• Overview

  • The city of Los Angeles (also known simply as L.A., and nicknamed the "City of Angels") is the most populous city in California. Located on a broad basin in Southern California, the city is surrounded by vast mountain ranges, valleys, forests, beautiful beaches along the Pacific Ocean, and nearby desert. The metropolitan area is the second-most populous in the United States and home to over 17 million people who hail from all parts of the globe. The metropolitan area is spread across Los Angeles County, Orange County, and parts of San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Ventura County. Los Angeles is an important center of culture, medicine, agriculture, business, finance, energy, aerospace, science, food processing, media, international trade, and tourism. International tourists regard Los Angeles as most famous for "Hollywood," but a long-running trend in favor of outsourcing of film and television production has critically undermined the sector to the point where entertainment and media employ only about 120,000 people in the entire metro area (and most of them work in Burbank or Culver City, not Hollywood). Many major motion picture deals and premieres still occur in Los Angeles, but the vast majority of those films are actually shot elsewhere. However, some post-production, editing, promotion, distribution, and archiving work still occurs in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles metro area has been a "boomtown" since the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1876, first attracting some "folks" from the Midwest and East Coast with warm winters, becoming a gateway to a remarkable diversity of immigration from throughout the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

    Best Hotels in Los Angeles

    • Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel
    • Comfort Inn Cockatoo Near Lax Airport
    • The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
    • The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles
    • JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE

    Best Restaurants in Los Angeles

    • Crown of India
    • Edwin Mills by Equator
    • Real Food Daily
    • République
    • Craft Los Angeles

    Entertainment Places to Visit in Los Angeles

    • Griffith Park
    • Public Art "Urban Light"
    • Griffith Observatory
    • The Getty
    • OUE Skyspace LA

• Itinerary

  • Day 1

    8:30am-5:00pm : Universal Studios Hollywood

    For an ultimate Hollywood experience, visit Universal Studios Hollywood, a film studio, theme park, and a self-contained city all its own. One of the oldest Hollywood studios still in use, this show business complex considers itself "the entertainment capital of Los Angeles." Originally created to offer tours of real film studios, sets, and sound stages, the complex now offers live shows, thrill rides, and behind-the-scenes presentations about the movie-making process. To see the highlights, take a tram tour of the sound stages and sets designed specifically for some of the studio's biggest blockbusters. You can also choose from indoor and outdoor roller-coaster rides that provide you the chance to face King Kong, a shark attack, dinosaurs, and a powerful earthquake.

    6:30pm10:00pm - Griffith Observatory

    Explore the wonders of our solar system and the galaxy at Griffith Observatory. Donated to the city over a century ago, the observatory offers free admission to an array of space and science exhibits, including a nationally recognized planetarium and public telescopes. Situated high on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood, the complex offers views of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean. Secure a spot outside after visiting the observatory to enjoy views of the Hollywood sign or the dramatic coastline.

    Day 2

    10:30am-1:30pm : Pedal or Not... Electric Bicycle - Tours

    Pedal or Not Electric Bicycle Experience It’s an active and fun experience where you choose to PEDAL… OR NOT. “WOW!” will likely be your first word when you turn on the power of your electric bike. Ride along Santa Monica’s award winning beach to the Marion Davies Guesthouse, Under the Santa Monica Pier and thru Venice to the Venice Canals. The bikes allow you to choose between pedaling (6 gears), electric motor power (a twist of the wrist), or both. WARNING: Excessive smiling occurs. The 2.5 to 3-hour tours operate daily and are designed for comfortable bike riders ages 13+

    Day 3

    11:00am-12:30pm : Universal CityWalk Hollywood

    A favorite playground for grown-ups and kids alike, Universal CityWalk Hollywood features plenty of shops, eateries, nightclubs, and movie theaters. Opened in 2000, this lively and colorful promenade will surprise you with some unusual attractions, such as a leaping fountain and an outdoor stage mounted with 13 m (42 ft) tall illuminated towers. Watch musicians and magicians performing on the street or pump up the adrenaline with indoor skydiving.

    3:00pm-4:00pm : Santa Monica Pier

    Experience the vibrant, timeless energy of southern California with a walk down Santa Monica Pier. The 100-year-old wooden wharf serves as the area's hub of entertainment and culture. This spot is home to the Pacific Park amusement park, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, an array of shops and eateries, and plenty of street artists. Rent bikes and spend the afternoon exploring the carnival-like atmosphere while enjoying the oceanside scenery. Kids love visiting the Playland Arcade, which has more than 200 games and attractions. The pier also is home to California's only over-water Ferris wheel.

    Day 4

    Free Time

    Day 5

    Free Time

    Day 6

    10:00am-11:30am : La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

    At the only active Ice Age excavation site in the world, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, you can see ancient fossils that have been discovered below the museum itself, right in the heart of Los Angeles. Plants and animals, like dire wolves, mammoths, and saber-tooth cats, are on display. You can also witness paleontologists at work in the Fossil Lab. While the height of excavation at Rancho La Brea occurred in the early 20th century, scientists are still uncovering more fossils at this site, and the museum continues to grow and educate the public on its discoveries and methods.

    12:00pm-3:00pm : Santa Monica State Beach

    Bask in the warm California sun on the white sand shores of Santa Monica State Beach. Stretching over 4.82 km (3 mi) along the Santa Monica Bay, the beach is the area’s hub for outdoor activity, including swimming, surfing, and biking, as well as beachside eating and shopping. Take a nap in the sand after some beach volleyball or paddleboarding. Pack a picnic to enjoy, and don’t miss a chance to walk along Santa Monica Pier for a full array of eateries, souvenir shops, and street entertainment.

    3:30pm-5:30pm : Venice Beach and Boardwalk

    The southern Californian community of Venice has for decades been famous for its vibrant subcultures and offbeat way of living, and Venice Beach and Boardwalk is no exception. One of Los Angeles’ most legendary spots, the beach is packed with people from all walks of life. Stroll along the boardwalk to pass numerous street performers, food stalls, and artists selling their wares. You can also watch anglers on the fishing pier, surfers battling the swell, and some of LA’s fittest residents working out at Muscle Beach. Make sure you leave enough time to sunbathe on the soft sand and dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean.

    Day 7

    1:00pm-3:00pm : California Science Center

    Visit over 100 permanent exhibits at California Science Center, the West Coast’s largest hands-on science center. Whether you are interested in the 400 plant and animal species at the Ecosystems Exhibit, exploring aerospace artifacts, or riding the high wire bicycle, there are many ways to get involved at the science center. The center is also home to the largest IMAX screen in Los Angeles, standing seven stories high. By bringing science out of the classroom and making it interactive, the center shows that science can be fun and relatable for anyone.

    5:00pm-6:00pm : The Grove

    Built around the old LA Farmers' Market, The Grove has become one of Los Angeles' most popular outdoor malls. Built in 2002, the open-space mall carries a wide range of products and eateries popular with locals and tourists alike. Check out the Farmers' Market, which originally opened in 1934 and still contains over 100 eateries and grocery stores. If you're looking for a healthy treat, you will find plenty of organic and gluten-free food. The mall also contains a large multiplex cinema as well as many flagship stores. Make sure to take a ride on the old-fashioned tram that carries passengers between the market and the main mall complex.

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