DK Travel : Los Angeles

The myth, the velocity, the edginess in creative and technological fields – this is Los Angeles, where the multicultural future that awaits the rest of the country is already a firm reality. In little more than 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.

Errol Flynn

Hard-living swashbuckler whose penchant for teenage girls earned him a statutory rape charge in 1942.
Exotic Landscape

Henri Rousseau (1844–1910) is renowned for his poetic, naive paintings that depict magical, lushly landscaped dream worlds. He created this work shortly before his death.
Exploring Exposition Park in a Day

Morning

Start at Exposition Park from Figueroa Street and make the Natural History Museum the first stop of the day. Admire its lovely façade, before delving into the exhibits inside. A landmark bronze sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus rex battling a Triceratops stands to the north outside. Crossing the street takes you to the University of Southern California campus, where you can join a free guided tour offered hourly from 10am to 3pm. Have lunch on campus or walk east on Exposition Boulevard to the Mercado La Paloma, a Latin-flavored community center with colorful crafts stalls and casual eating joints.

Afternoon

Backtrack to Exposition Park and start the afternoon with a look at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum , the main venue of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. The two huge headless bronze figures outside the eastern entrance were designed by local sculptor Robert Graham. Just north of here is the California Science Center, with many interactive exhibits. Grab a cold drink from the downstairs cafeteria and head outside to the fragrant Rose Garden (see Exposition Park Rose Garden) to relax. If you still have the energy left, do check out the latest exhibits at the California African American Museum. Otherwise, wind down the day with a 3D visual adventure at the IMAX Theater (see California Science Center IMAX Theater) next to the Science Center.
Exploring Historic Pasadena

Morning

A classic way to start the day in Pasadena is with an energizing breakfast at Marston’s . After your fill of pancakes, stroll east a couple of blocks on Walnut Street and have a look at the beautiful Beaux-Arts Main Library and the majestic City Hall a little to the south. Continue farther south to Colorado Boulevard, then head west to Old Pasadena, the city’s original downtown, a popular shopping and dining district. Check out the well-restored historic façades while browsing the stores, then pause briefly for a snack or perhaps a cold beer at the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant .

Afternoon

In the afternoon, either drive or walk west along Colorado Boulevard, then turn right on Orange Grove Boulevard to catch the 1pm or 2pm tour of the Gamble House , the Craftsman-era magnum opus by Charles and Henry Greene. Fans of this architectural style could check out several more residences designed by the brothers along nearby Arroyo Terrace and Grand Avenue. Others can make their way back to Colorado Boulevard for a visit to the first-rate Norton Simon Museum. The gorgeous gardens are a nice place for a respite and refreshments. A perfect finale to your day is to treat yourself to a grand dinner at The Raymond , one of the city’s oldest and and most popular restaurants.
Exposition Park Rose Garden

This lovely rose garden dates back to 1928 and features about 15,000 rose bushes in bloom from March to November. Great for picnics or for a respite from museum-hopping.
Fahey/Klein Gallery

A power in the world of rare, vintage, and contemporary art photography, Fahey/Klein showcases Henri Cartier-Bresson and other high-profile artists.
Farmer John Mural

It takes a morbid sense of humor to cover a sausage factory with a giant mural of verdant pastures with happy, frolicking pigs. But that’s just what the Cloughertys, the family behind the Farmer John meat empire, did when they hired Les Grimes, a Hollywood set painter, in the late 1950s. Tourists have gone “hog-wild” ever since.
Farmers Market

In 1934, two entrepreneurs asked landowner E.B. Gilmore for permission to start a produce market on a vacant parking lot on his property. Soon after, a group of farmers started selling fresh fruit, flowers, and vegetables from trucks. Many of the 150 stalls of Farmers Market, such as Magee’s Nuts, have been in the same families for generations. Scouts from nearby CBS TV City roam the market in search of game show audience members.
Farmer’s Daughter Hotel

The “price is right” at this motel opposite the Original Farmers Market and CBS, which explains its popularity with game show contestants taping at the TV studio. The staff is willing to organize tickets if you’d like to be part of the audience.
Fashion District

This 56-block district is the heart of LA’s clothing industry (the largest in the nation) and heaven on earth for bargain hunters (see Santee Alley).

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Hotel price categories

For the cheapest standard double room per night (without breakfast), taxes, and extra charges.
- under $100
- $100–$150
- $150–$250
- $250–$350
- over $350