Los Angeles, widely known as L.A., or the "City of Angels", is located in Southern California, USA. L.A. is the largest city in the California State, and the second-largest urban area in the USA. L.A. is home to the stars, even though it's prone to earthquakes due to its position in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Most of the earthquakes are of such low intensity they hardly shake the leaves on the city's famous Sunset Boulevard palm trees. While there, don't forget to look up to the hill to see the white-lettered "HOLLYWOOD" sign, and keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity or two in your midst.

Most first time visitors to LA are instantly overwhelmed by its size and sprawl. Unlike other metropolises, LA spreads across a very large area and to the uninitiated can be difficult to understand how to tackle and make the most of the city. The way to discover LA is to pick your areas. Here's a quick list of the key destinations within LA and the appeal of each:

Venice Beach: "People Watching"
Watch and immerse yourself in the offbeat beach culture with muscle men, psychics, markets, musicians, and more..

Santa Monica: "All-Round Beach Resort Experience"
The full beach resort experience; shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs, biking and lively outdoor beach activities centred around the pier.

West Hollywood: "Funky Bar Hopping"
Jam packed with funky bars, clubs, restaurants and groovy hotels and is a fantastic place to bar hop.

Beverly Hills: "Pretty Woman"
Centred around the high end shopping precinct of Rodeo Drive.

Downtown LA: "Entertainment on 'Roids"
The historic Downtown Los Angeles precinct is home to the Entertainment Mecca of LA Live

Hollywood "Stars on Hollywood Boulevard"

Anaheim "Family Fun"
All the theme park action you can take including the one and only Disneyland Resort.

Beaches of the OC: "Authentic California Beach / Surf Lifestyle"
These are California's surfing meccas and offer magnificent, long beaches and great waves

Starlit and moonstruck, LA beguiles scores of curious tourists, hopeful starlets and wannabe rock gods every day. But there's a lot more to it than the siren call of fame and fortune. It's a thriving, multilayered city filled with world-class everything: museums, music, food, architecture, gardens.

Although often gridlocked by traffic, LA moves to a rhythm all of its own. A vortex of creative energy spawns a never-ending stream of movies, inventions and trends. Hollywood and Disneyland are givens, but LA's hidden enclaves have a surprising subtlety and flavour which flout the stereotypes.

Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is protected from extremes of temperature and humidity by the mountain ranges to its north and east. August and September are the hottest months, January and February the coolest and wettest. Offshore breezes keep the beach communities cooler in summer and warmer in winter than those further inland, particularly the San Fernando Valley, which is the hottest area in summer and the coldest in winter. The average LA temperature is around 70°F (21°C), though smog-shrouded summer days can get well over 90°F (32°C), while winter temperatures around 55°F (12°C) are not uncommon.

The peak season in LA is July/August, when every day is sunny and hot; reservations and a fat wallet to match soaring prices are highly recommended. If you prefer smaller crowds and lower prices, the shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) are a good bet, but remember that June often brings heavy coastal fog. Chances of rain are greatest in winter, but less smog and congestion make up for the occasional sprinkle. The city gets busy around major holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

Although much has been written about crime in Los Angeles, overall figures have declined in recent years. If you take ordinary precautions, chances are you'll be fine. Be aware of your surroundings and who may be watching you. Avoid dimly lit streets at night and walk purposefully. Don't display money or jewellery and use the ATMs in the well-trafficked areas.

Walking around in the daytime is generally no problem, although East LA, South Central, some sections of Hollywood and the MacArthur Park neighbourhood west of Downtown can be a bit dodgy. These areas are plagued by gangs and drugs and should be avoided after dark. Also exercise extra caution in the poorly-lit sidestreets of Hollywood and Venice. Downtown is safe during the day, but after sundown its streets are nearly deserted except for large numbers of homeless people. Westside communities like Westwood and Beverly Hills, as well as the beach towns (except Venice), are generally among the safer areas, as is Pasadena.

Always lock your car and put valuables out of sight. Keep your windows closed and doors locked if anyone approaches your vehicle. If your car is bumped from behind in a remote area, don't stop until you reach a well-lit, busy area or police station. Thefts are also not uncommon in cheap motels so keep your room locked when you're gone, and take advantage of the office safe. Report thefts immediately to your hotel's front desk and/or the nearest police station.

Public buildings are required by law to be wheelchair accessible and to have special restroom facilities. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (www.metro.net) and the Big Blue Bus company of Santa Monica (www.bigbluebus.com) are among the companies operating a fleet of wheelchair-accessible buses. Car rental companies can supply hand-controlled vehicles, but you must book them well in advance.

Larger hotels have suites for disabled guests. Telephone companies can provide relay operators for the hearing impaired. Many banks provide ATM instructions in Braille, and audible crossing signals and dropped curbs are common at busier roadway intersections.

Canadians need proof of Canadian citizenship or a passport to enter the USA. All other visitors must have a valid passport, which should be valid for at least six months longer than their intended stay in the USA.

Travellers from countries such as Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom can enter the USA for up to 90 days under a visa-waiver program if they have a round-trip ticket that is nonrefundable in the US, and have a passport valid for at least six months past their scheduled departure date. All other travellers will need a visitor's visa. Visas can be obtained at most US consulate offices overseas; however, it is generally easier to obtain a visa from an office in one's home country.

Under new regulations to be phased in toward the end of 2005, travellers from VWP-eligible countries will need to present a biometric passport or US visa to enter the country. You don't need a visa if: your passport was issued before October 26, 2005, but is 'machine readable'; if it was issued on or after October 26, 2005, and includes a digital photo as well as being machine readable; or if it was issued on or after October 26, 2006, and contains a digital photo and 'biometric data,' such as digital iris scans and fingerprints. Further details and information on the changes to the visa system can be found at www.travel.state.gov/visa.

LA has so many celeb tours and shows to attend you could forget to do anything else. However, there is culture aplenty, including blockbuster museums and the mindbending Walt Disney Concert Hall. In summer, a night of music at the Hollywood Bowl is a treat for ears and soul.

Bergamot Station
Tel: 310 453 7535 (info)
One of LA's best-known art nodes, this one-time trolley stop now houses 35 contemporary art galleries, the Santa Monica Museum of Art (www.smmoa.org), a café, and plenty of free parking on its 8-acre, campus-style complex. Stop by the museum for cutting-edge exhibits, a map and a look at the orange-tiered shelves of Gracie, an artistically inclined, non-traditional gift shop.
Web: www.bergamotstation.com

California Science Center
Tel: 323 724 3623 (info)
From pedaling on a highwire bike to watching 50ft animatronic Tess maintain homeostasis, science here is state-of-the-art, highly interactive and loads of fun for families. The most low-tech exhibit inside the center's bright soaring walls may be the most interesting - baby chicks hatching in an incubator. To beat the fieldtrippers, visit after 13:00.
Web: www.californiasciencecenter.org

Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Angels
Tel: 213 680 5200 (info)
Architect Jose Rafael Moneo rewrote the cathedral builders' rulebook in 2002 with this flowing, freeform church complete with plazas, colonnades and a distinct disregard for right angles. His incorporation of regional styles and historic influences provides a welcoming air that's certainly helped by the gift store - famous locally for selling the cathedral's private-label chardonnay, cabernet and zin.
Web: www.olacathedral.org

Chinese American Museum
Tel: 213 485 8567 (info)
This small but engaging museum spotlights the history of Chinese immigration to America - a history that parallels the current immigration debate like an eerily prescient fortune cookie. From America's dependence on cheap foreign labor to Congressional acts of Chinese exclusion, the newcomer's journey hasn't changed much in 100 years. In the adjacent exhibit hall, ponder the efficiency of the abacus in Sun Wing Wo's general store.
Web: www.camla.org

Disneyland
Tel: 714 781 4000 (info)
Billed as the happiest place on earth, Disneyland is a masterpiece of picture-perfect choreography - even the litter bins are themed. The park is divided into seven different lands: Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown and Critter Country. High-sugar fun.
Web: www.disneyland.com

Getty Center
Tel: 310 440 7300 (info)
Contrary to popular belief, LA does have an intellectual, refined side. The Getty Center combines paintings, photography, decorative arts and other collections in a spectacular hilltop space overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the entire city. Admission is free, making this one of the best bargains in town. Enjoy a stellar art collection (Renaissance to David Hockney), the fabulous architecture of Richard Meier, and the superb - and seasonally changing - gardens designed by Robert Irwin. On clear days, you can add breathtaking views of the city and ocean to the list.
Web: www.getty.edu

Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Tel: 323 464 8111 (info)
Stand in the footprints of silver-screen legends in the courtyard of this grand movie palace, built in 1927. Inspired by Chinese imperial architecture, the ornate decor extends from the intricate courtyard to the grand lobby, the lounges, and the massive theater itself where current releases captivate all-ages crowds.
Web: www.manntheatres.com

Griffith Observatory
Tel: 213 473 0800 (info)
With an additional 40,000 square feet, a new multi-level exhibit gallery, a 200-seat theater, 60 new exhibits, a café and a gift shop, the new observatory in Griffith Park is ready for the masses. But for now, it's by timed-entry reservation only. No drive-up access is currently permitted, but stargazers can access observatory shuttles from various locations (your reservation guarantees a seat). And yes, it's worth the hassle. Timed-entry reservations cane be made by phone or e-mail.
Web: www.griffithobservatory.org

Hollywood Bowl
Tel: 323 850 2000 (info)
Toting your own picnic basket under starry skies is still magic. Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Igor Stravinsky have played in this historical amphitheatre. Get a sneak preview of the show: morning rehearsals are free. The Hollywood Bowl Museum has footage of historic performances, live recordings and memorabilia.
Web: www.hollywoodbowl.com

Hollywood & Highland
Tel: 323 467 6412 (info)
With 65 shops, 26 eateries, 12 bowling lanes, six cinemas, two nightclubs and one hotel, the towering complex at one of Hollywood's busiest intersections takes one-stop shopping to the extreme. Creating the grand spectacle is a Tinseltown tradition, and the complex's courtyard - an over-the-top reproduction of a Babylonian set from DW Griffith's 1916 epic Intolerance - pays homage to these movie-making roots.
Web: www.hollywoodandhighland.com

Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
Tel: 626 405 2100 (info)
Unwind in the zen-like tranquility of the Japanese Garden? Study the jaunty pose of Thomas Gainsborough's Blue Boy? Linger over the well-thumbed pages of the Gutenberg Bible, the world's first printed book? It's hard to know where to start at this inspirational collection of botanical gardens, art and literature amassed by railroad magnate Henry E Huntington and displayed on his former estate.
Web: www.huntington.org

La Brea Tar Pits
Tel: 323 934 7243 (info)
Ongoing excavation of La Brea's oozing asphalt pits has so far yielded over a million fossilised skeleton parts, many of which are mounted inside the adjacent Page Museum. Everyone from kids to science geeks love watching palaeontologists examine the remains of 40,000-year-old dire wolves, prehistoric camels and sabre-toothed tigers.
Web: www.tarpits.org

LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Tel: 323 644 4200 (info)
Meerkats are the current squeezables of the Disney set and one well-placed, big-eyed Timon wows kids entering the zoo. From there, undisputed crowdpleasers include swinging gibbons, frolicking sea lions, posturing chimpanzees, cuddling koalas, and, according to the zoo's director, anything currently defecating. The zoo is deceptively larger than it appears from outside; you'll need at least 2½ hours.
Web: www.lazoo.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Tel: 323 857 6000 (info)
One of the finest art museums in the US, this high-brow treasure-trove presents fabulous art, sculpture and photographs from around the world and through the ages. Highlights include works by Rembrandt and Cézanne, glazed pottery from China and Iran, and netsuke (miniature sculptures) from Japan. Regular arthouse film screenings, lectures, and free jazz concerts on Friday nights round out the programme.
Web: www.lacma.org

Manhattan Beach
If Manhattan Beach had its own magazine, it would surely be called Gorgeous Living. Classy beachside cottages, bougainvillea-lined walk-streets, bustling sidewalk patios, friendly boutiques, surfers silhouetted against the setting sun, and babies who never seem to cry - all within half a mile of a portrait-worthy pier. It's that impossibly perfect. Outdoor enthusiasts should check out Fun Bunn's for various fun beach rentals.
Web: www.citymb.info

Norton Simon Museum
Tel: 626 449 6840 (info)
Norton Simon's passion for the arts shines through at this accessible museum - see Rodin's The Thinker luring visitors out front - thought by many to be the best collection of fine art in LA. The permanent exhibits, spanning the 14th century to the 20th and including Southeast Asian sculpture, fill six galleries over two floors.
Web: www.nortonsimon.org

Ocean Front Walk
Known locally as the Venice Boardwalk (Venice Pier to Rose Ave), this can't-miss parade of hustlers, freaks, artists and exhibitionists will have you either thanking your lucky stars for your office job or plotting your imminent escape from drudgery. Shopping? Cheap sunglasses, Bob Marley tees, beachy photographs and sarongs are representative fare. Personal makeover? Body piercers, tattoo artist, masseuses and hair-braiders are happy to help. Fast food options abound.

Pacific Asia Museum
Tel: 626 449 2742 (info)
The Pacific Museum may be small, but with more than 14,000 works of Asian and Pacific Island art in its collection, the quality and range of the exhibits is almost unrivaled. The nine galleries, linked around a courtyard, include informative but accessible displays on Chinese, Tibetan, Southeast Asian and Japanese arts. Particularly fascinating is the two-room Chinese Ceramics exhibit.
Web: www.pacificasiamuseum.org

Palisades Park
Tel: 800 544 5319 (info)
Perhaps it's appropriate that Route 66, America's most romanticized by-way, ends at this gorgeous cliffside park perched dramatically on the edge of the continent. Stretching 1½ miles north from the pier, this palm-dotted greenway is tops with joggers and people-watchers. For turn-of-the-20th-century thrills, grab a key to the tower-bound Camera Obscura (1450 Ocean Ave; Senior Recreation Center) for a few spins of an old captain's wheel that gives inverted-mirror views of the park below.

Petersen Automotive Museum
Tel: 323 930 2277 (info)
With the main entrance opening onto the parking garage, cars get their due at this four-story ode to the auto. Wander past a 1903 Cadillac, a 1923 UPS truck and a 2006 Bugatti - from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds - as well as accessible displays fascinating for know-it-alls and newbies alike. Picture-taking welcome.
Web: www.petersen.org

Pier Aquarium
Tel: 310 393 6149 (info)
Peer under the pier - just below the carousel - for Heal the Bay's kid-friendly touch tanks crawling with critters and crustaceans scooped from the bay. For a fin-filled frenzy, stop by the shark tanks at 15:30 Sunday for feedings of these multi-fanged beasts.
Web: www.healthebay.org

Point Vicente Interpretive Center
Tel: 310 377 5370 (info)
Captain Ahab's no match for the binocular-toting crowd at this primo whale-watching spot. From December to May, the faithful huddle early on terraced patios to watch for migrating grays. Check the chalkboard for daily counts. If whales aren't your thing, savor towering cliffside views or pop inside for engaging displays on local history and geography.

Universal Studios
Tel: 800 864 8377 (info) / 818 622 5120 (booking)
Universal Studios is the world's largest movie studio. Its famous theme park, one of LA's top attractions, has gut-wrenching rides, mind-blowing special-effects shows and the Studio Tour, a part-educational, part-thrill ride exploration of the studio backlot. Adjacent to the park, Universal City Walk is a fantasy promenade of shops, restaurants, movie theatres and nightclubs.
Web: www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Walk Of Fame
Tel: 323 469 8311 (info)
Marilyn Monroe? 6774 Hollywood Blvd. James Dean? 1719 Vine St. Elvis Presley? 6777 Hollywood Blvd. Nope, not last known addresses, just the exact spot for the brass star honoring these celebs on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on Hollywood Blvd bet between La Brea Ave and Vine St. There are more than 2000 stars, so check the website for precise locations.
Web: www.hollywoodchamber.net

Walt Disney Concert Hall
Tel: 213 972 7211 (info)
Architectural tours of Frank Gehry's steel-paneled masterpiece include a self-directed audio tour, public guided tour or an urban garden tour. All are approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Times vary month to month per performance schedules; see web site for schedules. For general concert info check www.musiccenter.org/calendar or see the LA Philharmonic schedule at www.laphil.com.
Web: www.musiccenter.org

Warner Bros Studio Vip Tour
Tel: 818 972 8687 (info)
After a 15-minute clip-filled short of WB's movie and TV highlights - from 'Stella!' to 'How you doin'? - VIPs board a 12-person open tram for a two-hour tour around the studio's 110-acre lot where secrets of Hollywood are revealed - forced perspective, fancy facades and fake bricks - or as one guide jauntily summed up, 'It's all lies and deceit.'
Web: www.wbstudiotour.com

Los Angeles is the culinary capital of the US West Coast. Some would even argue that it represents the cutting edge of cuisine in the western hemisphere. Why? Because it's willing to experiment, and it stands at a global crossroads that attracts a cosmopolitan mix of people, foods and cuisines.

Although 'Gapification' (the proliferation of retail chains like the Gap, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and others) is widespread and malls abound, countless offbeat shops in LA's many distinct neighbourhoods will reward those with a knack for browsing and a flair for the unusual.

LA's nightlife is more than just drunken starlets tousling with paparazzi. A week's worth of nocturnal adventures in LA could see you bouncing from It-crowd clubs to designer bars to hair-metal temples to comedy clubs to ground-breaking theatre.

Tourism is a major industry in Los Angeles and there is plenty of accommodation in all price categories. Clearly, where you stay in LA will dictate how much you'll have to pay; budget lodgings are scarce in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

Basketball
To check out the legendary LA Lakers, head to the Staples Center, next to the Convention Center in Downtown, during the winter months. For something a little more homespun, UCLA's college basketball team, the Bruins, is one of the best in the country and well worth a look.

Cycling
One of the best bike trails in LA is the South Bay Bicycle Trail, a flat 35km (22mi) paved path that follows the beach south from Santa Monica to Torrance Beach. The newly expanded LA River Bikeway runs alongside a surprisingly wild and pleasant stretch of the river from Atwater Village to Burbank.

Downhill Skiing
The main area for downhill skiing is Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, 180km (110mi) northeast of LA. The season lasts roughly from mid-December until March or April and, contrary to the cliché, the skiing is generally only good in the morning. Groomed runs and moguls are excellent, but don't expect much powder. The best part about Big Bear is the weather - sunshine 90% of the time and T-shirt temperatures in spring.

Hiking
Urban hiking is your best bet but to experience the great outdoors LA's surrounding mountains are good day-hike destinations. Try the rugged Santa Monica Mountains, especially Topanga State Park or Malibu State Park, both inland from Malibu, or Griffith Park, north of Hollywood.

Surfing
In Malibu, Surfrider Beach is a surfing favourite. To the North, Zuma is the largest and sandiest of LA's county-owned beaches, with rough surf and plenty of oily hardbodies. Manhattan Beach in the south is jam-packed on summer days with swimmers, volleyball players and the American-as-apple-pie local residents - it's arguably the nearest thing you'll find to the 'California Dream'.

Swimming (Outdoors)
The most popular and populated swimming beaches are Santa Monica, Venice and Manhattan but, with miles and miles of wide sandy shores to enjoy, even they rarely get packed with people. Zuma Beach is one of LA's most beautiful, and the swimming, body-surfing and people-watching here is excellent. Immediately south of Zuma, Westward Beach is good for families.

Team sports
Prefer sitting on your butt and watching other people exert themselves? The LA Dodgers baseball team is the focus of sporting fanaticism in summer; they play from April to October at Dodger Stadium, just north of Downtown.

If you're flying into Los Angeles, you'll most likely land at Los Angeles International Airport, 30km (20mi) southwest of Downtown LA. If you choose not to fly, Greyhound, the only nationwide bus company, serves Los Angeles from cities all over North America on buses that are fairly clean and comfortable. Amtrak, America's national rail system, operates throughout California and across the USA. In LA, trains arrive and depart from Union Station in Downtown LA.

Bus
Greyhound buses serve LA from cities all over North America. The main LA depot is in a seedy part of Downtown, although the station is reasonably safe inside. Still, avoid arriving after dark unless someone is there to meet you with a car. Other LA-area Greyhound stations are found in Hollywood, Pasadena, Long Beach and Anaheim.

Car
The LA area is a web of highways and byways, so if you have your own wheels, there are always several routes to choose from. From San Francisco and Northern California the fastest route is six hours via the always boring - and in summer miserably hot - I-5. The alternative is the US 101, a curvy and picturesque eight-hour route. The most scenic - and slowest - route is via the Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH or Hwy 1), a 10-hour trip. The downside to this road is its susceptibility to fog, especially in summer. From San Diego and other points south, I-5 is the obvious route. If you're coming in to LA from Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon, take the I-15 to the I-10, then head west to Downtown and beyond.

Plane
A major travel hub for the Pacific Rim region, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the third busiest airport in the world. It's right on the coast south of Venice Beach and north of Manhattan Beach. If you can, try to avoid LAX gridlock by flying into one of these regional airports: Bob Hope Airport (BUR), in the San Ferdinando Valley, about 25km (15mi) northwest of Downtown; Long Beach Airport (LGB), about 40km (25mi) south; John Wayne Airport (SNA), about 65km (40mi) southeast in Santa Ana, Orange County; and Ontario International Airport (ONT), about 65km (40mi) east. With all these options, finding a flight or connection to just about anywhere on the continent is never a problem. Departure tax is included in the ticket price.

Train
Amtrak, the national rail system, operates several trains to and from Los Angeles. The main station is Union Station, an impressive art deco depot one block from El Pueblo in Downtown LA. From Seattle and San Francisco, the Coast Starlight operates several times weekly in each direction. There is also regular service from LA to Phoenix, New Orleans and points beyond, as well as several trains daily to and from San Diego, including the sleek Pacific Surfliner.

Contrary to popular belief, LA does have a fairly comprehensive public transport system. Nearly all communities are served by buses, and a subway and light rail system hits many of the major area attractions, such as Hollywood and Universal Studios. Still, the automobile remains by far the most popular mode of transportation. Before rushing headlong into the bumper-to-bumper melee, consider all of your transport options.

Bus
Although LA is definitely built for cars, it is possible to get around on public transport. Main public bus operators include: Metro, which goes most places; Big Blue Bus, which serves the West LA area; Culver City Bus, which does Culver City and the Westside; and DASH, operating within local communities, including Hollywood and Downtown.

Car
LA sprawls over such a huge area that, unless time is no factor or money is extremely tight, you're going to want to spend some time behind the wheel of a car. Despite the sheer volume of traffic, the city isn't hard to navigate if you stick to the major arterials and avoid rush hours. If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty of LA streets, grab a copy of the Thomas Guides map book.

Taxi
Unlike New York or Chicago, LA isn't a place you can just thrust your arm out and expect to hail a taxi. Except for those lined up outside airports, train stations, bus stations and major hotels, cabbies respond to phone calls rather than hand waves.

Underground Rail
Metro Rail's Red Line subway runs between Downtown's Union Station and North Hollywood via Hollywood and Universal Studios. The light-rail Blue Line goes from Union Station to Long Beach, Norwalk and Redondo Beach.

Walking
Tell an Angeleno, 'I'll just walk' and they're bound to try talking you out of it. Unlike other American cities, LA was built horizontally rather than vertically, and all but a few strips were developed with motorists, rather than pedestrians, in mind. If you hate to see all those sidewalks going to waste, sections of Downtown, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and central Hollywood are walkable - once you've driven or caught a bus there.

GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Time)

Daylight Saving Start: First Sunday in April
Daylight Saving End: Last Sunday in October

1,215 sq km (469 sq miles)

110V 60Hz

US Dollar (US$)

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