Hollywood's Tinsel Town - Things to do in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is the dreamland of the world. Everyone has at some point in time fancied being in the city. The seat of Hollywood - the American movie industry is a city of glitter yet grace, boisterous yet sophistication and urban yet natural. One of the major tourist centers in southern California, there are numerous things to do in Los Angeles. The city caters to every taste from those young at heart to those who want to spend a laid-back vacation.
We have put together a list of 11 activities that you may try to cover if you are there for the first time in Los Angeles depending on the time and interests. No doubt, a lot of them have Hollywood linkage! We mark absolute inclusions with :)
Get behind the scenes at Universal Studios Hollywood
How can we talk about Los Angeles and not start with Universal Studios. This sprawling campus is not only an amusement park but an insight into the art of film making. On one hand, there are numerous rides to initiate the adrenaline rush. On the other, there are laidback activities which allow you to sit and relax while they take you on a marvelous journey. The journey of how a movie or television program is made. What we relish on our couch in living rooms or the lounges of theatres is achieved after great hard work. Universal takes you through that realization. Whether it is your first time in Los Angeles or not, this is one thing you should not take out of your itinerary.
For tickets and other details, please visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame probably is the most famous sidewalk in the world. The walk is marked with stars and named tiles along both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Many may consider it to be an overrated site on a tourist map, but it truly isn't. This is the memory lane in the honor of those who earned a name in the industry. True that succeeding in any field needs hard work and perseverance and those who achieve this need to be honored. Even if you are not tempted, we say it at least is a good stroll amidst all the activities and tourists.
A number of other touristy sides are located along this walk itself which is all the more reason for a visit. This includes Kodak Theatre, Madame Tussauds, Ripleys Believe It or Not and other attractions. The locality also offers a Hollywood museum displaying intricacies of film making and other technical and scientific aspects of sound engineering and film development.
Every itinerary for those with the first time in Los Angeles would definitely include a trip to the Hollywood District.
Chase the Hollywood Sign across the city
Every one of us has been enchanted by the white sign of "Hollywood" across the hill slopes in Los Angeles. That set of huge characters are truly the face of the entire American movie industry. There are many sites in this town that offer a clear view of the sign. We recommend three sites which give the best view - Griffith Observatory, Hollywood & Highland Shopping Center and Mulholland Drive. Depending on the weather and time, each of these sites may provide varying levels of clarity. However, in our opinion, these are the best chances to view the famous sign.
Admire wax statues in Madame Tussauds Museum
Madame Tussauds Museum has a special mention among things to do. This famous museum is located right around the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Center on the Walk of Fame. The museum houses wax statues of celebrities across various walks of life including politics, art, movies, and sports. If you are with kids, this is a must-do activity as kids find it fun to interact with the statues. Also, each statue is a nice site to capture pictures with. Most statues are posed to allow for an interactive picture. Spread across three floors with dedicated galleries across themes, this is a good place to spend a couple of hours.
Get astronomy-cal at Griffith Park and Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a science museum within the vast expanse of the Griffith Park. The park is located on a hillock in the city and also houses the famous "Hollywood Sign". The observatory has a number of exhibits related to various aspects of astronomy science. There is a planetarium at the observatory which offers star shows for visitors. The observatory offers stunning views of the city below. The "Hollywood Sign" is also visible on a clear day across the hill. The admission to the observatory is free but there is a parking fee of $10.
Spend an evening at the Getty Center
Getty is one of the largest art organizations in the world. They have set up their primary center in Los Angeles. Getty Center is both a place to admire art in various forms and to unwind in a peaceful environment. For art lovers, there are numerous metal-clad pavilions, art galleries dedicated to specific themes, and exhibits from across the time. Even if you are not an art lover, you would be enchanted by the carefully curated gardens, fountain, and frequent evening performance. The center is free to enter and explore and offers panoramic views of the hills, oceans and downtown LA.
Read more about the Getty Center at www.getty.edu
Beaches & Piers - Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach
Los Angeles is also a beach destination along with other things it is famous for. The two beaches within the city jurisdiction offer a serene and relaxed environment to spend a morning or evening. While Venice Beach is a more laid back one, Santa Monica beach is one that is the primary tourist magnet. The pier on Santa Monica beach has developed into a fair of sorts. If you are here during one of the special days, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day or Independence Day. If you are around in the city on the 4th of July, Santa Monica pier is the best place to enjoy the spectacular fireworks.
Get close with large mammals during the Whale Watching Cruise
We have all heard of blue whales, the largest mammals on Earth. But only a few get a chance to be up close with this mammoth animal. New Port beach offers a number of harbor cruises that take visitors to the whale watching tours. Most tours are about 90 minutes long. During the tour, the boat takes you to various probable locations where whales may appear. Generally, there is are more than one boats from the same operator who coordinate on the best location for whale watching. However, keep in mind that blue whales are not very highly probable. Most tours return with only a view of whales, which itself is pretty exciting. Depending on time, you may not include this for your first time in Los Angeles as it is a half-day activity in itself, but definitely worth the time.
Take a view into the luxuries of life in Malibu
Malibu is an upmarket suburb of Los Angeles that is home to a number of celebrities. Malibu is located about an hour away from the LA city center and is connected with public transport. The city is known for its pristine beaches along the Pacific Ocean. These beaches offer peace and tranquility to visitors. Along the beach, there are a number of plush housing owned by the rich of the world. Many houses on the coastline extend into the sea reserving personal beach spaces for themselves. Though an important site on the tourist map of Los Angeles, we believe you would not lose much even if you avoid Malibu. Again, this is something you may not include for the first time in Los Angeles.
Spend time with 'chic' rides at the LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show is an annual exhibition of the motor cars held in November every year. The show is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse into the world of cars. Also, many big car-manufactures showcase concept cars showing their view of the future of automobiles. You may want to be a part of the show if you want to preview upcoming cars, understand various technologies or get a glimpse into concept models that companies are working on. In case you fantasize yourself in those BMWs, Mercs or Audis and want yourself to be clicked behind those wheels, this event provides the perfect opportunity. It is perfect for both auto enthusiasts and not so enthusiasts with the eye-candies on display.
Stay inquisitive at the Exposition Park
Exposition Park is a campus with a number of attractions. This campus is a house to gardens, a sports arena, California Science Center, a history museum, a rose garden, and an IMAX theatre. Depending on your interest and composition of the group, you may spend time at many of these attractions. For kids, the science center is an interesting attraction with some nice exhibits.
Take a ride on the Mulholland Drive
This a 21-mile scenic road across the Santa Monica and Hollywood hills. The road offers multiple opportunities to enjoy views of Los Angeles. There is a strategic viewpoint designed to provide a clear view of the Hollywood sign. While you may not take the entire road, it is definitely worth to try at least a part of it. Though views are the best at night but given the winding roads we recommend being cautious.
Explore the campus of University of California Los Angeles
If you are looking for a sprawling campus with the right environment to concentrate or young minds enjoying their best time in life, this is your destination. Various schools across the campus form the core of the university along with the administrative building, computer center, and the library. The central forecourt is a wonderful area with curated lawns and huge staircases which give the campus a compelling look. This is obviously special for us owing to being my alma mater. However, it can be a good break from other tourist destinations.
Would you like to read what an amateur blogger did with the writeup of his first visit to the town, go straight to - Tinseltown Los Angeles, the City of Angels
What do you think of our list of things to do for the first time in Los Angeles. Did we miss anything really special? Would this be a longer list than ideal for the first time? What are your experiences? Let us know :)
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