This sprawling city in Southern California is the center of the nation’s film and television industry. It is also the most populous city in California and 2nd most populous in the United States, behind New York City.
Some of the sites we visited when we were in LA over the years :
- Griffith Observatory
- Hollywood Sign
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- The Venice Beach
- Beverly Hills – Rodeo Drive
Griffith Observatory – Named after its benefactor Griffith, this museum has an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Admission has been free since the observatory’s opening in 1935, in accordance with the benefactor’s will. Because of Its location on the slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, you get a great view of Downtown LA, Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean.
Hollywood Sign – You can get a view of this sign from quite a few places. Best place in my opinion is from Griffith Observatory where there is free parking. You can also see it from the Hollywood walk of fame.
Hollywood Walk of Fame – This is one of the free things to do in LA. The Hollywood Walk of Fame has more than 2500 brass stars embedded with names of famous actors, musicians, producers, directors, theatrical/musical groups, fictional characters, and others in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk stretches over two miles and hosts hundreds of street vendors and performers along with numerous privately owned restaurants and food venues. The Venice Beach Recreation Center offers various activities including but not limited to basketball, paddle tennis and handball tournaments, body building at the world famous Muscle Beach Venice gym, and other special events.
Venice Beach also offers a fishing pier, a world renowned skate plaza, bike path, and children’s play areas. Film productions are also very popular at Venice Beach and occur year round.
Muscle Beach is the birthplace of the United States physical fitness boom, which started in 1934 with predominantly gymnastics activities on the south side of the Santa Monica Pier.
Beverly Hills – Rodeo Drive – The three blocks of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, LA make up one of the most famous streets in the world. The street is known for its collection of ultra high-end designer and boutique shops and has been featured in more than a few films — from “Beverly Hills Cop” to “Clueless.”
In my opinion, I think everyone should visit Rodeo Drive at least once, and venture into at least a couple of stores and browse the items, check out if it is affordable. As you stroll through this place, you can admire the expensive cars parked around this place and if you are lucky, you may bump into your favorite celebrity. Half a mile from rodeo drive is the beautiful Beverly Hills City Hall.
