The City of Angels boasts an exhaustive range of exciting things to see, do, and eat - to mention just a few: the La Brea Tar Pits; the Natural History Museum; funky Venice Beach; hiking towards the famous Hollywood sign; catching a performance at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater; tours past the Beverly Hills homes and to the graves of the stars; gay-popular West Hollywood; the interactive GRAMMY Museum; the Last Bookstore; and the historical Hotel Figueroa. But in our opinion, here are a half dozen things you absolutely should not miss on a visit to L.A.!
The Getty Center
One of the USA´s most architecturally stunning museums, this complex of concrete and steel was designed by famed architect Richard Meier, opened in 1997, and is home to a wealth of artwork from different eras and countries, including medieval and Renaissance painting and sculptures; 20th- and 21st-century photographic; historic manuscripts, and much more; famous artists include Degas, Gauguin, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh (most famously, his iconic Irises). Located in the Brentwood hills (off the west side of the 405 freeway) surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains, it also affords sepectacular panoramic views over L.A. on clear days. (Note that the sole accessible public entrance is via Getty Center Drive starting from North Sepulveda Boulevard). If you have time, there´s a Getty Villa Museum in the Pacific Pallisades north of Santa Monica which displays ancient Greek and Roman art in a recreated Roman villa.
Griffith Park
With more than 4,310 acres, one of the USA´s most famous municipal parks sits on the south side of Mount Hollywood, in the Los Feliz section of Greater Hollywood, and overlooks pretty much the entire Los Angeles basin. It offers not just more than 50 miles of trails for biking, hiking (including guided hikes) and horseback riding, but is also home to the Los Angeles and Botanical Gardens, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the 89-year-old Griffith Observatory (above), with fascinating exhibits and a fantastic planetarium. Oh, and the iconic Hollywood sign (top) is part of the park, too!
Hollywood, of Course!
One of Tinseltown´s top the TCL Chinese Theatre (above, better known by its previous name, Grauman's) was inaugurated in 1927 and remains a symbol of Hollywood´s Golden Age. You can take a 30-minute tour for just $16 (reserve online beforehand) and/or attend just released films screened here year round. And beforehand or afterward head to Hollywood Boulevard for a stroll along the Walk of Fame, which is where more than 2,700 actors, musicians, and other celebrities have left handprints and signatures on the walkway. Then of course there are the studio tours: Paramount, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros,
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
On Wilshire Boulevard in West L.A., the linchpin of the Los Angeles Museum District has since its opening in 1965 LACMA has showcased more than 150,000 works from around the world, from ancient to contemporary, notably including art from the Far East, ancient Greece and Rome, the Islamic world, and European Impressionism. Just a handful of the top names: Mary Cassatt, Paul Cezanne, Alberto Giacometti, Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt van Rijn, Diego Rivera, John Singer Sargent, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Shopping: The Original Farmers Market and The Grove
South of West Hollywood, one of the most adored landmarks in Los Angeles was established in 1934. The cream-colored Original Farmers Market draws in visitors and residents alike by offering fresh fruits and vegetables and the scent of freshly prepared snacks. It is open throughout the week, though times vary based on the time of day. The entry fee is not charged, however it is recommended to bring cash in case any of the food items satisfy your appetite. Park for no cost for up to 90 minutes in the market's two parking lots, if your ticket is valid by the vendor. (Fees are charged for parking after the allotted time of 90 minutes, and for tickets that are not validated.) If you need a bit of help in navigating markets, you could also join a foodie guided trip (one of the most popular California tour options).
For a modern commrecial shopping experience, The Grove is near the OFM and there´s an extensive list of the best shopping spots and various dining options including a movie theater, and a variety of other special occasions. Parking is free and validated provided in the garage for the first hour, the traffic between and to the property is a frequent complaint of people who visit. Valet parking starts at $12 for the initial hour.
Sunset Boulevard
One of the USA´s most iconic thoroughfares it represents the timeless and elegant Hollywood lifestyle and was also the backdrop for a number of well-known films, starting of course with the eponymous Sunset Boulevard in 1950. The 25-mile stretch of often palm-lined streets (which connects the city of LA with Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Pacific Coast Highway) retains its cinematic quality, and its Sunset Strip portion remains an extremely popular place to go out at night. The stretch is also the home of a variety of traditional music venues the Rainbow Bar & Grill and the Roxy Theatre. The bars, clubs and eateries on Sunset Boulevard maintain varied hours The street is free to explore and is open all day. For those who don't have a vehicle one of the cities No. 2, 302 and 312 buses run throughout the thoroughfare.
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