Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California, United States

Home to Universal Studios, Hollywood, Beverley Hills, the Sunset Strip and the Walk of Fame, Los Angeles has long lured many into its glittering fantasy world. With endless sunshine, palm trees, shopping malls and beautiful people, this city is like no place you’ve ever been before, and yet is strangely familiar. Los Angeles is a wonderful, vibrant, exhilarating multi-cultural hub with a plethora of things to do and see.

Population:

9,818,605

Currency:

US Dollar $ ($1= 100 cents)

Emergency Numbers:

911

Opening Hours:

Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday from 10a.m. or 11a.m. to 5p.m. or 6p.m. Many shops usually open later on Sundays than on weekdays, and close earlier. Malls tend to stay open longer hours.

Newspapers:

Los Angeles Times
LA Weekly

The City

The sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles is spread across four thousand square miles of desert between the mountains and the ocean. It consists of several mini-cities bound by a network of freeways. LA is divided into five main districts: Downtown, Hollywood, The Valley, Westside, and the Beaches - each a world in themselves.

The size of the place may be a source of confusion to a first-time visitor, but don’t give up! It all soon falls into place. Tourists tend to concentrate in the western part of the city, where beach hotels and attractions are located. However, it is worth venturing Downtown for a bit more grit and less glitz, as well as for some great eating and drinking, Downtown is home to the magnificent Walt Disney Concert Hall, an experience in itself.

Los Angeles will always be associated with movies and movie stars. The huge Hollywood sign on the hill to Universal Studios, the glamour of Beverly Hills and the unavoidable celebrity spotting in bars and restaurants... You cannot help but be lured into this surreal and magical world. However, if you fail to look beyond this celluloid culture, you will be missing some of the most fabulous art collections and galleries in the world. The Getty Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Norton Simon Museum all house spectacular permanent collections.

With most days of the year being sunny and warm, outdoor life is a large part of the Los Angeles lifestyle. Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu beaches offer some great urban beach culture with roller skating on the promenades and shopping on the boulevards. Griffith Park is one of the largest city parks in the country and offers all manner of outdoor pursuits (including the LA Zoo).

With a population as diverse as its geography, Los Angeles has become a multicultural hub, which is reflected in the food, art, and streets themselves. Both Chinatown and Koreatown offer some great food, interesting shopping, and, when it comes to the latter, some top karaoke!

Do & See

With so much to see and do, Los Angeles can be overwhelming to the first time visitor, especially if time is tight. Don’t expect to cover everything in one trip! The following is a selection of the most popular attractions, with a little something for everyone.

Dining

With its huge multi-ethnic community, Los Angeles is a veritable melting pot of culinary culture. Whatever food you are in the mood for, this town has it. Although the well-known restaurants tend to attract most attention, it is worth exploring the small neighborhood eateries which sometimes provide the most rewarding dining experiences. The list below names a few restaurants that are popular, interesting and reputable.

Reservations are necessary for popular restaurants, especially at the weekend. Most kitchens close around 10pm, so go out early and enjoy your meal!

Cafés

LA is awash with great breakfast spots, diners, and coffee houses that offer good value for the huge portions they serve. Finding café options is relatively easy and the variety is impressive. Settle in, order up, and enjoy!