Hollywood is the epicenter of Los Angeles and Hollywood Boulevard is legendary. You'll find famous celebrity hand prints and footprints in cement in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater, which is attached to the Hollywood Highland shopping complex. The Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, is also here. The blocks along this strip of Hollywood Boulevard are where you will find the stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the sidewalk. Universal Studios theme park is nearby and there are many shops and restaurants. After dark, Hollywood is home to many of the city's trendy nightclubs and bars.
Sunset Boulevard, between Crescent Heights and Doheny Drive, is the infamous Sunset Strip and is known for historic music venues, like Whisky a Go Go, and all things rock and roll. The Mondrian Hotel, with the Sky Bar, is full of wannabe starlets and the garden at The Chateau Marmont hotel is packed with big-named celebrities. Listen to cool bands at the Viper Room, and take in a book reading at Book Soup. Cruising this stretch at night is a popular pastime with Angelenos.
Griffith Park is equivalent to New York's Central Park, with lush greenery and many points of interest. In 2006, the Griffith Observatory underwent a $93 million renovation, creating nearly 40,000 square feet of space underneath the existing building. The observatory is also the ideal location to view the landmark Hollywood sign. Other attractions in the park include the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles Zoo, Autry Museum and pony rides. Train lovers will enjoy Travel Town and Griffith Park Southern Railroad. Sports like golf, tennis, and hiking are also available in the park. You'll also find picnic tables, grassy meadows and playgrounds surrounding the area.
Los Angeles is a cultural city, and that is reflected in the number of important museums. The Getty Center atop Brentwood houses decorative Roman vessels to contemporary photography. Its companion museum, the Getty Villa, features stunning grounds and vistas.
The largest museum on the West Coast, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, opened the Broad Contemporary Art Museum wing in 2008, along Museum Row. The La Brea Tar Pits, The Petersen Automotive Museum, Zimmer Children's Museum, the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, and the Craft and Folk Art Museum are also found on this street.
Other notable museums are UCLA's Hammer Museum, MOCA, Natural History Museum and The Skirball Cultural Center.
Shop like a celebrity on Rodeo Drive for international brands like Prada, Ralph Lauren and Chanel. Check out the Beverly Hills Hotel and nearby Bel Air. Star maps are for sale along the mansion-lined streets.
The 75-miles coastline of Los Angeles is world-renown and stretches from the South Bay to Malibu. Venice is fun for people-watching and Santa Monica beach features the Santa Monica Pier, which is great for children of all ages.
Traveling north takes you to Malibu, where there are surfers and celebrities alike. Coastal access gates can be difficult to navigate but there are beaches with paid parking by the Malibu Pier, Malibu Lagoon and Zuma. Shop like a local at Malibu Country Mart at Cross Creek.
Once overlooked by tourists, downtown Los Angeles is a vibrant neighborhood, attracting hipsters and foodies alike. Visits to neighborhoods like Little Tokyo, Olvera Street and Chinatown are worth a visit. The Frank Gehry-designed Disney Music Hall is an architectural wonder, along with the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The Museum of Contemporary Art--MOCA--is downtown, as are small art galleries.
L.A. Live entertainment complex, which houses the Staples Center, home of the L.A. Lakers, the Nokia Theatre and many fine restaurants, is not to be missed.
