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Los Angeles basks in Southern California on America’s West or Pacific Coast. The city itself is home to approximately four million people, but there are eighteen million in the wider locale who realistically call themselves Angelenos, making it the second largest metropolitan area in the United States in terms of population.
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Urban sprawl is a phrase made for LA and it can take more than two hours to drive its 44 mile length. . The interstate 10 is the major road running East to West through the city, whilst the 110 runs North to South. The mountains that bisect the city come as a surprise to most, and make it unique among the cities of the USA.
Beyond the low rises and skyscrapers, Los Angeles has a surprising number of parks and, of course, beaches. Los Angeles's Griffin Park is the country's second largest city park, behind New York's Central Park.
It is home to the L.A. Zoo. For a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding San Fernando Valley, visitors can hike up to famed Mullholland Drive. Countless beaches in the West have a big reputation and are described in more detail elsewhere on the LA eguide.
Having belonged to Mexico in the past, there is a large Hispanic community in LA, with Spanish spoken as a first or second language by almost half of the population. Los Angeles also sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” and is therefore susceptible to earthquakes. |
Downtown
An active business centre by day, Downtown LA is enjoying something of a Renaissance at night. The arrival of some fashionable hotels and the opening of some cutting edge bars have undoubtedly raised the standard here. There is also a surprising amount of cultural activity in the vicinity with the Startling Walt Disney music hall and the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels – the third largest in the world.
Hollywood
Perhaps one of the World’s most famous districts, Tinseltown has been cropping up on must visit lists for years. Venturing North West of downtown will find you in the heart of glamorous Hollywood home to Santa Monica and Sunset Boulevard. It’s here that you’ll be able to track down your favorite star on the iconic walk of fame. Much movie production has moved out now to outer lying districts, but there are still the palatial homes of the Hollywood hills to explore.
San Fernando Valley
Hemmed in on the North East by the Angeles national Forest and on the South west by the Topanga state park, “The Valley” is a green part of the city lying North of Hollywood. For the morbid visitor, Glendale’s Forest Lawn Cemetery is the final resting place for many figures from the past.
South Central
Exploding into international conscience after the Rodney King riots, South Central remains off most people’s radar. However, there are a handful of things to see and it's slowly working to repair its bruised image.
Westside and Beverly Hills
An affluent area to the West of the city and near the ocean this is where the Sunset Strip resides. Also home to the campus of UCLA and the shopping area of Rodeo drive.
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