Los Angeles is like no other city in the world; part fabrication, part raw American rage, LA will bewilder, amaze, craze, and confuse with its natural and urban beauty. Situated on America's epic West Coast, sharing a Californian shoreline with San Diego and San Francisco, LA is famous for being the entertainment capital of the world: Hollywood. However, there is more to see here. You'll find young chefs, artists, and designers shrugging off the formality of convention. No longer a second cousin to New York, LA is overflowing with new art galleries, a thriving fashion scene, and some of the most prized restaurants in America.
LA is a sprawling metropolis made up of different cities within a city, the most famous ones being Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica. Each has a distinctive personality, from the upmarket bars and luxury boutiques on Rodeo Drive to the beach scene of Venice and Santa Monica.
Hollywood is a world of its own and an absolute must-visit for film buffs or simply those curious about how the pictures beamed onto their television sets are created. A VIP tour of Paramount Studios is the perfect way to see the film industry in action. Having made such theatrical phenomena as Indiana Jones and Star Trek, few studios are as big and powerful as Paramount. The tour takes in the 'backlot' and production areas, where you will likely spot stars like Jennifer Lawrence rehearsing lines and VFX supervisors reviewing the compositing film scenes with directors.
When it comes to Hollywood restaurants, Musso and Frank Grill is a must if you want to experience an Old School Hollywood vibe, eat excellent prime rib, and have great cocktails. Having attracted the great and good of the entertainment industry, from Charlie Chaplin to Keith Richards, Musso will delight you with its old-world charm. For something a little lighter, dine at Kato Restaurant, voted one of the best new restaurants in LA. To walk off your meal, scroll the length of Hollywood Boulevard and take in the iconic Walk of Fame, where dedications to over two and a half thousand celebrities are emblazoned across the pavement. As night falls, catch a concert at The Hollywood Bowl before heading to one of the district's many bars. Hollywood is heavy on plush hotels. The most notorious is Chateau Marmont, inspired by the architecture of the Loire Valley in France. This 'castle on the hill' is a celebrity favorite and well located for seeing the city in all its glory. Breakfast al fresco on the garden terrace is a lovely way to start the day.
Downtown LA is on the up; the astonishing Broad Museum epitomizes this trend. Named after philanthropic financiers Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum boasts a futuristic latticework exterior full of artistic delights from the post-War era. Downtown LA fell into disrepair and disrepute in the latter half of the twentieth century; however, low rents drew a younger, more artistic crowd. Since the turn of the millennium, it has become one of the hippest districts on the West Coast, driven by a booming streetwear scene. If you're looking for the latest sneaker and streetwear drops, visit KITH Sunset Boulevard. KITH features not just some of the best new-season lines, but the brand's own collection reflecting the city's youth culture.
When Los Angeles locals tire of the city's intensity, they withdraw to the coastal haven that is Santa Monica. A short drive south of world-famous Malibu, Santa Monica is where the city gradually fades into the natural seascapes of Californian beaches. The area is perhaps best known for its iconic pier; built in 1909, it hosts a theme park and is a child's paradise full of bright colors and beating music. Choosing to stay in Santa Monica opens up several luxury hotel options, from classic names such as Shutters on the Beach to the new Proper Hotel or the historic Hotel Casa Del Mar.
Within walking distance of all these hotels is the bohemian wonderland of Venice Beach, home to independent boutiques, vintage shops, sought-after trendy restaurants like Felix Trattoria, tattoo parlors, and skate parks, making Venice Beach an attraction unto itself.
When your time in Los Angeles comes to an end, there is no better way to consolidate your new memories than with a trip to Griffith Park, where you can look over the city from the Santa Monica mountains. The Park is large and full of sights such as the iconic Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, and A-Lister homes gleaming off the Hollywood Hills.
The Pacific Ocean borders LA to the West and the notoriously inhospitable Death Valley National Park to the East. However, Los Angeles is the city of luxury comforts, epic entertainment, and pure, unadulterated American exuberance.
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