Visit Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of so many distinct and contrasting faces: there’s Sun and Surf LA – Red Carpet LA – Cultural LA – Fine Dining LA – Sports LA, and so much more. For visitors, this translates into exciting adventures and attractions for every taste.

Stroll the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard or the boardwalks of Venice Beach; visit the striking Watts Towers or the world-renowned Getty Center Museum. LA is all about discoveries; come make some of your own.

Flights to Los Angeles

Flying to LA is easy in part because the vast region is served by numerous airports (see a sampling below), so finding cheap flights to Los Angeles is by no means difficult.

Los Angeles International (LAX): LA’s major airport. You can get almost anywhere in the world from the airport locals refer to simply as “LAX”; it’s a hub for Alaska, American, United and other domestic airlines and is served by dozens of international carriers.

Burbank Airport (BUR): Formally the Bob Hope Airport, this small facility is popular with residents of LA’s San Fernando Valley and is close to attractions like the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios and more.

John Wayne International Airport (SNA): This sleek airport named for the movie star is located in nearby Orange County, California – just down the road from LA and perfect for easy access to Disneyland and popular beach communities.

Attractions in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to plenty of natural and man-made attractions; for more listings, please see the links below.

Hollywood – See the Kodak Theater where the Oscars are held, and all those movie star hand prints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, plus Hollywood Boulevard’s “Walk of Fame”. Kitschy, yes, but fun. Don’t miss the great Amoeba Music store on Sunset Boulevard.

Getty Center – A beautiful museum both inside and out; the cluster of buildings, faced with dazzling Travertine marble, feature exhibits including statuary, photographs and paintings. Be sure to make time for the Getty’s terrific collection of Impressionists.

The Beaches – Looking for a family beach? Try Zuma. A beach with a Ferris Wheel? Santa Monica. Surfing? Redondo Beach. Weird characters on display? You, my friend, want Venice.

Watts Tower – Simon Rodia’s masterpiece has to be seen to be appreciated – graceful spires of interconnected towers, each embedded with bits of glass, ceramic, metal, even sea shells. It took Rodia more than 30 years to create this, but it was worth the wait.

Shopping and Restaurants in Los Angeles

Dining: LA thrives on sushi, fresh vegetables, and seafood specialties – and the ever popular In-N-Out Burgers. It’s also a great place to get a steak. For something a little different, don’t miss Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles.

Shopping: Vintage stores vie with fabulous finds on Melrose and Montana Avenues; plenty of designers in nearby Beverly Hills, too, but if it’s tacky souvenirs you’re after, go to Hollywood.

Smart Tip

A fun way to see the contrasting faces of Los Angeles is a trip down Sunset Boulevard. Start downtown and head west, past Salvadoran snack shacks selling pupusas, through the hip enclave of Silver Lake, past the wealth of Beverly Hills and Brentwood, and keep right on going ’til you hit the Pacific Coast Highway and the ocean (hint: make the most of this, rent a convertible).

More Information on Los Angeles

Learn more about LA from these websites.

Discover Los Angeles – The official site for visitors and conventions, with attractions, events and more.

On Location – See a daily schedule of film and TV shooting locations around the city.

Go California – Lots of Los Angeles trip planning advice plus tours and ticket information.

Visit California – Los Angeles and beyond.