Los Angeles County

“Тhere is something to be said for having even unrealistic dreams,” says celebrated Whiplash and La La Land writer/director Damien Chazelle. “Even if the dreams don’t come true—that to me is what’s beautiful about Los Angeles. It’s full of these people who have moved there to chase these dreams. A lot of those people are told by people around them that they’re crazy, or that they’re living in la la land.”

The City of Angels is the land of reinvention. Los Angeles County attracts seekers, dreamers, hustlers and wannabe actors/screenwriters/directors. Most come from somewhere else and are looking for a better life. Persistent optimism and self-expressiveness permeate the air.

Thanks to the Beach Boys harmonizing about California girls, beach party movies of the ’60s and TV shows like Baywatch, many people think of Los Angeles as palm trees swaying in warm breezes, endless beaches and bikini-clad women. But LA is far more complex. It’s a mix of old and new, from cuisine to culture to ideas. The creativity and diversity of the region are reflected in some 100 museums focused on the odd to the divine, the vibrant global street art and the constant evolution of the food scene.

The Nation’s Largest County

As the most populous county in the nation, with more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County comprises 88 cities with around 200 languages spoken within its 4,751 square miles. Geographically, the county is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

The entertainment industry is an integral part of the local economy, annually contributing $47 billion to the region. For decades, the name Hollywood 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 districts 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 welcoming oasis to a diverse community of gays, Russians and musicians, are cities but are completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles.

Over seventy miles of beaches run along Los Angeles County’s southwest border. Malibu, an exclusive seaside community, has some of the most alluring stretches of sand in the area. To the north, hikers and mountain climbers 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 most populous city in the nation at close to 4 million people, dominates the county. Writer Dorothy Parker once quipped, “Los Angeles is 72 suburbs in search of a city.” Now, LA’s several hundred neighborhoods form a rich cultural stew. Meander around 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. Go shopping at cool indie shops featuring local labels and fashionable imports along Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Need an outfit for an awards show? Head over to Decades on Melrose Avenue, a vintage couture store where many stylists choose red-carpet gowns for their star clients.

Hungry? Eat at The Griddle Cafe, a Sunset Boulevard institution known for its gigantic pancakes. Or chow down on a creatively topped hot dog (some named for celebrities) at Pink’s famous corner stand at Melrose and La Brea avenues. Watch a Lakers or Clippers pro basketball game, or an LA Kings NHL hockey game, at the Crypto.com Arena to see stars, both on the court and in the stands. End the day sipping a cocktail at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where celebrities meet their agents and studio execs.