By Robert Vaux
The list of possible things to do in
Los Angeles is endless. As the entertainment capital of the world, it specializes in one-of-a-kind events and attractions. It's an amazingly cosmopolitan city too, with farmer's markets, public parades and demonstrations of every conceivable type taking place in neighborhoods all over the Southland. Cataloging all of them could fill several volumes, but the most prominent form is a basic list that could easily fill a week-long vacation.
Hollywood
The two best tourist spots for experiencing Hollywood are the Hollywood and Highland complex and the Universal Studios tour. Hollywood and Highland stands in the midst of several historic movie theaters and is anchored by Grauman's Chinese, featuring hand prints of movie stars in the cement out front. The Hollywood Walk of fame runs right past it, and the famous Hollywood sign is easily visible from its confines. Universal Studios, just a few exits up the 101 Freeway, takes visitors on a guided tour of its facilities. It also features numerous rides and stunt shows (the best of which is based on "Waterworld," believe it or not) designed to give audience members a sense of how Hollywood creates its onscreen magic.
Hollywood and Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd # 433
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 817-0220
Universal Studios Hollywood
70 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 777-6727
Disneyland
Though not technically in Los Angeles (it's a short ride down the road in Anaheim), Disneyland remains the single greatest tourist draw in the entire area. Since it first opened in 1955, it has seen hundreds of millions of visitors pass through its gates, there to experience such famous rides as the Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Parades featuring classic Disney characters are scheduled throughout the year, and Disneyland offers fireworks displays on weekend and summer nights. A sister theme park, Disney's California Adventure, is right next door, as well as a shopping and restaurant area between them know as Downtown Disney.
Disneyland (and attendant attractions)
1313 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92803-3232
(714) 781-4000
LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits
Los Angeles features a number of world-class museums, notably the L.A. County Museum of Art. It boasts a number of galleries covering numerous eras in painting, sculpture and ancient art, as well as a Japanese pavilion featuring historic Asian pieces. Just across a swath of park space from it sits the George C. Page Museum, which holds prehistoric skeletons and similar exhibits from the famous La Brea Tar Pits. Their proximity to each other makes it easy to accommodate both in a single day, and there are plenty of restaurants and eateries within a short walking distance.
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6119
The George C. Page Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-7243
Beaches
Just about every oceanfront community in Los Angeles has a public beach available for swimming, surfing or just relaxing on the sand. The pleasant weather in LA allows for visiting year 'round (though the water gets cold in the winter) and a number of cities--notably Santa Monica and Venice--have public piers hosting restaurants, amusement park rides and public events.
Santa Monica Pier
350 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-5133
Venice Pier
Washington Blvd. and Ocean Walk Front
Venice, CA 90291
About the Author:
Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University.
