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A town that sells star maps and offers bus
tours of celebrity homes, is a town that knows how to market itself, and Los Angeles
is a place brimming with sights to see and places to visit. Though one may naturally
think of glamour when thinking of L.A. , this is merely one aspect of it. Certainly
its movie stars and celebrities can leave you star-struck, but its museums, historic
homes, fabled avenues, and other attractions are just as dazzling, if not more.
In addition to the more well-known sites
associated with Hollywood 's past and present, try and visit some of Los Angeles
' cultural attractions as well. It'll be well worth your time. Los Angeles is
a huge city perceived by many to be superficial, but look deeper -- there is much
more to L.A. than first meets the eye. Indeed,
even in Hollywood , there is a great deal of history available and thanks to its
attractions, open to discovery. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Capitol Records
Tower , and Grauman's Chinese Theatre date back to the 1960's, 1950's, and 1920's
respectively. When you visit any of these landmarks, you step a little closer
to Old Hollywood, the glamorous standard by which present-day movie stars are
compared. Though one of Hollywood 's
newest attractions, the Hollywood & Highland complex is a must-see for all
tourists, as it celebrates Old Hollywood while promoting the appeal of Hollywood
today. The complex, named after Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue , is a
spectacular sight for all, even for the locals. It features the Kodak Theatre
(host of the Academy Awards), a choice selection of specialty shops, and a five-star,
22-story hotel in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. For those lucky enough to stay
at this exclusive hotel, you'll find everything, from city attractions to fine
dining, within walking distance. Another
popular choice for tourists who wish to experience Hollywood is a studio tour,
and both Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Studios offer them. These walking
tours are informative but the chance of seeing a big-name celebrity is unlikely.
However, being able to see a film studio up close is a thrill in itself. Of course,
there's also Universal Studios in the Valley ( San Fernando Valley ), which has
created a theme park in Universal Studios Hollywood that truly highlights movie-making
magic, with an emphasis on special FX. For
those who choose to leave Hollywood to the star-gazers, Los Angeles offers many
other sights to see. From popular Chinatown to the majestic Queen Mary in Long
Beach , L.A. attractions are as varied as they are beloved. Los
Angeles ' museums can be found throughout the city, each one dedicated to preserving
the best in art, literature, and nature. Located in downtown L.A. , the Museum
of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is one of the city's finest and is dedicated to American
and European art from 1940 until today. For those in search of world art, the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the place to visit. Since its opening
in 1966, this museum has amassed an impressive collection of more than 150,000
works. Take a tour and feast your eyes on masterworks from around the world, from
paintings and sculpture to photos and prints. In
Pasadena , the Huntington Library is an inspiring destination. Along with the
Huntington Gallery and Botanical Gardens, the library does its best to preserve
past treasures. Visitors can marvel at the volumes of literary collections, which
include first editions and the handwritten notes of famous authors. In the botanical
gardens, a variety of gardens can be found, from a Japanese garden to a rose garden.
Take time to enjoy them all. The Westside
is a distinguished part of Los Angeles where the affluent live, and certainly
visiting this area can be a day trip all by itself. Neighborhoods, such as Bel-Air
and Pacific Palisades, are found in the Westside and seeing the scale and beauty
of these homes is something to experience. However, in addition to the opulence
that characterizes this community, it is also home to two museums of importance:
the Museum of Tolerance and The Getty Center. The latter opened in 1998 and houses
an expanding collection of European fine art started by J. Paul Getty more than
70 years ago. But if staying indoors
isn't your idea of an L.A. vacation, then perhaps Santa Monica , Venice , or Long
Beach would be better destinations. The Boardwalk in Venice is a great place to
enjoy the California sunshine, as well as shopping, bicycling, and people-watching.
Here you'll find a unique mix of street entertainers, both professional and amateur.
Santa Monica Pier is also a fun destination for those wanting to stay outdoors.
The pier features a carousel, free concerts in the summer, and souvenir shops
in a totally laid-back setting. In Long Beach , the Aquarium of the Pacific is
a great choice for families. The Aquarium is dedicated to marine life from the
Pacific Ocean and also maintains an aviary for bird lovers. Located
close to Wilshire Boulevard is the famed Farmers Market and The Grove, a market
and shopping district on the corner of Third and Fairfax . An entire day or two
can be spent here, experiencing what it must be like to be a local of Los Angeles
. With more than 100 stalls and over 20 restaurants to choose from, plus a variety
of retail stores, the Market and The Grove are excellent places to just hang out,
people-watch, and relax. Though some
may perceive Los Angeles as being more surface than substance, a closer look is
all that's needed to find that that simply isn't so. When visiting the city, consider
some of the sights beyond Hollywood , such as in Pasadena , Wilshire, and downtown
L.A. Hotel location may be the biggest factor in determining what attractions
you see, but just keep in mind that there is more to Los Angeles than glitz and
glamour. With that being said, don't miss seeing that Hollywood Sign! |
