Top 25 Attractions in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the city of dreams, the "blue dream" of the young and ambitious, those who come here for big money and a vibrant life. This is a city of celebrity, total luxury and prosperity. And it does not matter at all what actually lies behind the facades of buildings and brilliant decorations.

Over the years, the young, the energetic, and the beautiful have flocked to Los Angeles. They created a special atmosphere of "chosenness", an easy life under the bright California sun. Beaches, luxury hotels, nightclubs, parties, fashion stores - the entire gigantic entertainment industry is working in the city at full capacity.

For tourists, a trip to Los Angeles is an opportunity to see the habitat of Hollywood stars with their own eyes, touch the magic of the film industry, and also feel like a carefree "life-burner".

What to see and where to go in Los Angeles?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Hollywood

The most famous area of ​​Los Angeles, where world-famous film studios are located and popular films are made. The most visited places in Hollywood are the famous Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. The area's historic theaters often host future bestseller premieres and also host Oscars. Many celebrities are buried in the local cemetery.

Beverly Hills

Stylish and affluent urban area, home to mainly celebrities, famous athletes, industrial magnates, wealthy foreigners and politicians. In 1919, actor D. Fairbanks Jr. settled here. He was followed by Charlie Chaplin, Rudolf Valentino and other famous people. A bus tour of the luxurious streets of Bererley Hills is organized especially for tourists.

Santa Monica

The area is located in the west of Los Angeles near the coast. Like Beverly Hills, the wealthy and celebrities also live here. Santa Monica is a popular seaside resort, the area rose to prominence in the 80s. XX century. Local beaches are in high demand among surfers, trendy party-goers, young pleasure seekers. At the service of tourists - excellent infrastructure and entertainment facilities for every taste.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Pedestrian sidewalk located at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. The place is famous for the star-shaped memorial plaques that are embedded in the pavement. These stars are engraved with the names of film actors, artists, cartoon characters and even individual companies. To enter the Avenue of Stars, a celebrity must apply to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and pay $25,000.

Hollywood Sign

The famous "HOLLYWOOD" sign in white letters, located in the Hollywood Hills. It was placed as an advertisement for a new residential area in 1923, but over time has become a symbol of the American film industry. The inscription is known throughout the world as a special brand and quality mark. It is located at an altitude of about 500 meters on the hillside of Mount Lee. The inscription was repeatedly attacked by vandals, but it was quickly restored.

Grauman's Chinese Theater

The theater is located on Hollywood Boulevard. The building was erected in 1927 at the expense of S. Grauman in a "pseudo-Asian" architectural style. The interior decoration is distinguished by splendor and pretentiousness, like the palace of the Chinese emperor, gilding, red color, bright frescoes prevail here. The theater is considered as a symbol of Chinese culture. On its territory are the premieres of many Hollywood films.

Kodak Theater

The stage is now called the Dolby Theatre. This site is like the annual presentation of the "Oscar" - the award of the American Film Academy. The building was opened in 2001 and is located in the historic center of Los Angeles. The theater is a multifunctional complex, which includes several cinema halls, nightclubs, restaurants and shops. You can go inside the theater with a guided tour, which takes place every 30 minutes.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The original building of modern architecture, erected in 2003 according to the project of F. Gary. This project was financed by the wife of W. Disney. The design is designed in such a way that excellent acoustics are created in the hall. The futuristic panels of the facade of the concert hall, due to their irregular shape, look like frozen blocks of ice in the bright sun.

Getty Center

Cultural center, which is considered one of the largest in the world. It houses a huge number of priceless works of art. The museum was opened in 1997, more than 1.3 billion dollars were spent on its creation. Billionaire J.-P. Getty, a collector, connoisseur of antiques and a great enthusiast, actively participated in the financing. The Getty Center consists of several pavilions, where paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts are exhibited.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

An art museum located in downtown Los Angeles. The gallery is visited annually by up to 1 million people. The museum collection, which covers almost all historical periods, has about 100 thousand copies. Currently, the gallery's funds continue to be actively replenished. In front of the entrance there is an original light installation consisting of 200 lanterns.

Los Angeles Museum of Natural History

The museum building is a monumental marble structure with a domed roof and a colonnade, it is listed on the American Register of Historic Places. The museum was opened in 1913, subsequently, for several decades until 1975, additional premises were attached to it. The museum's collection is considered the largest in the western part of the United States; 33 million exhibits are stored in the funds.

Petersen Automotive Museum

The museum was opened in 1994 thanks in large part to the financial contribution of the media magnate R. Peterson, who is at the forefront of two popular car magazines. The car collection is located on 4 floors. A separate floor is allocated for thematic expositions dedicated to famous Hollywood films, where the plot revolves around racing and cars (for example, the film "Gone in 60 Seconds").

Madame Tussauds museum

Hollywood branch of the world famous wax museum. Here you can admire Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and many other legendary celebrities, as well as TV show stars and singers. It is curious that Madame Tussauds in Los Angeles is more visited than the "head office" located in London.

The Broad

Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 2015. Billionaire I. Brod took part in financing the project. The building is located next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The original facade of the building consists of irregularly shaped white cells. To visitors, it resembles a piece of cheese, a sponge and a subwoofer at the same time. The museum contains works by artists of the second half of the 20th century.

Rancho La Brea

The area of ​​bituminous/tar lakes in the city of Los Angeles, where numerous remains of prehistoric animals were found: saber-toothed cats, mammoths, bison, giant sloths and others. There is a paleontological museum here, which presents finds dating back to the late Pleistocene period. The territory of the museum is decorated with figures of mammoths and other extinct animals.

California Science Center

The museum was founded in the middle of the 20th century. The collection consists of exhibits demonstrating achievements in the field of astronautics, aviation, high-tech and science-intensive industries. The territory is divided into several thematic zones, a separate room is allocated for the demonstration of the Endeavor shuttle. The museum also has an IMAX cinema. Various thematic events are often held in the scientific center.

Griffith Observatory

The observatory is a popular tourist attraction and at the same time a serious scientific institution. It was opened in 1935. Visitors can attend a performance or a lecture at the planetarium, as well as a themed exhibit featuring telescopes and planetary models. During the Second World War, pilots were trained at the observatory, in the 1960s. here they prepared astronauts for the flight to the moon.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

The Roman Catholic Cathedral, built in the original postmodern style. The building has no right angles, the facade looks rather laconic, and the interior space resembles the scenery for a fantastic saga. The cathedral was erected in 2002 on the site of the church of St. Viviana, destroyed by an earthquake in 1994. The author of the project was the Spanish architect R. Moneo.

Olvera Street

A street located in the historic part of Los Angeles. The place became known during the reign of the Spaniards, then it was called "El Pueblo de la Reina". There is a large and colorful Mexican market on the street. Various fiestas, processions and musical festivals often take place here. Numerous cafes offer savory Mexican cuisine.

rodeo drive

One of the central alleys of the Beverly Hills area, the focus of prestigious brand stores and a real "mecca" of shopping. On Rodeo Drive there are boutiques of all famous and respectable brands of world fashion. Local stores sell only exclusive goods and provide the highest class service. Some showrooms are open by appointment only.

Staples Center

Sports complex, which was opened in 1999. Various mass and sports events are held here: national leagues, championships, awards, colorful shows. Staples Center is the "home" arena for many famous teams belonging to the NHL, NBA and other sports leagues. More than 4 million people visit the arena every year, its capacity is about 20 thousand spectators (depending on the nature of the event).

Union Station

Station built in the 1930s. XX century. The architecture of the building is a mixture of colonial and modernist styles. The station became famous due to the fact that episodes of many famous films were filmed here, among them - "Pearl Harbor" and "Catch Me If You Can". Metro and tram lines run through the station. The Parkinson brothers worked on the station project.

Hollywood Bowl

An outdoor concert hall and museum located in the Hollywood Hills. From the 20s. XX century, concerts of famous musical groups such as The Beatles and Depeche Mode are held here. World symphony orchestras often perform here as well. The building is built in the form of an amphitheater, which provides excellent acoustics. In the museum you can look at old posters, tickets and various concert paraphernalia of past years.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Large amusement park for adults and children. In the thematic zones, visitors to the park are greeted by their favorite characters from films and cartoons. In the pavilions, scenery from films and real film props are exhibited. The park also has operating pavilions where films are made. Universal Studios is located near the Hollywood area.

Disneyland

The famous amusement park, known to every American (and not only) since childhood. It is located in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles. The park was opened in 1955 and has since acquired several branches around the world. Disneyland is a real fairy-tale city where Walt Disney characters live, magical castles rise, there are entire painted cities and vivid memorable shows take place every day.