Los Angeles Tourism
Being one of the glitziest places in the whole world, LA will give you the experience of the wall over the rodeo drive, the nonstop nightlife of the Sunset Strip, and the star quality of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The tourist places in Los Angeles provide a lifetime experience to its visitors.
Los Angeles is a southern city of California. It is the largest urban area in the state and the second most popular city in the United States of America. LA is located between the San Gabriel Mountains on the east and the west coast at the Pacific Ocean. The name Los Angeles is a Spanish word that means "The Angels". The name is an abbreviation of the original name "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula'' which means town of our lady the Queen of Angels of the River Porciúncula. Under the rule of the Governor of California, Felipe de Neve, El Pueblo de La Reina de Los Angeles was formed and founded in September 1781.
With renounced and world class art museums, architectural wonders and Disney concert halls this place is ideal for a perfect getaway. It is the main centre for the nation’s film and television industry. It is the home to the world famous Hollywood sign. Quite close to it you will find all the big giants of the film industry namely Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers. All along the Hollywood’s Walk of Fame many luminaries and vendors sell maps to Hollywood stars' homes. Being the home to wonderful top dining destinations, ordinary taco stands and celebrity themed eateries win the same accolade. Planning your trip to Los Angeles, it's time to grab your sunglasses and head to the beach or to Disneyland and make memories that last for a lifetime. We are sure that the tourist places in Los Angeles will give you an experience to be remembered forever.
Los Angeles is the hub of all activities on the famous West Coast of the United States. It is the second-largest city in the country, and one of the US's prime tourist cities. Home to the world-famous Hollywood entertainment industry, Los Angeles has become a huge tourist destination. It is a great center of sports, performance arts, cultures, adventure and this vibrant atmosphere can be witnessed as you visit this wonderful metropolis.
The city has such a wide array of places of interest, the most diverse tourists and travellers will find things to do for the entire week. Shoppers can go crazy in any of the numerous shopping malls and centres in the city, and foodies will have a ball of a time at the variety of cuisines and especially the historic Farmers Market. For athletes and sports enthusiasts, arenas of some of the biggest sports franchises like the LA Lakers' and LA Clippers' Staples Center and the Dodgers' Dodger Stadium are top places to visit, and don't forget to work up a pump at the muscle beach in Venice!
LA is also home to museums displaying some of the most stunning collections of natural history, like skeletons of dinosaurs and Ice Age animals among several other things. And then, of course, the luxury and sports cars playing around the streets of LA, and the Peterson Museum and the Nethercutt Collection make Los Angeles a city of supreme entertainment for the car enthusiast as well. For those who simply come to LA for a vacation to remember, the southern California beaches are amazing to get a tan on during the day, and the nightlife of the city is one of the best in the entire world!
History of Los Angeles
Los Angeles was first settled upon by Tongva and Chumash tribes, thousands of years ago. The colonisation began when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, while exploring the pacific coastal region, found the settlements, and claimed them for the Kingdom of Spain in 1542. The Mission San Gabriel Arcˆangel in 1771 marked the first mission in the area, and 44 Spanish settlers known as "Los Pobladores" established the pueblo (Spanish community) called El Pueblo de Nuestra Se_ora la Reina de los Ângeles del RÃo de Porciìncula where the LA Pueblo Plaza and Olvera Street are today, making them the oldest parts of Los Angeles. LA came under Mexico after attaining independence, and then to the USA after the Mexican - American War in 1847. The city then began its rapid expansion. It was connected via rail, oil fields were discovered, and soon Hollywood came to LA, bringing all the glitz and glamour along with it. It was of supreme importance to the US during World War II due to the fact that it was the centre of ship and aircraft production. The city has hosted the only 2 Summer Olympics that have actually reportedly been profitable, in 1932 and 1984. LA was often the centre of racial tensions, seen in the riots 1965 and 1992, the latter being the largest riots in US history. Today, LA is the United States' second biggest city, and a huge cultural centre and tourist attraction.
Currency in Los Angeles
The US Dollar is the only currency accepted in Los Angeles. All major visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards are accepted, as well as American Express. ATMs can be found all over the city.
Exchanging Money in Los Angeles
There are tons of currency exchange booths in LA, with many of them being found in the commercial areas, and also at the airport. Many large banks have these services as well and rates may different from place to place. ATM withdrawals are usually the best and the most convenient way to exchange cash, however clear up any international transaction costs with your bank first.
Daily Budget for Los Angeles
Travelling to Los Angeles isn't a cheap affair by any means. Prices in general in the city are fairly high, and there is no shortage of expensive shopping, restaurants or activities. The only way to have a very affordable LA trip is staying in hostels and avoiding the expensive attractions like the theme parks and the expensive museums. A low end budget will start around USD 50 - 100, a mid range budget around USD 150 - 200, and a luxury trip to LA can cost from USD 300 and upwards per person.
Los Angeles Customs
Los Angeles has a very mixed and global culture. There are no real restraints and norms on what you wear and how you behave, much like most of the big cities in the US. Simple and courteous behaviour is all you need to comfortably get through your trip in LA. LA is also very welcoming of the LGBT community. Tipping is customary in Los Angeles. Though it isn't compulsory, tips will be received very gratefully. Around 15% of the total meal cost at restaurants should be enough as a tip, and USD 2 or 3 should be enough if the porters have helped you carry your bags in the hotels.
Nightlife in Los Angeles
Los Angeles' nightlife is world famous. It is one of the biggest and the most attractive nightlife centres in all of the US, and even in the world. Parties, nightclubs, classy bars and lounges, you name it. It has everything. Downtown LA, for example, has the most fantastic collection of nightclubs and the famous Los Angeles bars, for the perfect cocktail followed by a night of ecstasy on the dance floor. You literally can't go wrong in LA when you're heading out at night. Clubs open late at night and the party's on till the hours of dawn. The legal age for drinking and clubbing in the US is 21.
Shopping in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a major global city, and so shopping here can range from the super luxury brands to the local shops. You'll find major international brands in virtually every shopping mall and street, and if you're lucky enough to find a sale you'll get your hands on some amazing merchandise at throwaway prices. Places like Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Venice, and several others will have you drooling over the stores and the brands and the collections. Several international brands actually have their flagship stores in LA, definitely worth checking out.
How to reach Los Angeles by flight
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is huge and bustling and one of the busiest in the US. It is very well connected to the entire country and indeed the rest of the world, with flights from all the major countries and cities in the world. Los Angeles also has 4 other airports, one each at Long Beach, Burbank, Orange County and Ontario. These airports mostly serve domestic routes, and the LAX also usually provides cheaper fares.
Photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash
How to reach Los Angeles by road
LA is easily accessible from nearby cities and towns. The LA Metropolitan Area has a plethora of highways and freeways into the city. The most popular of these are Interstate 10, which runs from one coast of the US to the other, to Florida; Interstate 5, which runs southwards through San Diego all the way to Mexico and northwards to Sacramento, Portland and Seattle all the way to Canada; and the US Route 101 which connects it to San Francisco.
How to reach Los Angeles by train
LA is fairly well connected to nearby destinations with trains arriving at Union Station. Many train services like Union Pacific, Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe connect Los Angeles to the rest of the cities in the United States.
How to reach Los Angeles by bus
Long distance buses, shuttle buses, and airport buses all serve efficiently in connecting Los Angeles to the cities nearby. There are several bus companies such as the famous Greyhound, Bolt Bus, Megabus, Santa Barbara Airbus etc. which run along these routes to cities like Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland and many other locations.
How to reach Los Angeles by Waterways
The city has 2 primary ports, Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. Several international cruise liners and yachts arrive at these ports, and Los Angeles is one of the prime destinations on the west coast of the US, and also in the entire Pacific region.
Local transport in Los Angeles
Public transportation in LA is decent, but not overly impressive. The Metro Rail and the public bus are the two most popular means of mass public transport here. Various different companies provide bus services in the city, and the subway system runs across 8 lines. Having a TAP Card is the easiest way to get through payments in these modes. It is a rechargeable card which is accepted in buses and metros. The best way to get around LA is by hiring a car. It is a very easy task in the city, and the roads are not confusing. However, be vary of traffic, and avoid travelling during office rush hours. Cabs also run throughout the city, though you'll have to book them. This makes it a very time consuming and expensive task, so hiring a car remains the best way to get around the city.
Food of Los Angeles
In Los Angeles you will find food from literally every single cuisine in the world. Some of the world's best chefs have their restaurants here, and all the major fast food joints of the world have various outlets in the city. There are numerous local joints serving classic American food like steaks and sandwiches, and loads of other things. Some of these joints have a long history, and usually involve a secret family recipe! You will come across many food trucks and the yummy hot dog stands. Or you could just grab a quick bagel or burrito as you go on with your journey. There are just way too many things to try here in Los Angeles, and suggesting one over the other would be unfair! Discover your tastes, look around, because variety of food is something LA will definitely not disappoint you in.
Food for Indians in Los Angeles
There are many Indian food options in LA throughout the city. The really popular ones include Addi's Tandoor (South Bay), Badmaash (West 2nd Street), Crown of India (Santa Monica Boulevard), India's Grill (San Vicente Boulevard), India's Restaurant (Fountain Ave) and a plethora of others. Vegetarian options include the south Indian Annapurna (Venice), Paru's (Sunset Boulevard), Govinda's Natural Food Restaurant (Watseka Ave), Samosa House (Sunset Boulevard) among many others, with these restaurants serving great vegetarian as well as jain and vegan foods.
Travel tips every first time Los Angeles visitor needs to know
It’s always sunny and sometimes hot
it’s pretty “cold” every night
The ocean is downright cold
There’s more than just one beach
Los Angeles has no center
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