Every year over 45 million tourists visit Los Angeles – exceeding even the 41 million visitors that descend on Las Vegas. So what draws so many families, singles and retirees to this trendsetting global metropolis, besides the sunny climate?
Like many world-class cities, Los Angeles is divided into neighborhoods, including Santa Monica with its famous “Baywatch” beach, pier and surfing lifestyle. Malibu is best known for its celebrity homes, and who wouldn’t want to live in beautiful Venice Beach with its lively boardwalk where musicians, jugglers and street artists make up the human landscape? It’s a great place to people-watch, and who knows who you may rub shoulders with as you watch the free entertainment.
Los Angeles Attractions
Los Angeles is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and with good reason. Home to the oldest film industry in the world, Hollywood is an attraction in its own right with the vast Universal Studios theme park, City Walk, Disneyland and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hollywood must-sees include the star-studded Walk of Fame and the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, home to the world’s largest IMAX auditorium and over 200 autographs and handprints immortalizing almost a century of movie star legends.
This unique connection with the entertainment industry has spawned countless theaters and venues for watching the latest pop and classical concerts, Broadways shows, musical extravaganzas and world-class cultural entertainment. Visit the award-winning Pantages Theatre for the latest box office shows or attend the Greek Theatre in Griffin Park for a memorable live performance. The J. Paul Getty Museum is one of several top museums in Los Angeles along with the Nethercutt and the LA County Museum of Art. You can tread the decks of the Battleship USS Iowa or spend the day at the California Science Center where the Space Shuttle Endeavour is now on display.
Sports events from Monster Truck Rallies to the Hollywood Bowl make Los Angeles a city of champions, from the Lakers with 16 basketball championships under their belt to the Dodgers who have won five World Series baseball titles.
Beautiful Beaches in Los Angeles
Away from the busy city, Los Angeles has 75 miles of America’s most beautiful sandy beaches which provide endless opportunities for surfing, standup paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, fishing, swimming, jet skiing and volleyball. Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach with its Fun Factory Arcade, and Manhattan Beach with its Roundhouse Marine Lab and Aquarium provide plenty of traditional seaside fun for all ages such as touching starfish, getting up-close to sharks or feeding seahorses.
First Class Dining and Shopping in LA
Dining out is all part of any vacation experience, and Los Angeles once again hits the ball out of the park when it comes to restaurant quality and variety. From food trucks and sidewalk cafés to Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Tex-Mex restaurants, you’ll find something to suit every budget. One of the most innovative and buzzing restaurants is Bestia in the Arts District, catering to foodies and dieters alike. The Bellweather at Studio City has rave reviews for its farm-to-table cuisine while Animal in Mid-Wilshire serves LA classics on the daily specials menu.
Every visitor will want to shop for souvenirs, and where better than the LA Fashion District or window shopping on Rodeo Drive. La Brea is Los Angeles’ artiest shopping strip while West 3rd Street is the place to find fun and funky gifts.
Whatever you choose to do during your summer visit to Los Angeles, you are sure to take home many memories of thrilling experiences. Like many first-time visitors, you may even find yourself vowing to move permanently to this trendsetting upscale city.