(DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Los Angeles

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL


TOP



LOS ANGELES










CATHERINE GERBER
















































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Top 10 Los Angeles The Top 10
Highlights of Everything

Welcome to Los Angeles ...............5 Moments in History .....................46
Exploring Los Angeles ...................6 Architectural Landmarks ............48
Los Angeles Highlights................10 Parks and Gardens ......................50
Historic Hollywood Boulevard .....12 Beaches ........................................52
Sunset Strip ..................................14 Places to See and Be Seen .........54
The Getty Center ..........................16 Off the Beaten Path .....................56
Los Angeles County Children’s Attractions ..................58
Museum of Art (LACMA) ..........20 Hollywood Connections ...............60
El Pueblo de Movie Theaters .............................62
Los Angeles ..............................24 Performing Arts Venues ..............64
The Huntington ............................28 Restaurants ..................................66
Universal Studios Shopping Streets .........................68
SM
Hollywood ..............................32
Griffith Park ..................................34 Los Angeles for Free ...................70
Disneyland Resort .....................36 Drives and Day Trips ....................72
®
Catalina Island .............................42




















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CONTENTS



















Los Angeles Streetsmart
Area by Area

Downtown .....................................76 Getting To and Around
Around Downtown .......................84 Los Angeles ............................136
Pasadena ......................................90 Practical Information .................138
Hollywood .....................................98 Places to Stay .............................144
West Hollywood
and Midtown ...........................106 General Index .............................152
Beverly Hills, Westwood, Acknowledgments .....................159
and Bel-Air .............................114
Santa Monica Bay ......................120
Coastal Orange County ..............128



The information in this DK Eyewitness
Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly.
Every effort has been made to ensure that
this book is as up-to-date as possible at the
time of going to press. Some details,
however, such as telephone numbers,
opening hours, prices, gallery hanging
arrangements and travel information are
Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy liable to change. The publishers cannot
of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in accept responsibility for any consequences
the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. arising from the use of this book, nor for any
Throughout this book, floors are referred to in material on third-party websites, and cannot
accordance with American usage; i.e., the “first guarantee that any website address in this
floor” is at ground level. book will be a suitable source of travel
information. We value the views and
Front cover and spine The Hollywood Sign in suggestions of our readers very highly. Please
the hills above Los Angeles write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel
Back cover Los Angeles’ beaches with their Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London
iconic huts WC2R 0RL, Great Britain, or email
Title page Palm trees have become [email protected]
synonymous with the city of Los Angeles




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Top 10 Los Angeles ❮❮ 5

Welcome to
Los Angeles





City of Angels. City of Dreams. City streets lined with palm
trees under a dazzling blue sky. Convertible cars cruising
Coast Highway. Surfers riding a perfect wave. Movie stars
leading mythological lives in designer gowns. Beneath this
image lies a vibrant, multicultural city for all to enjoy, and
with Eyewitness Top 10 Los Angeles, it’s yours to explore.

Never would the Spanish founders of the pueblo in 1781 have
envisioned that it would one day become a vast urban sprawl, home
to over 18 million people from 140 countries. It’s a city that dictates
culture to the world, yet where no single culture predominates.
Stroll down any street and you can hear a dozen different languages
and sample the food of a dozen different cuisines. Explore the cities
within the city, such as Pasadena, with its European style; Beverly
Hills, where excess is an art form; and Venice Beach, with its
hedonistic, anything-goes boardwalk.

In a city known for its stars, the Getty Center, the Huntington, and
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) are stars among a
cultural galaxy. Some of the world’s most cutting-edge architecture
is rising from Downtown’s streets. And, if there’s a certain sense of
familiarity, look around carefully – you may have seen it in a movie.
Free-spirited at heart, this is a city of optimism and possibility.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide
brings together the best of everything the city has to offer, from
iconic places such as Hollywood to the amazing Disneyland
®
Resort. There are tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free to
avoiding the crowds, plus ten easy-to-follow itineraries designed to
tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring
photography and detailed maps, and you have the essential pocket-
sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Los Angeles.




Clockwise from top: Los Angeles skyline, Walt Disney Concert Hall, North Vista at the
Huntington, Rodeo Drive sign, a Los Angeles beach with colorful beach houses, West
Coaster at Santa Monia Pier, street performer on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame






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6 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles

Exploring Los Angeles Downtown Hollywood/Highland Pasadena
(8 miles)
Cathedral of Our
(12 miles)
Lady of the Angels
Olvera St
From the pier of Santa Monica overlooking the Pacific to
the star-lined streets of Hollywood, this vast city presents a Walt Disney DASH B BUS Union
carousel of activities. Angelinos excel in having fun, whether Concert Hall Station
it’s at the beaches, the museums, or the world-famous The Broad El Pueblo de
amusement parks. These two- and four-day itineraries MOCA Los Angeles
will help you make the most of your time in Los Angeles. Bradbury
BURBANK Building 0 meters 500
BURBANK
Grand
Central Market 0 yards 500
NOR NORTHTH
PASADENA
HOLLYWOODYWOOD
HOLL PASADENA
STUDIO
STUDIO
CIT CITYY
GLENDALEALE
ENIC ENICOO GLEND
Marston'son's
Universal Studiosersal Studios
Univ Marst
Griffith Parkark
Hollywood SMSM
Hollywood Griffith P Del Mar Station
Del Mar Station
BEL BEL-AIR-AIR Holly LOS ANGELES The Huntingt
The Huntingtonon
LOS ANGELES
Hollywood/wood/
Holly
Hollywood Blvd,wood Blvd,
Highland
COUNTYY
TCL Chinese Theatr Highland COUNT
TCL Chinese Theatree
METRO GOLD LINE
Station
Station
Sunset Strip
ALHAMBRAMBRA
Sunset Strip SIL SILVERVER METRO GOLD LINE ALHA
BEL BEL-AIR-AIR Melr Melroseose HOLLYWOODYWOOD LAKE
LAKE
BEVERL Aven HOLL BUS
BEVERLYY
Avenueue
HILLS BUS METRO RED LINE MONTECIT
HILLS
MONTECITOO
ECHO
The Gettyy
The Gett Farmers METRO RED LINE ECHO HEIGHT
HEIGHTSS
Farmers
PARK
Rodeo
Centerer
Cent Rodeo PARK
Marketet
Driv Drivee Mark see D
see Downtownowntown
CENTRAL
CENTURYY
CENTUR CENTRAL inset 0 k 0 kmm 3 3
inset
BRENTWOODWOOD
BRENT LAC LACMAMA
CIT CITYY LA LA DO DOWNTOWNWNTOWN 0 miles 3 3
0 miles
MID CITYY
MID CIT
Santa
Santa
Disneyland and
Monic CUL CULVER CITYVER CITY Disneyland and
Monicaa
California A
California Adventuredventure
(30 miles)
(30 miles)
Abbot K
Abbot Kinney Boulevardinney Boulevard
Key
BICYCLE
BICYCLE
The Hollywood Sign makes Venic Two-day itinerary
Venicee
for an iconic sight high on MARINA Four-day itinerary
MARINA
DEL REY
the hillside above the city. DEL REY
Two Days in Day 2
Los Angeles MORNING
Enjoy breakfast at Marston’s (see
Day 1 p97) in Pasadena before heading over
MORNING to the Huntington (see pp28–31)
Start the day on Historic Hollywood (open at 10am; closed Tue). Pick a
Boulevard (see pp12–13), at the TCL couple of gardens to focus on – like
Chinese Theatre (see p63), where the Desert Garden or Rose Garden –
you can step among the footprints and then step into the art gallery to
of the stars. From the Hollywood & view the masterpieces on display.
Highland Center, spot the famous AFTERNOON
Hollywood Sign (see p99). Then drive Take the Metro to Union Station,
past the sights of Sunset Strip (see Downtown. Cross the street to El
pp14–15). Continue into Beverly Hills Pueblo de Los Angeles (see pp24–25)
for lunch on Rodeo Drive (see p68). and have lunch on Olvera Street.
AFTERNOON From Alameda Street, take the
Head to the Getty Center (see DASH B bus to the striking Cathedral
pp16–19), a masterpiece of the LA of Our Lady of Angels (see p78). Walk
community – wandering through the down South Grand Avenue to the
Impressionist Room or the gardens, Walt Disney Concert Hall (see p78),
while taking in the fabulous views of MOCA (see p78), and The Broad
the coastline and hills. museum (see p80).
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Exploring Los Angeles ❮❮ 7

Downtown Hollywood/Highland Pasadena
(8 miles)
Cathedral of Our (12 miles) Day 2
Lady of the Angels MORNING
Olvera St
Spend the morning among the roses
at the Huntington (see pp28–31)
Walt Disney DASH B BUS Union before driving over to Universal
Concert Hall Station Studios Hollywood (see pp32–3).
SM
The Broad
El Pueblo de AFTERNOON
MOCA Los Angeles Focus on the most popular
Bradbury attractions, such as the famed
BURBANK Building 0 meters 500 Wizarding World of Harry Potter,
BURBANK
Grand
Central Market 0 yards 500 King Kong, and Jurassic Park.
NOR Then head over to Griffith
NORTHTH
HOLL PASADENA
PASADENA
HOLLYWOODYWOOD
STUDIO Park (see pp34–5).
STUDIO
CIT CITYY
ENICOO
GLENDALEALE
ENIC GLEND
Marston'son's
Universal Studios Marst
Universal Studios
Griffith Parkark
Hollywood Griffith P Del Mar Station Day 3
Hollywood SMSM
Del Mar Station
The Huntingtonon
BEL BEL-AIR-AIR Holly LOS ANGELES The Huntingt MORNING
Hollywood/wood/
LOS ANGELES
Hollywood Blvd,wood Blvd,
Holly
Highland
COUNTYY
TCL Chinese Theatr Highland COUNT Pedal a rental bicycle from
TCL Chinese Theatree
METRO GOLD LINE
Station
Station Santa Monica to Venice
Sunset Strip SIL SILVERVER METRO GOLD LINE ALHA
Sunset Strip
ALHAMBRAMBRA
BEL BEL-AIR-AIR Melr HOLLYWOODYWOOD LAKE along the famous boardwalk
LAKE
Melroseose
BEVERL Aven HOLL BUS (see p122). Snack like a local
BEVERLYY
Avenueue
HILLS
HILLS BUS METRO RED LINE MONTECIT
MONTECITOO
ECHO
The Gett Farmers METRO RED LINE ECHO HEIGHT at Jody Maroni’s (see p124).
The Gettyy
HEIGHTSS
Farmers
PARK
Rodeo
Cent Rodeo PARK Return along Abbot Kinney
Centerer
Market
Driv Drivee Market see D
see Downtownowntown
CENTRAL
CENTURYY
CENTUR CENTRAL inset 0 k 0 kmm 3 3 Boulevard and Main Street (see p69).
inset
BRENT LAC LACMAMA
BRENTWOODWOOD
CIT CITYY LA LA DO DOWNTOWNWNTOWN 0 miles 3 3 AFTERNOON
0 miles
MID CIT Enjoy a blissful afternoon at The
MID CITYY
Santa
Santa Getty Center (see pp16–19).
Disneyland and
Monic CUL CULVER CITYVER CITY Disneyland and
Monicaa
California Adventuredventure
California A
(30 miles)
(30 miles)
Day 4
Abbot K MORNING
Abbot Kinney Boulevardinney Boulevard
Key Four Days in ®
BICYCLE
BICYCLE
Venic Disneyland Resort and California
Venicee
®
MARINA Two-day itinerary Los Angeles Adventure (see pp36–41) really
MARINA
DEL REY Four-day itinerary require a full day. Buy a Park Hopper
DEL REY
Day 1 ticket that allows entry into both
MORNING parks. Spend the morning on the
After breakfast at Downtown’s rides at Disneyland .
®
Grand Central Market (see p79), AFTERNOON
cross Broadway and look inside the Shift over to California Adventure
®
Bradbury Building (see p49). Walk by late afternoon and be sure to stay
over to South Grand Avenue to for the spectacular World of Color
admire The Broad museum (see p80) display at night.
and the Walt Disney Concert Hall
(see p78). Take DASH B bus to El
Pueblo de Los Angeles (see pp24–25)
and explore LA’s early history. From
Union Station, take the Metro to
Hollywood/Highland Station.
AFTERNOON
Try a little star-gazing on Historic
Hollywood Boulevard (see pp12–13)
before taking a bus or taxi down
to Melrose Avenue (see p68) for
shopping. Have lunch here or at
the Farmers Market (see p107) on
Fairfax Avenue. Enjoy some of LA’s
finest art and culture over at LACMA Universal Studios Hollywood
SM
(see pp20–23), a few blocks away. is packed with entertaining rides.
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Top 10 Los Angeles

Highlights












The impressive auditorium
at the TCL Chinese Theatre















































008-009_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 8 20/02/2017 15:16

Historic Hollywood Boulevard 12 The Huntington 28
Sunset Strip 14 Universal Studios
Hollywood 32
SM
The Getty Center 16
Griffith Park 34
Los Angeles County
Museum of Art (LACMA) 20 Disneyland Resort 36
®
El Pueblo de Los Angeles 24 Catalina Island 42






















































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10 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Los Angeles Highlights


The myth, the velocity, the edginess in creative and technological
fields – this is Los Angeles. In just over 200 years, LA has grown
from a dusty Spanish outpost into one of the world’s largest and
most complex cities offering top venues for everything from
archaeology and the arts to food. The birthplace of Mickey Mouse
and Hollywood, LA has shaped the imaginations of millions.

Historic Hollywood Boulevard
The boulevard that gave birth to the
movie industry is still associated with the stars,
even if the only ones around today are
embedded in the side walk
BURBANK
Los Angeles River
(see pp12–13). Los Angeles River BURBANK GLENDALE FWY GLENDALE FWY
GLENDALE
PASADENA
Universal StudiosUniversal Studios GriffithGriffith GLENDALE PASADENA
SHEMANSHEMAN Hollywood SM ParkPark
Hollywood SM
OAKSOAKS LOS FELIZLOS FELIZ The Huntington
The Huntington
Sunset Historic HollywoodHistoric Hollywood
BoulevardBoulevard
Strip SunsetSunset SILVERSILVER ALHAMBRA
LAKELAKE
ALHAMBRA
The heady mix of StripStrip SANTA MONICA BLVD El PuebloEl Pueblo SAN BERNARDINO FWY FWY
SANTA MONICA BLVD
de Losde Los
hip restaurants, The GettyThe Getty HOLLYWOOD FWY AngelesAngeles SAN BERNARDINO
WILSHIRE BLVD
nightclubs, and bars CenterCenter Los AngelesLos Angeles WILSHIRE BLVD 0 km0 km 5 5
HOLLYWOOD FWY
along the city’s BRENTWOODBRENTWOOD County MuseumCounty Museum DOWNTOWN 0 miles0 miles 5 5
of Art (LACMA)of Art (LACMA)
DOWNTOWN
entertainment mile SANTA MONICA FWY
SANTA MONICA FWY
attracts legions of COAST HWY PALMSPALMS LOS ANGELESLOS ANGELES
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
SANTA
SANTA
the young and the MONICA SAN DIEGO FREEWAY THE VILLAGETHE VILLAGE COUNTYCOUNTY
COAST HWY
MONICA
GREEENGREEEN
trendy (see pp14–15). VENICE SLAUSON AVENUE
VENICE
SLAUSON AVENUE
SAN DIEGO FREEWAY
Ballona Creek
INGLEWOOD
MARINA Ballona Creek INGLEWOOD SOUTHGATE
MARINA
SOUTHGATE
DEL REY
DEL REY HARBOR FREEWAY HARBOR FREEWAY
The Getty
Center
One of the best
bargains in town,
this striking hilltop
complex is a mecca
for fans of European
Los Angeles art. Stunning views
County Museum (see pp16–19).
of Art (LACMA)
One of America’s largest El Pueblo
art museums, LACMA de Los
offers a survey of art from Angeles
prehistoric times to the This historic district
present (see pp20–23). preserves LA’s old­
est buildings, cele­
brating its Hispanic
past with stores,
eateries, and festi­
vals (see pp24–5).
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Los Angeles Highlights ❮❮ 11


Angeles National
BURBANK Forest
Area of main map PASADENA
TOPANGA DOWNTOWN
The myth, the velocity, the edginess in creative and technological MONICA
SANTA
fields – this is Los Angeles. In just over 200 years, LA has grown LOS ANGELES
from a dusty Spanish outpost into one of the world’s largest and Los Angeles COUNTY WHITTIER
LAKEWOOD
most complex cities offering top venues for everything from International TORRANCE LONG ORANGE
Airport
PALOS
archaeology and the arts to food. The birthplace of Mickey Mouse VERDES BEACH COUNTY
and Hollywood, LA has shaped the imaginations of millions.
Disneyland®
P acific Resort
O c ean S a n Ped ro Ch a n n e l The Huntington
One of LA’s great cultural
Catalina
Island treasures invites visitors to experience
0 km 20 its fine paintings, rare manuscripts,
0 miles 20 and gorgeous gardens (see pp28–31).
BURBANK
Los Angeles River BURBANK GLENDALE FWY GLENDALE FWY Universal Studios
Los Angeles River
GLENDALE
PASADENA
Universal StudiosUniversal Studios GriffithGriffith GLENDALE PASADENA Hollywood SM
Hollywood SM
SHEMANSHEMAN Hollywood SM ParkPark
OAKSOAKS The Huntington A day at Universal involves
The Huntington
Historic HollywoodHistoric Hollywood LOS FELIZLOS FELIZ
BoulevardBoulevard high-tech thrill rides, live
SILVERSILVER
SunsetSunset LAKELAKE ALHAMBRA action shows, and special-
ALHAMBRA
StripStrip SANTA MONICA BLVD El PuebloEl Pueblo effects extravaganzas. The
SANTA MONICA BLVD
de Losde Los SAN BERNARDINO FWY FWY
SAN BERNARDINO
The GettyThe Getty HOLLYWOOD FWY AngelesAngeles Studio Tour takes visitors to
CenterCenter WILSHIRE BLVD
WILSHIRE BLVD
HOLLYWOOD FWY
Los AngelesLos Angeles 0 km0 km 5 5 the backlot of the working
BRENTWOODBRENTWOOD County MuseumCounty Museum movie studio (see pp32–3).
of Art (LACMA)of Art (LACMA) DOWNTOWN 0 miles0 miles 5 5
DOWNTOWN
SANTA MONICA FWY
PALMSPALMS SANTA MONICA FWY Griffith Park
LOS ANGELESLOS ANGELES
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
SANTA THE VILLAGETHE VILLAGE COUNTYCOUNTY
SANTA
COAST HWY
COAST HWY
MONICA
MONICA SAN DIEGO FREEWAY GREEENGREEEN The largest city park in the
VENICE SLAUSON AVENUE nation offers a unique combination
VENICE
SLAUSON AVENUE
SAN DIEGO FREEWAY
Ballona Creek
INGLEWOOD
MARINA Ballona Creek INGLEWOOD SOUTHGATE of rugged wilderness and such
MARINA
SOUTHGATE
DEL REY
DEL REY HARBOR FREEWAY HARBOR FREEWAY diversions as museums, a zoo,
and an observatory (see pp34–5).
Disneyland Resort The Hollywood Sign is here too.
®
As timeless as Mickey
Mouse himself, the original
Disney park hasn’t lost its magic
more than 60
years after it
opened (see
pp36–41).
Catalina Island
This island is a quick and easy
getaway, whose considerable charms
include crystal-clear waters, miles of
undeveloped back country, and a
sense of being far away from the
bustle of big city LA (see pp42–3).
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12 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Historic
Hollywood Boulevard


Hollywood Boulevard, home of the Walk of Fame, has always been
synonymous with the glamour of moviemaking, especially in the
1920s and 1930s. But it eventually fell out of favor, teeming with
drug addicts and prostitutes. Now the heart of Tinseltown is finally
cleaning up its act – the old movie palaces have received facelifts,
the Hollywood &
Highland complex
is a major draw, and
even “Oscar” has
found a permanent
home here.
Walk of Fame
1
Elvis, Lassie, and
over 2,500 other celebs
have been immortalized
with a marble-encased
brass star in the side-
walk (below). Only those
working in the movies,
TV, radio, recor ding, or
theater are eligible.



The Hollywood
TCL Chinese
3 5 FRANKLIN AVENUE
Theatre IMAX
Roosevelt
The world’s most famous Douglas Fairbanks Sr. HOLLYWOOD BLVD N CAHUENGA BLVD
movie theater (above) presided over the first N HIGHLAND AVE VINE ST
opened in 1927 (see p63) Academy Awards at this
with a screening of Cecil historic hotel (below) in
B. DeMille’s King of 1929, and Marilyn
Kings. About 200 stars Monroe shot her first
have left their hand- and commer cial by the pool
footprints here, and (see p145), later adorned
Betty Grable even left with blue squiggles by
prints of her famous legs. the artist David Hockney.
Pantages
The Musso &
2 4
Theatre
Frank Grill
During Hollywood’s The grande dame of
Golden Years, this was Tinseltown theaters
the haunt of stars such sparkles once again in
as Clark Gable and the all its restored Art Deco
Marx Brothers. Opened glory. The lobby leads to
in 1919, it is the oldest the magnificent audito-
restaurant in Hollywood rium with its elaborate
and much of its classic ceiling. It now hosts
interior still remains blockbuster Broadway
unchanged (see p103). shows (see p64).


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Historic Hollywood Boulevard ❮❮ 13

Hollywood
8 A STAR FOR
& Highland
This cornerstone of THE STARS
Hollywood revitalization A star on the Walk of
and mega-entertainment Fame requires the prior
complex (left) combines approval of a screening
shops, restaurants, night committee appointed
clubs, movie theaters, a by the Hollywood
hotel, and the 3,400-seat Chamber of Commerce.
Dolby Theatre (see p65), Of the 200 applications
home of the Oscars. received every year, only
10 percent get the nod
– and the privilege to
pay the $30,000 fee
for installation and
maintenance. Studios
– and sometimes fan
clubs – usually foot
the bill. Induction
ceremonies are held
once or twice a month
and are open to the
public. Check out www.
walkoffame.com to see
who’s up next.

NEED TO KNOW
MAP P2 • Stretches
from La Brea Blvd to
Vine St
Walk of Fame:
1 2 7 4 Hollywood Blvd
FRANKLIN AVENUE
8 between Gower St & La
Brea Ave, and Vine St
3 between Yucca Ave &
HOLLYWOOD BLVD
5 N HIGHLAND AVE N CAHUENGA BLVD VINE ST Sunset Blvd
Hollywood & Highland:
0 9 6 6801 Hollywood Blvd
Map of Historic Hollywood Boulevard Capitol Records Tower:
1750 N Vine St
The Egyptian
Hollywood
6 9 Hollywood Museum:
Museum
Theatre
1660 Highland Ave
Owned by the nonprofit The historic Art Deco
American Cinematheque, Max Factor building • For made-to-order
this is the birth place show cases a hundred hot churros, go to
of the “Hollywood years of film costumes, Street Churros inside
premiere” (see p62). props, and memorabilia. Hollywood & Highland.
• Red signs along the
El Capitan
Capitol
7 0 boulevard indicate
Records Tower
Theatre
places the stars used
Once the headquarters The strikingly ornate to hang out in.
of Capitol Records, the El Capitan (see p63) • The visitor center at
world’s first circular office was Hollywood’s first Hollywood & Highland
building looks like a pile live theater and began is open 10am–10pm
of records with a stylus screening films in 1941. Mon–Sat and 10am–
blinking out “Hollywood” Today, it is a Disney first- 7pm Sun.
in Morse code. run movie theater.
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14 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip has been a haven of hedonism since Prohibition days.
Wedged between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, this 1.7 miles
(2.7 km) of the Sunset Boulevard is crammed with hot nightclubs,
hip rock venues, and fashionable boutiques. During Hollywood’s
Glamour Age (1930–50), the stars trysted at the Chateau Marmont,
partied at Trocadero, and talked shop at
Schwab’s Pharmacy. Today’s hot spots rub
shoulders with some historical landmarks.

Giant
Sunset Plaza
1 3
Billboards
This two-block
stretch is lined with A testimony to the
European-style Strip’s unabashed
restaurants and designer commercial ism, these
shops teeming with hip mega-sized billboards
crowds. Its appeal with promote movies, records,
celebri ties makes it prime products, and even
terri tory for star-spotting. individual stars (right).










Andaz West
2 Map of Sunset Strip
Hollywood
Formerly known as the 9 5 3 1 2 0 7
“Riot Hyatt,” this hotel B OUL E VARD 4
(above) is part of rock
history as party central S U N SE T HAVENHURST DR HEIGHTS DR N CRESCENT
for British bands in the F OU N TAIN AV E
1960s and 1970s. Led W E S T BLVD N LA CIENEGA OLIVE DRIVE
Zeppelin cruised down HOLLOWAY DRIVE


the halls on motorcycles. 6 8
NEED TO KNOW Sunset Plaza: 8600 & 8700 head to the new Ivory
Sunset Blvd on Sunset inside the
MAP L3 • Along Sunset Mondrian Hotel (see p146).
Blvd bet ween Crescent Andaz West Hollywood:
Heights Blvd & Doheny Dr 8401 Sunset Blvd • Entry to the trendiest
Site of Schwab’s Pharmacy: Rainbow Bar & Grill: venues is easiest around
9pm and on weeknights.
8024 Sunset Blvd 9015 Sunset Blvd
• Avoid the traffic on
Sunset Strip Tattoo: • For killer views and the Strip on Friday and
7524 W Sunset Blvd classic American cuisine, Saturday nights.





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Sunset Strip ❮❮ 15

Viper Room
6 SUNSET BOULEVARD
Actor River
Phoenix died outside this Sunset Strip takes up
club (left), once owned only a small portion of
by Johnny Depp, in 1993. the 25-mile (40-km)
Few remember its Sunset Boulevard.
earlier incarnation as Following the path of
the Melody Room, a an old Indian Trail, this
favorite with Bugsy major cross-town artery
Siegel and his mobster is a microcosm of the
pals (see p54 & p110). cultural, ethnic, and
social cauldron that is
LA. Starting at El Pueblo
in Downtown, it travels
west through different
neighborhoods, before
spilling into the Pacific.
Sunset Strip
8
Tattoo
Julia Roberts got a
Japanese symbol and
Nicolas Cage a stingray
at this tattoo studio to
the stars that has also
inked Ben Affleck.
Rainbow
9
Bar & Grill
This rock’n’roll bar fills
with long­haired rockers
and their hangers­on
every night. When it was
still the Villa Nova res­
taurant, Marilyn Monroe
met Joe DiMaggio on a
blind date.
Chateau
Sunset
Site of
Tower Hotel
Schwab’s
Marmont
B OUL E VARD 4 7 0
Pharmacy
This Art Deco gem (see
This 1927 hotel (below,
S U N SE T F OU N TAIN AV E HAVENHURST DR HEIGHTS DR N CRESCENT In the 1930s and 1940s, p54, & p145) has hosted p146), formerly known
OLIVE DRIVE Schwab’s Pharmacy was celebrities such as as the Argyle, opened in
W E S T BLVD N LA CIENEGA a hip hangout frequented Humphrey Bogart and 1931 and has been the


HOLLOWAY DRIVE by Charlie Chaplin and Mick Jagger. Howard home of many a star.
James Dean. It was torn Hughes ogled at girls by Its bar remians a hot
down in 1988. the pool, and an over­ address today.
dosed John Belushi
Whisky a
5 made his dramatic
Go-Go
exit in 1982.
A Strip fixture since
1963, the Whisky gave
the world go­go dancing
and The Doors, its house
band in 1966. Other stars
such as Jimi Hendrix and
Janis Joplin also played
here (see p110).
014-015_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 15 20/02/2017 15:16

16 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

The Getty Center

A spectacular art collection, superb architecture, and lovely gardens
combine with a hilltop location to create one of LA’s finest cultural
destinations. Designed by Richard Meier, the Getty Center opened
in December 1997 after 14 years of planning and construction. It
unites the entities of the Getty Trust created by oil tycoon J. Paul
Getty (1892–1976),
including research
and conservation
institutes. At its core
is the museum, with
its exquisite European
art from illuminated
manuscripts to
contemporary
photography.
Cabinet on 1
Stand
Celebrating the triumphs
of French king Louis XIV,
this cabinet (right) has
been attributed to
André­Charles Boulle
(1642–1732). The design
features several mat­
erials, including pewter
and tortoiseshell.
The Adoration
2
of the Magi
In this Renaissance
masterpiece, Andrea
Mantegna (c.1431–
1506) emulates ancient
Roman reliefs to
achieve an intimacy
between subjects. The
three kings represent
Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Irises
3
Dutchman Vincent
Van Gogh (1853–90)
painted this detailed
work (left) in the last
year of his life in a
mental asylum. The
intense color and
energetic composition
borrow from Gauguin
and Japanese print­
maker Hokusai.






016-017_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 16 20/02/2017 15:16

The Getty Center ❮❮ 17

The Abduction
7 GETTY VILLA
of Europa
Rembrandt (1606–69) In a separate location
found great inspiration on the Pacific Coast
in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Highway, this museum
This work captures and educational center
Jupiter, disguised as a is set in a re-creation
white bull, spiriting away of an ancient Roman
the princess Europa country house and
across the oceans. houses over 44,000
Greek, Roman, and
The Calydonian
8 Etruscan antiquities
dating from 6,500 BC
Boar Hunt
Rubens’s (1577–1640) to AD 400. Among the
1,200 items on display
dyna mic interpretation are sculptures, everyday
of the slaying of the artifacts, and treasures
Young Italian
4 Calydonian boar was such as Cycladic figures.
Woman at
painted in 1611. The work
a Table established the theme of Five of the museum’s 28
galleries are devoted to
This emotionally charged the epic combat between changing exhibitions.
painting (above) by man and animal.
Cézanne (1839–1906)
shows off his great versa­
tility and technical ability.
Wheatstacks,
5
Snow Effect,
Morning
This is one of 30 works
that Monet (1840–1926)
painted between 1890
and 1891. Set against a
soft sky and faintly visible
houses, the wheatstacks
form a solid, imposing
Christ’s Entry
Modern Rome,
presence in the picture. 9 0
Campo Vaccino
into Brussels
La Promenade
6 Joseph Turner’s view in 1889
of Rome from the
Paying homage to
Belgian James Ensor’s
artists such as Watteau Capitoline Hill (above) (1860–1949) painting is
and Courbet, this early is the last of his Roman one of the most contro­
Impressionist painting paintings. It shows why versial works of the 19th
by Renoir (1841–1919) this English artist (1775– century. The grotesque
shows a young couple 1851) was cele brated as scene reflects the artist’s
heading for the woods. the “painter of light”. uneasiness with society.
NEED TO KNOW Highway; 310-440-7300; • Unlike some museums,
Getty Center: MAP C2 open 10am–5pm Wed– the Getty welcomes kids,
1200 Getty Center Dr, Mon; advance timed ticket with special child-oriented
Brentwood; 310-440-7300; required; parking $15 audio guides and a staffed
open 10am–5pm Tue– • Bring a picnic to enjoy in Family Room filled with
Sun (to 9pm Sat); www. the gardens or courtyard, games and various
getty.edu; parking $15 or buy a light meal at a hands-on activities.
($10 after 5pm) kiosk or the self-service • Free architecture and
Getty Villa: MAP C2 café. For gourmet meals, garden tours are offered
17985 Pacific Coast book at The Restaurant. through the day.
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18 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Top 10 Features of the Getty


Drawings
5
Highlights of this
collection, dating from the
14th to the 19th centuries,
include Albrecht Dürer’s
exquisite The Stag Beetle
(1505) and da Vinci’s
Studies for the Christ Child
with Lamb (c.1503–6).
Shopping
6
and Dining
Water feature in the Central Garden There are plenty of
options for a day-long
Central Garden
1 visit, including the Museum Store
and shops devoted to Impressionism,
These beautiful – and
constantly changing – gardens were photography, and the latest exhibits.
designed by visual artist Robert Irwin For refreshments, try the restaurant,
(b.1928). Wander along tree-lined café, kiosks, or gourmet picnics.
paths and across a gentle stream
Decorative Arts
to a reflecting pool with floating 7
azaleas and ringed by beautiful The Getty’s famous collection
specialty gardens. of French decorative art and fur-
niture from the 17th and 18th
Electric Tram
2 centuries is displayed in a series of
The Getty experience kicks
period rooms. The paneled Régence
off with a smooth five-minute ride salon from 1710 is a must-see.
up the hill from the entrance gate
Photography
to the Arrival Plaza in a driverless, 8
computer-operated tram. Known for its images from the
early 1840s, the collection concen-
Panoramic Views
3 trates on work by European and
American artists. Man Ray’s Tears
On clear days, the views
from the Getty’s hilltop perch are is among the most famous pieces.
spectacular, especially around
European Painting
sunset. Take in the vastness of LA’s 9
labyrinthine streets, the skyscrapers Paintings from the Italian
of Downtown, the Santa Monica Renaissance and Baroque periods,
Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. as well as French Impressionism,
are particularly well represented.
Illuminated
4 Outdoor
Manuscripts
Sculpture
Shown on a rotating 0
basis, the Getty’s Works by many of the
collection of illuminated 20th century’s greatest
manuscripts covers the sculptors are displayed
entire Middle Ages and throughout the grounds.
Renaissance. The The sculptures, including
Stammheim Missal (1120) work by Henry Moore,
from Germany is among Alberto Giacometti, and
the most prized. Joan Miró, were donated
by the late pro ducer Ray
The Stammheim Missal Stark and his wife, Fran.
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The Getty Center ❮❮ 19


THE ARCHITECTURE

Roosting on its hilltop site on the edge of TOP 10
the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty BUILDING STATISTICS
Center is an imposing presence, far removed 1 Campus size: 24 acres
from city noise and bustle. An amazing feat of (10 ha)
architecture and engineering, it was designed 2 Campus altitude: 900 ft
by New York-based Modernist Richard Meier (275 m)
(b. 1934), an internationally acclaimed
architect who also drafted the Paley Center 3 Cost: $1 billion
for Media in Beverly Hills (see p116). For the 4 Cubic yards (of earth)
Getty, Meier arranged the main buildings moved: 1.5 million
along two natural ridges connected by 5 Travertine used:
creative landscaping. Curvilinear elements, 16,000 tons
such as in the Museum Entrance Hall, 6 Weight of each
combine with angular structures to create travertine block:
an effect of fluidity and openness. This is 250 lb (113 kg)
further enhanced by the use of travertine, a 7 Enameled aluminum
honey-colored, fossil-textured stone quarried panels: 40,000
in Italy that covers most buildings. 8 Exterior glass: 164,650
sq ft (15,296 sq m)
9 Number of doors: 3,200
10 Length of tram ride:
0.75 miles (1.2 km)



The Getty’s columns
and vast scale give it
the feel of a modern
– and thoroughly
American – Acropolis.



















The Getty Center is distinctive for Meier’s curvilinear architecture.








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20 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Los Angeles County
Museum of Art (LACMA)


The largest encyclopedic art museum in the western US, LACMA
was founded in 1910 and moved to its present home in 1965. Its
vast collection features European, American, and Latin American
art; and works from the Middle East and Asia. There is a lively
schedule of concerts, lectures, and film screenings, too. In 2010,
the Resnick Pavilion was added, a vast open-plan space designed
by Renzo Piano that houses rotating exhibitions.

Photography
4
and Prints
and Drawings
LACMA’s photography
collection focuses on
images produced in the
last 60 years, while the
Prints and Drawings
exhi bition displays art
from the 15th century
to the present day.
Decorative
5
Arts and
Design
This area has European
and American decorative
design from the Middle
Ages to today. The
European Painting and Sculpture
1 Palevsky Arts and Crafts
A collection of works by Flemish and Dutch
collection is superb.
masters and French Impressionists, including
Monet’s In the Woods at Giverny (above).
Ancient and 2
GALLERY GUIDE Islamic Art
European painting and LACMA’s Art of the Ancient
sculpture, ancient and World col lection spans
Islamic art, and south more than 4,000 years
and south east Asian art and features horse
are in the Ahmanson trappings, stone reliefs,
Building. The Hammer and pottery. The
Building houses Chinese renowned Islamic Art
and Korean art, photo­ section covers a wide
graphy, prints, and range of art forms (right).
drawings. Next door
is the Japanese Art American Art
Pavilion, and, across the 3
courtyard, is the Art of This collection offers a survey of American art
the Americas building from the 1700s to the 1940s. Among the highlights
with American and Latin are works by late 19th-century figurative artists
American art and deco­ such as Winslow Homer. Other works include
rative arts and design. paintings by George Bellows and Mary Cassatt,
specifically Mother About to Wash her Sleepy Child.





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Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) ❮❮ 21

South and Southeast
Chinese and
6 8
Asian Art
Korean Art
This collection is one of the world’s The largest space
finest, with sculpture, water­ devoted to Korean art
colors, illustrated manu scripts, outside of South Korea
ritual art, and coins from the has work from the 5th to
11th to the 20th century. Among the 20th century. Chinese
the high lights are Indian art works include ceramics,
and sculpture (left). paintings, and bronzes.
9
Japanese Art 7 Latin
American Art
Photography and 4 These galleries feature
Prints and Drawings ancient American,
Chinese and 8 Spanish colonial, con­
Korean Art temporary, and modern
Latin American Art 9 works (below). Key pieces
South and Southeast 6 range from Mayan
Asian Art works to those
European Painting 1 of Alÿs, Orozco,
and Sculpture Wifredo Lam,
2 and Torres­Garcia.
Ancient and
Islamic Art






Decorative 5
Arts and
Design
American Art 3
Modern and
0 0
Contemporary
Key to floorplan Modern and Art
Pavilion for Japanese Art Contemporary Art
Hammer Building Japanese Art Matisse, Picasso, and
Art of the Americas Building 7 Magritte are among
Bing Center The Pavilion for the artists represented in
Ahmanson Building Japanese Art is the only the Modern Art section.
Resnick Pavilion building outside Japan The collection here spans
Broad Contemporary devoted to its art. It from 1945 to now and
Art Museum houses fine Edo­period ranges from paintings
LACMA West paintings and porcelain. to video installations.
NEED TO KNOW students $10; free for with its farm-to-table
MAP N6 • 5905 Wilshire under 17s; extra charge dining experience.
Blvd, Midtown • 323-857- for special exhibits • There are free jazz
6000 • www.lacma.org • Good places to stop for concerts on Friday nights
Open 11am–5pm Mon, lunch include the Plaza (5:30–8:30pm) from April
Tue, & Thu, 11am–8pm Fri, Café, which serves light to the end of November.
10am–7pm Sat & Sun meals and refreshments, The Sunday chamber
Adm: adults $15; seniors & and Ray’s Restaurant, music series is also free.







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22 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Top 10 LACMA Masterpieces


Portrait of Mrs Edward
1
L. Davis and Her Son,
Livingston Davis
John Singer Sargent (1856–1925)
was a gifted East Coast society
portrait painter. This 1890 work
blends loose brushwork (the boy)
with stark realism (his mother).
Standing Warrior
2
Standing about 3-ft (1-m) tall,
this figure of a king or warrior is the
largest-known effigy from western
Mexico. It dates from between
200 BC and AD 300.
Eagle-Headed Deity
3
Ancient Syrian palaces were
often decorated with intricately
carved-stone slabs. This one depicts
a deity in the process of fertilizing a
tree by scattering pollen from a pail.
Thangka depicting Yama and Yami
Yama and Yami
5
At nearly 2.4-m (8-ft) high,
this is one of the largest Tibetan
thangka paintings outside Tibet. The
painting dates from the late 17th to
early 18th century and has under-
gone extensive restoration.
Untitled Improvisation III
6
A pioneer of pure abstract
painting, Russian-born Wassily
Kandinsky (1866–1944) imbued his
canvasses with spirituality expressed
through shapes and bold colors, as
in this 1914 work.
Flower Day
7
Mexican artist Diego Rivera
(1886–1957) is best known for
The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame his murals and as Frida Kahlo’s
husband, but the famous Flower
The Magdalen with
4 Day (1925) shows off his talent as
the Smoking Flame
a Cubist-influenced painter.
French Baroque artist Georges de
Mulholland Drive
La Tour (1593–1652) employs deep 8
contrasts between light and shadow LA-based British artist David
to depict his subject with great Hockney (b.1937) created many
intimacy and realism. pano ramic paintings such as this




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Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) ❮❮ 23


brightly colored and as a continuous cycle of
dynamically composed creation, preservation,
1980 work, which and destruction.
shows the famous LA
Urban Light
road linking the artist’s 0
house and studio. The American
sculpture and instal­
Shiva as the
9 (1946–2015) arranged 202
lation artist Chris Burden
Lord of Dance
This exquisite sculpture vintage cast­iron street
from the 11th century lamps that once resided
portrays the Hindu god on the streets of LA into an
Shiva as the source of elegant forest of light
cosmic dance, which Shiva as the Lord and magic that comes
defines the universe of Dance to life at sunset.
THE MIRACLE MILE
LACMA sits on a particularly interesting and TOP 10
historic stretch of Wilshire Boulevard. The OF ART DECO ON
so-called “Miracle Mile” was the city’s first THE MIRACLE MILE
shopping district outside of Downtown and 1 May Co. Department
the first ever designed with easy access for Store (1940): Wilshire at
the motorized shopper. The man behind this Fairfax Ave
vision was developer A. W. Ross, who, in 1921, 2 El Rey Theater (1928):
bought 18 acres (7 ha) of land between La 5517 Wilshire Blvd
Brea Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue with the
lofty goal of turning it into a “Fifth Avenue of 3 Desmonds Department
the West.” His plan was a wild success, as Store Building (1929):
5514 Wilshire Blvd
department stores and upscale retail
establishments quickly moved in, but it also 4 Commercial Building
marked the beginning of LA’s decentralization. (1927): 5464 Wilshire Blvd
By the 1960s, however, a new innovation – 5 Roman’s Food Mart
the shopping mall – spelled the end of the (1935): 5413 Wilshire Blvd
“miracle.” Although a shadow of its former 6 Chandler’s Shoe Store
self, the Miracle Mile has been revitalized to (1938): Wilshire at
some extent, with galleries attracting their Cloverdale Ave
share of younger crowds. A few of the Art 7 Dominguez-Wilshire
Deco buildings have survived and are now on Blvd (1930): 5410
the National Register of Historic Places. Wilshire Blvd
8 The Dark Room (1938):
5370 Wilshire Blvd
9 Wilson Building (1930):
5217–31 Wilshire Blvd
10 Security Pacific Bank
Building (1929): 5209
Wilshire Blvd
The May Company
building is set to house
the new Academy
Museum of Motion
Pictures in 2017.







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24 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

El Pueblo de Los Angeles

This historic district protects LA’s oldest structures, all built
between 1818 and 1926. Close to the site where 44 Mexican men,
women, and children established El Pueblo de Los Angeles in the
name of the Spanish crown in 1781, it also reflects the heritage
of other ethnic groups that arrived later, including the Chinese,
Italians, and French. As LA grew into a metropolis, businesses
relocated and the area plunged into deep decline. Now restored,
three of El Pueblo de Los Angeles 27 structures contain museums.

América
1
Tropical
Mexican artist David
Alfaro Siqueiros’s contro-
versial 1932 mural is a
visceral allegory about
the exploitation of
Mexican workers.
Blessing of
2
the Animals
Leo Politi’s endearing
1978 mural shows the
old Mexican tradition
of thanking animals
for the joy and service
they provide humans.
Celebrations take
place in the Old Plaza
each year.

THE MOTHER OF
OLVERA STREET
Sepulveda
Old Plaza
Had it not been for 3 5
Christine Sterling Music, dancing, House
(1881–1963), an LA and fun fills the Old Plaza Eloisa Sepulveda built
socialite-turned-civic during lively fiestas. It has this huge 22-room
activist, the El Pueblo de sculptures of King Carlos Victorian house in 1887
Los Angeles area may III of Spain (1716–88) and as her home, a hotel,
have been completely Felipe de Neve (1724– and two stores.
different. Dismayed by 84), and a plaque listing
the seediness of LA’s the original settlers,
oldest neighborhood, honor LA’s founders.
Sterling launched her
1926 campaign to save Olvera Street
it, backed by LA Times Named after LA’s 4
publisher Harry Chandler first county judge, this
and others. In April
1930, Olvera Street was busy, brick-paved lane
reincarnated as a busy has been a Mexican
Mexican market. The marketplace since 1930
Avila Adobe contains an (right). Wander past and
exhibit on her triumph. try some tacos or tortas.





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El Pueblo de Los Angeles ❮❮ 25


5
1
0
N MAIN STREET O LVE R A STREE T NORTH ALAMEDA ST
PASEO LUIS OLIVARES
7
2 N LOS ANGELES ST
Pico House
6
Pio Pico, the last Mexican
governor of California, built this grand
edifice (above) in 1870. It was LA’s first 6 89 3 4
three-story structure and once a hotel. Map of El Pueblo de Los Angeles
Old Plaza
Avila Adobe
9 0
Firehouse
LA’s oldest
This two-story brick surviving house (below),
building is a must-see. built by mayor Don
Firehouse No.1 with its Francisco Avila in 1818,
all-volunteer crew and went through several
horse-drawn equipment incarnations as a military
was operational until headquarters and
1897. Check out a small boarding house. Today, it
exhibit of memorabilia. contains a visitor center.











Plaza Catholic
7 NEED TO KNOW Chinese American
Church
Worshipers have MAP W3–4 Museum: 425 N Los
Angeles St; open
gathered in LA’s oldest El Pueblo Visitor Center: 10am–3pm Tue–Sun;
church (above) since Avila Adobe, Olvera Street; adm $3
1822. The original was
rebuilt in 1861. Features 213-628-1274; open • Olvera Street is great
include the painted 9am–4pm daily; www. for an authentic Mexican
ceiling and the main elpueblo.lacity.org meal. Try the popular
altar framed in gold leaf. Olvera Street market: Casa Golondrina or the
casual La Luz del Día.
Chinese
8 open 10am–7pm daily • Volunteer docents
American
(some shops may open
Museum earlier and close later) offer free guided tours of
El Pueblo at 10am, 11am,
The Chinese first settled Avila Adobe: open and noon Tuesday to
here in the late 19th 9am–4pm daily Saturday. Check in next to
century. This museum, the firehouse. The visitor
housed in the 1890s Old Plaza Firehouse: open center offers self-guided
Garnier Building, traces 10am–3pm daily tour pamphlets.
the community’s history.
Following pages Chinese Garden at The Huntington

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026-027_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 27 20/02/2017 15:16

28 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights The Huntington ❮❮ 29

The Huntington

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
form one of those rare places that manages to please the eye,
stimulate the mind, and nourish the soul all at the same time. The
former estate of railroad and real-estate baron Henry E. Huntington
(1850–1927), it consists of a trio of treasures: the art collections
include fine examples of British, French, and American art; the
Huntington Library has about seven million rare manuscripts and
books, including a Gutenberg Bible; and the
Botanical Gardens are a feast of flora in a
tranquil parklike setting.

Japanese 3
Garden
A place for strolling and
quiet contemplation,
Huntington’s Japanese
Garden (right) is among
the oldest of its kind in
the US. Its canyon setting
is accented by a waterfall,
a shimmering pond filled
with koi fish and water
lilies, and a teahouse.
Camellia
4
Garden
Camellias reached the
US in the 18th century.
With about 1,200 types
Desert Garden (in bloom from January
1
This exotic garden to March), this is one of
(above), with its clusters the finest collections.
of unusual cacti and
Chinese
flowering succulents, 5
has an otherworldly feel. Garden
North Vista
One of the world’s finest, This garden, Liu Fang 6
it’s a study of the ways Yuan, or the Garden of The palms and
in which desert plants Flowering Fragrance, statues lining the central
adapt to survive in harsh, was inspired by the lawn of this Baroque
arid conditions. Chinese tradition of garden (below) evoke
using gardens for old European palaces.
Rose Garden
2 scholarly purposes. The lawn connects the
This romantic
Pavilions and a teahouse gallery with a dolphin-
garden brings you nearly encircle a small lake. studded Italian fountain.
1,200 rose varieties,
some of them with a
pedigree going back to
ancient Greece. These
noble blossoms may be
enjoyed from March right
through December, but
May is the month when
most varieties flower.


028-029_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 28 20/02/2017 15:16

The Huntington ❮❮ 29

Gutenberg 7
Bible A SHORT GUIDE
The Huntington Access the Huntington
Library’s star from either Orlando
exhibit, this 1455 Road or Oxford Road.
Bible (right) is one Both lead to a large
of only 12 surviving parking lot and from
copies printed on there to the entrance
vellum by Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz, Germany, pavilion, where you can
the inventor of movable type. The colorful chapter pick up a free map. An
headings and decorations were added by hand. excellent museum store
stocks art books and
quality gifts. While you
can “do” the Huntington
in an hour or two, it’s
better to come early
and spend the day.

NEED TO KNOW
MAP E2 • 1151 Oxford
Rd, San Marino near
Pasadena • 626-405-
2100 • www.
huntington.org
Open 10am–5pm
Wed–Mon
Adm: adults $23 ($25
at w/ends); seniors and
students $19 ($21 at
w/ends); children 4–11
$10; under 4s free; free
first Thu of month with
advance reservation
• Picnicking is not
permitted, but there
Boone Gallery
8 5 8 94 is a coffee shop,
Chinese Tea House
The Boone Gallery
began life in 1911 as PALM DRIVE W PERIMETER and Café. Better yet,
make reserva tions
Henry Huntington’s E AST PERIMETER (626-683-8131) for
garage. With columns English tea served in
that echo the Neo­ 6 7 the Rose Garden Room.
Classical style of the HUNTINGTON Palm 0
CIRCLE
mansion, it is used for 3 Jungle Garden • Plants from the
temporary exhibitions. 2 Subtropical Garden nursery are available for
Garden
Lily
Australian Ponds purchase every second
Garden
Greene &
AUSTRALIAN GARDEN RD
9 1 Thursday of the month.
Greene Exhibit Map of the Huntington
Charles and Henry
Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”
Greene, known for their 0
houses and fine furnish­ This rare 1410 manuscript – known as the
ings, were pioneers of “Ellesmere Manuscript” – of English poet Geoffrey
the early 20th­century Chaucer’s most famous work is complete, in fine
Craftsman style (see p95). condition, and filled with luminous illustrations.
028-029_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 29 20/02/2017 15:16

30 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Top 10 Huntington Artworks






2 1
Huntington Art Gallery First Floor Plan

4
5
3
Huntington Art Gallery Second Floor Plan


9
6
7
0 8
Pinkie, completed in 1794
Pinkie
1 The Scott Galleries of American Art
First Floor Plan
Thomas Lawrence (1769–
The Grand Canal, Venice
1830) painted Sarah Barrett Moulton, 5
nicknamed “Pinkie,” aged 11, in a This 1837 painting is a fine
refreshingly direct and lively manner. example of the translucency typical
She died soon after the painting was of the works of J. M. W. Turner (1775–
completed, possibly of consumption. 1851). The tiny person in the lower
right corner is Shylock from the
Blue Boy
2 play The Merchant of Venice.
Thomas Gainsborough (1727–
88) is one of the most acclaimed
British society portrait painters. This
famous 1770 painting shows his
friend Jonathan Buttall in costume.
View on the Stour
3
near Dedham
Romantic landscape painter John
Constable (1776–1837) adopted a
lyrical approach to depicting nature.
His emphasis on sky, light, and other The Long Leg, painted in c.1930
intangible qualities influenced other
The Long Leg
artists, including the Impressionists. 6
The solitude and anonymity
Madonna and Child
4 of human existence is a recurring
theme in the paintings of Edward
A master of early Flemish
painting, Rogier van der Weyden Hopper (1882–1967), a leading
(c.1400–64) infused his works with 20th-century American Realist. Here,
emotional intensity, evident here these sentiments of loneliness are
in the Virgin’s face and hands. expressed in a famous sailing scene.


030-031_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 30 20/02/2017 15:16

The Huntington ❮❮ 31

The Western Brothers
Chimborazo
7 9
John Singleton Copley (1738–
A trip to Ecuador inspired this
painting by 19th-century American 1815) was born in Colonial Boston
landscape artist, Frederic Church and moved to England just before
(1826–1900). Church took creative 1776. This 1783 double portrait is
license when compressing the characterized by flowing strokes
mountains, desert, and jungle into and strong facial expressions.
a single image (1864). The Robinson
Dining Room
Breakfast in Bed
8 0
Pennsylvania-born Mary
This re-created dining room
Cassatt (1844–1926) moved to Paris exemplifies the innovative genius
in 1873, where she befriended Edgar of the brothers Charles and Henry
Degas and fell under the spell of Greene. Designed between 1905 and
Impressionism. The subject of 1907, it contains original furniture
mother and child was a favorite. and an amazing chandelier.
HENRY HUNTINGTON’S BIG RED CARS
Henry E. Huntington made his vast fortune by TOP 10
marrying real-estate speculation with public BIG RED CARS
trans portation. The largest landowner in FACTS AND STATS
Southern California, he established the Pacific 1 Covered four counties
Electric Railway in 1901, primarily to get
people out to the far-flung new suburbs he 2 Linked 50 communities
was developing. Soon Huntington’s fleet of 3 First ride: 1901
interurban red trolleys – dubbed the “Big Red 4 Last ride: 1961
Cars” – became the world’s largest electric- 5 Track: 1,150 miles
transit system, linking communities across (1,850 km)
Southern California. By the time he sold 6 Fleet: 900 cars at peak
most of his holdings to the Southern Pacific 7 Passengers: 109 million
Railroad in 1910, the population of LA had in 1944 (peak year)
tripled to around 310,000. “The last trolley” 8 Fare: a penny a mile
made its farewell voyage in 1961.
9 Top speed: 40–50 mph
(60–80 km/h)
A model of the popular Big Red Car trolleys is 10 Car length: 50 ft
one of the highlights of the Huntington collection. (15 m)
























030-031_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 31 20/02/2017 15:16

32 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Universal
Studios Hollywood SM


The world’s largest movie and television studio sprang from the
imagination of cinema pioneer Carl Laemmle. In 1915, he bought
a former chicken ranch, brought in cameras, lights, and actors,
and started making silent films. The theme park began taking
shape in 1964. Today, Universal Studios
Hollywood gets more visitors (about
SM
seven million a year) than any other
attraction in LA County.

























CityWalk
The Simpsons
King Kong
1 2 4
Ride™
The King Kong 360
A lively carnival
3-D is the first theme atmosphere reigns along Join the Simpsons in the
park attraction created this studio-adjacent Krustyland theme park
by Peter Jackson, who promenade with its mix as they try to save Bart
directed the Oscar- of restaurants, shops, from Sideshow Bob. The
winning 2005 film upon neon signs and enter- characters are all voiced
which it is based. Guests tainment venues. by the original actors.
enter into a world where
Studio Tour
the film and tram are 3
tied into a simulator that For a look at
creates a titanic struggle movie-making, this
between the 30-ft (9.1-m) 45-minute narrated tram
tall gorilla and gigan tic tour of the actual work-
dinosaurs (above). It is ing studio is a must.
billed as “the largest, Cruise past 35 sound-
most intense 3-D experi- stages to the vast backlot
ence on the planet.” and outdoor sets (right).

032-033_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 32 20/02/2017 15:16

Universal Studios Hollywood ❮❮ 33
SM


STUDIO GUIDE
Shrek
8
4-D™
Jurassic
5 ® Shrek comes to Universal Studios is
divided into upper and
Park –
lower sections linked by
The Ride life in this state-of-the- a long, multisegmented
A gentle rafting trip art sensory immersion escalator. All visitors
through a lush primor- with ground-breaking receive a map that also
dial park inhabited by OgreVision animation lists that day’s show
cloned dinosaurs turns (above). Voiceovers times. Note that it’s
into a nightmare as include comic talents about a 10-minute stroll
along CityWalk from the
guests come face to face Eddie Murphy, Cameron parking lot to the box
with a voracious T-Rex. Diaz and Mike Myers. office. The park is least
busy midweek in the
Escalator Down
LOWER LOT To Lower Lot off-season (October to
4 April). In summer, arrive
5 before the doors open
1 Blast 3 and race to the most
UPPER LOT Zone popular attractions first.
Shrek4-D 8
The Blues
7 Brothers
Universal
6 Amphitheatre
9
Exit 0
Map of Ticket Entrance
Universal Booths Jurassic Parking
Studios Hollywood SM 2
Revenge of The
6 SM
Mummy – The Ride
The park’s first ever roller coaster is a
psychological thrill ride that will bring
you face to face with the fear of dark-
ness, insects, speed, and heights.
Transformers™:
7
The Ride 3-D
The Wizarding
Get caught in an intergalactic war 9
between the heroic Autobots and the World of
evil Decepticons in this popular ride. Harry Potter
Marvel at the remarkable
NEED TO KNOW and self-service cafés and detail in Hogsmeade
village and Hogwarts
MAP D1 • 100 Universal restaurants. For a proper Castle (above). Harry
City Plaza, Universal sit-down meal, get your Potter and the Forbidden
City • 800-864-8377 hand stamped to allow Journey 3-D ride and the
• www.universalstudios re-entry and then head Flight of the Hippogriff
hollywood.com to one of CityWalk’s many roller coaster will keep
superb restaurants.
Open call for details; the Muggle in you happy.
seasonal hours vary • Beat the crowds with
the Front-of-the-Line Water World ®
Adm: adults $105; adults Ticket or the guided VIP 0
For the best
or children under 4 ft Experience, which stunts, catch this show
(1.2 m) tall $99; under 3s includes an expanded
free; discounted tickets Studio Tour (tours also where the polar ice caps
are available online in Spanish). Prices vary. have melted and all land
lies beneath the sea.
• Dining inside the park • Print-at-home tickets Memorable moments
is limited to snack bars are available online. include a crash-landing
seaplane and fireballs.
032-033_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 33 23/03/2017 14:13

34 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is a 6-sq-mile (16-sq-km) natural playground of
rugged hills and gentle valleys, draped with native oak trees,
manzanita, and sage. As well as hiking and horseback trails, there
are picnic areas, golf courses, tennis courts and an outdoor pool.
The country’s largest urban park owes its existence to the
Welshman Griffith Jenkins Griffith (1850–1919). In 1896, Griffith
donated a large portion of his estate to the city with the proviso that
it become “a place of recreation and rest for the masses.”

Los Angeles
2
Zoo
Some 1,200 animals are
found here (see p59),
including koalas and
chimps. The breeding
program has brought the
California condor back
from near-extinction.
Mount
Autry Museum
Hollywood
1 3
of the
Trail
American West The popular trek to the
This great collection of art top of Mount Hollywood,
and artifacts covers the the highest point in
history and myth ology of Griffith Park, rewards
the American West (above). hikers with plenty of
Star exhibits include a exercise and sweeping
Colt handgun collection. views of Los Angeles.
Travel Town
JAMES DEAN 4
Museum
Greek Theatre
MEMORIAL A fleet of vintage 5
James Dean was one of locomotives (below), A favorite LA
Hollywood’s big stars freight and passenger outdoor concert venue,
when, aged 24, he died cars, and several the 5,700-seat Greek
in a car crash on a lone cabooses (goods trains) Theatre (see p64)
highway in Central draw railroad aficionados presents a summer
California. A bronze bust to this outdoor museum. season of top musical
outside the Griffith Park Children love riding the talent in its leafy natural
Observatory honors the miniature train. bowl setting.
actor, who filmed the
famous knife-fight from
Rebel Without a Cause
on the steps of the
building. The scene’s
intensity stems partly
from the fact that the
actors used real
switchblades, though
wearing pro tective
vests. The bust is on the
west side of the lawn.




034-035_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 34 20/02/2017 15:16

Griffith Park ❮❮ 35

Forest Lawn Memorial
6 4 V ENTURA FWY 2
Park – Hollywood Hills
ZOO DRI V E
Buster Keaton and Bette Davis are 6 1
among the celebrities interred in this G RIFFIT H P A RK DR CRYSTA L SPRIN G D R
parklike cemetery dotted with patriotic MT GOLDEN STATE FWY
art and architecture. H O LLYWO O D VIS TA
Griffith Observatory
7 9 D R D EL VA L L E DR 8
and Planetarium
5
The observatory (below) has been the 3
park’s chief attraction since 1935. A
renovation project added 40,000 sq ft 7 0
(3,716 sq m) of public space. Map of Griffith Park
Merry-Go-
8
Round
A slice of nostalgia in
the midst of futuristic
LA, this beloved 1926
Stillman carousel has 68
exquisitely carved horses
with real horse-hair tails.
Bronson Caves
9
Scenes from Star
Trek, Batman, Bonanza,
and countless other film
and TV productions were
shot in this former rock
quarry and caves, tucked
away in a remote corner
of Griffith Park (below).




NEED TO KNOW 10am–4pm daily (to 6pm
MAP D1 Sat & Sun)
Griffith Park: open Bronson Caves: Take
6am–10pm Canyon Dr to the end,
then take the path past
Griffith Park Ranger Station: the gate east of the last
4730 Crystal Springs Dr parking lot Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory: 2800 Southern Railroad: open 0
and Southern
E Observatory Rd; 213- 10am–4:30pm Mon–Fri Railroad
473-0800; open noon– (to 5pm Sat & Sun) Generations of children
10pm Tue–Fri, 10am– have boarded the three
10pm Sat & Sun • The Crossroads West miniature trains that
Autry Museum of the Café at the Autry Museum chug along a 1-mile
American West: 4700 of the American West (1.6-km) track past pony
Western Heritage Way; serves breakfast and lunch. rides, a Wild West ghost
open 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, • Sunset Ranch Stables town and a Native
10am–5pm Sat & Sun (3400 Beachwood Dr) American village, moving
Travel Town Museum: leads Friday night horse over a bridge, through a
5200 Zoo Dr; open rides through the park. tunnel, past grazing goats
and a cactus garden.






034-035_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 35 20/02/2017 15:16

36 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Disneyland Resort
®
Since 1955, the landmarks of Disneyland have been as familiar
®
and as “real” as the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building. A
second theme park, Disney California Adventure was been added
®
adjacent to the original in 2001. Downtown Disney , a further
®
addition, is an entertainment, restaurant, and retail district. The
two parks, three Disney hotels, and Downtown Disney together
®
form Disneyland Resort.
®
Meeting 1
Mickey
Before meeting Mr.
Mouse up close and
personal, children are
invited to stroll through
his house and garden and
visit one of his sets. In
Mickey’s Toontown (right).
Haunted
2
Mansion
Dare to enter this
mysterious mansion
in New Orleans Square
inhabited by 999 ghoul ish
spirits. Board a “Doom
Buggy” for a chilling ride.
Matterhorn
3
Bobsleds
The park’s first roller
coaster may look tame
but it packs a punch.
Strap into a bobsled for
a bumpy but exhilarating
ride. A must-do for kids!
Big Thunder
5
Mountain
Railroad
Hop on to this runaway
mine train roller coaster
in Frontierland for a
journey through the Wild
West. Charge through
bat caverns and brave
falling rocks.
Roger Rabbit’s
6
Car Toon Spin
Get ready for a wild ride
Pirates of the Caribbean
4 in Mickey’s Toontown as
Hold on to your hat as you plunge down into
you pilot a runaway cab
a watery world of darkness where wicked pirates through the wacky world
plunder the Caribbean (above). of Roger Rabbit.




036-037_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 36 20/02/2017 15:16

Disneyland Resort ❮❮ 37
®

Mickey's
1 Toontown 6 SHOWS, PARADES,
Critter
5 Country AND PYROTECHNICS
3 Daily sched ules vary
Fantasyland Monorail
8 Frontierland but you may get to see
2 Mickey’s sen sational
New Orleans Main Tomorrowland 0 parade on Main Street,
4 Square Street 7 U.S.A with its explosive
USA
Adventureland Map of music and decorated
Disneyland® floats. The skies are
9 Entrance Resort ablaze for “Remember...”
a fireworks extravaganza
Space
7 with popular songs
from Disney movies.
Mountain
Soar by comets, stars, A seasonal highlight is
Fantasmic!, a 25-minute
and solar systems live action evening
while plunging into special-effects show
the unknown. Dips and starring Mickey Mouse
sharp­banked turns will and other characters.
keep you clutching the Special shows are also
edge of your rocket ship. set for the Christmas
holidays, Lunar New
Splash
8 Year, and Halloween.
Mountain
Follow Brer Rabbit and a
cast of other characters
from Disney’s Song of
the South on their adven­
tures in Critter Country
as you travel along a
watery path aboard
hollowed­out flume logs.
Indiana Jones
9
Adventure™
Join Indy on this bumpy
ride through an old
temple in Adventureland
on a rickety jeep.
Star Tours – The
Adventures Continue 0
Inspired by the original Disneyland Star Tours ,
®
this popular attraction in Tomorrowland (right)
features varied characters and destinations in 3­D.
NEED TO KNOW Disney California Adventure: Adventure®, and Cajun
MAP F4 • 1313 Harbor 10am–6pm Mon–Fri, fare at the candle lit Blue
Blvd, Anaheim, about 30 10am–9pm Sat & Sun; adm Bayou in Disneyland®.
$119 adult, $95 child (3–9)
miles (48 km) south of LA • If you’re staying in Los
• 714-781-4565 • www. Off-peak Disneyland®: Angeles and want to be
disneyland.com 9am–6pm Mon–Fri, the first through the gate
9am–8pm Sat & Sun
Disneyland®: 8am–10pm when the parks open at
Mon–Fri, 8am–11pm or • Try the alfresco Italian 8am or 9am, make sure to
midnight Sat & Sun; adm at Wine Country Trattoria, leave at least 90 minutes
$109 adult, $95 child (3–9) within Disney California early to avoid traffic.


036-037_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 37 20/02/2017 15:16

38 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Disneyland Resort:
®
California Adventure ®


It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
3
Starring a cast of termites,
stinkbugs, tarantulas, and other
creepy crawlies from Disney•Pixar's
popular children’s film A Bug’s Life,
this 3-D animated movie follows life
from a bug’s-eye view. The show
brims with special effects, some
of them rather tactile and intense.
Great fun, though not for the
squeamish or for small children.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
4
It's Tough to Be a Bug! Put on your 3-D glasses and
be transported to a world of classic
Grizzly River Run
1 American carnival-style games.
Shoot darts at balloons, rings at
Billed as the “world’s highest,
longest, and fastest,” this thrilling aliens, eggs at barnyard targets, and
whitewater raft ride takes you on a more. Keep your wits about you and
churning trip through the Sierra watch out for the special effects!
Nevada foothills beneath a Grizzly
Mickey’s Fun Wheel
bear-shaped mountaintop. You will 5
get wet on this one! You can’t miss this enormous,
150-ft- (46-m-) tall Ferris wheel
California Screamin’
2 with a grinning Mickey Mouse on
This scary, spine-tingling
the front of it. Two different ride
roller coaster at Disney California experiences are on offer: the red
Adventure shoots you out like a gondolas on the outer portion of the
®
cannon, then smoothly zooms you wheel are fixed – like any normal
around the track, making a complete Ferris wheel – while the other
loop under the Paradise Pier sign. gondolas on the inner part of the
The “carnival meets rock’n’roll” wheel swing around freely as they
soundtrack is a draw. rotate around the wheel. Both give
California Screamin’
and Mickey’s Fun Wheel


















038-039_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 38 20/02/2017 15:16

Disneyland Resort ❮❮ 39
®

















Radiator Springs Racers speeding through Ornament Valley
World of Color
stunning views of Paradise Bay. Be 9
sure to get in the right queue for the A dramatic, whimsical, and
nine-minute ride. dazzling water fountain show, World
of Color is spectacular fun for the
Radiator Springs Racers
6 whole family. Special effects are
played out on huge projection
A smiling six-person
convertible takes you on a scenic screens made from sprayed water,
drive through Ornament Valley while images from Disney movies
before your final preparation for the and characters run by. Brilliant
big race. Once lined up with another colors burst, flamethrowers cast
car full of guests, the green flag will waves of flames 50 ft (15 m) into
drop and you’ll begin a high-speed, the air, and a musical score fills
flat-out race through the desert, past you with the wonder that is Disney.
camelback hills, red rock formations,
geysers, and banked turns.
Guardians of the Galaxy
7
– Mission: BREAKOUT!
Experience the terrifying sensation
of free falling in the dark surrounded
by audio and visual effects. You’ll join
the Marvel Comics character, Rocket
Raccoon, as he attempts to free
other Guardians of the Galaxy figures
who are imprisoned in glass display
cases suspended over a bottomless
pit. Scheduled to open in late
summer 2017.
Animation Academy
8 Soarin' Around the World
For about 15 minutes, a Disney
Soarin’ Around the World
animator gives you step-by-step 0
instructions on how to draw your Lift off as you “fly” above the
favorite character, such as Mickey, Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa Valley
Donald, or Goofy. Materials are vineyards, the Sierras, and other
supplied. You’ll learn a few basic California landmarks in this virtual
techniques, and, naturally, you can hang-gliding adventure. This is the
take home your finished product most memorable ride at Disney
and frame it for the dining room. California Adventure .
®




038-039_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 39 20/02/2017 15:16

40 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Disneyland Resort: Practical Tips
®

Parent Swap
5
Ideal for those travelling with
young children. One of your party can
wait with the kids while the other
rides, and then you can swap,
without having to wait in line again.
Souvenirs
6
Try not to stock up too early to
avoid carrying souvenirs around all
day. World of Disney at Downtown
®
E-Ticket Pool Disney has the best selection.
When to Visit
Kids’ Matters
1 7
The parks are busiest during
Each park has baby care
the summer, around Easter and centers and baby stroller rental
Thanksgiving, and again between stations. Some rides have minimum
Christmas and New Year. Crowds height requirements.
thin out from January to March
and November to mid-December.
Beating the Crowds
2
If you're visiting during peak
periods, try to visit midweek instead
of weekends and aim to arrive at
least half an hour before the gates
open, then head for your favorite
rides first. Lines are usually shorter
at lunchtime and during the parades.
Single Lines
3
If you don't mind riding
alone or with a stranger, several Hearthstone Lounge
attractions in both parks have “single
What to Bring
lines” to fill any gaps. Usually these 8
lines are much shorter. and What to Wear
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes
and bring a hat, sunscreen, and a
sweater for the evening, even during
the summer. It’s all available in the
park, but at inflated prices.
Hidden Mickeys
9
These can be found hidden
Anna & Elsa's Boutique throughout the park. People make a
game of spotting them.
Disney Hotels
4 FASTPASS System
Staying at one of the three
official Disney hotels is not cheap, 0
Insert your admission ticket
but they are convenient for access. into machines by select attractions to
Disney’s Grand Californian (see p149) receive a one-hour time slot for
even has a direct entrance to Disney boarding. It’s free, but you can only
California Adventure Park . have one FASTPASS active at a time.
®


040-041_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 40 23/03/2017 14:13

Disneyland Resort ❮❮ 41
®

WALT DISNEY’S VISION

Walt Disney (1901–66), TOP 10
creator of Mickey Mouse, DISNEY BY NUMBERS
was a pioneer in the 1 650 million guests
field of animation. A since opening
relentlessly driven and 2 1.1 million plants
inventive man, he planted every year
wished to share his 3 Seven US presidents
brilliant imagination have visited
with families in a 4 1.2 million gallons of
non-cinematic way. soft drinks sold annually
Watching his own 5 5,000 gallons of paint
children at play used each year
Mad Tea Party at in an ordinary
Disneyland Park amusement park, 6 800 species of saplings
throughout the resort
Disney was inspired
to build a place that was clean and filled with 7 25,000 employees
(“cast members”)
attractions for both parents and kids. Walt
Disney envisioned a theme park with five lands: 8 4 million hamburgers
consumed annually
Main Street, a setting plucked from late
19th- and early 20th-century America; exotic 9 30 tons of trash
collected every day
Adventureland; Frontierland, paying homage to
the Wild West; futuristic Tomorrowland; and 10 100,000 light bulbs
Fantasyland, inspired by the song When You illuminate the resort
Wish Upon a Star. Disney picked a 160-acre
(65-ha) site in Anaheim and oversaw every aspect
of the planning and construction of Disneyland®.
When the Magic Kingdom opened its gates in
1955, and 28,000 people stormed in, tears
reportedly streamed down Walt Disney’s cheeks
– his great dream had finally become a reality.


















Walt Disney unveils his plans for Disneyland to a national television
audience during the premiere of the television show "Disneyland".







040-041_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 41 20/02/2017 15:16

42 ❯❯ Top 10 Los Angeles Highlights

Catalina Island

This island may be only 22 miles (35 km) across the sea, but it’s a
world away from the urban velocity of LA. Ferries dock in Avalon,
the island’s commercial hub. Most of the interior is a protected
nature preserve that may only be explored on foot or bicycle
(permit required), or by organized tour. These are excellent ways
to learn about the island’s history as a destination for sea otter
poachers, smugglers, Union soldiers, and mining speculators.



















Avalon Casino
Green Pleasure Pier
1 4
This Art Deco
This green pier has been the hub of Avalon
activity since 1909. For years, it was the official landmark, built for
weighing station for game-fishing enthusiasts. William Wrigley Jr.,
opened in 1929 and was
Lover’s Cove
A WEALTH 2 never a gambling place.
Rent a snorkel and It contains a movie
OF WILDLIFE take to the clear blue theater and a ballroom
Catalina has a unique waters of this poetically that once hosted
ecosystem and includes named marine preserve nationally broadcast
such endemic species as teeming with golden concerts. Murals of
the Channel Island fox Garibaldi (California’s underwater scenes
and the Catalina ground state marine fish). adorn the exterior.
squirrel. The introduction
of non-native animals Wrigley Memorial and
resulted in overgrazing, 3
Botanic Gardens
a trend the Catalina The monument to William Wrigley Jr., built in 1935
Island Conservancy is with local materials, towers over vast gardens
now seeking to reverse. (below). Plants include species unique to the island.
Another restoration
project has returned the
California bald eagle to
the skies. Pelicans, gulls,
and cormorants can also
be spotted. The ocean
waters are abundant
with sea lions, Garibaldi,
flying fish, and shark.


042-043_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 42 20/02/2017 15:16

Catalina Island ❮❮ 43
West
End
8 Map of Catalina Island
Two
Harbors 4
Catalina
Harbor EL RANCHO STAGE
ESCONDIDO
Little Harbor 0
Black Jack ROAD
Mountain
5
Casino Point
Two
5 8 Bullrush Canyon Avalon 6
Harbors
Dive Park
This reserve, set up in Popular with boaters, 1
1965, was California’s hikers, and campers, this 7 3 2 Rocks
Seal
first city-designated slow-paced rustic village on a natural isthmus is
water park and is great about 23 miles (37 km) west of Avalon. It is served
for divers (above). by ferry from the mainland and by bus from Avalon.
Green Pleasure Pier
and Avalon Casino







Nature Center at
6 Catalina 9
Buffalo
Avalon Canyon
Here, hands-on activities Island explorations may
and interpretive exhibits lead to encounters with
showcase the biodiversity herds of chocolate-
of Catalina Island. colored buffalo (right).
The first 14 animals were
Catalina
7 brought here in 1924
Country Club
for a Zane Grey film.
In 1929, Wrigley Jr. made
Catalina Island Museum
this the spring training 0
ground of his baseball Over 7,000 years of island history come alive
team. The club house is here, with artifacts, pottery, and photographs from
now a restaurant. Catalina’s days as the darling of Hollywood.
NEED TO KNOW Catalina Island Museum: • Try the Lobster Trap
Visitors’ Bureau: Green www.catalinamuseum.org for fresh fish and Steve’s
Pleasure Pier; 310-510- Catalina Express: 800-613- Steakhouse for meat.
1520 1212 • Go swimming, kayaking,
snorkel ing, or take a
Wrigley Memorial and Island Express: 800-228- glass-bottom boat tour.
Botanic Gardens: www. 2566 • Catalina is at its best in
catalinaconservancy.org Santa Catalina Island the evening, after the last
Nature Center at Avalon Company: 877-778-8322 ferry has whisked off most
Canyon: www.catalina Catalina Adventure Tours: of the tourists, so consider
conservancy.org 877-510-2888 an overnight stay.





042-043_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 43 20/02/2017 15:16

The Top 10

of Everything













A lifeguard tower on Venice Beach















































044-045_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 44 20/02/2017 15:16

Moments in History 46 Hollywood Connections 60
Architectural Landmarks 48 Movie Theaters 62
Parks and Gardens 50 Performing Arts Venues 64
Beaches 52 Restaurants 66
Places to See and Be Seen 54 Shopping Streets 68
Off the Beaten Path 56 Los Angeles for Free 70
Children’s Attractions 58 Drives and Day Trips 72




















































044-045_Top_10_Los_Angeles.indd 45 20/02/2017 15:16

46 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Moments in History


1781: The Founding
1 Nestor Film Company, in an old
of Los Angeles
tavern at the corner of Sunset
Under orders of King Carlos III of Boulevard and Gower Street, a site
Spain, the governor of California now occupied by a production studio.
Felipe de Neve laid out a small Within a decade, the district became
settlement along a river valley and, the world’s movie capital, and, by the
on September 4, called it El Pueblo 1930s and 1940s, Hollywood had
de la Reina de Los Angeles (the officially entered its “Golden Age.”
Town of the Queen of the Angels),
another name for the Virgin Mary
(see p77).
1850: LA Becomes a City
2
After the US-Mexican War
(1846–48), Los Angeles became part
of the US on April 4, five months
before California became the 31st
state. With a population of only 1,600,
this lawless back water lacked even
such basic urban infrastructures as
graded roads and street lights.
1876: The Arrival
3
of the Railroad
Few events have stimulated LA’s
growth more than its connection to The LA aqueduct in the desert
the railroad. A small army of Chinese
1913: The Opening
immigrants built the Southern Pacific 5
track from LA to San Francisco. The of the LA Aqueduct
last spike – made of gold – was driven “There it is! Take it!” is how William
in ceremo niously on September 5. Mulholland, father of the world’s
longest aqueduct, famously greeted
1911: The Movies
4 the first spurt of water to arrive in
Come to LA
LA from the Owens Valley, some
British immigrants David and 250 miles (400 km) north, on
William Horsely founded Hollywood’s November 5. Even today, the LA
first permanent movie studio, the aqueduct continues to supply over
75 percent of the water
needed by the residents
of this metropolis, which
is partly located in a sub-
tropical desert.
The 1920s:
6
The Birth of
the Aviation Industry
In possession of just
$1,000, but driven by
a dream, 28-year-old
Donald Douglas began
designing airplanes in
the back of a barber shop.
Donald Douglas and his partner David Davis A year later, the first





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Moments in History ❮❮ 47


Cloudster cargo plane propelled
his Douglas Aircraft Company into TOP 10 LA MOVERS AND SHAKERS
prominence. It went on to become
one of the world’s leading commer­
cial airplane manufacturers.
1965: The Watts Riots
7
The arrest of a young black
motorist suspected of drunk driving
by white policemen on August 11
sparked off six days of rioting and
resulted in 34 deaths, over 1,000
injuries, and $40 million in damage.
1968: The Assassination
8 Filmmaker D. W. Griffith
of Robert F. Kennedy
On June 5, just minutes after
wrapping up a speech to celebrate 1 Junípero Serra (1713–84)
his victory in the California primary, Spanish missionary and founder of
presidential candidate Robert F. 21 California missions, including LA’s
Kennedy was brutally gunned down Mission San Gabriel.
by Palestine­born Sirhan Sirhan. 2 Felipe de Neve (1728–84)
The Spanish governor who founded
1992: The LA Riots
9 Los Angeles in 1781.
Violence erupted again on
3 Stephen Watts Kearny
April 29 after the acquittal of four (1794–1848)
white police officers on trial for The American general who assisted
beating up black motorist Rodney in the capture of Los Angeles from
King – an incident famously captured the Mexican army in 1847.
on videotape. The toll: 55 dead, 2,300 4 Phineas Banning (1830–85)
injured, and $785 million in damage. The “Father of Los Angeles Harbor,”
who also constructed Southern
California’s first railroad in 1869.
5 William Mulholland (1855–1935)
The chief engineer of Los Angeles’s
Water Department.
6 Edward Doheny (1856–1935)
This miner-turned-multimillionaire
discovered oil near Downtown LA and
drilled the area’s first oil well in 1892.
7 George Freeth (1883–1916)
This Hawaiian-Irish athlete introduced
surfing to Southern California in the
early 1900s.
8 Harrison Gray Otis (1837–1917)
Northridge earthquake damage City booster and publisher of the Los
Angeles Times for three decades.
1994: Northridge
0 9 D. W. Griffith (1875–1948)
Earthquake
Millions were jolted awake on Pioneering filmmaker and co-founder
of United Artists with Charlie Chaplin,
January 17 by a violent earthquake Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks.
measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale. 10 Tom Bradley (1917–98)
It caused 57 deaths and 6,500 LA’s first African-American mayor
injuries, interrupting water, governed for an unprecedented
electrical, and gas services, and five terms – from 1973 to 1993.
damaging freeways and homes.





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48 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Architectural Landmarks


Schindler
101 134 3
House
SAN DIEGO FWY BEVERLY Griffith GLENDALE PASADENA MAP M4 • 835 N Kings Rd,
Park
2
HOLLYWOOD FWY
HILLS
WEST
• 323-651-1510 • Open
SANTA MONICA BLVD WILSHIRE BLVD 10 11am–6pm Wed–Sun
WESTWOOD HOLLYWOOD PASADENA FWY ALHAMBRA West Hollywood
L OS ANGELES
• Adm
SANTA MONICA FWY
SANTA C OUNT Y DOWNTOWN 60 The once-private home
MONICA 405 and studio of Vienna-born
INGLEWOOD 90 LONG BEACH FREEWAY architect Rudolf Schindler
VENICE MANCHESTER AVENUE HARBOR FWY SOUTHGATE 710 (1887–1953) is a modern
MARINA 8 architectural classic.
DEL REY 105 WATTS 0 km Completed in 1922, the
HAWTHORNE 0 miles 8 house has a flat roof,
open floor plan, ample
The Getty Center
1 use of glass, and rooms opening to
The architecture of the
a courtyard. It greatly influenced
extraordinary Getty Center is said to California architecture and today, it
outshine the art displayed within its houses the MAK Center for Arts and
galleries. Architect Richard Meier Architecture, which hosts a year-
created an elegant, sophisticated round schedule of architectural
space that is nevertheless warmly tours, exhibitions, lectures, and
welcoming (see pp16–19). other interesting events.
Theme Building
Walt Disney
2 4
at Los Angeles
Concert Hall
This Frank Gehry-designed International Airport
Downtown extravaganza is easily Since 1961, a flying saucer has made
recognized by its shiny and dyna- its home in the center of LAX, its
mically curved exterior. Home of space-themed design offering the
the Los Angeles Philharmonic promise of an optimistic future to
Orchestra, it seats over 2,000 people. all arriving in the city. The
The city-block-sized complex also architectural firm of Pereira and
contains two outdoor amphi- Luckman found inspiration for their
theaters (see p64 striking design in Southern
and p78). California’s own unique Googie style
of futurist archi tecture, inspired by
space, cars and jets.
Walt Disney
Concert Hall











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