Most Popular Places To Visit In Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California, and the second largest in the United States. It is situated in the southern part of California, with a pleasantly mild year round climate. Check out some beautiful los angeles attractions.
Most Popular Places To Visit In Los Angeles
Angels Flight
Known as the shortest railway in the world, Angels Flight Railway covers a distance of 298 feet as it transports people up and down Bunker Hill. The railway was first opened in 1901 when this neighborhood was one of posh Victorian homes and well to do residents. The funicular service was terminated and the railway dismantled in 1969 as the area was being redeveloped. However it reopened, in a slightly different location in the 1990s. It closed again in the 2000s but is once again functioning and open to the public for a nominal fee. If you are in the area you may want to ride it simply for the experience rather than the convenience.
Big Sur Coastline
Stretching about 90 miles along the Central Coast of California is one of the most scenic driving routes in the world. Known as Big Sur, this stunning coastline covers an area between Carmel and the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Most of the 3 million drivers who visit Big Sur every year travel the popular Highway 1 to admire and photograph some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Attractions along the route include the historic 40-foot Point Sur Lighthouse, Bixby Bridge, which is one of the world’s tallest single-span bridges, and the splendid, 80-foot McWay Falls plunge directly into the ocean.
Death Valley
Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valley encompasses much of the Death Valley National Park. Although regarded as the driest and lowest place in North America, Death Valley offers a variety of outdoor activities, historic sites and nature viewing. From snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in California. Places of interests include the scenic area of Zabriskie Point and historic sites like Scotty’s Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and ruins of ghost towns.
Disneyland
Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is a world-famous amusement park where Walt Disney movies and characters all come to life in a magical, make-believe kingdom. Featuring thrilling rides, roller coasters, dazzling shows and colorful districts packed with restaurants and shops, Disneyland offers adventure for the whole family. In themed neighborhoods like Main Street, USA, visitors can step back into the early 1900s, visit Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland or meet Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck in Mickey’s Toontown.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles has undergone a major transformation during the last decade. Following the passage of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 1999, a swell of ground-up and historic rehabilitation projects kicked off and gained momentum through the last decade. Downtown L.A. now has over 40,000 permanent residents and a daytime population of over 500,000, spread throughout several communities and neighborhoods. But this wave of revitalization unfortunately has not resulted in public transit options that can effectively circulate these residents and workers throughout the day and night. To fill this transportation void, a modern streetcar system is being proposed as the ideal medium to connect Downtown’s abundance of cultural and entertainment destinations, residential and office buildings, and future developments. Streetcars are major urban and economic development tools because they provide investors, developers, and potential renters/buyers assurance that their offices, properties, and projects will have permanent access to public transit. In addition, a streetcar system in Downtown L.A. will close the geographic and “travel distance” gap between the area’s neighborhoods. Currently it is simply too arduous to walk across Downtown from its edges, and parking multiple times throughout the course of a day can be expensive, cumbersome, and time consuming.
Farmers Market
The Los Angeles Farmer’s Market first started in 1934 as a very modest affair that sprung from the hardships created by the depression. At the height of the economic depression, eighteen farmers got together and set up stalls on a piece of open land near Wilshire Boulevard in order to sell their produce direct to the consumer. This experiment was so successful that the market kept on expanding. At that time it truly was a fruit and vegetable market. Over the years the market has expanded to accommodate more and more vendors. Today there are all kinds of fruit, vegetable, and other food stands, along with restaurants, and specialty shops. You can find everything from jewelry and candles to kitchenware and kids toys.
General Sherman
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most visited tourist attractions in California and the US. Spanning over the San Francisco Bay for more than a mile, this famous landmark is one of the world’s most photographed bridges. The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge. The splendor of this bridge can be experienced by driving, walking, cycling or participating in a walking tour to learn about the rich history of the bridge.
Griffin Park and Observatory
Griffith Park is a huge area with numerous attractions. It contains the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, a Greek theater, and many other recreational facilities. The Observatory, standing on a hilltop overlooking the city, offers visitors a chance to observe the sky through telescopes, free of charge.
Yosemite National Park
Spanning an area of more than 760,000 acres in the central eastern part of California, the Yosemite National Park is well-loved for its stunning granite cliffs, Giant Sequoia groves, beautiful waterfalls and diverse animal and plant life. Visitors can hike among the 800 miles of trails, or drive along scenic routes to experience the beautiful landscapes and glimpse wildlife. Attractions include Glacier Point, with incredible views of the Yosemite Valley, the nature center and Yosemite Museum and historic places like the LeConte Memorial Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Hollywood
A suburb of Los Angeles, Hollywood is filled with numerous famous sites and attractions. The name Hollywood has long been associated with the film industry, celebrities, and glamour. Visitors will want to cruise down Hollywood Boulevard, stroll down the Walk of Fame, and see the Chinese Theatre.
J Paul Getty Museum
The J Paul Getty Museum complex, designed by Richard Meier, is huge, measuring 0.75 square miles and set on 110 acres. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, the unique design, the setting, and the beautiful grounds are worth the visit alone. The museum was created by the late oil magnate, J Paul Getty. The collections range from Greek and Roman antiquities to contemporary art. The center consists of several buildings and a Central Garden, as well as a restaurant and cafe.
Lake Tahoe
Created about 2 million years ago during the Ice Age, Lake Tahoe is one of the largest lakes in the world. The lake is located along the border between California and Nevada. Surrounded by majestic mountains, this popular tourist attraction offers exciting events and activities all year around. In the winter, the main activities are snow skiing, snowmobile riding, snow-tubing and snowshoeing at one of the ski resorts. From spring to fall, visitors can enjoy a host of water sports and other activities like sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, paddle boating and swimming.
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo, the Japanese enclave in Los Angeles, is a clear indication of a thoroughly prosperous ethnic group. Situated around 1st Street between Main and Alameda Streets, within walking distance of the City Hall, the Japanese Village Plaza quarter has developed. This area contains a culture center, dozens of Japanese shops and restaurants, and a large shopping center. Today, more than 100,000 Japanese live in Los Angeles and the surrounding county.The Little Tokyo Historic District, as it is known, still has some historic buildings from the 19th Century. The best way to see the area is simply to walk around. There are a number of walking tours that take in a Japanese Garden, markets, and museums.
Long Beach
Bordering on Los Angeles to the south, Long Beach extends along San Pedro Bay. Long Beach has the famous liner “Queen Mary” lying at anchor and converted into a hotel and museum. The Queen Mary was an ocean liner used as a troopship during the Second World War.
Long Beach City Beach is located just off Ocean Boulevard to the east of Catalina Terminal.
Museum of Contemporary Art
This is the place to go for contemporary art in Los Angeles. The Museum of Contemporary Art consists of three separate facilities and is dedicated to works from the 1940s onwards. Pieces from the permanent collection are on display and regularly changing exhibits feature new works and emerging media.
Music Center los angeles
At the top of Bunker Hill is the Music Center, home to a number of different venues. One of the highlights is the uniquely designed Walt Disney Concert Hall. Also on site are the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, Kirk Douglas Theatre, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Redwood National Park
The Redwood National Park is much more than tall trees. In this vast parkland of woodlands, rivers and miles of spectacular coastline, visitors can enjoy a wide range of fun outdoor activities. There are several interesting exhibits, guided walks and nature programs on offer at the various visitor centers. Activities include horse riding and mountain biking along well-maintained trails, fishing for salmon and rainbow trout and kayaking down the trickling rivers. Scenic routes through the forest allow visitors to admire the amazing redwood trees, wildlife and waterfalls while a drive along the coastline offers breathtaking views of the ocean and glimpses of gray whales and seabirds.
SeaWorld San Diego
Situated in sunny San Diego, SeaWorld is characterized by its theme of marine mammals, daring rides and live shows. Through shows, displays and enclosures people can learn about the world’s oceans and the creatures that inhabit them such as dolphins, killer whales, walruses, penguins and Polar bears. Rides include a flume roller coaster, rafting through the Shipwreck Rapids and a simulated helicopter ride to experience the Wild Arctic. The main attraction however is the Shamu Show, which involves dancing fountains and talented performances by killer whales.
Venice Beach
The world famous Venice Beach deserves its reputation as a place to see and be seen. An extensive stretch of golden sand is backed by a great walkway that is always thronged with people walking, cycling, rollerblading, or jogging. One of the most interesting places on Venice Beach is the appropriately named Muscle Beach, where people come to pump iron in the hot California sun. There is also a variety of eclectic shops that line the walkway selling all manner of unusual goods. This is definitely a unique spot, but for a more family friendly experience many people head up the coast a short ways to Santa Monica Beach.
