Things to see in Los Angeles
Attractions
Disneyland
It might be one of LA's old-timers but Disneyland remains its most popular attraction by far. A mixture of themed 'lands' and exciting rides, it also boasts daily parades along Main Street USA and evening laser shows. The LA version also has four themed areas celebrating California and a separate Hollywood Studios area.
Address: Anaheim, 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 92802Telephone: +1 714 781 4636.
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 0800-2200.
Website: http://disneyland.disney.go.comAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Grammy Museum at LA Live
Dedicated to the biggest names in music, the huge Grammy Museum is a reminder that LA isn't just for actors. Its four floors contain exhibitions on the creative process, the history of music and, latterly, a special display dedicated to Taylor Swift. Live acts also perform here.
Address: Downtown, 800 W Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015Telephone: +1 213 765 6800.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1030-1830, Sat-Sun 1000-1830.
Website: http://www.grammymuseum.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Built by showman Sid Grauman in 1927, this is the most famous of the flamboyant picture palaces along this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrities' hand and footprints are embedded into the cement of the forecourt, while the trail of bronze stars that make up the Hollywood Walk of Fame passes in front of the building.
Address: Hollywood & Highland, 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028Telephone: +1 323 461 3331.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.tclchinesetheatres.comAdmission Fees:
No (except for tours).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Universal Studios Hollywood
One of the world's largest film studios (and one of LA's most popular attractions), Universal Studios takes visitors behind the scenes of the movie world via a series of thrilling rides. Along with a Peter Jackson-designed King Kong ride, there's a simulated earthquake, an attack from Jaws and a brilliant Jurassic Park rollercoaster.
Address: Universal City, 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 91608Telephone: +1 800 864 8377
Opening times:
Park hours vary throughout the year, check website for more information.
Website: http://www.universalstudios.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Getty Center
A beguiling combination of striking modern architecture (the buildings are the work of Richard Meier) and J. Paul Getty's impressively large collection of paintings, the Getty Center truly is one of LA's cultural highlights. The surrounding botanical garden, packed with rare and native plants, is also well worth a wander.
Address: Brentwood, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049Telephone: +1 310 440 7300.
Opening times:
Tue-Thurs 1000-1730, Fri-Sat 1000-2100, Sun 1000-1730.
Website: http://www.getty.eduAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Getty Villa
Modelled on the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, the Getty Villa was built for oil tycoon J. Paul Getty to house this personal art collection and sits atop a Malibu cliff. Packed with Roman and Greek antiquities, it also boasts spectacular gardens, all done in the classical style, and a modest amphitheatre.
Address: Pacific Palisades, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90272Telephone: +1 310 440 7300.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.getty.edu/visit/villaAdmission Fees:
No (but advance, timed tickets required, available by telephone or online up to three months in advance).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
The former home of railroad tycoon Henry E Huntington is a treasure trove of French porcelain, tapestries and paintings, among them Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. The library boasts four million items, including a 15th-century copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, while the Botanical Gardens cover an impressive 81 hectares (200 acres).
Address: San Marino, 1151 Oxford Road, Los Angeles, CA 91108Telephone: +1 626 405 2100.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.huntington.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Housed in a striking red sandstone building designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, MOCA specialises in modern art and counts works by Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko among its permanent collection. Two more sites house the rest of its vast holdings - the nearby Geffen Contemporary and West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center.
Address: Little Tokyo, 152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012Telephone: +1 213 626 6222.
Opening times:
Mon 1100-1800, Wed 1100-1800, Thurs 1100-2000, Fri 1100-1800, Sat-Sun 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.moca.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes (free on Thursdays 1700-2000).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Home to one of the largest collections of art and artefacts in the USA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art boasts more than 100,000 objects, all housed within the imposing Ahmanson Building. Highlights include the South East Asian art collection and the impressive collection of early Latin American treasures.
Address: La Brea, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036Telephone: +1 323 857 6000.
Opening times:
Mon-Tues 1100-1700, Thurs 1100-1700, Fri 1100-2000, Sat-Sun 1000-1900.
Website: http://www.lacma.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Santa Monica
Famous for its 5.5km (2.5 mile) stretch of sandy beach and much-filmed pier, Santa Monica is the place to come for a taste of LA at its most relaxed. Head to the pier for a ride on its vintage carousel or, if that sounds too energetic, browse the many beachfront boutiques and snap up something totally unique.
Address: Santa Monica, Santa Monica, Los Angeles,Telephone: +1 800 544 5319.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.santamonica.comAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
LA Tourism & Convention Board Visitor Information Center
Address: Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028Telephone: +1 323 467 6412.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0800-2200, Sun 0900-1900.
Website: http://www.discoverlosangeles.comTourist passes
Available online, the Southern California CityPASS (tel: +1 888 330 5008; www.citypass.com) is valid for two weeks and offers discounted entry to a number of theme parks including Disneyland. The Go LA Card (tel: +1 800 887 9103; www.golosangelescard.com), available as a 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- or 7-day pass, offers discounted admission to 34 attractions. It’s available online or over the phone.
