INTRODUCTION
Los Angeles, or L.A., is the entertainment capital of the United States and possibly even the world. As the base of operations for many film, television, and music studios, a lot of America’s creative types reside here. L.A. has a reputation for colorful and sometimes controversial extravagance in everything from art to fashion.
Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States by population and the largest by land. The districts of L.A. are Downtown L.A., East L.A., South L.A., Harbor Area, Hollywood, Wilshire, Westside, and San Fernando Valley ("the Valley"). Within these districts lie many famous areas and neighborhoods such as Bel-Air, which is located in the Westside district.
L.A. is so large, in fact, that it has annexed other towns, like Hollywood, into becoming part of the city proper. It also surrounds other cities like Beverly Hills, which are in L.A. but technically their own cities.
HISTORY
The Los Angeles area was home to many Native American groups for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans in 1542. The Spanish officially set up L.A. as a town in 1777.
In 1821, New Spain, which Los Angeles was a part of, gained independence from the Spanish Empire, making L.A. a part of Mexico. The United States took control of California in 1847 after defeating Mexico in the Mexican-American War.
Los Angeles began to grow during the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, but it was William Mulholland’s completion of an aqueduct in 1913 that really allowed L.A. to develop into an important city in the very dry region of Southern California.
In the 1920s, the motion picture and aviation industries moved to Los Angeles in order to capitalize on the region's seemingly endless space. This is what eventually thrust Los Angeles into the international spotlight.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- L. A. enjoys a typical Southern California climate – moderate and averaging 80ºF in the summer and 55ºF in the winter.
- If arriving by plane, it is much cheaper to use an airport shuttle bus than a taxi. If you like your driver, ask for their business card and they can chauffeur you around for the rest of your trip!
- L.A. has one of the largest freeway systems in the world. This is because it is the most car-populated metro area in the world. L.A. also has a very reliable public transportation system, complete with a Rail, Bus, and DASH system. These systems go to virtually every spot in the greater L.A. area and are a cheaper alternative to taxis. http://www.ladottransit.com/
- California is famous for surfing, and L.A. is no exception. One of the best spots to surf in the area is Chevron Reef, located near Los Angeles International Airport.
- Traffic in L.A. is legendary. Factor in plenty of extra time to get from one place to another, especially if you are driving during rush hour (6am-9am and 4pm-7pm). During these dreaded hours, avoid the San Diego freeway (I-405) at all costs. It is considered the busiest freeway in the city.
- Los Angeles has experienced a food movement in the past few years. Gourmet food trucks have popped up all over the city exciting local foodies with their delicious, low-key street grub. One of the most popular is called, Kogi. It serves up Korean food with a Mexican Twist.
- Bring your camera! You will probably spot a few celebrities on your trip to L.A. and don’t want miss an opportunity to snap a photo.
ATTRACTIONS
Hollywood
Hollywood Blvd.
Walk of Fame
West Hollywood
Mulholland Drive
Sunset Strip
Music
Los Angeles Music Center
Hollywood Bowl
Whisky a Go Go
Wiltern
Amoeba Music
House of Blues Sunset Strip
Orpheum Theatre
Club Nokia
Museums and Culture
The Getty Center
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Ronald Reagan Library
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
La Brea Tar Pits
Griffith Park
El Pueblo
Theater
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre
El Capitan
Pantages Theatre
Kodak Theatre
Shopping
Rodeo Drive
Fashion District
Hollywood and Highland
Third Street Promenade
Beaches
Venice Beach
Santa Monica
Malibu
Topanga State Beach
Zuma Beach
Hermosa City Beach
Sports
California’s most beloved basketball team, The Los Angeles Lakers, plays at the Staples Center. The Lakers’s roster includes mega-stars like Kobe Bryant and Luke Walton. Los Angeles’ other basketball teams are the L.A. Clippers and the WNBA team, the L.A. Sparks. The L.A. Kings don’t have the same record of success that East Coast hockey teams do, but they are still fun to watch for hockey lovers. The L.A. Galaxy gained international prestige in the soccer world when it signed David Beckham in 2007 and is currently Major League Soccer’s most popular team. The L.A. Dodgers, continually at the top of its division, have a fiercely loyal fan base. Los Angeles does not have a football team; its former NFL team, the Rams, moved to St. Louis in 1995.
NEARBY CITIES
Burbank
Catalina Island
Glendale
Long Beach
Orange County
Simi Valley
Thousand Oaks
Valencia
Westlake Village
RESTAURANTS
Diddy Riese
926 Broxton Avenue, Westwood, CA 90024
(310)208-0448
These freshly made ice cream sandwiches tempt UCLA students with both low prices ($1.50 per sandwich) and high variety (ten kinds of cookies and twelve flavors of ice cream). Open until at least midnight every day, the store’s late hours make ice cream sandwiches the perfect indulgent midnight snack. Anyone for a scoop of strawberry cheesecake chunk between two double chocolate cookies with nuts?
http://www.diddyriese.com/home.php
Ca' Del Sole
4100 Cahuenga Blvd, Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818)985-4669
Diners can enjoy authentic and comforting Italian cuisine in a quiet, homey atmosphere. Ca’ Del Sole also boasts a welcoming open fireplace and outdoor patio.
http://www.cadelsole.com/
Tengu
10853 Lindbrook Dr, Westwood CA 90024
(310)209-0071
Named after the Japanese god of mischief, Tengu is sure to tempt with its Asian fusion cuisine and nightly groove soundtrack provided by the house DJ.
http://www.tengu.com/
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323)655-6277
Their creative seasonal French-Mediterranean food is accompanied by an extensive wine list.
http://www.lucques.com/
The Palm
1100 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213)763-4600
A traditional family-run restaurant, the Palm is renowned for its generous portions and mouth-watering steaks. Diners will enjoy the lively atmosphere and friendly service.
http://www.thepalm.com/Los-Angeles-Downtown
Cicada
617 S. Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213)488-9488
Housed in a striking Art Deco building, Cicada specializes in Italian cuisine with an Asian twist.
http://www.cicadarestaurant.com/
Spark Woodfire Grill
300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA
(714)960-0996
Boasting inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean, Spark Woodfire Grill on Huntington Beach (one of several locations) serves contemporary American cuisine and offers a California-driven wine list.
http://www.sparkwoodfiregrill.com/index.php
LODGING
Venice Beach Cotel
25 Windward Ave, Venice, California 90291
(310)399-7649
This award-winning hostel offers quality budget accommodation in the heart of Venice Beach.
http://www.venicebeachcotel.com
Kawada
200 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213)621-4455
Awash with quaint, old-world charm, the Kawada offers comfortable rooms for very reasonable prices. The hotel is also home to an acclaimed restaurant, The Epicenter, and a wonderful café, Shockwave, both of which are humorously named with a nod to California's shaky reputation.
http://www.kawadahotel.com/
The Queen Mary
1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
(562)435-3511
Since her maiden voyage in 1934, the Queen Mary has been the epitome of privilege and elegance. After 1,001 transatlantic crossings, she has dropped her anchor in Long Beach and now offers opulent hotel accommodation.
http://www.queenmary.com/
Hotel Maya
700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802
(562)435-7676
A luxurious boutique hotel located at Long Beach's waterfront, the Hotel Maya boasts an exotic garden and a tropical ambiance.
http://tinyurl.com/36jyhz3
The Avalon Hotel
9400 West Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310)277-5221
The hip Avalon Hotel blends retro chic with bold modern design. Located in a quiet residential area, it's just six blocks from the fashionable shops of Beverly Hills.
http://www.avalonbeverlyhills.com/
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323)466-7000
This grand Spanish-style hotel has catered to Hollywood's entertainment royalty throughout the last century. It also houses Dakota, a steakhouse with a twist, and Teddy's, one of the hottest clubs in Hollywood.
http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/la/hollywood-roosevelt
