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If you ever find yourself on the West Coast of the United States, then you need to pay a visit to sunny Los Angeles for a relaxing and cultured trip. Filled with glitz and glamour since the birth of Hollywood, LA has the perfect mix of modern-day bustle and laid-back atmosphere. It is a cultural hub filled with impressive museums, galleries and architecture, and soaring skyscrapers, giving it a modern-day feel. Here are some top things to do in this sunny Californian city.
You can’t visit LA without heading to its most famous district, Hollywood. Located in the north of the city, it is the original home of Universal Studios, Paramount and Warner Bros. You can spend your day exploring the various attractions and landmarks that honour these massive entertainment franchises.
Another major highlight of visiting Hollywood is walking down the Walk of Fame and spotting your favourite celebrity’s stars. You may also want to visit the Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre, where the annual Oscars ceremony is held. It is an absolute treat for movie buffs!
Situated in the Hollywood Hills is the iconic Hollywood sign that stands at 15-meters tall and 137-meters long. You can access the distinctive sign via various trails; there is the three-mile Burbank Peak Trail or the slightly shorter two-mile trail that starts in Griffith Park. If you’d rather avoid the hike and get a picture-perfect view of the sign, Hollywood Reservoir and Lake Hollywood Park offer shorter walks and great views.
LA has become one of the best places to view impressive art pieces and appreciate world-class creations. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Centre are two of the best places to visit.
You will be treated to extensive collections of art at the LACMA and ancient relics that date all the way back to Ancient Egyptian artefacts. If you’re more into paintings and sculptures, the Getty Centre may be more up your street with impressive pieces from Renoir and Rembrandt.
Both art exhibitions are a treat for the eyes even before you enter, with innovative outward architecture that is attention-grabbing from afar. They also host great outdoor spaces where several shows and events occur annually.
It may be a top-rated astronomical centre, but it attracts many tourists yearly because of its spectacular views of the sparkling city. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the stunning surrounding hills and the vast Pacific Ocean.
It is located close to the Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park, so you can pair some star and city gazing with a lovely natural hike to really appreciate this pretty place in all its glory.
Several public telescopes are available for visitors in the Observatory, as well as interesting exhibitions and fascinating planetarium shows. If you are an astronomy or physics buff, this will be a great day out for you in LA.
Another incredibly famous and popular place to visit in LA is the glamorous Beverly Hills. It is just west of Hollywood, so you can easily visit both cities on the same trip and see how the neighbouring cities differ.
Beverly Hills is home to many A-list celebrities and the exclusive postcode is reputable in the rest of the country. You can enjoy strolling along the upscale shops on Rodeo Drive and feeling the glamour at high-end spots like Beverly Hills Hotel.
If you’re after more affordable options, head over to the palm tree-lined streets with an array of shops, cafes and restaurants that don’t require such a massive budget. Enjoy a bite or a spot of shopping amongst the lovely greenery at Beverly Gardens Park.
One of the best things to do in LA that’ll unleash your inner child and give you some thrills is spending a day at an exciting theme park or discovering more about your faviourite movies during a studio tour. Two of the best places to do so are Disneyland California and Universal Studios. The film-inspired theme parks are home to famous characters such as Spiderman, Indiana Jones and Buzz Lightyear. Tickets for both range from $80-$110.
If you want a more cost-effective day out, head to the Warner Bros. Studio tour, which is an even $70. The space is still greatly used for filming, but the tour will include some of the most famous pieces from beloved TV shows, from the Friends’ Central Perk set to iconic props from the Harry Potter films.
LA is also home to other exhilarating attractions that aren’t movie-related, such as Legoland and Six Flags. Magic Mountain in Six Flags holds the impressive world record for the most rollercoasters in a park. Tickets are much more affordable at £45 for single use.