| Top LA Attractions | | | | Battle Across Time and Revenge of the Mummy: |
| 1. Hollywood | | | | The Ride. |
| This is without doubt the most famous attraction of | | | | Other popular features is the Universal's Animal |
| the city, as it is the cultural centre for movie studios | | | | Actors, where you can see many of the highly |
| and famous actors. Unfortunately today there is only | | | | trained animals that feature in movies and TV shows; |
| one movie studio to be found in Hollywood and most | | | | and the Studio Tour, where you can learn how |
| Hollywood stars have residents elsewhere. Despite | | | | movies are made and actually 'take part' as extras is |
| this there is much to see in the area before you | | | | some special effects sequences such as Earthquake: |
| move on. | | | | The Big One and others. |
| There is the Hollywood Sign, though you can't get all | | | | 5. The Beaches |
| the way there, you can get close and snap a photo | | | | While Los Angeles enjoys a lot of sunshine, the |
| in front of it. | | | | waters off the coast tend to be fairly cool as they |
| Next there is the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd, | | | | come in off the Pacific Ocean. The beaches of Los |
| which consists of a street lined with stars embedded | | | | Angeles are hard to beat and an excellent area to |
| on the footpath commemorating famous actors, | | | | visit during your holiday. Some of the most popular |
| directors and movies. There are over two thousand | | | | beaches include Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach |
| now so you can walk along and try spot ones you | | | | and Hermosa Beach. The beach scene and the |
| know. | | | | amusement park at Santa Monica Beach and Pier are |
| Located about half way along this street is the | | | | also popular. |
| Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Former site of the | | | | 6. Knotts Berry Farm |
| Oscars, it is also the location of the cement | | | | Starting from humble origins, Knotts Berry Farm has |
| footprints (including a big one with all the original cast | | | | gone from being a simple restaurant with a |
| of Star Trek). | | | | trademark Boysenberry Pie in the 1930s; to growing |
| Also on Hollywood Blvd is the Hollywood Wax | | | | into one of the most popular amusements parks in |
| Museum and the Ripley's Believe it or Not. | | | | the state of California. The first attraction to be |
| 2. Disneyland Park | | | | added to the park, the Ghost Town & Calico |
| Located in Anaheim just outsider the city, Disneyland | | | | Railroad, is still in operation over 50 years later. |
| is a must visit for any family travelling together. The | | | | Other notable rides in the park include Supreme |
| park is split into 3 sections: Disneyland Park, Disneys | | | | Scream, world's tallest free-fall-type attraction (95 |
| California Adventure and Downtown Disney. | | | | metres tall); Perilous Plunge, world's tallest and |
| Disneyland Park is the first and original Disney land | | | | steepest water chute ride (39 metres tall; 78 |
| park that was opened in 1955. Many attractions have | | | | degrees); and the Xcelerator; world's first |
| been added over the years and today there are 57 | | | | hydraulically-launched roller coaster. |
| attractions in the park more than any other Disney | | | | 7. The Queen Mary |
| park in the country. There are too many rides to | | | | The RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that is |
| mention but they are most aimed at families so bring | | | | now permanently moored to at Long Beach near LA. |
| the kiddies and have a great day out. | | | | It is now a museum and hotel and totally worth a |
| Disneys California Adventure was opened in 2001 and | | | | look. Much of the interior of the ship was gutted to |
| has since become a huge hit. While the park is still | | | | make room for the museum and restaurants. The |
| family friendly they park is definitely more focused | | | | ship celebrated its 70th anniversary of its maiden |
| on the older crowd such as teenagers and young | | | | voyage in 2006. |
| adults. There are many roller coaster and high | | | | 8. Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| adrenaline rides. | | | | This is located close to Santa Clarita which is located |
| Downtown Disney is an outdoor shopping, dining, and | | | | some 50kms north of LA. The Six Flags Magic |
| entertainment area, themed after a garden walk. It is | | | | Mountain amusement park is one of the largest roller |
| mostly designed for grown ups as there are no rides | | | | coaster parks in the world. This park is mostly aimed |
| or other attractions that would entertain a younger | | | | at teenagers and older, though there are a handful of |
| audience. | | | | rides suitable for people shorter than 48". Located |
| 3. Venice Beach | | | | next door is Hurricane Harbour which is dedicated to |
| This was originally the idea of Abbott Kinney who | | | | water park rides. |
| was seeking to recreate the famous Italian city of | | | | 9. Getty Center |
| Venice in Los Angeles. Unfortunately the idea didn't | | | | The Getty Center is located in Brentwood to the |
| work out and most of the canals were filled in and | | | | east of LA city centre. Here you can find the J. Paul |
| made into streets but some of the original canals still | | | | Getty Museum which features a permanent collection |
| exist. | | | | of pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, |
| There is also the Beach which is probably the main | | | | illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and decorative |
| reason to come here. The beach itself is very popular | | | | arts; and there are also 19th and 20th century |
| with surfers and swimmers alike as well as anyone | | | | American and European photographs. |
| who would just like to lounge on the sand and soak | | | | 10. Rodeo Drive and other shopping destinations |
| up some rays. There is also the boardwalk which has | | | | Rodeo Drive is a small shopping area found in Beverly |
| all sorts of eclectic shops and street vendors. | | | | Hills on the west side of LA. The street is famed for |
| You can also find Muscle Beach here as well which is | | | | its designer label boutiques and haute couture fashion |
| an outdoor gym filled with obscenely huge | | | | shops. For more reasonable options you could try |
| bodybuilders. | | | | visiting one of the many malls. |
| 4. Universal Studios Hollywood | | | | The main malls to visit include Hollywood & |
| Another Theme Park that is full of rides that were | | | | Highland mall, located close to Hollywood Blvd; the |
| inspired by the movies. It is also one of the oldest | | | | Grove, at Farmers Market; the Beverly Center, which |
| and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use. | | | | is an 8-story mall which offer great views over the |
| Some of the rides based on movies you can come | | | | city from the food court; Larchmont Blvd., which |
| across includes Shrek 4-D, The Simpsons Ride, | | | | features many one-of-a-kind boutiques. |
| Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, T2 3-D: | | | | |