Despite
more than 200 years of Spanish colonial history, Los Angeles feels young. Chalk it up to Hollywood's demand for
eternal youth and beauty. Or maybe
it's the city's constant influx of newcomers from Asia and Latin America.
But Los
Angeles is a dynamic city always on the move. Travellers with families stop off at
California's quintessential playground,
Disneyland, or one of Los
Angeles' many beaches. But before you leave, head to the Walk
of Fame and match footprints with the stars in front of Grauman's Chinese
Theatre.
Los
Angeles
Adventure
The
question in Los
Angeles is never what to do, but where to begin. The county is home to many famous
attractions in a relatively concentrated space. Your choices include amusement parks,
architectural landmarks, art museums and galleries, beaches, parks, hiking and
shopping, to name a few. After the
sun goes down, you'll find there's an abundance of nightlife options, including
movies (of course!), as well as live music and comedy provided by performers
both legendary and yet-to-be-discovered.
A region of great diversity, you'll discover a world of culinary
adventures.
Check
out the Walk of Fame, where Hollywood honours performers both world-famous
and obscure. Reserve a coveted
studio audience ticket to see the magic of television being created at
CBS Television City. A visit to Los Angeles isn't complete
without a day at the beach.
Rollerblading bleached blondes and muscle men hang out on Venice Beach
- and surfers catch waves at Malibu.
Nightlife
& Party with Locals
There's
certainly no shortage of places to go after the sun sets in this city. Whether you're looking for the next big
comedian or alternative rock band, an undercover celebrity hangout, hip dance
club, martini bar, or low-key lounge, you'll likely find it
here.
The
musical performances are wonderful, to be sure, but it's worth attending an
evening concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall just to see Frank Gehry's
gleaming, metallic venue up close.
It's the crown jewel of downtown Los Angeles. West Hollywood enjoys a reputation for
Los Angeles'
hippest, happeningest clubs. But
after a day of travelling, many visitors just head to Venice Beach. There's always something - and someone -
crazy to watch, and you can't beat the picture-perfect
sunset.
Gourmet
Cuisine & Dining Out
L.A.'s
dining scene is as diverse as its people, making it possible to indulge just
about any fancy here. Ethnic
cuisine abounds, from Afghan to Vietnamese, and L.A. foodies keep a combination of the trendy
and the traditional alive. Local
wines, fresh produce, meats, seafood, and artisanal breads and cheeses all
feature prominently in a uniquely California way.
Head
to Los Angeles'
favourite trendy restaurant, Spago for a wonderful A-list celebrity
experience. This flagship Wolfgang
Puck restaurant in Beverly
Hills glows with etched, coloured glass, exquisite
landscaping and beautiful people.
The menu focuses on seasonal seafood and produce. For a less formal dinner, locals head to
Chinatown for a wide selection of plump,
savoury dim sum, or dig into authentic Mexican fare on colourful Olvera
Street.
World
Class Golf Courses
Like
actors, the Los
Angeles golf scene comes in many different forms. First you have your A-List Courses
(world famous layouts) - they are luxurious, visually appealing, and popular
with golfers all over the globe. Next you have your Supporting Actors (modern
daily fee courses) - these venues are well crafted, well groomed, and take pride
in their performance, not their notoriety. Finally, you have your Extras (municipal
courses) - you can find them everywhere in the L.A. region, they are reasonably priced, but
can be a little shaggy around the edges - still fun to
play!
Family
Holidays
California
has family-friendly fun for every member of your brood, young or old. From theme parks galore with the latest
rides and roller coasters, to up-close encounters with animals and history
alike, grab the relatives and hit the road for a groovy California
getaway!