With an ‘it’s all good’ attitude, Los Angeles (LA), America’s second most populous city, glides along the Pacific coast for dozens of miles and sprawls inland to fill a basin with solid suburbia, hemmed in by two low mountain chains. Cruise visitors may be surprised that Hollywood – the sign was erected in the early 1920s to announce a new subdivision – is but a small fraction of this metropolis. But it’s still the one word most non residents have as their vision of the city, for Hollywood became synonymous with the greatest entertainment industry ever, the ‘glitter factory’ of movie making.

Yet millions of Angelenos, as residents are called, have nothing to do with films or TV, and they still manage to enjoy the city’s beach life, nightlife and car culture – remember the song lyric: “LA Is a great big freeway, put some money down and buy a car”?

When you step off the ship, be ready to people watch: health fanatics, siliconed and botoxed beauties, devotees of off-beat sects, and of course, the stars.

Cruise ships dock at two terminals located more than 40km (25 miles) south of downtown LA. A hire car may be your best bet, unless you take part in one of the ship’s shore excursions.

Downtown LA is both the financial district and a multi-ethnic residential/commercial region. It is the site of the large but walkable Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Hispanic center around Olvera Street (where the city was founded in the 1500s). Here also is the fine Museum of Contemporary Art, which displays works in three venues.

West of Downtown is Hollywood. The famed sign is on a steep hill above Hollywood Boulevard, near Griffith Park. The park provides great panoramas of the city and it is the home of the 1935 art deco Griffith Observatory.

Due west of downtown are two famed beaches: Santa Monica and the eye-popping Venice Beach. This last has served as scene-setting in numerous movies and TV shows because of the ‘look at me!’ attitude presented by bikini-clad inline skaters and muscle builders working out on the sand. Join in: you can rent skates and bikes here.

Highlights
• Beverly Hills: Glitz and glamour.
• Paramount Pictures: Take a narrated tour and possibly become part of a TV-show audience.
• Universal Studios Theme Park: Backlot tours and thrill-type rides.
• Disneyland: the original Disney theme park.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels: Take a free guided tour. The sparse architectural style was controversial when it opened in 2002.
• Peterson Automotive Museum: More than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles are on display.
• Audiences Unlimited: Supplies free tickets for TV shows (check out www.tvtickets.com).

Los Angeles Visitor Information Center
Port of Los Angeles, Berth 93, Pacific Cruise Ship Terminal, San Pedro, California, USA
Tel: +1 310 514 9484.
Website: www.discoverlosangeles.com

Angelenos want to be noticed, so clothing and jewellery come right after spa and salon. The shopping street is Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills. But the immense Fashion District offers more reasonable prices.

Where? Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, Santa Monica.
What? Window-shop (Harry Winston jewellers, Tiffany, Gucci) and star-gaze on Rodeo Drive. For European-clothing boutiques, head downtown to Pico Boulevard between Main and Santee streets. (You can download podcast information at www.downtownlawalks.com/?f=podcast.) Santa Monica offers California Dreamin’ souvenirs – beach wear, sunglasses.

C’mon, this is Los Angeles, where the stars go out to eat! There are quality restaurants offering every cuisine, from the fresh-produce eateries in The Farmer’s Market and the Grove, to Korean barbecue. To indulge in a bit of celeb spotting with your salad or sushi, head to Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

Californian specialties
• Dim Sum, in Chinatown.
• Burritos, chimichangas and other Mexican food, around Olvera Street.
• Bean burgers and organic foods, found everywhere.
• Seafood, especially in Santa Monica.

Temperatures are pleasant year round, but Los Angeles’ coastal location means light rain from January into March.

For luxe and glitz accommodations, look Downtown, in Beverly Hills/West Hollywood and Pasadena. Moderate chain lodgings are everywhere. The visitor bureau’s website (www.discoverlosangeles.com/visitors/accommodations) lists special offers and also allows you to select up to 35 options, then produces lodgings that match your choices.

Los Angeles is served by two cruise terminals:
World Cruise Centre
Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, California
Website: www.portoflosangeles.org

Long Beach Cruise Terminal
(For all Carnival cruise ships arrivals and departures)
231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, California
Website: www.carnival.com

Los Angeles Union Station
800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California
Website: www.amtrak.com
The main cruise terminal is served by coach link to the national rail service.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
1 World Way, Los Angeles, California 90045
Website: www.lawa.org

(Burbank) Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
2627 Hollywood Way, Burbank, California 91505
Website: www.burbankairport.com

Los Angeles.

2.9km (1.8 miles).

15 minutes.

California

GMT - 8.

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents.

English. Spanish is also widely spoken.

Southwest coast of USA.

3.85 million (city); 9.95 million (metropolitan area).

Federal Republic since 1789. Declared its independence from the UK in 1776.

Heavily Catholic and Protestant, significant Jewish and Buddhist minorities.

Angelenos, even more than most Americans, are famously laidback and known for their openness. A handshake is the typical greeting, and gifts are appreciated if invited to a person’s home. Dress is casual, though not at business meetings. High-end restaurants and shops may require more formal clothing.

Tipping: Widely practised. Expect to pay a 15-20% service charge.