Los Angeles is more than just a city; it is a rich cultural Mecca of tourist destinations with hundreds of sights to see, places to shop and eat, and spots to enjoy the region's sunny and beautiful weather.

Los Angeles maybe known as the home of Hollywood glitz and glamour but it is also the home to some of the world's finest art museums. The Getty Center, which sits atop the Santa Monica mountains, is a beautiful architectural complex designed by Richard Meier, which houses a European art collection that includes such well-known paintings as Van Gogh's Irises and Monet's Wheatstack. Besides the spectacular 360 degree view, the admission is also free. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown Los Angeles is home to one of the country's finest collections of American and European art created since 1940. MOCA currently holds approximately 5,000 objects in all visual media, ranging from masterpieces of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art to recent works by young and emerging artists. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the premier visual arts museum in the Western United States. Its holdings include more than 110,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present. The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena houses one of the world's finest and most prestigious collections with more than two thousand years of Western and Asian art represented. The Huntington Library, also in Pasadena, is an oasis of art and culture set amidst 150 acres of breathtaking gardens. Three art galleries and a library showcase magnificent collections of paintings, sculptures, rare books, manuscripts, and decorative arts. The botanical collection features over 14,000 different species of plants.

Visitors interested in natural history may enjoy visiting the La Brea Tar Pits where you can imagine what LA looked like 40,000 years ago. For lovers of the Old West, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage is devoted to preserving and interpreting the rich history and traditions of America's turn of the century frontier. With one of the most comprehensive collections of western history and art, its seven permanent galleries and special exhibitions offer material gathered from the many cultures and events that have shaped the legacy of this vast region.

One of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, Los Angeles visitors can experience many different communities without ever leaving downtown. On Olvera Street, the oldest thoroughfare in LA, visitors can savor the sights and sounds of Mexican culture. Little Tokyo is home to nearly a quarter million Japanese. From sushi bars to shopping to traditional Japanese gardens, there is much to enjoy. LA also has its own Chinatown where you can find many places to delight in Chinese cuisine and shops with everything from inexpensive trinkets to antique porcelain. In addition to these cultural treasures, downtown LA has an extraordinary number architectural gems to appreciate. You can see the Italian Renaissance-style Biltmore Hotel, the Beaux-Arts-style Central Library, the pre-modern Bradbury Building, the Art Deco/Mission-style Union Station, the currently under construction Frank Gehry designed Disney Hall and of course, the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, home to Los Angeles Opera.

Los Angeles is also home to Hollywood, world capital of the entertainment industry. Among the many showbiz sights to see are the Hollywood Walk of Fame immortalizing over 2,000 celebrities; the ubiquitous Hollywood sign hovering amid the Hollywood Hills; and the imprints of more than 160 movie stars in front of Mann's Chinese Theater. You can drive down the Sunset Strip on your way to tour the major movie studios such as Paramount Studios and Warner Bros Studios. Or stop by Beverly Hills, home to the rich and famous, and shop along the glamorous Rodeo Drive.

Southern California is also home to many of the world's best theme parks. Located just miles from downtown LA is Universal Studios Hollywood, home to the always busy movie studio and its celebrated "CityWalk." World-famous Disneyland can be found one hour south of Los Angeles where visitors can experience various thrill rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. If you're looking for extremely fast rides that will make your head spin, Magic Mountain and its selection of state-of-the-art roller coasters can be found an hour north of Los Angeles.

LA's surrounding beaches are a highlight of every visit. You can experience the Santa Monica Pier filled with eateries, souvenir shops, arcades and the famous carousel. Just a short stroll south of the pier brings you to the wildly eclectic Venice Boardwalk lined with magicians, fortunetellers and other colorful street artists. Other beaches to enjoy are Malibu, the beach that inspired "Baywatch," and Long Beach, home to the Queen Mary and the Long Beach Aquarium. Romantic Catalina Island is just two hours away from Los Angeles by boat. Many visitors come to the island for the watersports such as kayaking and snorkeling, but there are also miles of great hiking trails.

Los Angeles can be a terrific jumping off point to many other locations up and down the West Coast. To the north, Santa Barbara is known for its Mediterranean architecture and ocean-side shops, restaurants, and nightlife. If you want to lounge around a pool or play golf, you will find Palm Springs and its resorts to the east. And to the south, you will find San Diego and Mexico. Enjoy Los Angeles-a city like no other!

Sites for Visitors to Los Angeles
http://www.la.worldweb.com
http://www.lacvb.com
http://www.losangeles.com
http://travel.yahoo.com/t/North_America/United_States/California/Los_Angeles
http://www.californiaexcitement.com
ExperienceLA.com
Los Angeles Hotel Accommodations
City of West Hollywood

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