Los Angeles

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About Los Angeles

Los Angeles, commonly referred to as its initials LA, is the second most populous city in the United States. Besides New York, Los Angeles is the commercial, financial, and cultural center in Southern California. It’s also known as the creative capital in the world, since every one out of six residents works in creative industries. Therefore, most artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, and musicians come from Los Angeles. These vibrant performing arts make Los Angeles the most-visited destination of many tourists around the world.

Thanks to the art cultures too, Los Angeles is a home to many museums and galleries–more than 800 museums and art galleries, more museums per capita than any other cities in the USA, are spread throughout the city. The most notable one is the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts, renowned as the largest arts museum in Western United States. However, the museums aren’t only about the city’s cultures and arts, but also its historical events.

Enough about Los Angeles and its lively arts; there are also many places for sunbathers and outdoor enthusiasts here because Los Angeles beaches are some of the most recognizable beaches in the world. Whether you look for relaxing solitude or the best surfing spots, those beaches are destinations you can stop by without need for haste. Malibu and Venice Beaches are some of them which you have to include in your Los Angeles’ travel arrangements. 

After the whole day immersing yourself in all those leisures and enjoyments, end your day with chitter-chattering with the loved ones while savoring delectable cuisines in some noteworthy restaurants. Brought on by rich immigrant history and populations, Los Angeles’s food culture is a blend of global cuisines. Mexico, Asia, China, Korea, and Japan have great impacts on the city’s culinary heritages. Below are the lists of Los Angeles’s best restaurants, along with top things to do, hotels recommendations, and some tips:

Top Things to Do in Los Angeles

Acknowledged of its artistic spheres and natural landmarks, here are some places to go while in Los Angeles:

1. Los Angeles County Museum of Arts

As the largest museum of arts in Western US, Los Angeles County Museum of Arts is committed to showcasing a multitude of art history that represents the regions’ rich cultural heritage and diverse populations. Here, you’ll discover nearly 152,000 collections illuminating thousand years of artistic expression across the globe.

2. Battleship IOWA Museum

If you’re interested in witnessing the most powerful weapon in the past, come to Battleship IOWA Museum. You can also experience the history through permanent and contemporary exhibits of naval artifacts gallery and Korean-war era. This trip is certainly not about entertainment, but also education.

3. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the largest museum in the US, devoted to arts, science, and moviemaking. It offers unparalleled collections and exceptional exhibitions explaining the world of cinema. Through a variety of diverse and engaging voices, it tells the technology, artists, history, and even social impacts of movies.

4. Discovery Cube Los Angeles

For travelers with kids, Discovery Cube Los Angeles is the place you shouldn’t miss. Besides playing, your kids can experience education through engaging science-based programs and exhibits. With their high-quality and tech-integrated science learning methods, they encourage the young scientists to be the innovators in the future.

5. Griffith Park

Griffith Park is the right place for naturalists and adventurers. One of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the US, the park provides tourists with a wide range of attractions and activities, such as educational and cultural institutions, miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, biking, camping, golfing, picnicking, and many more.

6. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Right in the heart of Los Angeles, sits the world’s most powerful getaway to the Ice Age, where plants and animals from the last 50,000 years are discovered every day. Here, you’ll find many creatures you’ve never thought existed, such as saber-toothed cats, mammoths, mastodons; as well as the tiny/microfossils of insects, plants, mammals, and reptiles.

7. World of Illusions Los Angeles

Experience magic and mystery in the World of Illusions with various collections of 3D illusions! Participate in African Safari, rock the stage with music industry’s most incredible acts, walk the edge of skyscrapers, steal treasures from the terrifying dragon, and walk the red carpet at a Hollywood film premiere–all under one roof!

8. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum is a place where the history of our planet is revealed. It’s the anchor of an emerging cultural, educational, and entertainment hub of the city. Several fascinating specimens and exhibitions, such as Age of Mammals, The Dinosaur Hall, The Gem and Mineral Hall, and the other dioramas are available there. Here, we aren’t only told about the planet’s history, but also its transformation around us nowadays.

9. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

If you’re a huge fan of Warner Bros. movies and characters, Warner Bros. Studio is a compulsory place to visit in Los Angeles. Take a tour to the recreated sets, authentic props, and costumes of the DC Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts for unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to capture as many photos as you can!

10. Malibu Beach

Malibu Beach is typically associated with the best surfing spots and celebrities’ homes. Meyer Memorial State Beach, El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador are some notable beaches with stunning scenery in Malibu. Do various water activities and sports, like swimming, beachcombing, tidepooling, scuba diving, and snorkeling while you’re here!

11. Santa Monica Pier

You may think that this is just a pier, but you’re wrong. In Santa Monica Pier, you can explore local culture and reconnect with the pier’s past story. It also offers a range of family-friendly activities, like West Coaster and Pacific Wheel rides, carnival games, and food at Pacific Park. Purchase some unique souvenirs, handmade crafts, and beachwear accessories in the pier’s shopping centers, too!

12. Venice Beach

Venice Beach is one of the most popular sights in Los Angeles, where people can enjoy watching, eating, and shopping along the beach. This is also known as the best surf spot besides Malibu. There are bike and skate rentals for those wishing for the beach’s exploration, in addition to other water activities.

13. The Getty

If you haven’t had enough with the city’s vibrant art culture yet, The Getty is another option. It’s a leading organization committed to exhibiting, conserving, and understanding the world’s artistic and cultural heritages. You can also participate in their education program and resources to appreciate and understand arts more.

14. Hollywood Sign

Your trip to Los Angeles is not yet complete without visiting this historical and cultural icon of America. Situated in the area of Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Sign appears as a backdrop in countless movies and television shows. Unfortunately, it’s a restricted area, so getting close is prohibited, yet you still can take the best photographs of it from Griffith Park.

15. The Broad

The last recommended museum you can’t miss is The Broad, where the collections of postwar and contemporary arts are displayed. Besides building dynamic collections featuring in-depth representations of influential contemporary artists, they advance education and engagements for the public through diverse exhibitions and programmes.

Best Restaurants in Los Angeles

A home to about 3000 restaurants serving a wide range of local and international dishes, here are some top dining spots in the city:

1. Anajak Thai Cuisine

For Thai food lovers, Anajak Thai Cuisine is the first place that should come to your mind. They serve different food selections in a week: regular menus from Wednesday to Sunday, tacos and tostadas on Tuesdays, and omakase every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

2. Bar Chelou

Bar Chelou is where Spanish, Californian, and Asian flavors are served on the tables. Utilizing the region's produce, the menu includes plenty of dishes to show off the chef’s skills with vegetables, bone-in pork chops, and dry-aged bone-in ribeye. One of the must-order menu items is salty clam toast with trouts.

3. Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher and Deli

You don’t need to worry if you can’t find any vegan restaurant in Los Angeles because Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher and Deli is there. Various dishes with delicious, healthy, and plant-based homemade meats and cheeses are served every day in this restaurant. Hence, you won’t find your burritos, toasts, and sandwiches harmful to your health here.

4. Musso and Frank Grill

Musso and Frank Grill is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant that has been serving up the finest cuisines for more than a century. With classic, time-honored, and freshly prepared recipes, their first-class dish hasn’t changed: a ground beef sandwich. It may sound common, yet you’ll just understand why after giving it a bite.

5. Loreto

Located near the Los Angeles River, Loreto is a restaurant serving the best Mexican seafood in town. Featuring a stylish industrial space, it has a wide myriad of dishes, like tostadas, ceviches, brochetas with shrimp and pork. Whether you choose to take seats on the bar, private dining area, or patio, this place brims with all charms.

Best Hotels Recommendations in Los Angeles

Make the most of your exploration in Los Angeles by staying in comfortable lodgings, like below:

1. Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Four Seasons at Beverly Hills is the city icon to settle in. Soak up yourself in a resort-style pool, savor award-winning various Italian cuisines, and rejuvenate yourself in their wellness retreats. Wellness rooms are also ready to optimize your physical and emotional well-being after traveling the whole day.

2. Beverly Wilshire, A Four Season Hotel

Another timeless glamor and world-class service in the heart of Beverly Hills is Beverly Wilshire Hotel. You’ll be delighted by the fine-dining experience and postcard-worthy views at the doorstep. This hotel is all about unparalleled luxury hospitality in this area.

3. Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles

Popular among dignitaries and celebrities, Millennium Biltmore has also been a location of numerous films, music videos, and ceremonies. This hotel is where history, luxury, and opulence are seamlessly intertwined, featuring classic-style rooms and suites with modern amenities. Their restaurants and bars are also for you to savor a world of gourmet delights with impeccable service.

4. Hilton Los Angeles Airport

If Santa Monica Pier and Manhattan Beach are on your itinerary, Hilton Los Angeles Airport is the perfect nearest place to stay. They provide park-and-fly options, gardens, and outdoor pools. Dining and drinks spots are also a part of this hotel, serving coffees, snacks, hot meals, and craft cocktails with a view.

5. Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn - Hollywood Walk of Fame LA

With their vision to be an inspiring travel experience, Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn prioritizes a caring inclusive culture respecting the environment. They offer spacious rooms with amenities, like microwave, refrigerator, high-speed internet, and access for disabled guests.

Tips when Visiting Los Angeles

If you’re a newbie in traveling to Los Angeles, below are several tips for you to keep in mind:

• Plan ahead–the traffic in Los Angeles is quite crowded, so familiarize yourself with the areas you plan to visit and avoid traveling during peak hours.
• Bring jackets–in Los Angeles, it can get cold at night, even in summer. Therefore, bring jackets, wear layers, and pack weather-appropriate clothes.
• Always make restaurant reservations–since the city’s famous for its international food scene, reservations are recommended for popular dining spots. The local’s prime time for dining is between 7pm to 9pm.
• Beware of smoking rules–the city has strict regulations regarding where you can light up, so avoid smoking in public spaces, including offices, restaurants, bars, and most parks. Check regulations in each county, since they vary.
• Respect local customs–besides myriad cuisines, Los Angeles is also a home to diverse cultural populations, festivals and entertainments. Hence, approach interactions with cultural sensitivity and avoid making assumptions.

Everything you need to know about going on a trip to Los Angeles is already in the palm of your hands. Now, pack your luggage, catch a flight, and start your excursions to Los Angeles!