Page 105 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

The entertainment industry is an
integral part of the local economy, annu-
ally contributing $47 billion to the
region. For decades, the name Holly-
wood has been synonymous with the
movie business, but today, most studios
have moved into neighboring suburbs
such as Burbank and Culver City.
Some of the better-known areas in LA
County aren’t even cities but rather dis-
tricts or neighborhoods within Los
Angeles, such as Hollywood, Silver Lake
and Venice. In contrast, Beverly Hills,
home to the most expensive residences
in the world, and West Hollywood, a
diverse mélange of gays, Russians and
musicians, are cities but completely sur-
rounded by the city of Los Angeles.
Seventy miles of beaches run along LA
County’s southwest border. Malibu, an
exclusive seaside community, has some
of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
To the north of the city of LA, hikers and
mountain climbers can explore trails in
the Santa Monica Mountains. To the east,
the San Gabriel Mountains rise up to
more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
City & Town
Los Angeles, the second largest city in the
nation, dominates the county. Writer
Dorothy Parker once quipped, “Los
Angeles is 72 suburbs in search of a city.”
Now, well over 100 neighborhoods in LA
form a rich cultural stew. Meander around
downtown LA’s Chinatown, Little Tokyo,
the Art and Fashion Districts, the Latino
enclaves around Echo Park, Hollywood’s
Laurel Canyon, Little Armenia, Thai Town
or Melrose District where hipsters shop.
When in LA, do as the celebs do and
start the day in downward dog at Bryan
Kest’s Power Yoga studio in Santa
Monica. Go shopping at Fred Segal, an LA
institution known for cult beauty and
makeup brands. Need an outfit for an
awards show? Head over to Decades on
Melrose Avenue, a couture vintage store
where many stylists choose red-carpet
gowns for their star clients.
Hungry? Eat at The Ivy, a Beverly Hills
institution known for its casual chic
atmosphere and the steady flow of
celebrities lunching there. Or chow down
on a Chili dog at Pink’s in Hollywood.
PLAYING ON THE BEACH by the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier, above;
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, opposite.
»
MUST
SEE,
DO
» The Music Center Celebrating its 50th
anniversary, this 22-acre, world-class performing
arts center in downtown Los Angeles includes the
Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler
Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theater.
Take free docent-led tours of all four venues. During
the summer, dance, drum or sing with locals at one
of the many free events in The Music Center.
› musiccenter.org
» Venice Boardwalk Hang out with surfers,
skateboarders, body builders, street basketball
players, buskers, fortune-tellers and artists at the
Venice boardwalk on Ocean Front Walk, a 1.5-mile
pedestrian-only promenade. Don’t miss the Venice
Public Art Walls featuring graffiti art on the sand,
west of the bike path between Windward Street
and Market Street.
› venicebeach.com
› veniceartwalls.com
» Olvera Street Browse lucha libre (Mexican
wrestling) masks, Day of the Dead figurines, piñatas
and other souvenirs in this block-long Mexican mar-
ketplace. Located in Los Angeles Plaza Historic
District, this section of LA was the town center
during the colonial era under Spanish and Mexican
rule through most of the 19th century. Many vendors
are the descendants of the original merchants in
this marketplace that was established in 1930 to
preserve and bring back “old Los Angeles” and its
customs. Try a churro from Mr. Churro’s or a taco
amidst the street stalls and old structures.
› olvera-street.com
» West Hollywood Design District
Anchored by the Pacific Design Center, this area is a
great place to celebrity-watch at favorite power-lunch
spots to the stars and a shopping mecca for interiors
and top fashions such as Balenciaga, Christian
Louboutin and Rag & Bone. This art, design, beauty
and fashion destination includes Melrose Avenue,
Robertson Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard.
› westhollywooddesigndistrict.com
» Getty Museums in LA and Malibu
Prepare to be as awestruck by the views as by the
treasures within the museums. The Getty Center in
Los Angeles houses mostly European and American
art, whereas the Getty Villa in Malibu focuses on arts
and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria.
› getty.edu/visit
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