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Los Angeles is located in Southern
California on the Pacific Coast. This City of Angels was established
by the Spaniards 1781. Los Angeles was merely a ranch town when the
US appropriated it from Mexico in 1846 - But by the 20th century the
film industry shone a spotlight on L.A.
The city of 3.5 million sprawls across 467 square miles of desert
basin, mountain canyons, and coastal beaches. If there was one word
to describe Los Angles it would have to be diverse; for diversity is
not only a characteristic of Los Angeles' geography, but it also
describes the approximate 11 million people who call it home. The
largest population of Pacific Islanders in the nation lives here, as
well as the world's third-largest Hispanic population. Los Angeles
is home to people from over 140 countries speaking 96 different
languages.
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Attractions in this city are numerous
and varied. There are more than 2,000 museums, galleries, theaters
and other attractions in Los Angeles. Los Angeles features itself as
a great hostess providing its visitors with activities such as
museums, beaches, restaurants, performing arts, people watching and
sports. The Mann's Chinese Theater provides for an interesting
outing, while Rodeo Drive showcases the latest trends. No matter
where you travel in the Los Angeles area, there's something exciting
to do or see The Los Angeles area also features dozens of annual
events, from parades, to sporting meets to festivals. Los Angeles
has drawn the attention of people from all over the US and the
world, making it the entertainment capitol of the world. L.A. has
not only played a major role in the development of television,
music, fashion and art, but it has also been a central figure in
creating a diverse center of pop and traditional culture. |
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El Pueblo De Los
Angeles Historic Monument
Home of world-famous Olvera Street and site of Los Angeles' birthplace,
this colorful Mexican marketplace, which opened in 1930, features 27
historic buildings surrounding the old Plaza.
California Museum of Science and Industry
Contemporary science and technology museum features exhibits on
aerospace, science, earthquakes, mathematics, energy, health and
economics. IMAX Theater.
HOLLYWOOD Sign
With letters 50 ft tall, Hollywood's trademark sign can be spotted from
miles away and is recognized around the world. The sign, which
originally spelled out "Hollywoodland," was erected in the Hollywood
Hills in 1923 to promote a real-estate development.
California
Science Center
Exhibits focus around the science that we encounter in our to everyday
life. Tess, the animatronic star of "BodyWorks," demonstrates how the
body's organs work together to maintain balance. The Imax Theater, with
3-D capabilities and a seven-story movie screen, shows science-related
films.
Capitol
Records Tower
On its south wall, L.A. artist Richard Wyatt's mural Hollywood Jazz,
1945-1972, immortalizes musical greats Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday,
Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The blinking light at the top of the
tower spells out "Hollywood" in Morse code.
Central Library
Major fires in the 1980s closed the library for six years. The original
building, designed by Bertram Goodhue, was completely restored to its
1926 condition. The library also features a 1-1/2-acre outdoor garden.
Farmers Market
In July 1934, two entrepreneurs developed a European-style open-air
market where farmers could sell their produce to local housewives. The
idea was an instant success, the market has more than 110 stalls and
more than 20 restaurants, many with alfresco dining under umbrellas.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
All along this mile-long stretch of Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk, the
names of more than 2,000 entertainment legends are embossed in brass,
each at the center of a pink star embedded in dark-gray terrazzo.
Huntington Gardens
The awesome 150-acre Huntington Gardens include a 12-acre Desert Garden.
The Japanese Garden features traditional Japanese plants, stone
ornaments, and a Japanese house.
Kidspace
This children's museum is housed in the gymnasium of an elementary
school. There are plenty activities for the children to get involved
with. Kids can direct a television or radio station; dress up in the
real uniforms of a firefighter, astronaut, or football player; or play
in tunnels for exploring insect life.
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La Brea Tar Pits
In the early 20th century, geologists discovered that the sticky tar
found in these pits contained the largest collection of Pleistocene, or
Ice Age, fossils ever found at one location.
Los Angeles Children's Museum
Hands-on exhibits allow kids to record a song, make a TV show, learn
about recycling, create arts and crafts, build a city out of pillows,
and practice being a firefighter.
Mann's Chinese
Theatre
You will have to attend a theatre production in order to view the
interior trappings of the former "Grauman's Chinese," a fantasy of
Chinese pagodas and temples, but the courtyard is open for browsing.
Museum of Contemporary Art at California Plaza
The permanent collection of MOCA is split between Geffen Contemporary
and the galleries at this site, a red sandstone building designed by
Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.
Museum of
Tolerance
Using state-of-the-art interactive technology, this museum challenges
visitors to confront bigotry and racism. One of the most affecting
sections covers the Holocaust, with actual film footage of deportation
scenes and simulated sets of concentration camps.
Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County
The more than 3.5 million specimens at this superb museum in Exposition
Park include a rich collection of prehistoric fossils; extensive bird,
insect, and marine-life displays; an elaborate taxidermy exhibit;
pre-Columbian artifacts; and crafts from the South Pacific.
Olvera Street
Lively, one-block Olvera Street tantalizes with tile walkways, piņatas,
mariachis, and authentic Mexican food. Restored as an open-air Mexican
market in 1930, the street is the symbol of the city's beginnings when
the original settlers built earthen and willow huts near the river.
Vendors sell puppets, tooled leather goods, sandals, serapes, and other
items from little stalls that line the center of the narrow street.
Pacific Park
The 12 rides at Santa Monica Pier's 2-acre amusement facility include a
roller coaster, a giant Ferris wheel, a flying submarine, and the Rock
and Roll, a spinning experience with a light show and rousing music.
Santa Monica
Pier
Eateries, souvenir shops, a psychic adviser, arcades, and the Pacific
Park amusement facilities are all part of this truncated pier at the
foot of Colorado Boulevard below Palisades Park.
Universal Studios
Visiting the theme park is a sensational introduction to the principles
of special effects. Seated aboard a comfortable tram you can experience
the parting of the Red Sea, meet a 30-ft-tall version of King Kong, be
attacked by the ravenous killer shark, and endure a confrontation by
aliens armed with death rays. |
