| Top Things
to do in LA
The Hollywood Sign
The 50-foot-tall sign was born in 1923 as an oversized ad for the new
Hollywoodland housing development. The "land" suffix disappeared early on
(it's unclear as to how), leaving the sign as we recognize it today. Once
covered Vegas-style with 4,000 lightbulbs, it has stood for nearly eight
decades, becoming one of the most cherished and endearing landmarks in
America.
Hollywood walk of Fame
Always anxious to pat itself on the back, the city of Hollywood conceived
its Walk of Fame in 1960. More than 2,000 sidewalk stars have been
awarded to some of the biggest (and a lot of the not-so-big) names in the
business since then.
Mann's Chinese Theater
Sid Grauman's legendary theater began screening blockbusters in 1927.
Architects Meyer and Holler produced a confection of Chinese fantasy,
replete with dragons, temple dogs and soaring roofs. The renowned
cement courtyard bears stars' footprints and accompanying inscriptions.
Gamble House
Built in 1908 for the (Proctor &) Gamble family, Greene & Greene's massive
Japanese-style bungalow is a high point of California architecture—a
low-eaved Craftsman marvel of hand-rubbed wood, unique furnishings and
integrated landscaping that makes the house seem to grow out of the
earth. Now owned and administered by the architecture department of the
University of Southern California, the house is open for guided tours, which
are intimate and fill up quickly.
Blacker House
Charles and Henry Greene were the undisputed masters of the California bungalow style, and it was
never more ambitiously proven than in the orientalized Blacker House, completed in 1907. Though
Robert Blacker was a lumber baron who could buy his wood at cost, the magnificent project still
soared to $100,000 in turn-of-the-century dollars. Over the past six years the private residence has
gone through major restorations, bringing it back from the brink after past owners stripped it of its
stained-glass windows and original fixtures.
Bradbury Building
Lewis Bradbury, mining millionaire and one of L.A.'s earliest developers,
wanted his final office building to be the best. Legend has it he was
charmed by the futuristic sketches of draftsman George Wyman and hired
the kid instead of his boss, Sumner Hunt. Wyman panicked, but when a
Ouija board brought him encouragement from his deceased brother, he
took the commission. It would prove to be his only significant building—and
an undisputed masterpiece.
Greystone Mansion
Oil baron Edward Doheny gave the property to his son Ned as a wedding
gift. In 1928, Ned constructed an enormous, 55-room Tudor-style mansion.
Six months after Ned's family moved in, Ned was shot by his demented
personal secretary (and, rumor has it, gay lover) in a murder-suicide. Ned's
widow and children stayed on until the '50s, then gave the property to the
city of Beverly Hills.
Disneyland
From the moment you walk onto Main Street, U.S.A., you'll be a believer.
Deny it all you want but take the Disneyland Railroad to Tomorrowland and
you'll be on those Astro Orbitors faster than your 5-year-old can say
"Mickey." Newer rides such as the Indiana Jones Adventure and the
revamped Autopia mix it up for the regulars. And thanks to the new
FastPass system, which issues appointment times for popular rides, waiting
time is sharply reduced.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Sprawling hillside amusement park specializes in cutting-edge roller
coasters. Old-fashioned carny rides, game booths, stage shows and
arcades offer some variety and salvation for those too young to hit the
dreaded height line.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Some of the world's most memorable movies and television shows have
been shot at this sprawling San Fernando Valley site for the past century
or so. Since the 1960s, an eager public has been invited in to see how it's
done.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Important collection full of fun works, including splashy Pollocks, ephemeral Rothkos and a few sly Warhols.
Hollywood Wax Museum
Stepping well beyond the realm of campy, the museum is classic Hollywood
at its best and worst. Do what the locals do—go in for a good laugh.
Ripley's Believe It or Not
Shrunken heads, one of the world's first condoms and a "real-life" mermaid,
among other things.
Guiness World of Records
Displays revolve around a mixture of artifacts, video displays and wax
re-creations of noteworthy people (world's tallest, shortest, fattest, etc.).
Too often the exhibits consist of nothing but excerpts from the book,
leaving too much to the imagination.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Formerly known as Surfrider Beach, Malibu is the original beach of choice
for surfers, celebrities and ocean lovers. A long, narrow beach with huge
waves, this is the image that "Surfin' U.S.A." projected to the world.
Nearby, a beautiful lagoon attracts wildlife, while the exclusive surrounding
town attracts celebs. Pacific Coast Highway, the main drag here,
meanders through some of the most scenic real estate in the basin
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica makes up the largest beach community in L.A. Laid-back
locals mingle with a constant stream of tourists, creating a friendly and
relaxed community. Moderate temperatures make this a year-round
hotspot, appropriate for families and barhoppers, sun worshippers and
out-of-towners.
Venice Beach
The beach is almost a secondary attraction compared to Ocean Front
Walk. Street performers, tattoo artists, novelty vendors, Gen-X nomads,
hippies, people-watchers and freaks of all kinds come together to create
this unique bazaar you have to explore at least once. Rent skates, boogie
boards or bicycles built for two at the numerous surf/cycle shops for a
more "traditional" beach experience.
Old Town Pasadena
Old Town Pasadena has mushroomed into a bustling main
street where historic Spanish architecture competes with chain restaurants, cafes and
shopping. Although twenty-somethings and suburbanites clog the intersection of Fair
Oaks Avenue and Colorado Blvd., the area maintains its unique flavor with a smattering
of mom-and-pop shops and artists' boutiques, where you can still find those
head-turning, one-of-a-kind steals.
Los Feliz
The tattooed residents of this cool, anti-establishment
enclave are touchingly protective of their indie record stores, shops and bars. But that
doesn't mean you can't explore their favorite haunts.
Third Street Prominade
This seaside consumer playground offers cool ocean breezes and even
cooler shopping. Skateboarders, bizarre street performers and hippie art
vendors round out the laid-back beachy experience. Seeking some shade?
Hunker down in the AMC Santa Monica 7 movie theater or find a comfy
couch and a bestseller at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores.
Two Bunch Palms
Legend has it Al Capone discovered Two Bunch in the '20s and quickly
made it his haven from rabid feds. Though staffers are tight-lipped about
current clients, Rene Russo and Mel Gibson have been known to pass
through these parts.
Gondola Getaway
Floating through the bay is a lovely way to spend an evening, corny as it
sounds. It certainly leaves more of an impression than the trite
dinner-and-a-movie thing.
Getty Center
A fine-art maxi-mall, appreciated as much for its ocean views and gorgeous grounds as it is for its
collection.
Casa Malibu Inn
Casa Malibu's Catalina Suite is rumored to have been one of Lana Turner's
favorite escapes. The two-story property sits on one of the most coveted
stretches of scenic California coastline, in the heart of a prestigious beach
community. Perhaps most impressively, it boasts a private beach for
guests only.
Venice Beach House Historic Inn
A plaque declaring the inn's history hangs in a delightful little garden,
proudly announcing its origins in the 1910s. Memorabilia marking highlights
in Venice history can be found throughout.
Hollywood Magic Hotel
Banking on its rumored reputation as a bungalow hideaway for the
(struggling?) actor and screenwriter set, this apartment
complex-cum-hotel may not be glamorous but it fits the bill if you're looking
for no-frills rooms with dirt-cheap rates. Fully equipped suites make you
feel like a true local—until you start shelling out quarters at the vending
machine for a map to the stars' homes.
The Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters
celebrate their 75th
Anniversary with their
trademark hardwood hilarity.
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