January 4, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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Los Angeles is far more than a pretty face.
While the rich and beautiful gift LA its shine, it’s the hopeful pilgrims, swarming to the Hollywood sign like the North Star, who inject soul, art, and flavor into its gridlocked and sunny streets. But the romantic image of La La Land only tells half the story.
While the neverending NYC/LA rivalry is still contested on most fronts, the needle swings decisively West where nature is concerned. With the San Gabriel Mountains ever-present above the sprawl and the allure of the Pacific Ocean never far, Angelenos aren’t bitter about dropping points on the best pizza argument.
They’ve got the best tacos anyway.
Welcome to Los Angeles.
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| FUN FACTS
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You can thank Thomas Edison for Hollywood
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Hollywood wasn’t always destined to be the center of the movie world.
At the end of the 19th century, Thomas Edison was at the forefront of the moving picture industry, opening up the world’s first film studio, Black Maria, in New Jersey.
Edison’s company filed many patents for video technology, effectively seizing control of the fledgling industry. Independent filmmakers sought respite from the aggressive lawsuits lodged by the Edison Manufacturing Company and the newly formed Motion Picture Patents Company, heading west to Los Angeles.
As events on the East coast took place, a couple purchased and named a piece of land called Hollywood. They envisioned a sober religious community where they could grow figs. When farming failed, they divided the land and sold it. The filmmakers who fled the legal jungle of the East coast moved in, knowing patents would be harder to enforce there, and they could hide equipment over the Mexican border. Within a decade, Hollywood was the center of the film industry.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Easy packing
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Los Angeles is famously sunny, enjoying an average of over 300 days of sunshine a year. To make things even better, the temperature won’t fluctuate much, so you can expect warm conditions on your visit. Summer can get hot in the valley, but you can pack with warm and dry weather in mind – year-round.
Evenings can get pretty cool, though. So make sure you’ve got a sweatshirt in your bag and a pair of pants.
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It’s extremely spread out
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Los Angeles is huge. The entire city covers 502 square miles, and the spots you’ll be hitting up are dotted sporadically across that area. The city has public transportation connecting many of the most popular sites, but don’t expect it to be as convenient as the likes of NYC. The best way to plan your trip is to base yourself in one neighborhood or area for a day at a time. You’ll be able to make the most of each place and waste less time navigating the sprawl.
If you’re unsure where to base yourself, defaulting to a downtown location is standard practice. It’s in the middle of everything, right? There will be walkable attractions and the best places to stay, right? Not so much in LA. In fact, the city technically doesn’t even have a “center,” as it were. While the area has seen a lot of positive development in recent years, the skyscraping region of the city is far removed from the LA experience you’ll be anticipating.
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Check more airports than LAX
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LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world and is the natural search query when planning an LA trip. Anyone that’s passed through the airport knows how rough it can be, and with Uber and Lyft so expensive, getting out of there is gonna hurt your wallet too.
Make sure you check out Burbank and Long beach, which are often much cheaper than LAX. Ontario and Orange County are both possibilities but are usually more expensive. Based on where you’re staying, it might be worth paying a few extra bucks.
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| BEST OF '22
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| THINGS TO DO
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Get to grips with Tinsel Town
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One of the biggest draws to Los Angeles is Hollywood, the center of the global movie industry. It’s important to temper your expectations before arriving: this side of the trip is likely to be the most touristy experience you’ll have. Take everything with a pinch of salt, and you’ll enjoy it all the same.
The most obvious attraction for film buffs is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over 2,700 golden stars adorn the sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd and Vine St, providing a more than valid reason to wander along the street in search of your favorite actor or director. It’s free, and as you roam, you’ll probably come across a host of characters – think Charlie Chaplin,
Darth Vadar, or Freddie Krueger.
On the boulevard, you’ll also see the Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, and the Egyptian theatre, all iconic venues in their own right. Plenty of Behind the Scenes tours offer the chance to learn more about the history of Hollywood, while the theatres have individual tours.
Of course, film studios themselves are where the magic happens. Universal, Sony, Paramount, and Warner Brothers all offer studio tours. They vary in length, but you can expect a similar experience on each, including behind-the-scenes access to active studios, sets from iconic movies, and film vaults. Warner Brothers and Paramount's tours are exceptionally well-reviewed.
When you’re finished with the organized tours, hit up some of the most iconic filming locations in the city. The Griffith Observatory is at the top of the list after featuring in films like La La Land, The Terminator, and Rebel without a Cause. Another, Union Station, was seen in the Dark Knight Rises, Blade Runner, and Catch Me If You Can.
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Run, hike, scramble, swim
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Despite Los Angele’s reputation as a gridlocked sprawl, it’s one of the few major cities in the country where vast amounts of outdoor pursuits are possible. From mountainous hikes to surfing, there’s something for everyone.
Mountains surround the city, and avid hikers have carved excellent trails through them over the decades. Few are as famous as the Griffith Park trails, offering breathtaking views of the city and getting you as close to the Hollywood sign as possible. If you have time for one hike, make it this
one. If you’re able, check out Runyon Canyon and Mount Baldy.
If you’re more of a water baby, head down to Santa Monica Pier, rent a board and hit the waves. Ocean Park is the perfect place for beginners, while more experienced surfers can enjoy the world-class waves in South Santa Monica.
Not feeling like expending too much energy? Enjoy a stroll down Venice Beach Boardwalk, and take in the sights and sounds of one of the city’s most iconic locations. Feeling strong? Grab a ten-buck day pass for Muscle Beach and train among some of the most impressively built humans you’ll ever see.
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Pretend it’s rainy and hit the museums
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Choosing to stay inside when it’s 75 degrees, and sunny might seem like madness. But Los Angeles is home to a wide array of museums that can rival those in New York and Chicago, and not indulging in one or two is a big mistake.
For those interested in art, the Getty Museum and Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art are up there with the best in the country. The former is a bit out of the way, but with free admission (with a reservation), it’s more than worth the effort. The latter is more centrally located and features modern masterpieces like Burden’s Metropolis II, as well as the likes of Warhol, Picasso, and the usual modernist names. Swinging by to see the Urban Light piece is worth it alone. The now famous piece comprises 206 renovated LA streetlights and is a fixture on any LA-visit Instagram post.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a terrific addition to the city’s list of museums, showcasing the history of film, pertaining primarily to the Oscars. As well as getting to hold one of the famous gongs, you’ll also see renowned movie memorabilia like Dorothy’s red shoes from the Wizard of Oz, R2-D2 and
C3PO, and Jeff Bridge’s robe from The Big Lebowski.
The LA Natural History Museum offers a rare insight into the region’s history. While, we’re accustomed to the glitz and glamor of LA, the city’s roots go back to Indigenous populations before Catholic missions saw the area transformed. The gem and mineral hall is also a highlight, with some astonishing pieces on display that can
wow even the most geological-averse visitor.
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| WHERE TO STAY
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Pick your spot carefully
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As we mentioned earlier, Los Angeles is huge, and your base for the trip will play a major role in your experience. As expected, high-end hotels are found everywhere, while Airbnbs and boutique stays can offer a little more specificity to your location.
Whatever your decision, think long and hard about what you want to do in LA and what you want on your doorstep.
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Our Top Pick: Le Meridian Delfina Santa Monica
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Los Angeles, California
$$ | See inside
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Prime location within walking distance to both the pier and Downtown Santa Monica – check. Relaxed neighborhood to chill after a long day exploring – check. Free local shuttle and bikes – check. Great value for money – check.
Le Meridian Delfina is an excellent choice for
any LA trip. Staying in Santa Monica means even down days are spent in a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere, and the hotel’s relationship with the surrounding area means museums and other attractions can be free or heavily discounted. The hotel looks great to boot and offers ocean-view suites.
Santa Monica is costly, but with room rates as low as $250, you could do far worse.
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| Book Your Stay |
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Other Top Picks
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| WHERE TO EAT
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A Jack of all trades
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LA is odd in that it lacks a defining dish in the same way that New York has a plain slice or Philly has a cheesesteak. But what it lacks in icons, it makes up in stunning diversity.
La La Land boasts 25 Michelin stars, so food matters here. Standouts include its Asian dining scene, thanks to the over 1.5 million strong Asian demographic. Its proximity to the Mexican border means an LA taco is as close to the real thing as you’ll find anywhere in the country.
Don’t skimp on an LA hotdog, either. It’s a few bucks of bacon-wrapped goodness.
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Our Top Pick: Sushi Chitose
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Los Angeles, California
$$$ | Menu
You’ll find some of the best sushi in the country in LA, and few restaurants offer better value than Sushi Chitose. Few places boast a full Omakase menu (tasting menu) of as many as fifteen rounds for $75 a head.
It’s under the radar, and it’s brilliant.
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| Reserve a table |
The Best of the Rest
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN LOS ANGELES
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*This link is sponsored
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