Los Angeles – Glamour and Fun in Dreamy California

The city of Los Angeles, City of Angels, has gained an almost mythical status of glamour due to the film industry that settled here in the early 20th century. The birthplace of the Disneyland concept, initially as a fantasy world and later as massive theme parks, today it's a blend of almost spiritual new age with a reality that can be a bit tough. North of Downtown LA, at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a string of luxurious cities and neighborhoods such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and more, featuring sparkling streets, celebrities, stunning beaches, and all the fantastic fun of Southern California.

How many days do you need for a trip to Los Angeles?

For a full trip to Los Angeles, including Downtown, the neighborhoods and cities at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, Long Beach, Pasadena, and of course Disneyland, you need to dedicate at least a week or even more. If you focus on the Hollywood-Santa Monica area and Disneyland, you need at least three days.

32 Must-See and Do Things in Los Angeles

1. Spend the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier
2. The iconic Malibu coastline
3. Significant archaeology at the Getty Villa
4. Spend an entire day at Disneyland Park in Anaheim
5. Another full day at Disney California Adventure Park
6. Shopping on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica
7. Skateboard with California's cool crowd on the Venice Boardwalk
8. The rare art collection at the Getty Center on the hill (the view is also stunning)
9. Luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle
10. Follow the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard
11. Tour the Paramount Studios
12. Panoramic view of the metropolis from Griffith Observatory
13. Touch the historic Hollywood sign at the top of Mount Lee
14. Nightlife and entertainment on Melrose Avenue and the Sunset Strip
15. Explore the whole ridge with a road trip on Mulholland Drive
16. Artwork by grand masters at LACMA
17. The Petersen Museum's rare car collection
18. Hollywood's movie world at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
19. Fossils and ancient monster models at the La Brea Tar Pits Dinosaur Museum
20. History at El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Chinatown
21. A Lakers game (or Clippers or Kings, or a cool concert) at Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center)
22. Gehry's stunning architecture at the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown
23. The Broad's rare contemporary art collection and the mind-blowing architecture of the building
24. View from the stunning LA City Hall
25. Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
26. A Dodgers baseball game at Dodger Stadium
27. See where the most famous movies were made on a Warner Bros studio tour
28. Spend a whole day with the kids at Universal Studios Hollywood
29. Dine (or even stay) in the old-world splendor aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach
30. The high-quality art collection at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena
31. An aristocratic atmosphere at the Huntington Botanical Gardens with a visit to the museum and library
32. The giant Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena

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What is Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, or L.A., is the second-largest city in the United States after New York and the largest urban center in the western U.S. It is located in the southern part of California, along the Pacific Ocean.

• The city itself is home to about four million residents, and the massive metropolitan area holds around 19 million people!!
• Los Angeles is one of the most important transportation, economic, and cultural centers in the entire world
• The city is the absolute base of the television and film industry, home to the major production studios whose industry's base is in Hollywood. It's the entertainment capital of the world and probably the most mentioned and filmed place in popular culture.

Click here for a guided tour of the celebrity homes…

From the mid-16th century, the southern part of California was declared a territory under the Spanish flag.

Los Angeles was founded by Spanish Franciscan settlers in 1781 under the long name El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles de la Porciuncula. Our Lady of Angels refers to the Santa Maria degli Angeli church on the outskirts of Assisi, Italy, the birthplace of Saint Francis.

• In 1821, the Spaniards recognized Mexico's independence, and the city passed to their control. During this period, it grew from a small village into a large city after being declared the capital of the Alta California district.
• Like all of California, Los Angeles was occupied at the end of the United States-Mexico War, which ended in 1848, and has since become an integral part of the USA.
• After the discovery of oil near the city, Los Angeles underwent an economic boom and became a large city. In the 1920s, it became the base of the rapidly developing film industry.
• The city became very attractive due to its very pleasant Mediterranean climate and the glamour of the entertainment industry.
• The city expanded to the Santa Monica Mountains to the north and across the entire San Fernando Valley, known as the Valley.
• Los Angeles was not built vertically due to its location on the San Andreas Fault, making it vulnerable to earthquakes.

Click here for a guided tour of Los Angeles' most attractive sites…

Map of Los Angeles

How to get to Los Angeles?

How to fly to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The legendary Los Angeles airport is one of the largest and most important airports in all of North America. It is considered the second busiest airport in the USA (after Atlanta Airport) and the third busiest in the world. LAX, as it's affectionately known in pop culture, is located near downtown Los Angeles, between Inglewood and Playa Del Rey Beach, right next to the 405 freeway.

The travel time from the airport to downtown, Hollywood, and Santa Monica is about half an hour (depending on traffic, since the 405 is one of the most notorious roads in the world during rush hour). LAX is optimally connected to every point across the USA and the entire world, including direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport or plenty of transfer options in Europe.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

John Wayne Airport is the second largest airport (by a significant margin) in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, after LAX. This airport serves Orange County and primarily its number one attraction – the Disneyland Resort. It is located a twenty-minute drive south from Disneyland parks in Anaheim.

John Wayne is well connected with major airports on the West Coast of the USA and several major airports in the Midwest and along the Atlantic Coast. There are also flights from airports in Canada and Mexico. This airport is an excellent solution for those looking to get mainly to Disneyland and less to Los Angeles itself.

Secondary airports in the Los Angeles metropolitan area:

In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, there are other secondary airports that mainly serve the county for domestic flights in the western USA:

• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) – located in the Valley, north of Burbank
• Ontario International Airport (ONT) – west of San Bernardino
• San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) – a secondary airport within San Bernardino
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) – north of Long Beach

How to drive to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the main destinations of the US freeway system built in the 1950s. Along the Pacific Coast runs the I-5 highway, connecting San Diego with Seattle (technically linking the Tijuana border in Mexico with the border in Vancouver, Canada). Running parallel to the 5, the legendary Highway 1 also stretches along the coast, renowned as one of the most beautiful roads in the world, along with the branches of the 101.

The I-10 freeway connects Los Angeles with Phoenix, Arizona, a route that crosses all of the southern U.S. and ends in Jacksonville, Florida. The I-15 connects Los Angeles with Las Vegas and continues north to Yellowstone Park.

Click here for all the info on car rentals in Los Angeles + helpful tips and discounts…

When to visit Los Angeles?

• The weather in Los Angeles is popularly defined as Mediterranean or technically as subtropical. To be honest, it's almost perfect weather (except for the unfortunate pollution cloud that occasionally shadows the city)
• In every season and throughout the year, during your visit to the city, you'll enjoy wonderful weather, mostly sunny and not too hot or humid
• Los Angeles in the summer is ideal, with average temperatures of 25-26 degrees and plenty of sunshine. It's not too hot and definitely doesn't have the dreadful humidity like Miami (and Tel Aviv), but rather particularly gentle and pleasant sunshine.
• The winter in Los Angeles is cool, but there are really warm days even in January.
• Relatively, the city is also very dry with not too much rain throughout the year. 
• Spring and autumn also have great weather, very pleasant during both seasons and not too rainy.

Click here for itinerary planning in Los Angeles and professional advice…

Everything you need to know about lodging in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in the western United States and a significant and attractive tourist destination. The city offers plenty to see and do, inspired by the glamorous world of Hollywood. In the city and the metropolitan area, you'll find great beaches for relaxation, some of the world's largest amusement parks like Disneyland and Universal, numerous excellent museums, fascinating sites, and iconic places where the most popular movies were filmed.

Click here to check availability and prices in Los Angeles hotels…

• The city is a paradise for shopping, dining, entertainment, nightlife, sports, and everything that makes a vacation and trip dreamy
• Los Angeles offers a huge variety of hotels of all types and levels. Since it's a sprawling city with several urban centers (Downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, etc.), it's important to know in advance where you'll stay and how to plan your trip itinerary accordingly

Click here for all the information on accommodation in Los Angeles, where to stay, and how to find the perfect family hotel…

All Attractions in Greater Los Angeles: Santa Monica Bay

Santa Monica Bay is perhaps the quintessential place that captures the essence of California. Along the long coast of Venice and Santa Monica, the beach life of Los Angeles sparkles with skateboards and rollerblades heading toward the iconic Santa Monica Mountains to the north.

The city of Santa Monica is a fantastic spot for entertainment, with great restaurants and the famous pier over the Pacific Ocean. To the north, along Highway 1, is the famous beach town of Malibu, with homes stretched along the bay waters. Further up the ridge are Mediterranean-like nature reserves offering stunning views of Los Angeles.

Click here for everything you need to know about a trip along the coast from Santa Monica and Venice to Malibu…

What is Santa Monica Bay?

• Santa Monica Bay is the body of water that borders Los Angeles to the west with the Pacific Ocean
• The bay was formed by the folding of the Santa Monica Mountain Range, which encloses Los Angeles from the north and gives the city's coastline its iconic look
• The bay stretches from Venice north through Santa Monica to the southern slopes of the range that touch the ocean waters
• On these slopes lies the famous coastal town of Malibu, and further on, some of the most beautiful beaches in the metropolis, such as Paradise Cove Beach and Point Dume Beaches, the western tip of the bay
• Above Malibu, there are several popular nature sites offering a view of the bay towards the south

The central city in the bay is Santa Monica, which is connected to Los Angeles and is part of the continuous urban fabric of the city. This large coastal city lies west of Westwood and Beverly Hills and is a separate municipal entity from the big city.

• About 90,000 residents enjoy living in one of the most fun and prestigious areas of the metropolis in Santa Monica.
• Santa Monica is a very popular resort city with tons of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment spots.
• The main avenue of Santa Monica is the Santa Monica Boulevard, part of Highway No. 2, which also serves as the center of Beverly Hills and stretches west to the ocean shore.
• The city's coastline is one of the most attractive leisure and vacation spots in Los Angeles, featuring the famous Santa Monica Pier and its wide sandy beach.

Beverly Hills and Bel Air

Beverly Hills is an independent, old city that has now been completely absorbed by Los Angeles. It's a very wealthy city that stars in quite a few movies and TV shows, the most famous of which is Beverly Hills 90210. The heart of the city is the Golden Triangle, a luxurious shopping area with Rodeo Drive at its core, one of the most glamorous shopping streets in the USA.

Up the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains, you'll find huge mansion houses and places to visit. To the west, in Westwood, there's the UCLA campus, and above the Bel Air neighborhood, the richest area in Los Angeles. Next to Bel Air is the massive Getty Center museum, the most important art museum in California.

Click here for all the information on a trip to Beverly Hills, Eastwood, and Bel Air…

What are Beverly Hills and Bel Air?

• The independent city of Beverly Hills is an enclave within the boundaries of Los Angeles city
• Located in the north of the metropolis, on the southern slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains
• About 25,000 people reside in Beverly Hills, each more famous and wealthy than the next. The city's ZIP code, 90210, was immortalized by the iconic '90s teen series produced by Aaron Spelling, marking the city as a quintessential symbol of American wealth
• The city itself was founded in 1906, designed as a garden city with a suburban character, north of downtown Los Angeles
• The city was originally planned for a white population only. Today, the majority of its residents are Jewish, many of whom are of Persian descent
• The heart of the city, Rodeo Drive, is one of the most legendary shopping streets in American culture

The prestigious neighborhood adjacent to Beverly Hills to the west is Bel Air, which, unlike it, is municipally part of Los Angeles. It's made up of residential streets with massive estates, winding through the ups and downs of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The northern axis of Bel Air is Mulholland Drive and the western is the 405 freeway where the famous Getty Center is located. Bel Air is the richest neighborhood in the entire Los Angeles metropolitan area, and its main fame comes from Will Smith's breakthrough series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Hollywood

Hollywood in Los Angeles offers a cinematic journey. The lively neighborhood of L.A where the world of glamor, pop culture, and celebrities was born, is now bustling with tourists and curious visitors eager to see movie stars and bask in the glitz and fame.

Click here for a guided tour up to the Hollywood sign on the Lee Mountains…

In the shadow of the famous Hollywood sign, which has become a symbol of the film industry, you'll find famous boulevards like Melrose and Hollywood. These are filled with entertainment venues, restaurants, museums, and historic theaters where the handprints of Hollywood's greatest stars are immortalized. In the Santa Monica Mountains above the city, there are places where you can enjoy spectacular views of the metropolis, such as Griffith Observatory and Mulholland Drive.

Click here for all the information on a dazzling trip to Hollywood…

What is Hollywood?

• Hollywood is a neighborhood in the northern part of Los Angeles, at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains to the north
• This is the easternmost neighborhood of the glam strip at the slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, in a series of boulevards (Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, and more) stretching from Santa Monica Beach through Westwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and up to the Silver Lake neighborhood
• Hollywood is divided into a cluster of sub-neighborhoods – Hollywood, East Hollywood, West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Dell, Hollywoodland, home to nearly 300,000 people, mostly in West Hollywood.
• With the eruption of the film world into modern life, Hollywood became a common term to describe the vast film industry of Los Angeles.
• Starting from the first decade of the 20th century, some of the important studios that produced and still produce America's main films settled in and around the neighborhood.
• Disney Studios, Warner Bros, Universal, Sony, and Paramount are still operating from the neighborhood or in Burbank across the ridge.
• In the 30s and 40s, the neighborhood became the peak of the golden age of film production, and since then its status has become legendary.
• Today, the neighborhood is the epitome of glamor and the shine of the popular American film world, and a huge part of what is called popular culture.
• Hollywood is entirely dedicated to the movie experience, including theaters, cinemas, historic sites, and whole streets that satisfy the curiosity of tourists eager to experience America of the movies.
• Hollywood features some of Los Angeles' most famous attractions, including the large Hollywood sign on the side of Mount Lee, perhaps the most iconic symbol of all of Los Angeles.

The Museums of Miracle Mile

Miracle Mile is Los Angeles' most museum-intensive area. Along the long Wilshire Boulevard, south of Fairfax and West Hollywood, significant museum institutions were built starting in the 1960s, establishing the area as an important tourist site. Around the La Brea Tar Pits and crude oil, the district opened the art wing of the Natural History Museum, featuring a rare collection of art in both quality and size.

Around the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, additional museums have opened such as the charming Craft Museum, the Dinosaur Hall at the Natural History Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum. Just a bit north, the Grove's Farmers Market has become one of the most attractive entertainment areas in Los Angeles.

Click here for all the information on visiting the Miracle Mile museums and the Grove…

What are the Miracle Mile museums in Los Angeles?

• The Miracle Mile is a neighborhood or a sort of sub-district in Los Angeles, located in the northern part of the city, not far from West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
• The heart of this neighborhood is the stretch of Wilshire Boulevard, the grand avenue that begins at the Santa Monica beach and ends in Downtown Los Angeles
• Near the oily La Brea Tar Pits, a pit of crude oil, paleontological research began with researchers from the great Natural History Museum of Los Angeles located on the University of Southern California campus.
• In the 1960s, the city's and county's art collection was relocated to the area near the pit, and the magnificent Los Angeles County Museum of Art was built.
• The pit itself became an important wing of the Natural History Museum, and several other important city museums were constructed around it. The area was branded as the Miracle Mile and became a popular tourist destination.
• Just north of the Miracle Mile, you'll find the historic Farmer's Market, now known as The Grove. Adjacent to it are the charming Pan Pacific Park and the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum.

Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles, or the city's financial district, has transformed over the years from a rather neglected area into a fun spot for tourists. In recent years, the city center has undergone a gentrification process, with the construction of magnificent institutions such as MOCA – the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Broad, and the architectural gem of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Nearby is the entertainment and music hub of the Staples Center, where you can catch the Los Angeles Lakers' basketball stars. Downtown boasts a stunning blend of vintage buildings from the early 20th century alongside groundbreaking modern architecture.

Click here for everything you need to know about a trip to Downtown Los Angeles…

What is Downtown Los Angeles?

Downtown Los Angeles is the city's main business hub full of skyscrapers and quite a few interesting sites. Similar to other major American cities, LA's downtown isn't the most glamorous or pleasant area, but it definitely has its share of intriguing spots worth visiting.

Unlike other cities where downtown is defined by geographical elements, in Los Angeles, it's bounded by strips of wide roads.

Click here for an exciting guided tour with a local guide through all the important places in Downtown LA…

• The main axis of downtown is Grand Avenue. North of the 101 is Los Angeles' Chinatown, a settlement area for Chinese immigrants, and along a parallel route on the southern section of the freeway is Little Tokyo, the historic residential area for Japanese immigrants.
• On Grand Avenue and the parallel boulevards, there are numerous major downtown hotels of the leading international chains.
• Among the tall towers, modern halls were also built with groundbreaking architecture, as part of the interior renewal of the financial center.
• Downtown Los Angeles offers a fascinating mix of shiny buildings, modern museum institutions, shopping and entertainment areas, vintage establishments from Hollywood's golden era, alongside some areas that are still quite neglected and even a bit intimidating.

North of Downtown Los Angeles and the Valley

The neighborhoods north of Downtown Los Angeles are where you can experience the relatively peaceful daily life of Los Angeles. East of glamorous Hollywood, the neighborhoods of Westlake and Silver Lake feature relatively quiet streets with a nice view of Downtown's towers.

To the north, in Griffith Park, there's plenty to do and see. On the park's southern end, you'll find the Griffith Observatory nearby hiking trails that take you to the shadow of the famous Hollywood sign. The northern part of the park features a range of attractions, with Warner Bros. and Universal Studios close by. Universal Studios hosts the famous themed amusement park that's a fantastic outing for the whole family.

Click here for all the information about visiting sites and attractions in North Los Angeles and the Valley…

What are North Downtown LA and the Valley?

• The neighborhoods north of Downtown Los Angeles are pretty standard residential areas, with some sites and attractions related to the city's history and the film industry here and there.
• The neighborhoods of North Los Angeles border the glamorous luxury cities of the Santa Monica sequence, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood to the east. They lack the Hollywood glitz, but they offer a taste of everyday life in ordinary Los Angeles.
• This is a hilly area at the edge of the southern slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, combining bustling streets along main thoroughfares and quiet areas with mansions up in the hills.

Click here to purchase tickets online for the Warner Bros Studio Tour…

Long Beach

The city of Long Beach offers a slightly different experience than Los Angeles to its north. The heart of the city is the large harbor and marina with its long coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The legendary luxury liner, the Queen Mary, is permanently docked here and is now a popular tourist attraction. Nearby, you'll find the large Aquarium of the Pacific.

Click here to purchase online tickets for the Aquarium of the Pacific…

The city is known for its major spring events held annually, the Long Beach Grand Prix, and the huge Pride Parade. To the west, in San Pedro, there are two fleet ships that have also been converted into an attraction and the charming coastline of the ocean.

Click here for all the information on traveling to Long Beach and the San Pedro coastline…

What is Long Beach?

• Long Beach is a major port city in the southern part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area
• The city has a population of about half a million residents and is the seventh-largest city in California
• It is located twenty kilometers south of downtown Los Angeles in the vast urban expanse of the metropolis
• The city is located at the mouth of the Los Angeles River into the Pacific Ocean, where the city's large port and marina are also situated.
• Long Beach's shoreline stretches east from the marina, with the iconic attraction at the river mouth – the famous ship Queen Mary, now a floating museum and hotel.

The city was originally built as part of the oil discovery in the southern part of Los Angeles during the 1920s. Following the oil, the port was opened, which is now one of the largest in the entire USA. The city is also the headquarters of the major American oil company, Epson.

Over the years, Long Beach has become a popular tourist destination, separate from Los Angeles. Every year in April, the Long Beach Grand Prix takes place in the city's streets. About a month later, the Long Beach Pride Parade occurs, which is considered the third largest in the USA.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a highly popular theme park located just a short drive from Hollywood. Based on the historic active studios of the Universal production company, this theme park brings all the fun and experiences from the movies produced by the company. The attractions include journeys through the settings of some of the world’s most famous films and TV shows like The Simpsons, Jurassic World, Harry Potter, and more.

Click here for all the information on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood…

What is Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is located next to the historic Universal Studios. They are situated on the northern slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, on the southern bank of the Los Angeles River that crosses the valley. The park is located in a separate urban area known as Universal City and technically functions as a completely independent municipal unit. The park and studios are adjacent to the west of Warner Bros. Studios, in the southern part of Burbank city.

Click here to purchase online tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood…

• Universal Studios began operating on the site in 1912 and were among the first to arrive in the Hollywood area (beyond the ridge) and established the area as the heart of the film industry.
• Over the years, the studio people realized that the glamour created a huge demand from tourists who wanted to come and get a taste of the movie world.
• Guided tours started at the studios, which are still part of the theme park today.
• As the crowd of visitors grew, the idea of a themed park began to develop. Inspired by the phenomenal success of Disneyland in Anaheim which opened in 1955, Universal also started to create their own themed park near the studios.
• The themed park opened in 1964 and since then it has become one of the main attractions in Greater Los Angeles.
• Following its success (and the opening of Disney World in Orlando, Florida), Universal opened a massive resort in Orlando, Florida in the early 1990s.
• Universal's themed amusement park and studios are located next to the Hollywood Freeway, Highway 101, which crosses the Santa Monica Mountains from Hollywood to the San Fernando Valley.
• Near the entrance gate of the park, there is a huge parking area, including parking in buildings.

Anaheim – The Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park in Anaheim was where the whole world of themed amusement parks was born in 1955. Over the years, the park has rightfully earned the reputation as the happiest place on earth and has become an important part of the Disney brand.

In the early 1990s, the standalone park evolved into a large resort – Disneyland Resort, inspired by Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and another theme park was opened – Disney's California Adventure Park, together with themed hotels and Downtown Disney. Today, the entire area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California and Los Angeles, attracting a massive number of visitors of all ages.

Click here for all the information on the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim…

What is the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim?

The Disneyland Resort is located in the city of Anaheim, in the southeastern part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Anaheim is the largest city in Orange County and is home to about 350,000 residents.

• As its name suggests, the city was founded by German immigrants in 1857 and was named after the Santa Ana River that flows east of it
• The main development of the city occurred in 1955 when Walt Disney purchased a large plot of land south of its center
• On this land, he opened Disneyland Park, the first of the two parks that are now known as the Disneyland Resort
• With the park's opening, the city experienced an enormous economic boom and quickly developed
• Today, the Disneyland Resort remains a cornerstone of the city's economy and attracts an incredible number of more than 15 million visitors to the city
• Until the 1990s, only Disneyland Park operated there
• During this period, plans were made at Disneyland to expand the park similar to a process that took place at the larger park in Orlando – Disney World
• Disney opened another themed amusement park to the south – Disney's California Adventure, and also opened Downtown Disneyland and the three themed Disney hotels located between the two parks to the west.
• The park is not as enormous as the Orlando resort, but it is the birthplace of Disney's themed parks that opened worldwide. It's one of the best places in California to have fun with the kids.

What does Disneyland Resort offer?

The Disneyland Resort includes two themed parks:

• Disneyland Amusement Park
• Disney's California Adventure

Adjacent to the parks, you'll find Downtown Disney – an entertainment hub and mall, a perfect spot to spend your evenings, along with three themed Disney hotels.

Map of Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park – The Original World of Disney Fantasies

Disneyland Park is one of two theme parks that make up the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, near Los Angeles. It is the original Disney park and the foundation of the company's worldwide theme park empire.

Disneyland Park offers all the fun and entertainment for kids and adults alike. The park features iconic attractions such as Thunder Mountain or the Matterhorn, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, plenty of great rides, play areas, and meetings with Mickey Mouse and all his friends.

Click here for all the information about Disneyland Park…

Disney's California Adventure Park

Disney California Adventure Park is an expansion of Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. It's located in the southern part of Disneyland and is entirely dedicated to showcasing the landscapes and cities of California. The park offers attractions for all ages, lots of entertainment options, and movie-themed experiences. You can enjoy extreme rides or attractions tailored for young children.

Click here for all the information about Disney California Adventure Park…

Pasadena

The city of Pasadena, a small gem in the north of the San Gabriel Valley, lies at the foot of the massive range to the north. This cultural city offers a surprisingly large and quality selection of museums and attractions. The Norton Simon Museum showcases one of the most impressive collections of European art on the entire Pacific coast of the USA.

In the Huntington's galleries, you'll find famous masterpieces and the ambiance of a British manor in the stunningly beautiful botanical gardens. The city is also a major scientific hub, home to the California Institute of Technology – Caltech, one of the world-leading science institutions.

Click here for all the information on traveling in Pasadena…

What is Pasadena?

The city of Pasadena is the largest among the cities of the San Gabriel Valley, the central part of the valley, the massive residential strip north of Los Angeles, stretching from the San Fernando Valley to the city of San Bernardino to the east.

• The city is situated on the plain adjacent to the southern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, with Mount San Antonio rising to over 3,000 meters above sea level.
• Pasadena is home to about 140,000 people and is well connected to Los Angeles by both freeways and the metro, with the L Line being part of the extensive metropolitan system.
• The city was founded in 1886 based on numerous resorts and spas built in the northern part of the San Gabriel Valley.
• The old part, Pasadena's Old Town, is the original urban foundation of the city and still serves as its commercial center.
• In 1911, the California Institute of Technology – Caltech, was established in the city, ranking as the second most important technological academic institution in the USA after MIT in Cambridge near Boston
• Aside from the not-so-large campus, there are plenty of interesting sites and museums throughout the city.

Sports in Los Angeles

Sports in Los Angeles are an important part of the city's entertainment options. Los Angeles has a lot of professional sports teams in all the popular sports. There are more professional teams in Los Angeles than in New York and many opportunities to experience the fun American games.

Click here for all the information on Los Angeles sports teams…

• Los Angeles has two teams for every popular sport – basketball, football, baseball, and hockey.
• The Los Angeles teams are considered to be some of the best and top tier in professional sports leagues.
• The Dodgers and the Angels are Los Angeles' representatives in Major League Baseball – the MLB.
• The Chargers and the Rams represent the city in the NFL, the football league.
• The Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings represent the city in the National Hockey League – the NHL.
• Towering above all are the city's basketball teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, representing the city in the NBA, the USA's national basketball league. The Lakers have been home to some of America's greatest basketball players, including the famous Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and more. The team also leads in NBA championships, tied with the Boston Celtics (17 championships each)
• The city also hosts two soccer teams in the MLS that are particularly popular with the Latin residents: the Los Angeles Galaxy and F.C. Los Angeles. The Galaxy is the most decorated team in the MLS, featuring many famous footballers (often in the twilight of their careers)
• The city's women's basketball team in the WNBA, the Los Angeles Sparks, is also one of the strongest in the league

Travel Routes in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area by Cities, Districts, Neighborhoods, Themed Parks

Downtown Los Angeles Travel Route

The downtown Los Angeles tour is based on hopping between several sections that are close to each other.

• North of the business center, in today's Chinatown, but in the historic Los Angeles area, there are many historical sites in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles district. This is where the Mexicans first settled in the city and where there are some fascinating historic buildings.
• Across the 101 freeway, you'll find the Los Angeles City Hall in the developing area of Little Tokyo. Nearby is also the MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art, named after Geffen.
• To the south, on Grand Avenue, all the might of Los Angeles is distilled into perfection. On the boulevard are architectural gems such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad, important museum institutions, and more.
• Close to the historic district of Broadway and the Grand Central Market, which are connected to Grand Avenue by the short funicular line Angel's Flight. In the southern part of downtown, you'll find LA Live's entertainment area and the Staples Center, where you can enjoy an exciting mix of world-class sports and music events.
• South of downtown is also the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, a must-visit for any dinosaur enthusiast.

Travel Itinerary through Santa Monica Bay and Beverly Hills

The Santa Monica Bay tour route is mainly based on the path of Route 1, which runs along the entire coastline from the Santa Monica Pier, through Malibu, to the beaches of Point Dume. From Santa Monica Pier south towards Venice Beach, you can walk along the boardwalk, the Venice promenade, and take a short stroll in the American Canal City. Almost everything to do in Santa Monica is near the pier, including the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Boulevard. It's worth heading a bit into the city to visit the Museum of Flying and the Bergamot Station Arts Center.

From the pier, it's worth heading north towards the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains, stopping at sites and cities along the way. From Route 1, it's worth climbing to parks and sites uphill like the Getty Villa, Will Rogers Historical Park, Topanga State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park. Much of the drive along the southern slopes of the ridge will be in the endless beach town of Malibu.

• The tour route in Beverly Hills, Eastwood, and Bel Air is based on driving and stopping at sites along the southern slopes of the Santa Monica mountain range in Los Angeles, between Hollywood and Highway 405.
• You can combine Beverly Hills and Bel Air with a tour of the entire western slopes of the range, including Hollywood to the east and Santa Monica to the west.
• At the top of the hill, next to the mansions of Bel right across Highway 405, you'll find the Getty Center, the modern and artistic part of the Jean Paul Getty collection. The vast museum at the top of the range is a very important art center, offering breathtaking views of the city sprawling to the south.
• It's best to start the day at the museum, then head down towards the center of Beverly Hills.
• The tour in Beverly Hills focuses on the Golden Triangle and Rodeo Drive, from where you can continue towards Hollywood or climb the streets on the range to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and the magnificent Beverly Hills Hotel.
• The hilly district of Beverly Hills continues westward on Ridge Streets toward the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and onward to Westwood and Bel Air, to the UCLA campus.
• From the campus, head back south to the grand avenues towards Westwood Village where you'll find the Hammer Museum and the stars' cemetery in Westwood Memorial Park.

A tour route in Hollywood and the Miracle Mile

The tour of Hollywood and West Hollywood must be based on a car, so it's important to consider the time spent finding parking in different areas and walking from the parking spot to the destination itself.

• It's a good idea to start your trip at the heart of Hollywood, the glamorous Hollywood Boulevard, with its cluster of historic theaters famous on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this short stretch of street, where all the stars are on the sidewalk, you'll find a row of fascinating theaters such as the Chinese Theatre and El Capitan. There are also important buildings, malls, shopping, restaurants, and plenty of attractions like Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum. It's a touristy and bustling area but packed with excitement and lots to do.
• From Hollywood Boulevard, it's worth climbing the slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains to the Hollywood Bowl, where you can enter the Hollywood Historical Museum. If there's a show at the Hollywood Bowl, it's a great idea to go (in the afternoons and evenings) as it offers an amazing acoustic experience with breathtaking views.
• From the Hollywood Bowl, continue to the southern part of Griffith Park to the observatory, which offers stunning views of downtown.
• From the observatory, you can clearly see the famous Hollywood sign, and if you want, you can climb Mount Lee and actually reach the sign itself (you can also access Mount Lee Drive via the Hollywood Bowl).
• It's also worth visiting the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where stars rest and schedule a guided tour at the nearby Paramount Studios.
• From the southern part of Hollywood, it's worth heading to Miracle Mile, where the LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits, and Petersen Museum are. It's also a good idea to hop over to The Grove nearby and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.
• From there, continue along the vibrant Melrose Avenue towards West Hollywood. There, you should visit the MAK Center for Art and Architecture and continue in the evening to the lively Sunset Strip.
• If you have a bit of time, it's also worthwhile to hike the ridge and drive along Mulholland Drive.

A travel itinerary through the northern neighborhoods of Los Angeles and the Valley

• Adjacent to downtown Los Angeles is the Echo Park neighborhood, home to the green Elysian Park. This park features the famous home stadium of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Nearby is also the charming MacArthur Park, which is most famous for the song written about it in the sixties.
• To the north is the famous Griffith Park, featuring the Hollywood sign and the observatory.
• In the northern part of Griffith Park, on the edge of the San Fernando Valley, you'll find the Los Angeles Zoo and the city's transportation museums.
• Nearby are also the Warner Bros. and Universal studios.
• The Universal Studios are also home to the company's themed amusement park, one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles (alongside Disneyland in Anaheim).

Long Beach Tour Itinerary

• It's a good idea to start your Long Beach tour with the cluster of sites and attractions at the mouth of the Los Angeles River. There, you'll find the city's large port and the famous marina.
• The main attraction of Long Beach is the famous Queen Mary ship, now docked at the river's mouth, serving as an entertainment, tour, and hotel destination.
• Nearby is the Aquarium of the Pacific, a popular spot for outings with the kids.
• From the harbor area, it's worth driving along the beautiful Long Beach coast and visiting the Long Beach Museum of Art.
• It's also worth visiting interesting sites within the city, such as the Museum of Latin American Art and the two historical ranches that now serve as period museums.

From Long Beach, it's advisable to head to San Pedro, where you can climb aboard two more ships: the SS Lane Victory and the USS Iowa. These two ships served the American navy during World War II and are now museums. Nearby is also the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

From San Pedro, continue along the ocean's western coastline towards Rancho Palos Verdes. First, stop at Point Fermin Park, where you'll find the unique lighthouse.

In Rancho Palos Verdes, you must see the Wayfarers Chapel, a unique modern architectural wonder, and enjoy the sunset views at the park surrounding Point Vicente Lighthouse.

How to plan an itinerary for Disneyland?

• It’s definitely a good idea to include Disneyland as part of a longer trip throughout California. Disney Resort is one of the must-see spots in the large western state and can be integrated into any California itinerary as an integral part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
• You can easily reach Disneyland with just a 40-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, or an hour and a half drive from San Diego.
• Disneyland is a must-visit destination on a trip to the southwestern tip of the USA, from Los Angeles to San Diego and Tijuana just across the border in Mexico.
• You can also combine a visit to Disneyland with a trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco along the legendary Highway 1.
• When touring Los Angeles, it's worth dedicating at least a full day to Disneyland, as part of a variety of neighboring cities you should visit, such as Long Beach and Pasadena

Planning a Trip Route in Pasadena

The Pasadena trip is part of a tour in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city is just a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood (traffic permitting, of course). To fully enjoy the city, you should allocate at least a full day, so consider staying overnight in the city or leaving Los Angeles early and returning to your hotel in the city in the evening.

• Start your Pasadena tour in its historic center, the Old Town or Old Pasadena along Colorado Boulevard
• Just west of Old Town is the quality Norton Simon Museum, and not far north, towards the Rose Bowl Stadium, is the Pasadena History Museum and the Gamble House.
• For flea market enthusiasts, it's worth planning the trip for the second Sunday of every month when the Rose Bowl Flea Market takes place, one of the most popular flea markets in California.
• From the Rose Bowl, it's a good idea to head towards the suburb of San Marino, where you'll find the vast Huntington complex, one of the most magnificent places in the San Gabriel Valley.
• At Huntington, you must visit the library, the quality art gallery, and then enjoy some air and British-style tea in the extensive botanical gardens.
• You can also visit the Caltech campus, one of the highest quality universities in the USA, and the Pacific Asia Museum in the city center.