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What to Do in Los Angeles
Step aboard an automated tram for a short ride up to the Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Dr.), a spectacular billion-dollar complex in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains noted for its extensive art collection and panoramic views (on a clear day) of Los Angeles from its terraces. Make this one of the first things to do when you arrive to get an impressive lay of the land.
Rehearse your acceptance speech as you prepare to receive the GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist—well, at least you can pretend to—downtown at The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live (800 W. Olympic Blvd.), which gives you the run down on everything to do with the recording industry using three floors full of high-tech video displays and state-of-the-art sound systems.
Explore the rugged Southern California landscapes via hiking trails within Griffith Park (4730 Crystal Springs Dr.), an urban oasis sprawling across more than 4,200 acres and the setting for dozens of films, including “Back to the Future,” “The Terminator” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” shot at the beautiful Art Deco Griffith Observatory (2800 E. Observatory Rd.). This is a must-see destination for film lovers.
Admire the pagoda-style rooflines, rich colors and graceful calligraphy on your way to having dim sum at one of dozens of local restaurants in Los Angeles Chinatown (977 N. Broadway St.).
Succumb to the temptations lurking in Farmers Market (6333 W. 3rd St.) food stands or pick up the perfect gift in one of the specialty shops.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the sets, sound stages and back lots from your favorite movies and TV shows during any one of several studio tours: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (3400 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank), Sony Pictures Studios (10000 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City), Paramount Pictures Studio Tour (5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood) and Universal Studios Hollywood™ (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City).
Take a trip down Hollywood Boulevard and compare hands and feet with such “Who's Who of Tinseltown” personalities as Judy Garland, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Nicholson and Samuel L. Jackson in the forecourt of TCL Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood).
Channel Bogey and Bacall and sip martinis in a classic Hollywood watering hole such as Musso & Frank Grill (6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood). Or slip into designer threads and hit a slick Tinseltown nightclub.
Pack a box dinner and a bottle of wine and picnic in the moonlight during a summer concert at the Hollywood Bowl (2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood). There's no shortage of things for couples to do in Los Angeles.
Window-shop along Rodeo Drive (bordered by Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards, Beverly Hills), a stretch of sidewalk anchored by the glamorous Two Rodeo “mall” on one end and the swank Rodeo Collection on the other.
Lace up a pair of rented skates and roll amid the colorful characters on the Ocean Front Walk (1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice).
Soak up the old-fashioned atmosphere of Santa Monica Pier (200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica), which opened in 1909, and browse the curio shops, touch a sea cucumber at the aquarium or plummet down a roller coaster.
Immerse yourself in the still-thriving surf culture that was born in Malibu in the 1950s and '60s.
AAA/Greg Weekes
Travel through time among historical buildings representing distinct eras in California's history at the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia), including the lovely 1885 Queen Anne Cottage, an 1840 adobe and the 1890 Santa Anita railroad depot. Step even farther back in time with a stroll through The Prehistoric Forest, where you'll find plants and trees from ancient rain forest areas of the Americas.
Los Angeles, CA
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
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W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills930 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024
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Hotel Figueroa939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
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Hilton Los Angeles Airport5711 W Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045
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JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE900 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Book NowCity Population
3,792,621
Elevation
267 ft.
Sales Tax
State and county sales taxes total 9.5 percent in Los Angeles. A lodging tax, called a transient occupancy tax, of 14 percent also is levied along with an 8.25 percent rental car tax.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(877) 275-5273 (within the city of Los Angeles only)
Hospitals
Kaiser Permanente-Los Angeles Medical Center, (323) 783-4011; LAC+USC Medical Center, (323) 409-1000; Providence Little Company of Mary, (310) 832-3311; Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, (310) 825-9111; Valley Presbyterian Hospital, (818) 782-6600.
Visitor Information
6801 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028. Phone:(323)467-6412
Air Travel
The Los Angeles area is served by several airports with cheap airline flights including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is about 20 miles southwest of downtown L.A. Several other airports serve the area.
Rental Cars
Most major car rental agencies serve Los Angeles. Hertz, (800) 654-3080, provides discounts to AAA members.
Rail Service
It's almost worth traveling by train just to experience Union Station, the combination Spanish Revival-Art Deco-Streamline Moderne-style terminal at 800 N. Alameda St., near Olvera Street and Chinatown. Amtrak trains, (800) 872-7245, use the station, as well as depots scattered throughout the region.
Buses
Greyhound Lines Inc., (800) 231-2222, has a terminal at 1716 E. 7th St., near Alameda Street, about 1.5 miles south of Union Station. Caveat emptor: ticket purchase does not guarantee a seat on the bus.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful downtown and at major tourist sites. They can be hailed or boarded from stalls found at the airport, Union Station and major hotels. The base rate is $2.85 at flag drop and $2.70 per mile. The fixed fare between the airport and downtown is $46.50 plus a $4 surcharge for fares originating from the airport. Some large companies are Checker, (800) 300-5007; Independent (800) 521-8294; United Independent, (213) 483-7660 or (800) 892-8294; and Yellow Cab, (424) 222-2222 or (800) 200-1085.
Public Transportation
Transportation by bus, minibus shuttle, light-rail and subway is available in Los Angeles.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.
