Travel Guides > Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Travel

Los Angeles is so much more than just a place where they make movies. Admittedly, Hollywood and the movie industry is a huge tourist pull and you'll want to stroll down the Walk of Fame or book a Hollywood/Beverly Hills tour during your visit, but those seeking a little more depth to their vacation won't be disappointed by this wonderful city and the areas that surround it.

More than two dozen museums can be found in and around the downtown L.A. Visitors to this largest California city can enjoy everything from art and natural history museums to science and international cultural centers.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the second oldest cultural institution in the Western United States and boasts nearly 33 million artifacts and specimens, sure to delight the entire family. Los Angeles is also home to the premiere visual arts museum on the West Coast. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has 120,000 works on art in its permanent collection and hosts some of the world's best traveling exhibitions.

For a taste of old California, millions of visitors travel to Olvera Street, a unique Mexican marketplace that has been enticing guests for more than 75 years to stop by and enjoy authentic Mexican food, purchase unusual handicrafts and art, and enjoy historic California buildings and Mexican music.

Recreational pursuits might include the opportunity to golf on some of the best courses in North America or a visit to the beach cities that are just a short drive from Los Angeles, such as Malibu, Playa del Ray, and Hermosa Beach.

This amazing city is also home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the LA Opera, numerous theater companies, the magnificent new Disney Concert Hall, and the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl.

Just a short drive from downtown L.A. are three great theme parks: Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney's two parks, Disneyland and California Adventure.

Universal is a combination studio tour/amusement park and also includes an area called "City Walk", full of fun stores, restaurants, and attractions.

Disneyland has been a California landmark for 50 years and the newer California Adventure celebrates the state's past, present, and future with incredible rides and other special exhibits.

Dining and nightlife in Los Angeles are unmatched. Restaurants feature every kind of cuisine imaginable, from quirky street foods to gourmet specialties. Clubs rock all night long and you're even likely to spot a celebrity or two if you're in the right place at the right time.

Los Angeles plays host to many wonderful community-related and cultural events throughout the entire year, from the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights in Marina del Ray in December to the Mariachi U.S.A. Festival in June. Visitors will enjoy a bevy of street fairs, film festivals, and a little something to celebrate every culture that makes Los Angeles what it is... a delightful blending of peoples and traditions from all over the world.