Los Angeles | Beaches and Culture
Los Angeles
Explore Los Angeles: The epicenter of pop culture, Hollywood glitz, and surfer vibes.
Los Angeles is a city that offers you a multitude of experiences, with each unique area having something spectacular to offer. You should allow plenty of time to tour the city because there is so much to do. Los Angeles has all the glitz, hustle, and excitement you could want.
Pop Culture in Los Angeles
Begin with the well-known Hollywood sights, such as the Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, and then explore the area of Sunset Boulevard called The Strip, which is home to colorful billboards, eateries, and well-known nightclubs.
The Grammy Museum, located in the L.A. Live complex downtown, is a haven for music enthusiasts, with exhibitions and artifacts detailing Los Angeles’ significant contribution to popular music. The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM, the renowned Studio Tour, and other movie attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood are sure to delight families.
Towns along the Sea
Everybody in Los Angeles has a favorite beach, and every beach—from the renowned Malibu to the bustling Manhattan Beach—has its personality.
The iconic pier delineates the 5.6-kilometer strip of sand that is Santa Monica. The Third Street Promenade, an outdoor shopping center in Santa Monica that offers fun outdoor shopping, is a short stroll from the pier, which features an aquarium, arcade, and amusement park.
Not to be confused with its neighbor, Venice Beach, which is similarly charming but very different. The walkway is lined with an eccentric (some would even say “outrageous”) mix of people fit for a movie set, while the beach itself is quite large.
The Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills
Name brands like Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Lanvin, Tiffany’s, and Valentino are just a few of the high-end retailers in Beverly Hills that are synonymous with upscale dining and shopping. Browse and windowshop these labels.
This is also a great site for people-watching: have a cappuccino outside one of the cafes on the sidewalks surrounded by palm trees and watch the fancy automobiles drive by, or try to locate one of the many famous inhabitants who go by regular disguises.
Institutions of Culture
Perched on a hill in Griffith Park, northwest of downtown, is the Griffith Observatory, another amazing spot for stargazing and for taking in expansive city vistas. The city offers a plethora of must-see destinations for anyone interested in culture.
The Getty Center is one example, with its towering architecture and intimate gallery spaces brimming with popular visiting and permanent art exhibitions. More than 120,000 pieces of art spanning both ancient and modern culture can be seen at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. To complete your museum hopping, there’s the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, the Page Museum (which houses the La Brea Tar Pits), and more nearby.