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Things to See in Los Angeles

by Kate Wharmby Seldman

Overview

Los Angeles is a huge city, more than 498 square miles, and it has an almost endless array of sights, too many to see in one visit. Must-sees on your first visit include the shopping mecca Rodeo Drive, the Getty Center and Villa, a tour of a film or TV studio, and a trip along Venice Boardwalk.
Rodeo Drive

If you're after a glitzy shopping experience, Rodeo Drive is the place to go. In the heart of Beverly Hills, this street is lined with the hottest designer stores, from Chanel to Christian Dior. There are three city blocks of stores to browse. If the fashions and accessories are out of your price range, Rodeo Drive still makes for great window shopping, and you might even see a celebrity stopping by to pick up a new outfit. (Celebrity spotting tip: Watch for clusters of paparazzi or limos idling by the side of the road.)

The Getty Center and Villa

The Getty Center and Villa are two of the best museums in Los Angeles. The Getty Center, in West Los Angeles, features Western art from medieval times to the present day, plus beautifully landscaped gardens. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the Getty Center's buildings are modern, constructed of concrete, steel, Italian travertine stone and aluminum. The Getty Villa, in Malibu, focuses on the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece and Etruria. The Villa's architecture is based on a Roman dwelling, the Villa dei Papiri, that existed in the first century. A renovation in 1997 added buildings with modern design elements that echo the Roman architecture. Both the Villa and the Center have no entrance fee, but the Getty Villa requires you to make a reservation before visiting.
Studio Tours

Book a tour of a major motion picture studio lot. You'll see sound stages, actors, and movies being made. Paramount (in Hollywood), Universal Studios (in Universal City), Sony (in Culver City), and Warner Brothers (in Burbank) all offer tours. As of 2009, Sony's tour costs $28, while Warner Brothers charges $45, and Paramount's tour is $35. Call to make reservations in advance. Universal offers tram tours of its lot as part of the admission price of its Universal Studios theme park. As of 2009, admission to Universal costs $59 and up. NBC Studios (in Burbank) also has a walking tour of its facilities: it's the only TV lot that does so. At $8.50, it's a bargain.
Venice Beach

Venice Beach is famous for its colorful street life. The beach side of the boardwalk is lined with vendors selling jewelry and clothes, psychics and palm readers, and artists who'll sketch your portrait. The other side features little stores selling T-shirts and smoking paraphernalia, as well as cafes and food stands. The world-famous Muscle Beach is also located here, where ripped strongmen pump huge amounts of iron. And don't forget the actual beach, which gets an A+ in water quality from HealTheBay.org.