Walking around Los Angeles is not an easy task. As the world’s largest metropolis, Los Angeles has become as famous for cars and traffic as it is for its film industry. Before considering an exploration of the city, a rental car is certainly advisable, if not compulsory.
The Best of the Beach
Santa Monica
This beach community offers great shopping and dining. The Third Street Promenade and The Pier are major centers of activity. Here you can ride roller coasters, shop, eat, fish or just take in the ocean air.
Pacific Coast Highway/Malibu
When you’re ready to hit the coast, head north on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. A few miles north of Malibu is Leo Carillo State Beach. This unique inlet features rock formations and tide pools overflowing with some of the most unusual aquatic life in the world. If you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to see dolphins frolicking just offshore. When you’re done here, head south to Venice City Beach.
Venice
Venice became world-famous in the 1950s after Santa Monica’s Muscle Beach relocated to this region. The shoreline at Venice has a paved sidewalk for in-line skating and bike riding, and numerous street artists and funky performers.
Hollywood Highlights
Griffith Park Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is one of the largest in the country. At night you can stargaze from balconies on the outside of the building, as well as from on the roof. Face north in the parking lot and you will get a spectacular view of the Hollywood Sign. If it’s a different type of star gazing you’re looking for, then head into Hollywood itself.
The Walk of Fame and Mann’s Chinese Theater
Take Hollywood Boulevard approximately three blocks to Vine. At this famous intersection begins the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so named for the bronzed stars placed into the pavement that bear the name of a legendary entertainer in music, movies and television. The corner of Hollywood and Vine has as much mythology surrounding it as other Hollywood landmarks. In the past, studio executives operated the office buildings on each corner and it was thought that if young starlets spent their time hanging out around here, their chances for “discovery” were high. Unfortunately, none of this is true anymore. The Walk of Fame is lined with hundreds of souvenir shops and funky clothing boutiques. While you might not want to hang out here after the sun goes down, during the day it is a vibrant, eclectic and exciting part of the City of Angels. Continuing up Hollywood Boulevard you will come to Mann’s Chinese Theater, more famous for the front courtyard than for any film ever shown there. The footprints and handprints outside include so many stars, and create such a stir, it’s sometimes hard to squeeze your way in.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Olvera Street, Garment District
El Pueblo de Los Angeles
Located in the heart of downtown, this modest building remains the city’s oldest structure. Built in 1818, it serves as a historical monument to the mission era of California, and also provides tourists with the perfect reason to visit downtown and not miss one of the city’s best-kept sightseeing secrets.
Olvera Street
Located in the middle of the historic pueblo is Olvera Street, an L.A. landmark since the early 1930s. Any day of the year the cobblestone street is alive with inexpensive Mexican delicacies, kitschy shopping and several wandering mariachi bands.
The Garment District
If too many hours on Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive Shopping District have strained the magnetic strip (or the credit line) of your credit card, the Garment District offers a great low-cost shopping alternative. The Cooper Building and Santee Alley house designer outlet stores and clothing in all styles, labels and sizes. Just be advised to finish up your shopping by sundown because the area’s safety isn’t the greatest after dark.
Pasadena to Angeles Crest Highway to Mount Wilson
Old Town Pasadena Shopping District
The 110 freeway north ends at Colorado Boulevard, where you will turn right and head into Old Town. In addition to being a quaint historical city, Old Town Pasadena Shopping District is known for world-class restaurants, thriving theater and many antique shops. One of the best features of Old Town is the architecture. Aside from the occasional Frank Lloyd Wright home (he designed several here), brick-faced buildings help people see a much different side of L.A., almost making one feel as if they have left the city entirely.
Angeles Crest Highway to Mount Wilson
For those who feel confined by gravity and want to get a different perspective of Pasadena, simply follow signs to the Angeles Crest Highway and head up-straight up! This winding (and at times treacherous) mountain road takes you through the Angeles National Forest en route to the Mount Wilson Observatory, some 5,000 feet above sea level.
Museum Row, Miracle Mile and Hancock Park
The Miracle Mile
This stretch of Wilshire Boulevard is also known as Museum Row, and with good reason. Most of the city’s main museums are located here, as well as several small but influential, art galleries. After checking them out, take a quick drive up Fairfax to another Los Angeles historical monument, Canter’s Fairfax. This Jewish-American diner has been a Hollywood tradition for more than 50 years. After your first bite of a Canter’s Deli sandwich you will know why stars, locals and tourists have made this eatery a Los Angeles must-see location.
Hancock Park
After indulging in all the best that Canter’s has to offer, finish the day off with the astounding glamour of the mansions in Hancock Park, a neighborhood dotted with homes built in the golden years of Hollywood.
[insert_php]
$market = “LA” ;
global $market ;
[/insert_php]
[insert_php]
$market = “LA” ;
[/insert_php]