It might be one of LA’s old-timers but Disneyland remains its most popular attraction by far. A mixture of themed ‘lands’ and exciting rides, it also boasts daily parades along Main Street USA and evening laser shows. The LA version also has four themed areas celebrating California and a separate Hollywood Studios area.
Things to see in Los Angeles
Tourist offices
Address: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Tel: +1 323 467 6412.
Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 0800-2200, Sun 0900-1900. www.discoverlosangeles.com
Available online, the Southern California CityPASS (tel: +1 888 330 5008; www.citypass.com) is valid for two weeks and offers discounted entry to a number of theme parks including Disneyland. The Go LA Card (tel: +1 800 887 9103; www.golosangelescard.com), available as a 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- or 7-day pass, offers discounted admission to 34 attractions. It’s available online or over the phone.
A beguiling combination of striking modern architecture (the buildings are the work of Richard Meier) and J. Paul Getty’s impressively large collection of paintings, the Getty Center truly is one of LA’s cultural highlights. The surrounding botanical garden, packed with rare and native plants, is also well worth a wander.
Modelled on the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, the Getty Villa was built for oil tycoon J. Paul Getty to house this personal art collection and sits atop a Malibu cliff. Packed with Roman and Greek antiquities, it also boasts spectacular gardens, all done in the classical style, and a modest amphitheatre.
Dedicated to the biggest names in music, the huge Grammy Museum is a reminder that LA isn’t just for actors. Its four floors contain exhibitions on the creative process, the history of music and, latterly, a special display dedicated to Taylor Swift. Live acts also perform here.
Built by showman Sid Grauman in 1927, this is the most famous of the flamboyant picture palaces along this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrities’ hand and footprints are embedded into the cement of the forecourt, while the trail of bronze stars that make up the Hollywood Walk of Fame passes in front of the building.
The former home of railroad tycoon Henry E Huntington is a treasure trove of French porcelain, tapestries and paintings, among them Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. The library boasts four million items, including a 15th-century copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, while the Botanical Gardens cover an impressive 81 hectares (200 acres).
One of the world’s largest film studios (and one of LA’s most popular attractions), Universal Studios takes visitors behind the scenes of the movie world via a series of thrilling rides. Along with a Peter Jackson-designed King Kong ride, there’s a simulated earthquake, an attack from Jaws and a brilliant Jurassic Park rollercoaster.
Home to one of the largest collections of art and artefacts in the USA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art boasts more than 100,000 objects, all housed within the imposing Ahmanson Building. Highlights include the South East Asian art collection and the impressive collection of early Latin American treasures.
Housed in a striking red sandstone building designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, MOCA specialises in modern art and counts works by Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko among its permanent collection. Two more sites house the rest of its vast holdings - the nearby Geffen Contemporary and West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center.
Famous for its 5.5km (2.5 mile) stretch of sandy beach and much-filmed pier, Santa Monica is the place to come for a taste of LA at its most relaxed. Head to the pier for a ride on its vintage carousel or, if that sounds too energetic, browse the many beachfront boutiques and snap up something totally unique.
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