See and Do in Los Angeles


By claire - Posted on 07 December 2009

LA is not the easiest city for anyone, let alone an expat, in which to find their bearings. The problem is that the city has no definitive centre and finding your way around may take a bit of time. So what better way to get your bearings than setting out on a sightseeing trip to see the city’s scattered attractions .

Head to Hollywood Boulevard to view some of the city’s most iconic attractions, such as Mann's (Grauman's) Chinese Theatre and the Capitol Records Tower, take a tour of the Warner Bros and Universal studios, spend a day in the trendy West LA shopping on Rodeo Drive, head to Venice Beach or Santa Monica to enjoy a California sunset, and hit the Sunset Strip for an unforgettable night out on the town.

Expats who are keen on taking in a lot of sights should look into purchasing the Go Los Angeles Card, which grants free entry to more than 35 attractions, as well as shopping and dining discounts – a great way to familiarize yourself with your new home.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood
One of LA’s most popular attractions, jump aboard the tram ride to discover dressing rooms, old sets and experience a movie-style earthquake or attack by the infamous ‘Jaws’.
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Tel: (818) 622 3801

 

Warner Bros Studios
Take a look at an authentic working studio and learn about the film making process on the two-hour tour , where you’ll get to take a behind-the-scenes look at film and television sets, prop construction, and if you’re very lucky you might even get to watch actors while they’re filming.
wbsf.warnerbros.com
Tel: (818) 954 3000

Hollywood
Spend some time in the iconic Hollywood, the land of celebrity, success and money. Take a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favourite star’s handprints in the cement, have your photograph taken with the Hollywood sign in the background, and visit the Kodak Theatre where the annual Academy Awards take place.
www.seeing-stars.com

Los Angeles Zoo
Boasting more than 1,100 animals from around the world, the Los Angeles Zoo is a great place to spend the day. Pack a picnic and enjoy a sunbeam on the lawn in the botanical gardens section of the zoo and take the kids to the petting zoo section to meet their favourite animals.
www.lazoo.org
Tel: (323) 644 4200
West LA
Hang out in the city’s trendiest suburb and marvel at the glamorous home of some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities in Bel Air and Beverley Hills, spend a day shopping on Rodeo Drive, or hit Sunset Strip for a night out to remember!

Beach Communities
The iconic sun-kissed, bleach blonde, bikini-clad babes made famous by shows such as ‘Baywatch’ can be found along the Pacific stretch of coastline and places like Malibu and Santa Monica are home to some of the world’s rich and famous. Spend your weekends soaking up the California sun and people-watching on these fabulous beaches.

La Brea Tar Pits
A magnificent and very significant fossil sight, come and learn about the region’s archaeological history at the La Brea tar Pits where fossils of plants and animals have been preserved for hundreds of thousands of years.
www.tarpits.org
Tel: (323) 934 7243

Walt Disney Concert Hall
A uniquely designed concert hall in downtown LA, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is silver-plated and is an attraction in itself. Join the walking tour to find out more about the design and enjoy a meal afterwards at the restaurant tucked away inside the intricate designs.
www.laphil.com
Tel: (323) 850 2000

Griffith Park and Observatory
Often referred to as the ‘Central Park’ of LA, Griffith Park is a great place to come with your bike and enjoy the fresh air and wide open spaces, take a hike or simply enjoy a picnic in a shady spot.
www.griffithobs.org
Tel: (213) 473 0800

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