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Published: April 27th 2024
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If it's your first time in Los Angeles, get ready for an incredible journey as you explore theme parks, beaches, and Hollywood Boulevard.
For those who have been before, the City of Angels won't disappoint. Take a closer look and you'll discover hidden stories, stunning architecture, and the perfect day-long American road trip. Here are a few great experiences you can have in the famous LA:
Flying with Angels
Hellotickets is the best way to buy tickets for your travels, as they service any kind of travel in over 15 countries. When thinking about
things to do in LA, forget about roller coasters in theme parks and take a serene ride on Angels Flight, a 118-year-old funicular claimed to be the shortest railway trip in the world. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling rode this funicular in the movie "La La Land”, and its interior, with polished wood, regularly appears in movies and TV shows.
While occasional maintenance might lead to temporary closures, Angels Flight typically operates daily until 10 p.m. The fare is $1 per ride or “flight”, lasting 30 seconds. If you're hungry, the lower station is a few blocks away from the culinary and historical landmark, the
Grand Central Market, a century-old culinary paradise offering everything from craft beers to specialty cheeses.
Literary Tour
Take a break from the world of movies and head to California's largest used bookstore. The Last Bookstore LA on South Spring Street boasts over 250,000 titles, both new and used, along with a plethora of old records in its music section.
Due to high rents, the bookstore has moved twice already, and there's a fear that Amazon's competition might soon force the owners to close it for good. Fortunately, showing support is easy—buy a book, many of which cost just a dollar.
Promenade
Venice Beach and its famous outdoor gym are great places to walk around and witness the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles, as well as plenty of well-toned bodies. However, a short drive inland to the canyons is where locals (including celebrities) go for walks, runs, or to walk their dogs.
The best spot is Runyon Canyon, just a few blocks from Hollywood Boulevard. Spanning over 50 acres, 35 exclusively for dogs, this is where you might catch a glimpse of someone famous. There are three main hiking trails, from an easy route named after the canyon itself to the very challenging Hero Trail. From here, you get a stunning view of the Hollywood Sign, Sunset Strip, and the Pacific.
Hotel Hollywood
Step into the original "home of Hollywood glamor" (and the place where the first Oscars ceremonies were held) at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. For almost 100 years, this hotel has hosted everyone from Prince Charles and The Beatles to Howard Hughes and John F. Kennedy.
The hotel has appeared in shows like The West Wing, Entourage, and movies like Chinatown, Ghostbusters, and many others. Last year, Taylor Swift danced in one of her music videos (Delicate) at the hotel's reception.
Photography
Architecture enthusiasts love LA for its 1950s houses as well as modern icons like the Getty Museum or Disney Concert Hall. However, two lesser-known buildings are Instagram favorites. The first is the interior of the Bradbury Building, a gleaming, recently renovated structure resembling a beehive with open elevator frames, wrought-iron railings, and interconnected staircases.
The interior was featured in Blade Runner and a Justin Timberlake music video (Say Something). The second is the "Binoculars Building" created by Frank Gehry near Venice Beach, where cars and people enter the building beneath a huge binoculars sculpture. Currently, Google leases it, and locals have often voted it one of their favorite city buildings. You can take
great photographs of LA here.
Wine Enjoyment
Most Californian wines come from Napa Valley, north of San Francisco. However, grapes are also grown on the outskirts of LA, in sunny Malibu. Head to Rosenthal Estate right off the Pacific Coast Highway for a wine tasting, and you might even spot a celebrity (Malibu is quite affluent, after all). Tasting prices start at around $17.
After that, visit "Billionaires' Beach" (officially Carbon Beach), which looks private but isn't. A discreet entrance is near the Malibu Aquarium, and from the sand, you'll see incredibly beautiful private homes.
Interesting Road Trip
Mulholland Drive is one of LA's most iconic roads, perfect for a day-long road trip. The route is actually divided into two parts. If you start from the east heading west (the best way), you'll drive about 30 kilometers of Mulholland Drive before hitting the 80 kilometers of Mulholland Highway.
Along the way, you'll find plenty of side parking spots for photo ops, including a perfect view of the Hollywood Sign. Continue west toward Malibu. The road will wind, and the landscapes will change rapidly as you pass cliffs, canyons, and expensive celebrity homes. The road ends at the Pacific, marking the end of your journey.
All the suggestions mentioned lead to an adventure characterized by seeing and experiencing LA from a completely different perspective. You don't even need a very large budget. All it takes is a desire for adventure and a little courage to step out of the comfort zone and the standard routes of tourist agencies.
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