Los Angeles
Los Angeles truly is a global city with lots to offer. The city covers a total area of 500 square miles and is divided into over 80 districts and neighborhoods, each with its own unique blend of attractions and culture. The second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles offers endless activities and experiences.
Here are just a few reasons we love LA:
Culture
LA has more museums and theaters than any other U.S. city and a thriving music and gallery scene. Concerts take place throughout the summer and fall outdoors at the Hollywood Bowl and year-round at renowned music venues including the Wiltern, El Rey, Troubadour, and Fonda Theater. Radio station KCRW offers free DJ sets and concerts all summer long in conjunction with popular museums and sites. The LA Philharmonic performs downtown at the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall.
LA’s world-class museums include the Getty Center in Brentwood, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in mid-city, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and the Broad Museum in Downtown L.A. Monthly art walks occur throughout the city, including in Downtown LA and Venice Beach. And, of course, when it comes to film and television, LA is the entertainment capital of the world.
Activities
Family fun can be found at world-famous theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, while studios such as Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers offer the ultimate film and TV fan experience with tours and free studio tapings. Griffith Park, the nation’s largest urban park, is home to the Los Angeles Zoo, horseback riding, tennis, and train rides for children.
Eclectic shopping neighborhoods are scattered around town – don’t miss Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Larchmont Avenue in Hancock Park, and Sunset Junction in Silverlake, to name a few. Popular mainstream shopping can be also enjoyed all over town at outdoor malls such as Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, the Grove, the Americana, and the Century City Mall.
LA has is home to several well-known sports teams and a variety of sporting events year-round. The Lakers, Dodgers, Galaxy, and Kings play in landmark arenas, such as the STAPLES Center and Dodger Stadium. USC and UCLA, two large top-notch universities, offer ample opportunities to experience college sports.
Outdoors
LA offers spectacular beaches year-round. Hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails span from the coastal Malibu trails inland to Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park and all the way east to the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena. Nearby destinations such as Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead offer access to skiing and winter activities, while the Coachella Valley offers a desert retreat for hiking, mountain climbing, and relaxation. Santa Barbara County and Catalina Island are easy weekend getaways for wine tasting and aquatic activities, respectively.
Food
Los Angeles has one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country, offering everything from street food to 5-star restaurants. LA is home to some of the country’s best farmer’s markets, which can be found year-round all over town. Dine LA Restaurant Week offers discounted menus at numerous top-notch restaurants twice a year. To foodies, LA is famous for the fine dining of celebrity chefs, as well as a new generation of culinary stars. And, of course, the beach cities offer great ocean-front dining.
Nightlife
LA offers endless entertainment options. Whether it’s a quiet drink with a significant other, playing trivia with other residents, or dancing the night away with hundreds, or even thousands, of strangers, LA has something for you. Downtown LA’s vibrant nightlife includes Little Tokyo, the Arts District, and L.A. LIVE, to name a few hotspots. In Hollywood, dress to impress at countless cocktail lounges and clubs. Visit Venice, Silverlake, or Culver City for a fun night out in one of LA’s arts-centric neighborhoods. Laugh it up at one of LA’s comedy clubs, including the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club, Largo, or Upright Citizen’s Brigade.
