Perhaps more than anything else, Los Angeles is known as a production capital for film and television. A home to major movie and television studio, LA is where you can find Hollywood and many of its major players. Sightseers can take in a trip to the famous "Hollywood" sign, while those who want to reach out and touch the stars can do so outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The forecourt of this longstanding theater is where celebrities have imprinted their names and hands in wet cement for decades, while other stars are honored with spots on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
After checking out the local sights on your own, you can head to one of LA's movie studios for a tour of the backlot, or take in a taping of a talk show or sitcom. If you love film and television, LA is the place to see them up close.
When the movie stars and music producers of LA make their millions, they need a place to spend it --- the city is well-known for its high-end shopping areas. If you're in the market for a new designer wardrobe, you can find everything you need in LA. Rodeo Drive, for example, is infamous for its designer boutiques and designer prices. Other shopping districts are similarly named for the streets on which you can find them --- for example, Santa Monica's Montana Avenue or Santee Alley in Downtown. Shoppers that aren't on a movie star's budget may find something worthwhile in Santee Alley, where sample sales and knockoff designs are abundant.
Los Angeles is well-known for its warm, sunny weather, so be sure to spend some time outdoors during your stay. Head to one of the city's famous beaches, like Venice Beach or Hermosa Beach, to bask in the sun's glow and enjoy a view of the Pacific Ocean. Venice Beach in particular is renowned for the colorful characters that gather on the oceanfront walk to entertain and practice their art, so take in an afternoon of people-watching in the west-coast sun. The city offers additional recreational options, like golf courses, bicycle trails and of course, plenty of places to surf.
