to as the Central Park of Los Angeles, visitors to Griffith Park can attend concerts under the stars at the Greek Theatre, hit golf balls on one of two 18-hole golf courses, or swim in the swimming pool during the summer months. Griffith Park also boasts athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, and many hiking and equestrian trails
This museum showcases a wide range of exhibits, including the props that were used in Hollywood films. Visitors are shown how the industry began with the silent film, and then moving onto the Hollywood Golden Era, to the technology used today and finally to the future of the industry. You also get a chance to see the whip used by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones, as well as Marilyn Monroe's autopsy. The museum also holds special events on a regular basis.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It is about 5.5 miles long stretching between La Brea and Gower Streets and between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. It has over 2000 bronze stars embedded in it, honouring film stars, musicians, producers and other top media personalities. The first person to recieve a star was Joanne Woodward in 1960.
La Brea Tar Pits is a famous group of tar pits, where the hot tar has been oozing out from the Earth for more than 40,000 years. Different species of animals from birds to mammals to fish have gotten stuck in the sludge and their remains have been preserved in it for many years. Scientists in 1906 began to remove some of these 'remains' from the pits and they are now kept in the adjacent Page Museum. A large collection of skeletons and Ice Age plants can be found at the museum.
Little Tokyo and Chinatown are the Japanese and Chinese cultural centers of California. Declared a National Historic Landmark District, it boasts the David Henry Hwang Theatre, numerous restaurants, wagashi shops, specialty stores, and the Japanese Village Plaza.
Located in Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo has eleven hundred animals that call it home. Animal exhibits include the rare California condor, chimpanzees, orangutans, koalas, birds, a monkey exhibit, and much more. The zoo is also a certified botanical garden with over 800 different plant species.
One of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s restaurants, Spago offers a delicious variety of American and International cuisine. Dishes include melt-in-the mouth pizzas and prime cote de boeuf. The decor is extravagant with stained glass and art by David Hockney. Spago is a favorite amongst the Rich and Famous of Los Angeles. Dinner is served daily and lunch Mondays to Saturdays.
Craft is one of Tom Colicchio’s newest restaurants specializing in American cuisine. The food is presented beautifully and tastes even better. Tom Colicchio is a judge on BRAVO TV’s “Top Chef”. Address: 10100 Constellation Blvd., Los Angeles CA 9067 Telephone: +1 310 279 4180 Website: www.craftresteraunt.com/craft_losangeles_style.html Type: American
A rooftop restaurant situated beside a pool, the Blue Velvet grows their own garden of herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Located near Old Pasadena, Trattoria is a small Italian restaurant offering delicious, homemade pastas, fish, and other traditional Italian cuisine.
O Bar is a trendy, open table restaurant and lounge located in West Hollywood. It offers a unique setting with low tables and cushion seating.
Co-owned by Robert de Niro, this restraunt is also frequented by the Rich and Famous of Tinseltown. The decor is modern and the food delicious. Dishes include porcini mushroom risotto, brick oven-baked pizzas and bistecca. Plus, don't leave before trying something on the dessert menu.
This restaurant is located in the Omni Los Angeles Hotel and is run by Chef Robert Gadsby. The dining room is dimly lit, the decor elegant and piano music is heard being played in the background. The food is delicious and dishes include basil pesto bass, curried cauliflower and Jalapeno scallops.
Versailles is a Cuban restaurant that boasts a great reputation for good food. Celebrities are often seen dining in any one of the restaurant's multiple locations. Almost all dishes at this restaurant are served with black beans and rice. Specialties include the garlic chicken - roasted chicken that is topped with garlic-citrus sauce.
Geisha House is a popular Japanese restaurant that serves good Japanese cuisine by waitresses dressed as geishas.
This restaurant provides great Italian food with an Asian flair.
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The Hyatt Regency is characterized by contemporary glamour and sits on the Westside, adjacent to Beverly Hills. It boasts 726 renovated guestrooms, fitness center, a world class spa, outdoor heated pool, salon, lush gardens and has been the choice of dignitaries for more than four years. In-room facilities include large closets with terry robes, grand beds, 32-inch flat screen TVs and ihome for ipod connectivity. Guests can choose to eat at Breeze, the 250-seat restaurant and sushi bar designed by Stephen Jacobs or get a late night cocktail or appetizer at X Bar.
Dubbed as the best-kept secret in the city by GQ Magazine, the Four Seasons Hotel embodies California’s relaxed, carefree ambience. Located minutes from Rodeo Drive, this hotel boasts a multilingual staff, it’s own restaurant, lounge, fitness center, Jacuzzi and outdoor pool, sauna and spa. Rooms have a personal balcony, TV, daily newspaper, fireplace, hot beverage maker, mini-bar/wet bar, and more. Pets are permitted.
Reminiscent of colonial Spain, the Hotel Bel Air has received a five star rating and is named one of the world’s leading hotels. Hotel Bel Air boasts 12 acres of lush landscaping, spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, children’s programs, babysitting, and transportation. Rooms include personal balcony, connecting rooms, fireplace, kitchenette, private bath, whirlpool tub and more. Pets permitted.
Located near Rodeo drive, The Beverly Hills Wilshire’s spa is ranked one of the best in the city according to Angeleno Magazine. The hotel also boasts three restaurants: CUT, The BLVD, Poolbar & Café; two lounges: Sidebar and the BLVD Lounge; fitness center, outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, spa, business center, currency exchange and children’s programs. Pets are permitted. Hotel rooms include personal balcony, fireplace, hot beverage maker, private bath, and whirlpool tub.
The Ritz Carlton sits on the waterfront of the Marina Del Ray. Near Venice Beach, Malibu and Santa Monica, the Carlton boasts 304 guest rooms and suites, spa, lounge, fitness and massage center, beauty salon, water sports and LA’s only waterfront pool and whirlpool. Rooms include personal balcony, connecting rooms, daily newspaper, private bath, safe, and more. Pets allowed.
Hotel Sofitel is located opposite the Beverly Center and is near Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue and Sunset Blvd. The hotel includes restaurants: SIMON LA by Kerry Simon and Stone Rose Lounge by Rande Gerber, a spa, beauty salon, outdoor pool, sauna and fitness center. Rooms include cable, hot beverage maker, mini-bar/wet bar, voicemail and more. Pets allowed.
Loews’ Hotel is the proud winner of a sustainable quality award for excellence in environmental stewardship. The hotel offers a sunny beachfront setting, ocean views, its own restaurant and lounge, fitness center, beauty salon, multilingual staff, outdoor pool, sauna and spa. Rooms include personal balcony, cable, telephone, hot beverage maker and more. Pets allowed.
Located on Sunset Strip in West Beverly Hills, the London West Hollywood boasts 200 open floor suites with personal terraces, a restaurant run by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and a roof top pool. The hotel also offers a fitness center, spa, salon and a store. Rooms include ipod dock, work table, 24 hr room service and full wet bar.
Located blocks from the Stapes Center, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Disney Concert Hall, the Wilshire Grand Hotel has 900 rooms, salon, heated outdoor pool, 24 hr fitness facility and Japanese, Korean, and Italian restaurants. Rooms include sitting areas, two phones with data ports and Internet access. Children 17 and under stay free. Non-smoking hotel.
Located near the Farmer’s Market and the Grove, an outdoor shopping center, the Farmer’s Daughter offers pet-friendly rooms and a restaurant (the TART). Rooms range from single bedrooms to suites that include Internet ports, cable and DVD players.
The United States Embassy located in Abu Dhabi, grants visas to non-immigrant and immigrant residents and citizens, while the United States Consulate General in Dubai grants non-immigrant visas. Inquiries should be sent to [email protected] or visit http://dubai.usconsulate.gov
Visiting Los Angeles during the summer can be uncomfortable for some; the daytime temperatures tend to soar in the inland valleys and the LA smog can be troublesome. Those by the sea however, will have a more pleasant experience. Tourists flock to the city during the summer with hotels filling up quickly, and at times it may even become difficult to secure a restaurant reservation.
Location:: Located near the Pacific Ocean in the State of California.; Dialing code:: International country code: +1 (USA) Area codes: 213, 310, 323, 424, 626, 818; Emergency Numbers:: Call 911 for emergencies requiring the police, fire or paramedics. Gas service 800-427-7623
New Year’s Day - Jan 1 President’s Day - Jan 21 Easter - Changes annually (either March or April) Cesar Chavez - March 31 Memorial Day - Last Monday of May Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - First Monday of September Columbus Day - Second Monday of October Veteran’s Day - November 11 Thanksgiving - Fourth Thursday of November Christmas Eve - December 24 Christmas Day - December 25 New Year’s Eve - December 31
January
Los Angeles is a multi-cultural city with many immigrants calling it home. People hailing from Guatemala, Iran, Armenia, Thailand, China, Korea, Japan, India, Cambodia and many other countries co-exist in harmony. Ethnic communities such as Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, Thai town, Little Persia and Little India can also be seen dotted around the city.
A sprawling metropolis, Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States. Home to nearly 18 million people from 140 countries with a total of 86 languages spoken, LA truly is a melting pot of cultures. Its coastline along the Pacific Ocean runs for 122km from Malibu to Long Beach, and it is surrounded by two mountain ranges; Santa Monica and San Gabriel.
The Tongva and Chumash Native American tribes were the first to occupy Los Angeles thousands of years ago. 1542 saw the arrival of the first Europeans led by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. 227 years later on August 2, 1769, Gaspar de Portola and Juan Crespi a Franciscan missionary, arrived at the present site of Los Angeles.
Located in Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive is the epitome of luxury shopping, with movie star sightings common and free two hour valet parking offered. Bottega Veneta, Armani, Bally, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Christian Dior and Gucci are some of the many designer shops that can be found here.
Located in West Hollywood, Sunset Plaza offers designer boutiques such as Tracey Ross, Nicole Miller, Giorgio Armani and Anna Sui. Newcomers include O, which sells accessories from up-and-coming designer Ann Cherico. If shopping is not your thing, then choose a comfy corner in one of many cafes located nearby, sip your latte, and start ‘people watching’. That’s what most Angelenos indulge in when they have nothing else to do.
Celebrity sightings are quite popular in this part of town. Shop for shoes at Hogan, walk into Kitson’s for those must-have accessories and get some trendy outfits from Curve’s. Other shops in this area include Maxfield Blue, MAC, Giorgio Armani and Storyopolis, a great bookstore for kids. End your shopping spree with a bit to eat at the Ivy, a restaurant that is popular with many celebrities.
This quiet street is home to a wide range of stores. Items from European designers can be found at Naked, menswear at K. Bond and trendy and hip outfits at Beige. Health food can be bought at the high end food store, Erewhon.
Melrose Avenue offers clothing, music, food and more. Stores include Betsey Johnson, Von Dutch, Liza Bruce, Sportie LA, Nichole and Urban Outfitters. This street is where you would find many hipsters trying to get their hands on the latest in fashion. Get your self some secondhand items from Aardvark’s and Wasteland.
The Grove shopping center offers everything from clothing, to food and electronics. Shops include the Apple store, American Doll store, and adjacent to it is the historical Farmer’s Market.
One would find great boutiques in this street such as Aero & Co, Polka Dots and Moonbeams. Stores such as Zipper’s sell home accessories and gift items. There are also some fantastic shops where you can stock up on antique pieces. End your shopping spree with a bite to eat at the Real Food Daily or go in for some Spanish food at Cava. If you want to dine in style, then try the new high-end restaurant A.O.C. run by chefs behind the renowned Border Grill.
Get yourself a great pair of jeans from Jet Rag, which is a popular vintage store. Or if you’re interested in some hardware for your house, then Liz’s Hardware is the place to be. Buy some foreign films from Rocket Video, or sink your teeth into some delicious hot dog at Pink’s. If you’re in the mood for Chinese instead, Lucky Duck is the place for you.
For all you movie buffs out there, this is the place you need to be. This store offers wardrobes and props from movie and TV sets.
Come and get yourself some trendy outfits at Fred Segal.
The museum was designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and displays the works of several modern artists such as Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko. The museum has a red exterior and inside, skylights dot the roof, allowing sunlight to illuminate the galleries. A fountain is also found in the courtyard.
This museum showcases an extensive collection of European art and features the works of Rembrandt, Picasso, the Impressionists and Rodin. Visitors will also find a collection of Degas' sculptures as well as sculptures from India and South-East Asia. While you're there, don't forget to take a stroll through the garden, which features fountains, ponds, statutes and various sculptures.
It may be small, but this theme park is in a fantastic location on the Santa Monica Pier. Kids can spend the day playing the various arcade games that are available, or riding on a roller coaster or even getting a good view of the LA coastline from the top of the Ferris Wheel.
Visitors can find some rare and exotic cars at this museum including a hand-made Bugatti. The Hollywood Gallery showcases the cars that were used in films as well as vehicles owned by famous people.
The Sports Museum of Los Angeles contains over 10,000 sports memorabilia and collectible items from decades of sports history. A haven for sports fans!
Universal Studios is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios. Guests can take tours of real soundstages and sets, or choose to spend the day at the theme park. Universal Studios theme park offers rides and attraction centered around some of the most famous movies ever produced.
More than a million people take to the streets each year to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Junior. The parade travels down Alameda and 7th streets. The day ends with festivities at the Martin Luther King Junior Park.
Held for two weeks at the Palm Springs area, this festival showcases the Coachella Valley's most famous crop, dates. The festival features camel races, date-sampling stalls, Arabian Nights pageants, food stalls and numerous other activities.
Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center each year, this is the nation's largest bicycle and fitness expo.
This festival features local jazz and reggae music artists and is held at the UCLA Intramural Field.
More than 60,000 people attend this festival which showcases both American and international independent films, short films and music videos. The festival takes place over 10 days.
Beginning in Hollywood, the first stop on this tour is the Hollywood Sign, where you get to take your pictures in front of it. You can also see the homes of 45 movie stars when the tour bus passes through Beverly Hills. The tour also takes you to Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip.
Starting at 9.30 AM, this tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours and is available daily during June, July and August. The cost for adults is $54.00 and $38.00 for children aged 3-11
A 5.5 hour tour of everything you would want to see in Los Angeles.
This three hour tour takes you through the history of famous deaths in LA. The tour includes sights such as the location of the Manson murders, the real nightmare on elm street, the place where Frank Sinatra died, and much more.
This company offers sightseeing tours and city tours of Los Angeles, movie star tours that include homes of celebrities, LA romantic helicopter tours, Universal Studios tours, and much more.
This 4 hour long tour takes you to all the highlights of LA, but after dusk.
This 30 minute helicopter ride enables you see everything you need to see of LA but from the air.
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www.mta.net and 1-800-COMMUTE are good resources for understanding the bus system in LA. In general, the bus system is a good way to get around LA, with many residents choosing to use the Rapids, as they have fewer stops and cuts through traffic well. Fares are $1.25 per passenger (no transfers) or $5.00 for a day pass. It is recommended that you bring a street map as an MTA bus may change its route to make up for time. Bus systems include: the Rapids (L.A. city), Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Venice Beach), Culver CityBus (in and around Culver City).
MetroRail is a subway and light rail system. Visiting popular tourist destinations may require multiple transfers. If a trip involves more than one line, then passengers must have separate tickets for each line or use a day pass. Fare is: $1.25 one way, $5.00 day pass (good until 3 AM next day), $17 for one week and $62 for a month. Tickets can be purchased through vending machines, buses, Metro Customer Centers, or the MTA website.
Taxi stands are usually located at airports and major hotels so trying to flag one down on the streets of Los Angeles will be a very frustrating experience. Plus the fares are also very high with a short trip costing about $20. If a taxi ride is essential, then it is best to call for one from any one of the following companies:
Renting a car in Los Angeles is a very cheap option, and all major car rental companies have offices there. Be sure to keep an eye open for discounts and seasonal promotions. Drivers must be at least 25, depending on the policy of the company. Check out the websites below for information regarding insurance. Car-rental companies include:
A taxi stand is located at the Arrivals section of LAX. A trip from the airport to Downtown Los Angeles would cost about $42. Travelling from LAX to Beverly Hills would cost around $25, and even more if going to Hollywood. Make sure you check out the prices before you get in. Also be sure to look out for the Taxicab Seal! An airport surcharge of $2.50 is expected.
It is quite easy to get around LA by car, but before you hop in behind the wheel, know exactly where you're headed and it is always best to have a map at hand - saves a lot of frustration later on!
The Los Angeles Police Department’s visitor guidance recommends planning routes, staying aware of surroundings and keeping valuables out of sight in vehicles. Safety conditions vary by location and time; broad labels about entire neighbourhoods are not a substitute for current local information.
