California Vacation Planning &#187; Los Angeles Vacation and Travel Guide

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Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

California Tourist Guide — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:39:05 +0000

You’ve come to the right place to find the fun for your Los Angeles vacation!

Roughly 75 miles north of Mexico and 400 miles south from San Francisco, “The City of Angels” enjoys one of the world’s most idyllic climates. And, there’s lots of people enjoying it there, too!

With over 10 million residents, Los Angeles County’s population is the largest of any county in the United States. Bounded on the west by roughly 75 miles of Pacific coastline and then in a semi-circle by mountains – north to south: the Santa Monica, the San Gabriel, the San Bernardino, the San Jacinto and the Santa Ana ranges – its 88 interconnected cities sprawl some 4,000 square miles.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, you can follow this link to view the Los Angeles Tourist Map and there are also links within that article to other handy tourist map resources for the Los Angeles Area.

Los Angeles is also known as “The Entertainment Capital of the World” and for good reason. Not only is it a film and television industry Mecca, there’s simply a lot of entertaining things to do here! Endowed with more museums than any city in the nation (over 300), world-renowned tourist attractions, exceptional restaurants, shopping opportunities galore and truly spectacular natural surroundings, it’s no wonder Los Angeles is a top-ranked vacation destination.

Perhaps overshadowed only by “automobiles” (and the roads, traffic and smog associated with them – although the latter is presently much improved thanks to tough emissions controls), Los Angeles is best known for its ethnic diversity. This has been the case, actually, since the city’s inception in September 1781, when Indians, blacks, mestizos and Spaniards were all represented among the 44 original settlers arriving from Mexico’s Sonora and Sinaloa provinces.

In 21st Century Los Angeles, with the world’s third-largest Hispanic population (after Mexico City and Guadalajara), signs in Spanish are as common as ones in English in some areas, and you may also see signs in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Armenian and Russian in other areas. The Los Angeles area has the second largest foreign-born population of any major U.S. city (after Miami), and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the number one entry for immigrants in the country.

This Los Angeles vacation and travel guide also provides information for some cities in Ventura County (e.g., Ventura, Ojai and Thousand Oaks), but Orange County cities that are often associated with Los Angeles (e.g., Anaheim, Santa Ana, Huntington, Newport and Laguna Beaches) are covered as an entirely separate section (see the Orange County section). Santa Catalina Island, while technically a part of Los Angeles County, is also covered in the Orange County section, as one can ferry to the island from several Orange County locations (e.g., Newport Beach, Marina Del Rey and Dana Point) in addition to the ferries that depart from Long Beach and San Pedro.

Photo of Los Angeles street sign by Diario de un pixel via flickr (Creative Commons) and photo of Los Angeles downtown street (near Union Station) by pferriola via flickr (Creative Commons).

Here are some articles where you can learn more about Los Angeles vacation and travel destinations and the extraordinary experiences you can enjoy there:

Malibu and Venice Beach Tourist Attractions
Hollywood Tourist Attractions
Downtown LA Tourist Attractions
Pasadena Tourist Attractions
Long Beach Tourist Attractions

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Los Angeles Tourist Attractions

California Tourist Guide — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:26:45 +0000

In addition to the Los Angeles tourist attractions detailed below, as you plan your vacation or holiday you also may want to review information about the beautiful Los Angeles area beaches, the vast array of museums LA has to offer and the abundant selection of amusement and water parks in the LA area. (For your convenience, the preceding links are repeated in the “Related Posts” section below, where you will also find links to articles about the tourist attractions in nearby Orange County and, a bit further south, San Diego.)

The first two sections below will introduce you to a couple of the area beaches that are definitely unique and likely worth a visit and some attractions you may want to explore in Hollywood. Next up, we offer attractions and other places to go, see and have fun in and around the Los Angeles downtown area. Thereafter, attractions in some of the cities near Los Angeles — Pasadena to the north and Long Beach to the south — are discussed. If you’d like to skip immediately to any of those specific discussions, you can use these links:

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions – Malibu and Venice Beach

Adamson House, Malibu – This classic Malibu home was built in 1930 for Rhoda Rindge Adamson and her husband, Merritt Huntley Adamson, and is located on one of Southern California’s most beautiful beaches. Be sure to take the tour (the docents offer a wealth of information about now-defunct Malibu Pottery’s magnificent tile work) and allow extra time to enjoy the grounds and the nearby beach. (adamsonhouse.org/)

Venice Oceanfront Boardwalk, Venice Beach – This stretch is rather like an outdoor circus, teeming with rollerblading jugglers, fire-eaters, body-builders and other talented, creative folks.

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions – Hollywood

El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood – This is Disney’s flagship movie theater, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” broadcasts from here. (disney.go.com/DisneyPictures/el_capitan/)

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood – Also called Mann’s Chinese Theatre, first-run movies are shown at this renowned theatre but most people visit to experience the famed courtyard filled with Hollywood legends’ handprints and footprints. (manntheatres.com/chinese/)

Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood – Don’t miss the world’s most famous sidewalk (at Hollywood & Vine) embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of human celebrities and fictional characters honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust, the walk’s first star was awarded on February 9, 1960, to Joanne Woodward.

Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood – Officially opened in 1922 on the site of a natural amphitheater formerly known as the Daisy Dell, this is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a popular musical performance venue. (hollywoodbowl.com)

Hollywood Sign, Hollywood – This icon has become one of the world’s most evocative symbols – a universal metaphor for ambition, success and glamour. (hollywoodsign.org)

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions – Downtown and City Center

Celebrity Graves – Some tourists want to visit the final resting place of a favorite star or entertainer, and some of the better known of these are Westwood Memorial Park, Forest Lawn Glendale, Hollywood Forever, Holy Cross Cemetery. This site might be useful for planning such an excursion.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles – Opened in 2002 and located at Temple & Grand across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this is the first Roman Catholic Church to be erected in the western U.S. in 30 years. Designed by Spanish architect Professor Jose Rafael Moneo, the structure is a dynamic, contemporary design with virtually no right angles. The third largest cathedral in the world, a 50-foot concrete cross “lantern” adorns its entry. At night, its glass-protected alabaster windows are illuminated and can be seen at a far distance. (olacathedral.org)

Downtown Los Angeles – Print the Los Angeles Conservancy’s self-guided walking tour map (laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/index.php4) or download LA Walks “Historical Tour” podcast (downtownlawalks.com/?f=podcast), and take to the streets to enjoy this area’s architecture gems – from the Beaux Arts magnificence of the Biltmore Hotel to the Art Deco sophistication of the Southern California Edison Building and the Victorian ebullience of the Bradbury Building and Angels Flight.

Farmers Market and The Grove, Los Angeles – A beehive of cafes, stalls and shops, this open-air landmark has been a gathering place for Angelenos since the 1930s. The market is connected to The Grove in Los Angeles, a boutique outdoor shopping mall, by a free, six-minute tram ride. (farmersmarketla.com/)

Grand Central Market, Los Angeles – In operation since 1917, this indoor collection of produce vendors, butchers, and food stands reflect the region’s multicultural heritage. (grandcentralsquare.com)

Griffith Park, Los Angeles – With over 4,107 acres, this is the largest municipal park and urban wilderness area in the U.S., and an amazingly large portion of it remains virtually unchanged from the days when Native American villages occupied the area’s lower slopes. Today’s the park offers numerous family attractions, an assortment of educational and cultural institutions and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. (lacity.org/rap/dos/parks/griffithPK/index.htm)

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles – Owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, the Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz neighborhood. An LA icon, this national leader in public astronomy is also a beloved civic gathering place and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. (griffithobs.org)

La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles – Located about halfway between downtown and Beverly Hills, a visit will teach you about Los Angeles as it was when animals such as saber-toothed cats and mammoths roamed the Los Angeles Basin 10,000-40,000 years ago. Rancho La Brea is one of the world’s most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals. (tarpits.org/)

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles – In Griffith Park and home to more than 1,200 animal species, including the Red Ape Rain Forest and Dragons of Komodo. (lazoo.org/)

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills – About a 20-minute drive from downtown LA, this is the ultimate shopping street and a bona fide southern California tourist attraction! You can shop for five-digit jewelry or a $35 handbag or sip a drink and people-watch at one of the numerous nearby restaurant patios. At the southern end (at Wilshire Boulevard) is Via Rodeo, a curvy cobblestone street designed to emulate a European shopping area. (rodeodrive-bh.com/index4.html)

The Music Center, Los Angeles – Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the Music Center is home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Performances, tours and great dining await you at the Music Center. (musiccenter.org)

Union Station, Downtown Los Angeles – A spectacular mix of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Streamline Moderne styles, the main hall retains its original hand-painted ceiling and lavish tile and marble work. Many television shows and motion pictures have incorporated the station as a backdrop, including the 1950 film, Union Station. (metro.net/index.asp)

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions – Pasadena

The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, Pasadena – An oasis of art and culture set amidst 150 acres of breathtaking gardens. (huntington.org/)

The Gamble House, Pasadena – Used as a winter residence by David and Mary Gamble (of Proctor & Gamble fame), this three-story house is considered an Arts and Crafts architectural masterpiece. (gamblehouse.org/)

Santa Anita Park Horse Racing, Arcadia (about 15 minutes east of Pasadena) – Co-founded and built by movie mogul Hal Roach, Santa Anita Park was a popular haunt of early show business tycoons and movie stars and Hollywood’s newest generation of movie, TV and music celebrities continue the tradition as both fans and horse owners. The park opens annually on December 26, with daily racing continuing through late April. Free Seabiscuit Tram Tours depart at 8:30 and 9:45am every Saturday and Sunday during the Santa Anita season. (santaanita.com)

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions – Long Beach

Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach – One of the largest in the U.S., this aquarium focuses primarily on Pacific Ocean life forms and detours into Australian birds in its Lorikeet Forest section. Don’t miss the panoramic film, Whales: A Journey with Giants (showtime information is available at the front desk or in .pdf format on the website in the “Plan Your Visit” section). (aquariumofpacific.org/)

Queen Mary Ship and Seaport, Long Beach – Historic, permanently berthed ocean liner (bigger than the Titanic!) open 10am until 6pm daily for self-guided and guided tours, including the “Ghosts & Legends of the Queen Mary” tour. (queenmary.com/)

Russian Foxtrot Submarine Scorpion, Long Beach – Moored next to the Queen Mary, the submarine is open for tours seven days a week and combined tours for the two vessels are offered. (russiansublongbeach.com)

Shoreline Village, Long Beach – Waterfront shopping and entertainment complex. (shorelinevillage.com/)

Wayfarer’s Chapel, Rancho Palos Verdes – Rancho Palos Verdes is about a 30-minute drive southwest of Long Beach, but it should be worth it if you enjoy architecture. Designed by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, this glass church is set in a redwood grove. (wayfarerschapel.org/)

If that list of Los Angeles tourist attractions doesn’t have what you’re looking for, be sure to check out the links below to information about other tourist attractions in nearby Orange County and San Diego.

Photo of Hollywood Walk of Fame by Sproston Green via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Our Lady of Angels Cathedral by Korean Resource Center via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Farmers Market by Californian Em via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Griffith Observatory by echo_29 via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Walt Disney Concert Hall by DonnaGrayson via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Long Beach from the Queen Mary by 4x4jeepchick via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

Orange County Tourist Attractions

San Diego Tourist Attractions

Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Would you please consider sharing it?
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Los Angeles Museums

California Tourist Guide — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:25:23 +0000

With over 300 museums in Los Angeles and its surrounding area – more than any other U.S. city – you are almost certain to find something in the Los Angeles museums list below to heighten the enjoyment of your southern California vacation, getaway or holiday. The list is not exhaustive, but it highlights some of Los Angeles most popular museums. You may also want to investigate nearby Orange County and San Diego museums (links are in the “Related Posts” section at the bottom of this article) to see if anything there strikes your fancy.

The Armand Hammer Museum of Art & Cultural Center at UCLA, Los Angeles – Works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and other masters are part of permanent collections shown on a rotating basis. (hammer.ucla.edu/index.htm)

Autry National Center’s Museum of the American West, Los Angeles – Eight galleries of art and artifacts depicting historical and fictional episodes explore the distinct stories and interactions of cultures and peoples and their impact on the complex, evolving history of the American West. (autrynationalcenter.org)

California African American Museum, Los Angeles – In Exposition Park, this state-run museum was renovated in 2005 and offers permanent fine arts and history collections as well as changing exhibits that document the 20th century African-American experience. (caam.ca.gov)

California Science Center, Los Angeles – In Exposition Park, this public-private partnership between the State and the California Science Center Foundation consists of an IMAX movie theater, the Sketch Foundation Gallery Air and Space Exhibits, the Weingart Exhibit Gallery and a Science Court and Plaza. (californiasciencecenter.org)

Getty Center, Los Angeles – This stunning Richard Meier-designed structure offers breathtaking gardens and European masterpieces and also presents lectures, films, concerts and special programs. The complex includes a restaurant (reservations required), two cafeterias and two outdoor coffee bars. The center is accessible by public transportation. On-site parking is subject to availability and often reaches capacity on holidays and summer weekends, so try to come early in the day. Admission is free, but there is a charge for parking. (getty.edu/visit/)

Getty Villa, Malibu – The Getty Center’s recently renovated coastal counterpart displays Roman and Greek antiquities in an exquisite venue, the only reconstruction of a Roman Patrician country home in the U.S. Easy access, however, is not its strong suit. Given the location, driving is the only convenient way to visit, and strict admission policies require that you reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance. While admission is free, parking costs $7 (cash only). Also, be advised that you must be north-bound on the PCH in order to turn into the driveway. (getty.edu/visit/)

Guinness World Records Museum, Hollywood – Enjoy displays chronicling world records for amazing facts, feats, and achievements with film, special effects and animated displays. (guinnessattractions.com/hollywood.aspx)

Heritage Square Museum, Los Angeles – Established in 1969, this living history museum reflects the settlement and development of Southern California from 1850 to 1950 and consists of eight Victorian-era structures of historical and architectural importance. (heritagesquare.org/)

Hollywood History Museum, Hollywood – Located just steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the historic Max Factor Building, this is the ultimate destination for movie fans. (thehollywoodmuseum.com)

Hollywood Wax Museum, Hollywood – Some Los Angeles museums are probably more correctly classified as tourist attractions, but there are engaging likenesses of past-and-present Hollywood stars here. (hollywoodwax.com)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles – With more than 150,000 works of art from ancient times to the present, LACMA is considered one of the premier visual arts museums in the western U.S. (lacma.org)

Madame Tussauds – Located in the heart of Hollywood, adjacent to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this is the first Madame Tussauds wax museum attraction to be built from the ground up in the company’s 200-year history. More than 100 figures are on display in 11-themed areas, many of which are related to movies and celebrities. Visitors are able to actually touch and approach these Madame Tussauds figures and even pose for photos with them. (madametussauds.com/hollywood/)

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel – The wealthiest of all the early missions, the parish continues to be an evangelizing and hope-filled presence for the poor, recent immigrants, youth and families. The Mission church, museum, grounds and gardens are open seven days a week from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Please visit the website for admission and further details. (sangabrielmission.org)

Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission Hills – Founded September 8, 1797, this was the 17th California mission and the fourth to be founded in three months as Father Lasuén hurried to close the gaps in El Camino Real. Interestingly, California’s first gold discovery occurred on this mission’s property in 1842, preceding the famous California Gold Rush by about six years. (missiontour.org/sanfernando/index.htm)

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles – Financed by private donations and developed with pieces acquired from private collections, MOCA is a premier showcase of modern art (created after 1940). Its permanent collections and thematic exhibitions include paintings, sculpture and environmental works. (moca.org)

Museum of Flying, Santa Monica – Temporarily closed pending the funding and construction of new facilities. (museumofflying.com)

Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles – A visit to this educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center can provide a breathtaking journey through 20th century history, enlighten thinking about what leads people to hate and provide insights into how ordinary people have changed the world with extraordinary actions. The museum strongly recommends advance reservations. (museumoftolerance.com)

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles – Founded in 1913, this is a national powerhouse in research, exhibitions and education, safeguarding more than 33 million artifacts. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the western U.S. (nhm.org)

Nethercutt Museum, Sylmar – One of the more interesting Los Angeles museums (located in the San Fernando Valley), the Nethercutt displays more than 130 classic luxury automobiles, including some of the world’s greatest special interest automobiles like Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winners. (nethercuttcollection.org/)

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena – One of the world’s finest art collections, reflecting the extraordinary effort and vision of its founder, it stands as a tribute to Human Civilizations, the visual arts and the nobility of individual accomplishment. (nortonsimon.org/)

Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles – The automobile and Los Angeles are linked together in a historical experience at this expansive and innovative automotive museum. (petersen.org)

Travel Town Museum, Los Angeles – Located in Griffith Park, this outdoor museum focuses on railroad transportation history (1880-1930s) in the western U.S. with particular emphasis on southern California and Los Angeles. (laparks.org/grifmet/tt)

Wells Fargo History Museum, Los Angeles – In 1852, Henry Wells and William G. Fargo founded a company that has become a legendary part of America. Take a look at Wells Fargo stagecoaches and more in five major exhibits covering more than 150 years of Wells Fargo history, including a video presentation in the museum theater. (wellsfargohistory.com/museums/museums_la.htm)

If that list of Los Angeles museums doesn’t have what you’re looking for, be sure to check out the links below to information about other museums in nearby Orange County and San Diego.

Photo of Getty Center by fadedpictures via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Hollywood Wax Museum by kiwanja via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Museum of Contemporary Art by Clinton Steed via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Norton Simon Museum by tata_aka_T via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Orange County Museums

San Diego Museums

Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Los Angeles Amusement / Theme Parks

California Tourist Guide — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:23:16 +0000

While some of the better known southern California amusement parks are located in Orange County (specifically, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure and Knott’s Berry Farm), this Los Angeles Amusement / Theme Parks article details some equally enjoyable parks and studio tours.

CBS Television City, Los Angeles – This is where Elvis’ 1956 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was taped and where you can obtain free tickets for tapings of current shows such as The Price Is Right. (cbs.com/daytime/price/tickets)

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour, Los Angeles – This guided tour offers no tram rides or special effects and is strictly a realistic, bare-bones walking tour of this sprawling, 62-acre studio’s back lot. If you take the tour, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for two hours of walking. Advance reservations are required, and the website instructs to call 323-956-1777 for information. (paramount.com/paramount.php)

Paramount Ranch, Thousand Oaks – In 1927, Paramount Pictures purchased 2,700 acres of the old Rancho Las Virgenes in the Santa Monica Mountains for use as a “movie ranch.” For 25 years, a veritable Hollywood who’s who practiced their craft here, including director Cecil B. Demille and actors Bob Hope, Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert, but the diverse landscape was the real star of the show. Now a National Recreation Area, Paramount Ranch is the only place in the National Park System where you can see movie making in action. (nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/paramountranch.htm)

Raging Waters, San Dimas – California’s largest water park was ranked #3 nationally by the Travel Channel in its “Top 10 ranking of US Water Parks.” Over 50 landscaped acres, 36 slides and attractions and a sand beach help ensure that guests of all ages will enjoy their visits to one of our favorite Los Angeles amusement / theme parks. (ragingwaters.com)

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica – The finish line of famed Route 66, this historic recreational and entertainment venue is home to an aquarium and Pacific Park, attracting 3 million visitors a year. (santamonicapier.org – healthebay.org/smpa/ – pacpark.com)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Valencia – This 12-acre water park is located next to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park and offers a perfect place to cool off, work on your tan, kick back and have some fun. Admission to the two parks is charged separately. (sixflags.com/hurricaneHarborLA/index.aspx)

Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia – About 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles, this is the only Six Flags park open year-round, although only on weekends during the school year. (sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx)

Sony Pictures Studio Tour, Culver City – From 1924, this lot was the home of MGM Studios until Sony took over in 1986, so there’s a lot of history to enjoy here. The two-hour guided walking tour (no trams) begins in the Sony building’s cantilevered atrium and includes stops at classic stage scenes like Munchkinland’s Yellow Brick Road, sets from modern thrillers like Spiderman and sets for perennial favorites Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. And, since it’s one of the busiest studio lots in the world, you just might get lucky and see one of the many stars who work here! (sonypicturesstudios.com/tourssection/Tours.html)

Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City – In addition to enjoying this studio’s awesome contribution to Los Angeles amusement / theme parks, you can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s largest motion picture/TV studio here. Half history and half special effects extravaganza, entertaining tour guides will highlight the studio’s proud movie-making history for you. A couple of tips: (1) take the studio tour early (when you first get to the park and other guests are rushing off to the amusement park); and (2) be warned that you can get a little wet during both the “Jaws” and the fake flash flood during the “Old Mexico” sections of the tour (if possible, avoid the end seat). (universalstudioshollywood.com/)

Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour, Burbank – When Warner Bros. says “VIP,” they’re not kidding! This tour originally began as a way to show some Very Important People around the studio back lot, and in October 1954 one such VIP was none other than Queen Elizabeth, who paid a visit and toured the set of the movie, The Pajama Game. If you’re lucky, you may just see a star-VIP, too, while on the tour as some websites share remembrances of seeing George Clooney, Steven Soderbergh, Rob Lowe and Steven Spielberg. No one under age 10 is admitted. Dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. You may bring a (still) camera, but you can only use it on the back lot portion of the tour. The tour lasts two hours, and advance phone reservations are required, especially for groups of four or more. The studio can often accommodate last-minute reservations, but try to call at least an hour before heading to the studio. You can find admission and parking information on the website. (www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/)

If the Los Angeles amusement / theme parks aren’t enough to keep you busy, you might want to also check out the other Southern California offerings: Orange County amusement / theme parks and San Diego amusement / theme parks. There’s no such thing as too much fun in California!

Photo of Paramount Pictures Studio by zoonabar via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Universal Studios Hollywood by sheilaellen via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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Best Los Angeles Area Beaches

California Tourist Guide — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:56:09 +0000

Los Angeles area beaches start off kind of slow, but they finish strong. At the southwest tip of the county coastline is Palos Verdes, a 1000-foot high rock outcropping with a rocky shoreline below, and east and south is Long Beach harbor. Neither of these would be considered “beach-goer friendly.”

But west and north — at the Santa Monica Bay — you are treated to some of the most famous and “best” beaches in America. (Residents may argue Orange County beaches are better, but in the end it’s a matter of taste and difficult to quantify perfection.) You can find everything you need for a true California beach vacation here — hotels, resorts, restaurants — and “the good life” at its finest!

Heading north from Palos Verde, the first beach you come to is Torrance Beach, which is physically like the beaches further north although not nearly as “fashionable” nor, it should be noted, as crowded. If you’re looking for an uncrowded pristine beach with all the amenities of its more famous cousins to the north – Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach and so on – then you should definitely consider Torrance Beach. There are even stretches of beach here that are used for fishing.

More often considered the gems of Los Angeles area beaches, however, are Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. The sands are perfect, beach access is easy, amenities are close by and the on-beach activities available are world class. Between surfing, swimming, beach volleyball and strolling along The Strand (walkway), it is easy to enjoyably fill your day. These areas are casual and laid-back, so restaurants tend to cater to the beach goer. Accommodations range from beachfront hotels to incredible vacation rentals on The Strand.

All three of these Los Angeles area beach towns have piers, and the restaurants, shops and traveler accommodations tend to be centered around them. Redondo tends to be a little more formal, especially around the marina area where you can find plenty of steakhouses and four-star hotels.

North of Manhattan Beach is El Segundo, home of several oil refineries and beaches that are desolate for a reason: there’s nothing around and the air is foul. Best to steer clear here, unless you need serious solitude. The next beach north is near Los Angeles International Airport, and like El Segundo, it tends to be desolate except for the occasional intrepid surfer.

Just north of the Marina del Rey inlet is Venice Beach, famous for rollerblading, muscle builders, cheap hotels, exotic people and the unconventional. Even though the beach itself is absolutely gorgeous, most people don’t come here for simple swimming. It’s “slink or swim” for the ladies and a parade of bravura for the men. Honestly, though, people-watching here is also a popular “sport,” and no trip to Los Angeles is complete without a few hours (at least) on Venice Beach.

A bit further north is Santa Monica, home of aging starlets, residents who commute downtown on the Santa Monica Freeway, artisans, UCLA expats, etc. Near the Santa Monica pier, in the heart of downtown, you can find a cornucopia of tourist services and lovely beachside hotels, motels and cottages. The coast here is pure southern California beach (a lot like Newport Beach) for part of the way, and as you head north on the busy Rt. 1 you will zip past broad sandy beaches with vast parking lots.

Once Rt. 1 leaves Santa Monica, the coast gets more mountainous and the beaches are just beaches, reachable only by car and supported by a restaurant here and there. You’ll see the occasional motel when some canyon road meets Rt. 1, but nothing of substance until you reach Malibu. Topanga State Beach, about halfway to Malibu, is the charming exception – and well worth a stop, especially if you’re interested in fishing.

Malibu, of course, is largely the gated-home playground of the Hollywood set, with Pepperdine University and Malibu Canyon thrown in to keep things real. While most Malibu beaches are hard to reach (private homes block or restrict access), there are some great Malibu seaside restaurants and beachfront hotels, some of which provide at least a bit of access to the beach. At Zuma Beach, there’s a truly spectacular stretch of the coast, and it’s yours to enjoy if you’re willing to travel there by car.

As you drive up the coast and leave the Los Angeles beaches behind, things thins out — dotted by the occasional state or county park — and head into Ventura County. You may want to stop there or continue on to “The American Riviera” of Santa Barbara’s lovely beaches.

Photo of Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles by mbtrama via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Venice Beach in Los Angeles by caccamo via flickr (Creative Commons); and Photo of Malibu Beach in Los Angeles by tensaibuta via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Orange County Beaches