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Sports & Outdoors
Los Angeles is home to two NBA teams, a WNBA team, an NHL team, soccer teams and an Arena Football League team. L.A. hosted the summer Olympic Games both in 1932 and 1984.
1. The only arena home to five professional sports franchises, the Staples Center is a state-of-the-art complex that features the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL and the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL. The complex also hosts concerts, tennis championships and skating events. For more information, call 213-742-7340. 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.
2. Dodger Stadium opened in 1962 and is home to baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. The stadium showcases views of downtown L.A., the Elysian hills and the San Gabriel Mountains. Terraced parking lots are located adjacent to the six seating levels, allowing patrons to park at roughly the same level as their seats. Known as a pitcher’s park for its large foul territory and poor visibility for hitters, Dodger Stadium has been called home by world-class baseball players such as Sandy Koufax, Orel Hershiser and Mike Piazza. For tickets, call 323-224-1500. 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles.
3. The Home Depot Center, a state-of-the-art complex for soccer, tennis, track and field, cycling, lacrosse, rugby and more, sits on a 125-acre development in Carson. For more information, call 310-630-2000; located at 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746.
Arts Museums & Landmarks
Los Angeles, the center of entertainment, also offers world-class cultural institutions, most notably the Getty Center in the Brentwood neighborhood of L.A.
1. The stone and glass design of the Getty Center, high above the Sepulveda Pass, welcomes visitors to peaceful grounds, large skylights, gardens and airy exhibition spaces. Recent displays include Italian manuscripts and Rembrandt’s Late Religious Portraits. For more information, call 310-440-7300. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles.
2. The Museum of Tolerance simultaneously focuses on the history of the Holocaust while shedding light on current prejudices and racism in America. The museum includes interactive exhibits, two theaters and a research floor. For more information, call 310-553-9036. 9786 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles.
3. Take a high-wire bicycle ride, explore a 50-foot replica of the human body or watch a screening at the IMAX Theater, all in the name of science. The California Science Center is a 245,000-square-foot complex devoted to scientific endeavor, and is part of the museum complex near the University of Southern California campus. For more information, call 323-724-3623. 700 State Drive, Los Angeles.
4. With more than 100,000 works of contemporary art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on the Miracle Mile displays collections of Asian art, photography, sculpture, textiles and a costume collection. Admission is free everyday after 5 p.m., and all day on the second Tuesday every month. For more information, call 323-857-6000; located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Dining
Visitors to L.A. can enjoy the fresh, regional ingredients of California cuisine. Additionally, Los Angeles absorbs the culinary influences of its Asian and Latin American communities.
1. Surrounded by pepper and olive trees, Spago Beverly Hills offers a romantic, intimate setting while patrons enjoy classic Italian cuisine. The restaurant boasts celebrity clientele nightly. For reservations, call 310-385-0880. 176 N. Cannon Drive, Beverly Hills.
2. The downtown L.A. seafood restaurant, Water Grill, has people coming back for its fresh fish, low-key atmosphere and simple preparation. For reservations, call 213-891-0900. 544 S. Grand, Los Angeles.
3. Thirty-foot ceilings and Art Deco inspiration make Cicada a vibrant nightspot. The Northern Italian cuisine satisfies palates, and the plush bar invites guests to stay until the wee hours. For reservations, call 213-488-9488. 617 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles.
4. The celebrity-infested Cuban eatery, Asia de Cuba, is located within the Mondrian Hotel and features shareable dishes like miso-cured Alaskan butterfish and coconut layer cake. The velvet-roped Sky Bar is next door. For reservations, call 323-848-6000; located at 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Shopping
L.A. continues to build shopping complexes around its neighborhoods, and visitors can easily get a mall fix in this city. For a unique alternative, try Melrose Avenue; for a breathtakingly expensive turn, head to Rodeo Drive.
1. Shopping denizens have found their version of paradise on Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, the world-famous strip that houses high-end boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Christian Dior, Chanel and Gucci. For more information, call 310-248-1015. Rodeo Drive and Little Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills.
2. Mini boutiques fluctuate from haute couture to skater trends at Fred Segal, a haven for cult local designers and hard-to-find European lines. Located along Melrose Avenue, the area surrounding Fred Segal features neon signage and myriad eclectic boutiques. For more information, call 323-651-4129. 8100 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles.
3. The Third Street Promenade features a pedestrian-only area filled with street performers, chic boutiques and a farmers market. Casual shoppers can enjoy strolling the promenade, checking fresh produce and window-shopping on a sunny day in Santa Monica. For more information, call 310-393-8355. Santa Monica Boulevard and Third Street, Santa Monica.
Events
Thanks to pleasant weather year-round, numerous festivities, events and celebrations take place throughout the year in Los Angeles.
1. Each year, the West Hollywood Gay & Lesbian Pride Celebration takes place in West Hollywood Park, with a children’s garden, dancing and music. A parade is held on Sunday at 11 a.m. along Santa Monica Boulevard. This year’s Pride Festival is June 9-11, 2006. For more information, call 323-969-0761; located at 7551 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
2. The Los Angeles County Fair is an old-fashioned event that has been held in Los Angeles each year since 1922. Horse racing, livestock, thrill rides, musical entertainment and food vendors round out this family-friendly fair each September. The County Fair is held September 8-October 1, 2006. For more information, call 909-623-3111. 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona.
3. The L.A. Film Festival is held in Westwood this year, with George Lucas as the Guest Director. The festival showcases the best of American and international films, where filmmakers, critics and movie-lovers unite. The Film Festival takes place June 22-July 2, 2006. For more information, call 1-866-345-6337; located at 9911 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035. The Hollywood Film Festival takes place October 18-24, 2006. For more information, call 310-288-1882; located at 433 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
4. The annual ESPN X Games will be held August 3-6, 2006 at primary sport venues including the Home Depot Center in Carson, the STAPLES Center in downtown L.A. and the Long Beach Marine Stadium. Sports at this event include BMX freestyle stunts, MotoX tricks, skateboarding, surfing and wakeboarding. Held at various Los Angeles locations.
Gay Pride Events and Gay Parades in Los Angeles
Neighborhoods
1. Beverly Hills
One of the most well known zip codes in the United States is home to Beverly Hills, one of the most elegant neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The area includes Rodeo Drive, the Museum of TV and Radio, high-end dining venues and mansions of the rich and famous.
2. Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown L.A. is enjoying a resurgence as a cultural and entertainment center in the bustling metropolis. The Staples Center, the Flower District and Chinatown are all housed in the downtown area of the city.
3. Hollywood
Tinseltown is home to Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame. The area boasts hot nightspots and restaurants, as well as the Kodak Theater, where the Oscars are televised each spring, and the Movie Stars’ Homes Tours.
4. Long Beach
Featuring miles of beautiful shores, Long Beach is home to the Toyota Grand Prix, the Queen Mary, a royal ocean liner and a famous aquarium. High-rise buildings and convention centers dot the area, all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The South Bay is comprised of smaller beach towns, including Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and the Palos Verdes Estates.
Redondo Beach’s primary attraction is the Municipal Pier, one of the longest piers in North America. To the east of Redondo Beach is Manhattan Beach, which features over two miles of ocean frontage, 40 acres of beach and 59 acres of parkland.
5. LAX Area
One of the largest airports in the United States, Los Angeles International Airport serves as a major hub for United Airlines and is approximately 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles. The neighborhood surrounding the airport is quiet, tree-lined and vastly different from the chaotic city nearby.
6. Universal/Burbank
San Fernando Valley, more commonly known as “The Valley,” features suburbs, strip malls and restaurants, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio and Universal Studios in the cities of Burbank and Universal City.
7. Malibu
The original “Surf City USA” is Malibu, with 27 miles of Pacific coastline and home of numerous movie stars. Surfrider Beach marks the beginning of U.S. surfing.
8. Venice Beach
Well known for canals, beaches and a colorful boardwalk, Venice Beach includes numerous beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, a bike trail and the Skate Dancing Plaza.
9. Santa Monica
This beach community is home to the famous Santa Monica Pier, its historic carousel and the Pacific Park amusement park. The pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade, miles of beaches and a healthy way of life are sure to appeal to visitors to Southern California.
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