Los Angeles HotelsLA – I love it! My parents both grew up in LA, so wherever we where as we traveled around, it seemed like LA was home base, as we would return there for summer and Christmas vacations. Los Angeles is located in Southern California on the Pacific Coast. This City of Angels was established by the Spaniards in 1781. Los Angeles was merely a ranch town when the US appropriated it from Mexico in 1846 - But by the 20th century the film industry shone a spotlight on L.A. The city of 3.5 million sprawls across 467 square miles of desert basin, mountain canyons, and coastal beaches. If there was one word to describe Los Angeles it would have to be diverse; for diversity is not only a characteristic of Los Angeles' geography, but it also describes the approximate 11 million people who call it home. Los Angeles is home to people from over 140 countries speaking 96 different languages. Attractions in this city are numerous and varied. There are more than 2,000 museums, galleries, theaters and other attractions in Los Angeles. Los Angeles features itself as a great hostess providing its visitors with activities such as museums, beaches, restaurants, performing arts, people watching and sports. The Mann's Chinese Theater provides for an interesting outing, while Rodeo Drive showcases the latest trends. No matter where you travel in the Los Angeles area, there's something exciting to do or see The Los Angeles area also features dozens of annual events, from parades, to sporting meets to festivals. Los Angeles has drawn the attention of people from all over the US and the world, making it the entertainment capitol of the world. L.A. has not only played a major role in the development of television, music, fashion and art, but it has also been a central figure in creating a diverse center of pop and traditional culture. Things to DoEl Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Monument Home of world-famous Olvera Street and site of Los Angeles' birthplace, this colorful Mexican marketplace, which opened in 1930, features 27 historic buildings surrounding the old Plaza. Try a taquito. This is my favorite place in the world to get a taquito with their incredible green sauce that carries some punch!
California Museum of Science and Industry Contemporary science and technology museum features exhibits on aerospace, science, earthquakes, mathematics, energy, health and economics. IMAX Theater.
HOLLYWOOD Sign
California Science Center Exhibits focus around the science that we encounter in our to everyday life. Tess, the animatronic star of "BodyWorks," demonstrates how the body's organs work together to maintain balance. The Imax Theater, with 3-D capabilities and a seven-story movie screen, shows science-related films.
Capitol Records Tower On its south wall, L.A. artist Richard Wyatt's mural Hollywood Jazz, 1945-1972, immortalizes musical greats Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The blinking light at the top of the tower spells out " Hollywood" in Morse code.
Central Library Major fires in the 1980s closed the library for six years. The original building, designed by Bertram Goodhue, was completely restored to its 1926 condition. The library also features a 1-1/2-acre outdoor garden.
Farmers Market In July 1934, two entrepreneurs developed a European-style open-air market where farmers could sell their produce to local housewives. The idea was an instant success, the market has more than 110 stalls and more than 20 restaurants, many with alfresco dining under umbrellas.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Huntington Gardens The awesome 150-acre Huntington Gardens include a 12-acre Desert Garden. The Japanese Garden features traditional Japanese plants, stone ornaments, and a Japanese house.
Kidspace This children's museum is housed in the gymnasium of an elementary school. There are plenty activities for the children to get involved with. Kids can direct a television or radio station; dress up in the real uniforms of a firefighter, astronaut, or football player; or play in tunnels for exploring insect life.
La Brea Tar Pits
Los Angeles Children's Museum Hands-on exhibits allow kids to record a song, make a TV show, learn about recycling, create arts and crafts, build a city out of pillows, and practice being a firefighter.
Mann's Chinese Theatre You will have to attend a theatre production in order to view the interior trappings of the former "Grauman's Chinese," a fantasy of Chinese pagodas and temples, but the courtyard is open for browsing.
Museum of Contemporary Art at California Plaza The permanent collection of MOCA is split between Geffen Contemporary and the galleries at this site, a red sandstone building designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.
Museum of Tolerance Using state-of-the-art interactive technology, this museum challenges visitors to confront bigotry and racism. One of the most affecting sections covers the Holocaust, with actual film footage of deportation scenes and simulated sets of concentration camps.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County The more than 3.5 million specimens at this superb museum in Exposition Park include a rich collection of prehistoric fossils; extensive bird, insect, and marine-life displays; an elaborate taxidermy exhibit; pre-Columbian artifacts; and crafts from the South Pacific.
Olvera Street Lively, one-block Olvera Street tantalizes with tile walkways, piñatas, mariachis, and authentic Mexican food. Restored as an open-air Mexican market in 1930, the street is the symbol of the city's beginnings when the original settlers built earthen and willow huts near the river. Vendors sell puppets, tooled leather goods, sandals, serapes, and other items from little stalls that line the center of the narrow street.
Pacific Park The 12 rides at Santa Monica Pier's 2-acre amusement facility include a roller coaster, a giant Ferris wheel, a flying submarine, and the Rock and Roll, a spinning experience with a light show and rousing music.
Santa Monica Pier Eateries, souvenir shops, a psychic adviser, arcades, and the Pacific Park amusement facilities are all part of this truncated pier at the foot of Colorado Boulevard below Palisades Park.
Universal Studios Visiting the theme park is a sensational introduction to the principles of special effects. Seated aboard a comfortable tram you can experience the parting of the Red Sea, meet a 30-ft-tall version of King Kong, be attacked by the ravenous killer shark, and endure a confrontation by aliens armed with death rays.
| ||||||||||||||
