Los Angeles is a cinema empire. There are so many attractions here that you will definitely not be able to see them in one day. Therefore, it is worth talking about the most popular of them, so that each guest of the City of Angels can draw conclusions for themselves and go to those places that you want to see the most. Of course, most of the attractions are related to filming, but besides that, Los Angeles has something to see.
Grauman's Egyptian Theater
Historical cinema, one of the first in the city. It was built thanks to the initiative of Sid Grauman. A few years earlier, Grauman had opened the Million Dollar Theater. The Egyptian theater cost the entrepreneur a little less than a million - "only" 800 thousand dollars. It was built in a year and a half. Sid Grauman, along with his father David, opened theaters in different cities of the United States. The Egyptian Theater began operating in 1922, after the death of Grauman the Elder.
In the same year, it hosted the premiere of the movie "Robin Hood". The noble robber was played by Douglas Fairbanks. The Egyptian theater brings to mind the city of Thebes. There is a palm alley in front of the entrance, inside you can see thematic drawings - hieroglyphs, pyramids, and the like. After many years of operation, the cinema demanded restoration, and it was completed. Today it is always crowded here - visiting the Egyptian Theater means touching history, admiring its beautiful interiors.
TCL Chinese Theater
This is an even more famous project by Sid Grauman, for a long time the theater bore his name. The building was built in 1927. It can simultaneously accommodate more than 1100 people. It is here that the premieres of Hollywood novelties often take place. In 2007, the cinema was purchased by the CIM Group. The building itself has already appeared several times in popular films such as Rush Hour, Iron Man 3, Blackout and others.
Dolby Theater
Another name for that theater is "Kodak". This company has always worked closely with Hollywood and invested 75 million in this project. It is in the Dolby Theater that the Oscar nominees are awarded. This led to the huge interest of tourists in the building. The rest of the time, various events will replace each other here - concerts, festivals, shows, you can even rent a Dolby for a luxurious wedding. But if you just want to see the theater from the inside, you need to buy tickets for a tour.
The theater was opened in 2001. and accommodates over 3330 spectators. It is part of a complex of shops, restaurants, clubs and cinemas. During the tour, you can admire the famous red carpet, explore the halls, climb the spiral staircase linking the five levels of the foyer, and see photographs of the Oscar winners.
Hollywood Museum
The museum is located on Highland Avenue. It will be interesting to visit here for everyone who loves cinema. The architect of the building was Simeon Charz Lee, and in the early 2000s, restoration was completed here. Today the museum can be visited every day, except Monday and Tuesday. There is a restaurant nearby, which is very convenient, because after a long excursion, many will want to have a snack. What can you see by going to the museum? Over 10 thousand items related to the history of cinema.
These are props from popular films, thousands of photographs, awards, makeup artist Max Factor's studio. You can admire the costumes of movie stars, including Marilyn Monroe, you will see advertising posters. The most impressive is the fourth floor, where everything related to horror films is presented. There is a prison corridor, scary masks, mummies and more.
Walk of fame
The famous Walk of Fame is next to Grauman's Chinese Theater. Here you can see the hand and foot prints of the greatest movie stars. It all started quite by accident when the famous actress Norma Tolmadge stepped on fresh cement. Now the prints of the public's idols are presented here. Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as many, many stars who won the love of the audience, left their traces here.
Artists who played in "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" also noted here. You can even see the paw print of the movie star dog Rin Tin Tin. But the trail of Michael Jackson and the illusion of his palm pressed to the cement were made by the singer's children after he himself passed away. To do this, they used his boot and glove. One of the youngest actors and directors to be featured on the Walk of Fame is Christopher Nolan.
Griffith Observatory
It is both a museum and a planetarium. You can also sit in an excellent cafe and admire the city. The museum is located on the territory of the park of the same name, and is included in the list of the most popular attractions. Here you can see the statue of Albert Einstein - tourists love to take pictures next to it. The idea to set up an observatory here belongs to Griffin Jenkins Griffith. At one time, he was impressed by the view of the starry sky that opened up to him when he looked through a telescope. After that, the entrepreneur allocated a large sum for the construction of the center.
According to his plan, a telescope, a cinema and a "science room" were to be located here. The center was built, but Griffith did not wait for its opening. After all, the idea was born in 1912, and the construction was completed only in 1935. During the Second World War, military pilots received the necessary knowledge at the observatory, and in 1960 - cosmonauts. Today it houses a modern planetarium. You can also look through a telescope. Hanging on the wall is a huge snapshot of the part of the sky where the constellation Virgo is located - it includes about a million galaxies. And here you can also get acquainted with the history of the Universe.
Warner Brothers Film Studio
You can devote a whole day to this excursion. And also keep in mind - it is better to order tickets in advance, on the company's website. It is also better to come in advance. The territory of the film studio is huge, so you will have to examine it using a mini-bus. First, you will see a short film that tells about the really impressive history of the film studio and the films that have been filmed here. Then the turn will come directly to the excursion. You just need to remember that it is forbidden to shoot video here, you can only take photos. Moreover, in some pavilions, you cannot turn on the flash.
You will ride the bus through the territory, making stops from time to time to see the most interesting objects. You will see the scenery for the films, you will learn how these or those effects are achieved.
You can also admire the costumes of the heroes of popular films, especially many exhibits are associated with Harry Potter and his friends. A great impression is made by the unusual cars that "lit up" in the movies. Look at a whole mountain of scenarios. Numerous authors send their imperishable works here, in the hope that films will be made on them. In fact, only a few will become hits in the film industry.
Universal Studios
Another place where you can spend the whole day. Moreover, the program will include not only a tour of the famous film studio, but also a visit to an amusement park with phenomenal attractions. The park is divided into parts, each of which is dedicated to a popular film. Appropriate decorations have been built, tourists have the impression that they have been transported to other worlds. The electronic boards display the time that you will spend in line for this or that attraction.
You can visit Harry Potter, look into the windows of fairy houses, buy magic wands.A tour of the film studio takes about an hour, where you will see 13 blocks - these are pavilions and open-air scenery. The guide will tell you what was filmed and where. Also waiting for you is the show "Water World", the attraction "The Walking Dead", in the "Jurassic Park" you will sail on a boat along the river and see the walking dinosaurs. In a word, most likely the most vivid impressions will be associated with this particular film studio.
Rodeo Drive
One of the most popular streets in Hollywood, where a huge number of expensive boutiques are concentrated. You can only hope to make purchases here if you are a very wealthy person and are ready to pay a piece of bucks for some kind of T-shirt. But you can look at everything for free. You will see luxurious houses with unusual architecture, exotic cars never seen before - from retro to exclusive models for millionaires.
Taking pictures of them is not prohibited, on the contrary, the owners are often pleased that their car was appreciated. There is also a great chance to meet movie stars here. True, for shopping, they try to dress as modestly as possible, wear dark glasses, but even this sometimes does not save them from fans. In addition, you can book a tour in an open car - you will be taken along a special route so that you can see the houses of Hollywood stars.
Venice Beach
A great place to relax. Here everyone will find something to do. You can walk along the embankment. This is a prestigious place - there are enough salons, boutiques, restaurants. And just taking a walk, looking at the audience will be interesting. Or you can go straight down to the beach. The waters of the Pacific Ocean can be muddy here, waves are not uncommon, but this does not stop those who want to swim and sunbathe.
Fine soft sand, well-developed infrastructure, the presence of outdoor sports grounds - all this is Venice Beach. Street artists also work here, you can order your own portrait. Also nearby is the Venice Beach Waldorf, where Charlie Chaplin stayed. It will be interesting to see such a historical place. And the roof of the hotel is an excellent observation deck.
Wilshire Boulevard
This is one of the central streets. What can you see here? Wilshire Boulevard stretches from Grand Avenue. You shouldn't take a taxi to see this place from your car windows. This is where the most impressive traffic jams accumulate, where you can get stuck for a long time. Better to walk. Look at the magnificent skyscrapers that began to be erected here in the middle of the 20th century. It will also be interesting to look into shops, restaurants, museums. In particular, it is worth visiting the Museum of Art and another one - the paleontological one.
Miracle mile
Located in the Wilshire Boulevard area. Once upon a time there was only a dirt road that led to farms located nearby. Then tram lines were laid. And then the construction of a large shopping center began. It happened in the 20s of the last century. The area turned out to be very promising, and retail outlets began to grow here like mushrooms after a rain. However, it was already becoming clear that the number of cars on the streets of the city would only grow.
Therefore, additional requirements were put forward for the developers. Buildings were supposed to be built along one line, equipped with parking spaces, signs were to be read from car windows. The actual length of this part of the boulevard was a mile and a half. And today you can see many popular shops here. And in the western part of the Miracle Mile there are museums. The county art museum has more than 100 thousand exhibits, ranging from the works of artists who lived in time immemorial.
Another interesting museum is named after George C. Page. Here you can see about a million remains of ancient fossils. There are plants, insects, birds, mammals, and even the skeleton of a primitive woman. It will be interesting to visit the Vehicle Museum, look at old cars and models that belonged to such movie stars as Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth. Another museum - applied and folk art - exhibits exhibits made by the hands of masters from around the world.
Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum
In the United States, only Los Angeles has hosted the Olympic Games twice, and the Memorial Colosseum is inextricably linked with them. This is one of the largest sports facilities. And he met the participants of the Olympiads twice - in 1932 and 1984. Also, the country's presidents - Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan - made their famous speeches here. The Colosseum was designed by the Parkinsons father and son. The site was originally conceived as a memorial to the veterans of the First World War.
The stadium was opened in 1923, then it could accommodate over 75 thousand people. Summer sports competitions were held here. In the future, the number of seats increased, and now more than 105 thousand could already watch the competitions of athletes. In 2028, the Summer Olympic Games will again be held here. So if you are a sports fan, don't miss the chance to see this historic site.
Madame Tussauds museum
It should be noted that this museum, which is a branch of the British, is adjacent to the largest in the United States of similar Spuni Singh wax museum. But there are enough tourists both there and there. Children and adults alike are happy to see their favorite actors and numerous historical characters. Here you can take a selfie or try on the costume of this or that hero. All characters are made in accordance with the real growth of their prototype. This is often surprising - for example, when the idol was presented taller.
In the halls you can see figures of popular TV presenters, heroes of westerns, thrillers, melodramas made of plastic materials. You can take a photo next to a copy of Marilyn Monroe or Charlie Chaplin. However, children prefer modern movie stars - their figures are also there. Adults talk about this place: The stars have come together. " All exhibits are strikingly realistic - from hair color to sparkle of eyes. Everyone can find their idol. There is also Patrick Swayze, and Audrey Hepburn, and King Kong, and Forrest Gump. And from the windows of the museum you can see the famous inscription "Hollywood" on the side of the mountain.
Downtown
The business center also condemns attention. Here you can see one of the oldest squares, erected at the beginning of the last century. Its design has changed more than once and now symbolizes the "new" city. You can always see the homeless here. There are also quite a few skyscrapers in a small area. For example, 1340 Figueroa Street has 43 floors. Los Angeles Life is worth a visit - it is a whole entertainment complex. It opened relatively recently. Metropolis also attracts attention - a complex that includes 4 skyscraper towers, and South - 3 towers. In short, there is a lot of everything - offices, hotels, shops, entertainment centers. Mostly Hispanics, Asians, African Americans and white descendants of the Spaniards live in this area of the city.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The initiative for such a hall to appear in the city was made by the widow of Disney in the late 80s of the last century. She also transferred 50 million for the implementation of the project. However, in fact, it took several times more funds. The architect was the famous Frank Gehry, and construction began in 1992, and a new concert hall opened 11 years later - in 2003. Here not only concerts of the Philharmonic Orchestra take place, the audience also gathers for the premieres of new films. Practice has shown that the building requires certain alterations.
The façade was clad in steel panels that reflected the sun. Because of this, the asphalt around was heated, the heat was felt even in the apartments of neighboring houses. The problem was resolved shortly after the opening of the Concert Hall. More than 2,200 listeners can gather in the Disney Concert Hall at the same time. This place is very popular among residents and visitors of the city.
Funicular Angels Flight
This is a kind of railway, the length of which is less than 100 m.The funicular opened back in 1901, and not only the current residents, but also their grandparents remember these two orange-red trailers from childhood. Previously, the funicular was not located where it is now - not far from the Pershing Square metro - but nearby. Then, in 1969, it was dismantled in order to build buildings on this place, and for a long time the fragments of the trailers simply lay in the warehouse. Only in 1996, the funicular was reassembled, but it was started up along a different, shorter route.
However, in 2001 there was a fatal accident and Flight of Angels was closed again. Significant modernization was required to make this mode of transport completely safe. But at the same time, the trailers remained wooden. The trip, which lasts about a minute, costs a few cents. Only in the first half century of work, the funicular was used - it's hard to believe - more than 100 million. Today it is included in the list of historical monuments of the country. Today, Flight of Angels is equipped with special sensors that ensure traffic safety.
Bank of the USA Tower
One of the most recognizable buildings in the city. and at the same time the tallest skyscraper with a helipad on the roof. The construction of the tower was completed in 1989. The height of the building is over 300 m, there are 73 floors in total. Another interesting fact. This zone is considered seismically unfavorable, therefore additional requirements were put forward to the project. The architect was Henry Cobb, and the work was a success. The tower will withstand even an earthquake of 8 points.
The construction cost 350 million. Although there are many skyscrapers around - this tower stands out among them. First, there is no building higher in California. Secondly, the elegant light facade and multistage architecture attract attention. There is a large business center inside. Huge windows, colored marble floors, paintings on the walls, many elevators - but all this splendor can only be seen in photographs. The tower is allowed inside only with passes. Therefore, the maximum that a tourist can do is admire the building from the street.
Zoo
You will not regret visiting this zoo. It covers a large area - 54 hectares; about 1000 animals and birds live here. And for all, conditions have been created that are as close as possible to the environment. In addition, many rare plants from around the world can be seen here. Some of them look so unusual that it is difficult to look away.
Moreover, feng shui experts have placed them so that they not only recreate certain natural areas, but also harmonize with each other. Of particular interest are plants and animals that are endangered in nature. So, California condors are bred here. All animals are well-groomed, look great, most of them willingly contact the guests of the zoo. Children are especially delighted with this.
Cemetery "Hollywood Forever"
The name is symbolic - those who found eternal peace here really stayed in Hollywood forever. The cemetery is located on Santa Monica Boulevard. It was laid down long ago - in 1899. Many actors, directors, screenwriters, as well as people of other creative professions are buried here. The artist Oleg Vidov, beloved by many generations of Soviet spectators, also lies here, the coffin with his body is walled up in a stone wall. There is also a lake nearby where swans swim. Peacocks are also walking around the cemetery. Periodically there are concerts of pop stars, and in the summer there is also a film festival, which attracts thousands of spectators.
It is worth noting again - if you are in Los Angeles for just a day, you will not have time to see even a small part of its attractions. In this case, you should rely on your own interests. Would you prefer a zoo, or a beach, or a museum? Or are you just going shopping? One thing is clear - in any case, your acquaintance with this city will be vivid and memorable. And if you didn’t have time to see something, it’s a great reason to come back.
