Atlanta has its own booming sector in film and television, but on the other side of the continent lies the southern California city of L.A. It is known to one and all as the capital for the film and television industry, but Los Angeles is more than Hollywood. This city has a charm that makes you feel at home the minute you step out of Los Angeles International Airport. An escape to L.A. in the summer is a perfect way to experience global culture, scenic beauty and so much more. The city makes every individual stand out with their vibrant personalities while at the same time making everyone feel like they belong. There’s so much happening all at the same time and that feeling never goes away because L.A. always has so much to discover. L.A. is filled with things to do and fitting all the sights and experiences in a short time is next to impossible. The city is known for diversity and opportunity but what lies on the inside will make you truly believe that fact.
What To Do
If you are one for the mainstream tourist destinations, there is obviously the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. These spots include long walks and possible hikes up the Hollywood hills, so be sure to pack your running shoes. Besides that, a great spot for spectacular views is the Griffith Park Observatory, also located in the Hollywood Hills. Be sure to get here before sunset to see the sky look like it’s on fire.
For people who love the movies, as many of us SCAD students do, you could check out the various film studios. Warner Bros. Studios has a great tour that takes you through the sets of some of your favorite films and television shows like Harry Potter, The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Wonder Woman and more. You could also visit the Universal Studios and Disneyland.
If you’re looking to be on top of of L.A. concrete jungle, the OUE Skyspace is a wonderful spot to see the entire city and even has a glass slide for you to slide down. The building is located right across from The Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Make sure to spot some cool graffiti while you walk around downtown, and if you find one of the many angel wings that Colette Miller has painted for the Angel Wings Project you can take your picture with that and it might make you feel at home in the city of angels.
When you’re all worn out from the hustle of the main city, take a drive to the shoreline where you can crack a cold one at Venice Beach or let go of your fears on the rollercoaster at Pacific Park. If you’re still energetic enough after your afternoon tan session, you could ride along the bike trail all the way from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier and watch the sunset as you munch on some classic Mexican churros and guzzle down a glass of lemonade.
Where To Eat
Downtown is filled with both small and big restaurants that are in your budget to experience true cultural diversity. You could start off your day by having a lovely brunch at Eggslut or any of the other lovely bakeries and breakfast joints at Grand Central Market, and then perhaps make your way to some more exotic flavors at either Badshaah for an Indian-American blend or to China or Korea Town for something that might suit your Asian food cravings. Be sure to try out the amazing charcoal ice-cream at Little Damage for a quick sweet stop.
For your evening at Santa Monica Pier you could pick from the amazing Mexican joints along the oceanside or if your looking for something more classic there’s the all-time favorite Bubba Gump Shrimp Company right at the end of Route 66 along Pacific Park.
Where To Stay
As a major metropolis, L.A. definitely has innumerable options for a cozy bed and a good night’s rest. If you’re looking for something personal yet thrilling, you could explore with options at Airbnb or the hostels in the city. They have some great apartments for rent on the website located throughout L.A. Freehand is also an option that most travelers look to when they are on a limited budget. But if you don’t mind splurging a little extra, L.A. has some luxurious and beautiful hotels such as the Sheraton, the JW Marriot, the Four Seasons at Beverly Hills and The Westin.
