Los Angeles is a city of endless possibilities. From watching stars on the big screen to seeing stars in the skies from the Griffith Observatory, this West Coast city has it all. You can relax on a warm beach, browse the main art galleries and watch a show starring celebrities, all on the same day (if you synchronize it well with traffic, of course). With more than 1,000 square miles of wilderness and 53 starting points, it's no surprise that the Angeles National Forest is one of the most popular day trips for locals and visitors alike.
Whether you're hiking, biking, running, boating, or even skiing, there's something here for every type of outdoor activity. The Bradbury Building's Victorian-style atrium, built for Gold Baron Lewis Bradbury, is filled with architectural details such as hydraulic open-cage elevators, marble staircases and wrought iron balconies. The huge skylight and open balconies create an atmosphere unlike any other building; it's both haunting and magical. Culture lovers will know this from his appearances in films such as Chinatown (197), Blade Runner (198), 500 Days of Summer (200) and some music videos and commercials. Housed in a building with a dimpled facade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad, who amassed a formidable stash of contemporary art with her late husband Eli. The collection is more pop than academic, which has earned it the reputation of being a stop on tourist lists, if only to take selfies in front of Jeff Koons' balloon dog or Robert Therrien's expanded table and chairs.
There are also works of the stature of Ruscha, Warhol, Basquiat, Murakami and Sherman. A reservation is required and difficult to get hold of due to the museum's popularity, so plan ahead. It's free and, if you hurry, you can see the museum's hits in no time. Built in 1923 and originally spelled “Hollywoodland”, a real estate development, the unmistakable Hollywood sign was only supposed to last 18 months. Connected to its lower car park by a hovercraft, the Getty Center is a multifaceted attraction.
You'll fall in love with the architecture of Pritzker Prize winner Richard Meier, the ever-changing Central Garden, the Cactus Garden, the outdoor sculpture and the stunning views, not to mention the amazing art collection inside (from the Middle Ages to the present). Allow as long as possible to enjoy illuminated manuscripts, Italian, Flemish and Dutch painting from the 17th to the 19th century, the enormous variety of impressionist painting and the exquisite decorative arts. Van Gogh's Lilies (188) and Rembrandt Laughing (Self-Portrait, 162) Cannot Be Missed. Among the world's largest research libraries, the Huntington in San Marino, Los Angeles County, has more than nine million items, from the 1000th century to the 21st century. The library is located on 120 acres of lush botanical gardens, with magnificent living collections of orchids, bonsai, cycads and camellias. In 1896, Welsh mining magnate Griffith J.
Griffith presented more than 3,000 acres of Rancho Los Feliz to the city of Los Angeles as a “Christmas present”. Since then, the park has added another 1,000 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The Hollywood sign is on the edge of the park and can be reached on a hard walk. Just above is a majestic but unmarked 360° viewpoint encompassing Hollywood and Burbank behind. We can't begin to list all movies and television programs that have made use of this place but James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause (195) is one that put observatories in everyone's eyes.
The 25-meter copper-clad central dome houses the Samuel Oschin Planetarium which projects Centered in the Universe; a high-resolution journey through time through Ptolemy and Galileo discoveries; through space through Milky Way; and landing back on front lawn of Griffith Observatory. The largest art museum in western United States and one of largest museums in country; LACMA on Miracle Mile of Wilshire Boulevard is housed in mix of seven buildings on 20-acre site. Although gentrification has crept in; 2.5-mile Venice Beach Boardwalk is still rife with quirky characters packed with tattoo parlors; cannabis shops; international cuisine; countless street vendors; large cast of street performers. Look for historic arcaded buildings dating back to original development early 20th century when millionaire tobacco maker Abad Kinney created his own version Italian Venice. Before Getty Center was Getty Villa commissioned by J. Paul Getty 1970s after previous gallery on his Pacific Palisades property ran out space. Exhibition collects from gigantic reserve 44000 pieces; recent years been reorganized imprecise chronological order.
Must-sees are abundant among them funerary relief “Beauty Palmyra” (190-210 AD); statue victorious young man (300-100 BC); Hydria Caeretana (525 BC); set frescoes Villa Numerius Popidius Florus Boscoreale (1-79 AD). While undoubtedly impressive Endeavour just exhibition museum brimming interactivity linking ecosystems; inventions that change world; air space; how our organs cells work; shows Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird outside. At beginning 20th century developer Abbot Kinney conceived miniature version canals Venice marketed Venice America. Replenished Pacific through sea gates Marina Del Rey breakwater these beautiful waterways were built 1905 but had become outdated late 1920s next few decades were allowed fall into disrepair. Canals were finally revitalized 1990s form highly picturesque setting for strolls along waterway lined with restaurants cafes boutiques galleries.
