No matter what the tourist in Los Angeles is looking for – the diverse range and an overwhelming array of world-famous attractions has something for every taste. Here is a brief insight:
Beverly Hills
According to searchforpublicschools, Beverly Hills is the epitome of luxury. Whoever is rich and beautiful, just rich or just beautiful, lives and hangs out here, and of course all those who just want to see the rich and beautiful for once. Anyone interested in how the stars live can book a scout who drives the guests through the residential area of Beverly Hills and also reveals which star lives in which villa. The best viewing spots are on the famous Rodeo Drive, the shopping mile for oversized budgets whose stores attract celebrities and wannabes in droves
Rodeo Drive
Probably the most exclusive shopping and promenade is between Wilshire and Sunset Boulevard in the suburb of Beverly Hills. Here you will find a large number of shops from well-known top designers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci or Ralph Lauren. One looks in vain for price tags in the window displays. Anyone who shops here is not interested anyway. But the real estate itself is also expensive: At the end of 2015, a real estate agent announced that the French luxury jeweler Chanel had bought a nearly 1,100 m² shop for 152 million dollars. There is nothing left to remind you that Rodeo Drive was a dusty horse trail until the early 1950s. By the way, Julia Roberts is remembered in the film “Pretty Woman” – she was thrown out of a boutique because she wasn’t dressed appropriately.
Universal Studios Hollywood
With almost 7 million visitors, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the most visited amusement parks in North America. Here you can see numerous original backdrops of well-known cinema hits. In addition, spectacular gadgets will be offered on the studio tour. On the site, visitors can see numerous performances such as action and wild west shows as well as music performances.
Dolby Theater
The former Kodak Theater has been the venue for the Academy Awards (Oscars) since 2001. The hall, designed for around 3,400 seats, has one of the largest stages in the USA and its own press room for more than 1,500 journalists. The now insolvent company Kodak was the main sponsor of the theater with 75 million dollars and thus also secured the (former) naming rights. In addition to the Oscars, the hall was and is used for Emmy Awards and also for the talent show “American Idol” and appearances by various stars.
Griffith Observatory
The white Art Deco domed building with Egyptian style elements is located on the south side of Mount Hollywood. Since opening in May 1935, the observatory has attracted millions of visitors. You can see numerous scientific devices as well as parts of meteorites as well as lunar and Martian rocks. The reason for the popularity is primarily the great panoramic view over Los Angeles (including downtown) and the famous “HOLLYWOOD letters”. The observatory was very often used as a backdrop for cinema and TV film productions: The final sequence of the James Dean film “…because they don’t know what they are doing” (1955) was recorded here. The films “Terminator” (1984) and “Bowfinger’s Big Number” (1999) were also filmed here.
Hollywood Sign
The temporary billboard of a real estate agent who wrote “Hollywoodland” in oversized letters on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills in 1923 became a landmark with the city’s rise to become a film metropolis. In the 1940s, the “land” was deleted during a renovation. The approximately 15 meter high letters, which are 110 meters long and emblazoned on the mountain, had to be completely dismantled in 1978 and replaced with new ones. The campaign leader at the time was Hugh Hefner, legendary founder of Playboy magazine. He called for a fundraiser to meet the $250,000 cost of the letters and steel structure. However, the best views of the plaque are from Griffith Park and Lake Hollywood.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
You literally follow in the footsteps of the stars on a walk along the Walk of Fame. The walk covers the entire 18th block of Hollywood Boulevard and three more blocks of Vine Street, from Sunset Boulevard to Yucca Street. The approximately 2,500 stars embedded in the sidewalk shine in honor of stars and asterisks.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
If you don’t see a star on the street, you’re guaranteed to meet them at Madame Tussauds.
Getty Center
In addition to a breathtaking view of Los Angeles, the Getty Center offers visitors one of the most diverse art collections in the world. The museum with its fantastic architecture and gardens invite you to linger. The view of the city from here is breathtaking.
Venice Beach
The approximately 4.5 km long sandy beach connects to the south of Santa Monica Beach. Especially on weekends, the promenade lined with souvenir and sales stands is particularly attractive. Here you meet locals as well as tourists. Street performers, musicians, painters, performers and fortune tellers join the many walkers. The Boardwalk offers a variety of sports options and the graffiti on the house facades contribute to the relaxed flair of the Beachwalk.
Marina del Rey
Southeast of Venice Beach is one of the largest man-made marinas in the United States, with docking space for up to 5,300 boats. Here visitors can watch the hustle and bustle in the harbor or kayak along the canals themselves. The beautiful pier’s restaurants serve an international menu ranging from modern Californian cuisine to traditional Italian cuisine.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The steel-clad concert hall – home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (LA PHIL) – is one of Dowtown LA’s most interesting new developments. and quickly became a flagship of modern contemporary architecture. Architect Frank Gehry is responsible for this masterpiece. Opened in 2003, the building is shaped like a large sailing ship with curved and wavy outlines and can accommodate around 2,300 visitors. The wood paneled ceiling of the auditorium and the staggered arrangement of the seats ensure first-class acoustics and preserve the character of a traditional concert hall.
