the ultimate guide toLos Angeles
Beyond the famous Hollywood sign, the handprints and the Starline tours, there’s an LA that bears little resemblance to its reputation or its reel time portrayals on Entourage.
There is so much more to see and do in Los Angeles than just Hollywood Boulevard (although this is fun if you are a movie buff … be sure to check out our list of the 13 best film locations you can visit in Los Angeles).
For culture buffs, take a trip to the J. Paul Getty Museum (known as the Getty), spread over two campuses with the main Getty Centre in Brentwood, with its amazing collection of art. Alternatively, book tickets to a performance at the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.
If street art is your thing, take one of the walking tours of the arts district, which will show you some of the city’s best art.
A gem in the middle of Beverly Hills is the Page Museum at the LaBrea Tar Pits: naturally occurring asphalt pits where a plethora of exotic creatures from ten of thousands of years ago were preserved, and are now on display.
Universal Studios is also a great way to satiate your movie mania, with a couple of new rides on the roster including the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem for kids, big and small. And of course there is Disneyland. How could we forget Disneyland.
No trip to LA is complete without checking out the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and taking a walk down the Sunset Strip past the likes of the infamous Whiskey A Go Go.
If shopping can be considered a pastime then there is lots to keep you busy in LA; Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is a tourist attraction in its own right with its endless roster of ultra-luxe boutiques and loitering paparazzi laying in wait for celebrity shoppers. The Grove is a pedestrianised shopping precinct next to the Fairfax Farmers Market, with lots of shopping and eating choices in a relaxed outdoor setting, while Abbott Kinney in Venice is a good place to hunt down vintage and design pieces at a relaxing pace. You might also want to check out West Hollywood, as a great place to stroll along boulevards like North Robertson and Melrose for myriad fashion and home design choices.
To chill out head to the beachy enclave of Santa Monica, for a much more relaxed side of Los Angeles and immerse yourself in the nearby arts community at Venice.
You’ll find an amazing food scene in LA. Check out our guide to the best places to eat in Los Angeles for a little inspiration.
There’s something for everyone in the accommodation stakes too. Brazenly, gorgeously pink, recently ‘refreshed’ and right on Sunset Boulevard – you can’t get more Hollywood than the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows.
The stunning restoration at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles features all the unique design touches and homey amenities that make the Ace brand so well-loved. And it’s at the heart of one of America’s most exciting neighbourhood revival stories in Downtown LA.
Other great options include the Viceroy L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills, The Chamberlain in West Hollywood and The Line Hotel.
