Los Angeles travel guide
Los Angeles is situated in the sunshine state - Southern California. LA is an enormous city with a population estimated to be just under 10 million. There are many different bustling communities spread throughout Los Angeles from the hippy styles of Venice beach to up-market West Hollywood. Los Angeles is the pulse of Southern California, a place where you can go surfing in the morning and shopping on Sunset Boulevard in the afternoon. There is plenty to do in LA and its location offers good access to the surrounding areas such as Palm Springs, San Diego and Orange County.
The first decison you need to make is where to base yourself; because of the size of LA it is inevitable that you will need to do some travelling. Hiring a car is probably the best option however if it isn't possible there are good public transport networks available (visit the metro website for information). Try to avoid taking cabs everywhere as it may start chumping into your spending money. If you are planning to spend your time on and around the beach book your accommodation there. Although a map may make LA look managable it is vast; you can spend 30 - 40 minutes moving from the beach to the city centre.
LA's beaches are beautiful with deep sandy shores that are bathed by the pacific ocean. The beaches are very clean and managed by life guards which cunjers up images of bay watch! Santa Monica and Venice beach are two of the most popular beaches. Venice beach is otherwise known as muscle beach because the 'strongest man' competitions are held there. Venice beach meets Santa Monica beach and you will notice a difference in styles. Venice beach has a bustling hippy community with fortune tellers and performers to entertain but as you stroll over to Santa Monica it becomes more up-market with prestigious hotels such as 'Shutters on the beach'. Surfing is a popular past time by the locals along with roller blading and cycling.
The city has many sights to see. Starting with the famous 'Hollywood' sign. Orginally this was erected as an advertisement for new homes called 'Hollywoodland' but the land has been removed since. The Hollywood sign is situated in the Santa Monica Hills. You can walk up into the foothills as there is a path but the Hollywood sign is further away than it appears. The best place to see it from the Planetarium in the hills - a white circular building. There is a restaurant with a patio to have lunch and get some refreshments.
Hollywood is renowned for film stars and great movies. Univeral Studies is a fun day out. There are many rides and also a studio tour where you can walk up Wisteria Lane, see the set of jaws and the DeLorean from Back to the Future to name but a few. Unfortunately though Hollywood itself is quite dishevelled, the streets are dirty and you may not feel as safe as you would like in the evening. In the daytime it is worth visiting the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame' where you can look for the star of your favourite actor/ actress!
If you intend to spend money there are many places to go. West Hollywood has many boutiques and a good location to base yourself in LA. Beverly Hills and Robertson Boulevard have many of LA's swankiest shops and like New York LA also has a Bloomingdales and a Macy's.
Flights to Los Angeles
Many airlines fly into Los Angeles to LAX, ONT, VNY and PMD - LAX being the main airport situated 15 miles Downtown of Los Angeles.
To and from Los Angeles airports
Activities and sightseeing in Los Angeles
Neighbourhoods - Beverly Hills, Chinatown, Santa Monica and Venice, Silverlake and Loz Feliz District, Topanga State Park. Sights - Disneyland, Exposition Park, Gamble House, Griffith Park, Huntington Library and Botanical gardens, Japanese American Museum, Knott's Berry Farm, Museum of Jurassic Technology, Museum of T.V. and Radio, Universal City, Watts Towers. Tours - LA Tours, StarLine tours.
Beaches
Romantic beaches - the northern Malibu beaches.
Surfing beaches - Mailbu surfrider, Will Rogers, Topanga, Venice, Santa Monica, Manhattan State Beach, Hermosa and Huntington.
Sporting beaches - Hermosa and Manhattan have volleyball nets, Redondo.
Eating and Drinking in Los Angeles
Los Angeles restaurants
Lala's - Argentinina steak house on Melrose Avenue, Kyoto - Japanese restaurant On Wiltshire Boulevard, AMMO - Hollywood, Yangtze Restaurant - Chinese restaurant in Santa Monica, Salades de Provence - French restaurant in West Hollywood, Bombay Bite - Indian restaurant on Gayley Avenue, La Dolce Vita - Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills, Antonio's - mexican restauant on Melrose Avenue.
Los Angeles night life
Bigfoot Lodge in Los Feliz, Winstons in West Hollywood, Republic in West Hollywood, Elevate Lounge on Wiltshire Boulevard, Sugar in Hollywood, The Avalon in Hollywood, Play on Yucca Avenue, Mood on Hollywood Boulevard, Here Lounge in West Hollywood, Seven in West Hollywood.
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| Average Temperature (celsius) | 14 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 18 | 12 |