Los Angeles, California Hotels and City Guide

Los Angeles - Entertainment

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If you can dream it, it can be done in Los Angeles. The depth and breadth of opportunity is dazzling – maybe a bit too dazzling for newcomers? It can be a bit intimidating at first, but this city values its visitors, and getting around to see the sights is not only manageable, but fun! There is a popular misconception that no one in LA walks and that visitors and residents alike are locked in traffic all day. In LA, you can get out of the car – and should. Any city is best seen on foot, and Los Angeles is no exception. Los Angeles is impossible to define – each district has its own flair, and together, they create an undeniably vibrant city.

Visitors wanting a glimpse of old Hollywood should hit this hotspot first. The Hollywood sign, seen from most any point in the area, will make a perfect backdrop for pictures. If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of some of today’s brightest stars, head west in WeHo or Beverly Hills. Here visitors can roam the same streets and shop in some of the same boutiques as stars from the silver and small screens. If you long to see trees and feel earth beneath your feet, visit Griffith Park or any of the area’s numerous parks. Jog, walk, and bike your way through this diverse city. And if you are tired from your journey to LA, relax on any one of the incredible beaches and grab a bite to eat at any of the outstanding cafes and restaurants. From traditional Thai, Japanese, Italian, or Armenia dishes to contemporary fusion creations, your palette will not be left wanting for variety.

Los Angeles is famous for its nightlife. Some of the trendiest bars and clubs in the country are in LA. When the work day is done, Angelinos know how to party. The variety is outstanding. You can find posh clubs where celebrities go to see and be seen or indie bars where the next big thing may be waiting. Dance to house beats and flashing lights, lounge with a martini, watch the game and have a beer, stay up till dawn – whatever you expect from a club, you will find it in LA. You will find an exciting music scene as well, with indie, jazz, classical, rock, and other awesome venues. Who knows? At a tiny hidden-away club you might see tomorrow’s biggest stars get their start.

An unexpected treat that visitors to Los Angeles will find is the abundant outdoor recreation. Bike and walking paths crisscross the city and its numerous parks. Jogging along the beach is a popular LA pastime and belies the myth that LA is nothing but concrete and cars. There is also nt shortage of opportunity to watch the pros battle it out on the field. LA is home to many professional sports teams, as well as numerous college teams. Drop by Dodger Stadium’s Right Field Pavilion and get all-you-can-eat hotdogs, sodas, and nachos for $35 – perfect for an afternoon with family or friends.

LA is all fun and sun. Another misconception – at least partially. Yes, fun and sun abound, but so do cultural and intellectual opportunities. The LA area is home to more than three hundred museums, including the prestigious Museum of Contemporary Art. The stunning views, architecture, gardens, and art collections at the Getty Center are second to none and will more than satisfy the intellectual snob in every visitor. From fine art and world class botanical gardens to the chic boutiques of Rodeo Drive to the funky, laid back air of Venice, the only questions are where to start and if you should extend your vacation.

Value for Sightseeing Money in Los Angeles

Like any world-class city, Los Angeles can be expensive. Dining in La Boheme’s gorgeous crystal-chandeliered, ruby red opulence will set you back a few hundred dollars for a couple. Your bill for the Peninsula Beverly Hills can rival a week’s paycheck. Can people without celebrity salaries visit and enjoy themselves in Los Angeles? Absolutely! There are plenty of inexpensive, and even free, attractions in this city that will more than fill up a vacation.

Strolling along iconic LA landmarks is absolutely free. The Walk of Fame, the handprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Hollywood sign – all free and all make wonderful backdrops for photos. The Venice Beach boardwalk is free – and has endless variety, as well as inexpensive vendors. At the Farmer’s Market, you can enjoy free samples of delicious home-grown produce, and pick up some lunch at a great price. World class attractions, like the Getty Center and Getty Villa, are also free of charge. Donations (which can be $10 and under) are appreciated, and you will have to pay a small fee for parking. However, a $10 donation and $7 for parking is a fabulous price to spend the day at the Getty. Families will enjoy the California Science Center, with special exhibits and an IMAX theater. Admission is free, and parking is only $6. The massive Griffith Park also offers many free activities, making it a perfect way to spend an inexpensive and fun day in LA.

You can watch live TV tapings, stroll Rodeo Drive, visit endless cultural museums and communities like Chinatown or Little Tokyo, cruise Mulholland Drive, visit the beaches…there are a lot of free things to do in LA, and many inexpensive ones as well. Tickets for the Griffith Observatory are $7 or less, peddle boat rentals are less than $10 for a half hour, the exterior grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits are free and admission inside is a steal. Advance tickets for a Dodger game cost an incredible $9 and tickets for WNBA games at the Staples center only $10. Only a little planning can make your vacation much less expensive while still giving you a wonderful time. You may be scrimping on money, but definitely not on fun.

Arts and Events

Beautiful weather most of the year makes LA the perfect host of spectacular annual events. Depending on your interests, whether you are traveling with children, or your budget, you will have your choice of exciting film festivals, concerts, theater events, and much more. To see the events scheduled during your vacation, visit Experience LA or Calendar Live. Here are just a few highlights:

LA starts the year off with a bang. Visitors can check out the Tournament of Roses Parade or the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena. Reflecting LA’s cultural diversity, there are also extensive Chinese New Year’s celebrations. The rainy month (at least by LA standards) of February offers the Pan African Film & Arts Festival. March brings great outdoor and cultural events, including the LA Marathon, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Bach Festival. You can also participate in Cesar Chevaz Celebration Day on Olvera Street.

April starts spring off with a ton of cultural, outdoor, and family-oriented events. From Bugs Bunny’s Spring Fling at the LA Zoo to the International Family Film Festival, families will find a lot to do. There are also Earth Day celebrations and garden festivals. May brings the Ferio de los Ninos, or Festival of the Children, the Amnesty International Film Festival, and a superb Cinco de Mayo celebration on Olvera Street.

The summer months bring Shakespeare by the Sea, the LA Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration, Hollywood Black Film Festival, July 4th celebrations throughout the city, Summer Nights at the Ford, Children’s Festival of the Arts, the Sunset Junction Street Fair, and the always-interesting Venice Showcase Festival.

The events list for fall is just as packed. September offers Cemetery Screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Movies are showed once a week and are usually cult classics and horrors. You can also experience Thai Culture Day, and the East Side Art Crawl, during which art galleries offer refreshment, entertainment, and great art. October is one of the busiest months in LA. Far from winding down, LA is getting into full swing with festivals, including the Ferio de los Ninos, Oktoberfest, and various Halloween and Day of the Dead festivities.

October may be the informal end of tourist season, but the events keep coming. November is another busy month, with the Griffith Park Light Festival, Harvest Food Festival, the LA Storytelling Festival, Hollywood’s Christmas Parade, and other early holiday events. They may not have white Christmases in LA, but they have more than their share of lights, parades, and celebrations to mark this holiday, as well as Chanukah.

Rose Bowl Parade
January 1
Route 66, Colorado Boulevard

Chinese New Year
February
San Gabriel and Alhambra
626.300.5933

Cherry Blossom Festival
March
1835 Stoner Avenue, West LA
888.527.2757

Spring Fest
April
5730 Crenshaw Boulevard
323.292.5550

Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May
Olvera Street
213.625.5045

The IFP Los Angeles Film Festival
June
7920 Sunset Boulevard, LA

Shakespeare Festival
July
Pershing Square, Downtown LA

Sunset Junction Street Fair
August
3600 to 4600 Sunset Boulevard, LA

Thai Cultural Day
September
Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, LA

Fall Festival at Farmer’s Market
October
Farmer’s Market, LA

World Festival of Sacred Music
November
Various venues in LA

Griffith Park Light Festival
November/December
Griffith Park, Crystal Springs Road, LA

Hotels in Los Angeles, California