Los Angeles offers endless options for memorable experiences
for visitors and locals alike. Whether it’s visiting a quiet museum, or
attending a boisterous ball game, there are always interesting attractions and
exciting events taking place throughout L.A.
Places to
see in Los Angeles, California
Getty
Center
Los Angeles museums house some of the world’s most renowned
art collections. Throughout the city, you can discover masterpieces like
Vincent van Gogh’s Irises, one of the most expensive paintings in history and
currently on view at the Getty Center in Brentwood.
Marvel at
Los Angeles museum village
The collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or
LACMA, are housed in a vast 20-acre complex of buildings, expertly renovated in
2008. The focal point is the BP Grand Entrance, which includes the stunning
installation of Chris Burden's Urban Light. The Broad Contemporary Art Museum
is home to a dazzling selection of modern works.
Hollywood
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and for
film fans, the ultimate experience is a behind-the-scenes studio tour. At
Universal Studios Hollywood, the Studio Tour is perhaps its most legendary
attraction - and its original one, having debuted in 1915, not long after the
theme park opened. Narrated by Jimmy Fallon, the Studio Tour offers guests the
chance to explore the working backlot of a real Hollywood movie studio. The
tour includes Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s heart-pounding King Kong
360 3D, the world’s largest 3D experience.
Santa
Monica Pier
Considered the focal point of Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica
Pier includes Pacific Park, a traditional set-up stocked with a Ferris wheel,
aquarium, fairground games and cotton candy stands. On warm weekends, the
stretch is busy with families, beach bums and gym bunnies, who work out in
public at the original Muscle Beach just south of the pier.
Disneyland
You're never too old for Disneyland. This legendary theme park
is packed with cool things to do, spread over seven lands. Stroll down Main
Street USA to experience turn-of-the 19th century America, head Westwards at
Frontierland and tune into the music of New Orleans square, minus the floods
and booze. All your favorite cartoon characters come to life in dream-like
environments: You can step into the wooded home of Winnie the Pooh at Critter
Country, go behind the scenes of Disney films at Fantasyland and chase the
iconic mouse, who'll be scurrying around Mickey's Toontown. Great rides include
the stomach-churning Space Mountain and the epic Indiana Jones Adventure.
Shopping
in LA
For chic clothes and delicious food, the place to go shopping
is the junction of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue. Here, you'll find The Grove,
an open-air mall where you can browse through about 50 top stores, including
Abercrombie & Fitch and Barney's New York Co-Op. Adjacent, you'll find the
Original Farmer's Market. Set up in 1934, it's expanded from selling fresh
produce to offering an international culinary experience from a vast range of
stalls. For comfort food, visit Du-Par's (stall 210, 323-933-8446,
du-pars.com); for Texan grills, stake out Bryan's Pit BBQ (stall 740,
323-931-2869); and scoop up dessert from Bennett's Ice Cream (stall 548,
323-939-6786).
Venice
Beach
Venice Beach has long been known as the kooky Mecca of California,
and while it's been getting more than a fair share of mainstream tourists, the
area nurtures its eccentric spirit. Skateboarders, radical pamphleteers and
body builders: the visibility is great if you enjoy people-watching. Go for
lunch at the local Figtree's Café before scanning the shelves at Small World
Books. The bohemian district is welcoming to the gay community.
Jurassic
experience
Despite the misleading name, this scientific nook has nothing
to do with Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. The Museum of Jurassic Technology
is home to a repository of curiosities: scientific wonders include a bat that
can fly through walls and artistic miracles such as impossibly tiny sculptures.
The institute is an intriguing combination of fact and fiction, and much more
exciting than chasing CGI dinosaurs.
California
Science Center
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where
families, adults and children can explore the wonders of science through
interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs and
awe-inspiring films. They inspire science learning in everyone!
Grand
Park
The slow, lumbering mission to turn Downtown LA into a vibrant
cultural hub got a lift when a portion of Grand Park's 12 acres officially
opened to the public in July 2012. Dotted with fountains, picnic lawns, bright
pink benches and plenty of nooks from which to sit and people-watch, Grand Park
is a bright urban oasis that proves the city has a sense of romance.
Development continues and will include the opening of performance and event
lawns by the end of 2012, when the entire park will stretch from the Music
Center on Grand Avenue all the way to City Hall.
