Los Angeles County
See a film star. Sip a cocktail on a rooftop bar at sunset. Slip on a pair of designer shoes in an ultra-luxurious boutique in Beverly Hills. At Universal Studios Hollywood theme park explore world class museums or dance the night away in a starlet-filled club. Welcome to California’s liveliest city, America’s entertainment capital, with mega star wattage and non-stop things to do. The main hub is the city of Los Angeles, with legendary Hollywood north-west of downtown, the San Fernando Valley to the east and the inviting beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu to the west.
The City of Los Angeles
Welcome to the bright lights and big-city allure of California’s largest city. Here, A-list celebrities really do walk the pavements, triple-shot machiatos in one hand, mobile phones in the other. While travellers may bypass much of the city by staying on a network of motorways that crisscross the region, they’re missing L.A.’s hidden gems. Turn off onto side streets to discover inviting neighbourhoods, incredible museums, and shopping hot spots. And when the sun sets, L.A. comes to life in a whole new way, with clubs thumping to the beat of the latest indie band, a flock of starlets swaying in the front row. Rooftop restaurants, bars, and pools draw slinky-sexy crowds, while searchlights arc through the night sky, announcing the latest silver-screen premiere.
Hollywood
Tinseltown, where starlets are discovered on every street corner (or at least we like to think they are), and the tinted windows of that stretch limo might be hiding a Cruise, Hanks or Anniston. And in the hills, a big sign stretches across with letters as big as your dreams—Hollywood. Visit iconic sites filled with celebrity footprints or wax likenesses—maybe even catch a real one in the flesh at a film premiere or awards show. Anything is possible in Hollywood.
Santa Monica
Set along a curving shoreline, the neighbouring coastal communities of Santa Monica and Venice Beach blend classic Southern California sand-and-surf scenes with upmarket shopping, creative dining and vibrant nightlife and entertainment.
Technically, Santa Monica is independent from L.A., a dynamic oceanfront city in its own right. While the broad beach and lively pier are great places to experience the city, consider timing your visit to coincide with Santa Monica’s outstanding farmers’ markets in the town centre, frequently honoured as one of the country’s best. Here, mingle with chefs doing their daily shopping, watch cooking demos, or just relax with a latte and watch the scene (and maybe spy a celebrity or two). Make a mental note of what you’re seeing sold by local farmers—it’s likely to show up on the menus of the city’s innovative farm-to-fork restaurants. Work up an appetite with a ride on Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, which runs roughly 22 miles from Santa Monica south to Torrance.
Another activity: serious shopping. Start at upmarket Santa Monica Place (its classy rooftop dining deck focuses on artisanal foods). Next, walk to adjacent pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade, with big-name brands, galleries, cinemas and comedy shows.
And then of course, there’s the beach, a broad expanse lining the coast for 3.5 miles. For an incomparable view, take a spin on the solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, with rides and games topping historic Santa Monica Pier.
Santa Catalina Island
With its swaying palms, white-sand beaches, warmest water in summer and **melt-your-heart sunsets, Santa Catalina stands out as pretty-much-perfect island getaway just 22 miles off the Southern California coast. Catalina, as it’s most often referred to by locals, has all the things you’d want from an island retreat—appealing accommodation, fresh seafood dinners, plenty of family-friendly water sports—but it’s also got unexpected finds, including a star-studded history (Marilyn Monroe lived here), remarkable wilderness adventures and even its own wine estate. Climb aboard a Catalina Express ferry for the 1-hour ride across the sea, or splurge on a 15-minute helicopter ride, for an easy escape to California’s ultimate island paradise.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie magic, mega attractions - If Hollywood is the land of make believe, then this is your chance to step into that fantasy world. On a sprawling complex on the east side of the Hollywood Hills, this film studio/part theme park blends behind-the-scenes tours with rides that swoosh, swoop and dive through film-themed worlds. An adjacent, neon-lit complex of shops, eateries and entertainment spaces known as Universal CityWalk lets you stretch out the experience beyond the park.
Long Beach
With beaches and marinas along its waterfront and a busy dining and shopping scene on downtown’s Pine Avenue, Long Beach blends big city sophistication with resort town fun. Tour the legendary, permanently docked ocean liner Queen Mary, then relax with a drink in the ship’s Observation Bar—you can even stay overnight in one of the ship’s cabins. Also along the waterfront, outstanding Aquarium of the Pacific has huge tanks and displays featuring coral reefs, Magellanic penguins, and other ocean habitats. For beach-town style, head to the Belmont Shore neighborhood. East Village, home of the Museum of Latin American Art, has an edgier, hipster vibe.
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