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A night at the world’s largest natural amphitheater is as much part of Los Angeles summer tradition as backyard barbecues and fun at the beach. The world’s finest artists – from Sinatra to Pavarotti – have performed here since 1922. In 1924, Lloyd Wright designed the first concert shell, greatly improving acoustics.

Founded in 1899, this cemetery has the densest concentration of celebrity corpses in the world. The long list of those interred here includes Rudolph Valentino, Jane Mansfield, and Cecil B. De Mille. The grandest memorial, though, belongs to Douglas Fairbanks Sr. who, since 2000, has shared his marble tomb with his son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Buy a map of the graves from the nearby flower shop.

This museum is housed in the 1895 barn where Jesse Lasky and Cecil B. De Mille set up Hollywood’s first major film studio in 1913. Originally located at Selma Avenue and Vine Street, De Mille shot Hollywood’s first full-length feature The Squaw Man here in 1913–14. Exhibits include a recreated studio as well as plenty of photographs, props, and memorabilia from the silent movie era.

An excellent base of operation for those wanting plenty of space. Some suites are like small apartments with full kitchen, living room, and bedroom. The decor is a bit long in the tooth, but it’s all well kept. With a pool and rooftop sun-deck for perks, this place offers good value, indeed.

A stone’s throw away from Hollywood and Highland, this famous Hollywood hotel recently reinvented itself. While the grand lobby still pays homage to the original Spanish-Mediterranean decor, most rooms now have 21st-century amenities. Only the poolside cabanas retain an old-fashioned flair.

At the core of LA’s newest sports complex, opened in June 2003, is a 27,000-seat soccer stadium. It is the home turf of the Los Angeles Galaxy, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and will also serve as the US national soccer training headquarters.