Los Angeles

Los Angeles: history

Los Angeles was founded in 1781 as a small Spanish farming town. It became part of the United States in 1848. The railways and the discovery of oil brought fast growth in the late 1800s.

Film makers arrived in the 1910s for the sunshine, and Hollywood was born. The Hollywood sign went up in 1923. Disneyland opened nearby in 1955. The city hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984 and will host them again in 2028.

Los Angeles: tourist attractions

• Hollywood Walk of FameThe stars in the pavement and the Chinese Theatre.
• Griffith ObservatoryThe best view of the Hollywood sign and the city lights.
• Universal Studios HollywoodThe studio tour through real film sets, and the rides.
• Getty CenterArt, gardens and a hilltop view. Entry is free.
• Santa Monica PierThe end of Route 66, with a Ferris wheel over the ocean.
• Venice BeachThe boardwalk, the canals and the skate park.
• Beverly Hills & Rodeo DriveFamous shops and palm-lined streets.
• The Grove & Farmers MarketOpen-air shopping and food stalls.

Los Angeles: excursions nearby

• Artesia about 20 milesLittle India on Pioneer Boulevard, with vegetarian food.
• Disneyland about 30 milesWalt Disney's original park, at Anaheim.
• Malibu about 30 milesBeaches along the Pacific Coast Highway.
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir about 35 milesA stone mandir at Chino Hills.
• Santa Barbara about 95 milesA Spanish-style town between the mountains and the sea.
• San Diego about 120 milesThe zoo, the harbour and Old Town.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.