Get your bearings
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and mountains to the north and east, Los Angeles’ 80-plus neighborhoods create a patchwork. Heading west from the skyscrapers of
Downtown, Hollywood’s shops and theatres lead to the nightclubs of
West Hollywood and the famed shops of
Beverly Hills. A trip over the winding Mulholland Drive leads to the
San Fernando Valley. Historic
Pasadena sits in the
San Gabriel Valley, east of downtown. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is south of
Santa Monica and
Venice and north of the city of
Long Beach, which marks the southwestern edge of the L.A. basin.
Hooray for Hollywood
The glitz and glamour of Hollywood can be found all over Los Angeles. Compare your handprints with the stars’ in front of
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The
Universal Studios tour takes you behind the scenes of TV and movies. Book a table at
Spago to eavesdrop on high-powered celebrity conversation.
Shop ’til you drop
Shopping is a way of life for Angelenos. Join the beautiful people flitting between the elegant designer stores and pavement cafes of
Rodeo Drive or pick up vintage classics from the second-hand clothes shops that line busy
Melrose. Head east to compact Pasadena for shady antiques shops and the costume jewelry and ‘50s Americana of the
Rose Bowl Market. Sun and surf
The mild weather makes alfresco living standard in Los Angeles. Angelenos grab their sunglasses and head out to hike in
Griffith Park, take a leisurely bicycle ride near the
Santa Monica Pier, or just walk down
Venice Beach. The more adventurous take surfing lessons in
Malibu, while those seeking luxury sip cocktails by the pool in a Los Angeles hotel.
Global dining
Locals swear by the fiery burritos from the stalls that line the popular alfresco Hollywood Farmers’ Market. But for a sit-down Mexican feast head to
Jefferson for El Cholo’s famous green-corn tamales and potent margaritas. Choose spicy buns from steaming carts in
Chinatown’s dim sum restaurants, or eat fresh-from-the-sea sushi over sweeping LA views from
Yamashiro in the Hollywood Hills.
Nightlife
Los Angeles wakes up when the sun goes down. Dress in your finest to groove in a
Sunset Boulevard nightclub or catch a live band at the
House of Blues. For jazz or good conversation, visit a bar near Santa Monica’s
Third Street Promenade. Head to a theatre downtown or enjoy a classical concert at the
Walt Disney Concert Hall.
