Los Angeles is situated in Southern California, on the West Coast of the USA. Home to 18 million
people, Los Angeles is a collection of distinct cities
that rolls out from the dry Santa Monica Mountains to the
Pacific Ocean. L.A.'s sunshine, her entertainment industry
and her openness to newcomers and new ideas has made the city a magnet to dreamers. Many of those whose dreams become reality, like Walt Disney and John Paul Getty, poured
their wealth back into the city, helping make L.A. one of the great culture
capitals of the world. Downtown Los Angeles is a center of global
business and home to some of the finest examples of
American civic architecture. It's also the birthplace of the city. Wander down Olvera Street, one of the oldest
surviving areas in L.A., to experience the colors and tastes of Old
Mexico. Just across the road from Olvera Street is
Union Station, one of the world's great railway stations. You'll be forgiven if you experience a sense
of déjà vu here; Union Station has been featured in almost
30 big-budget movies, including Pearl Harbor and Blade Runner. Stroll south to Little Tokyo, or J-Town as
the locals know it, which is home to Buddhist temples, galleries
and museums. While you're there, why not try some super-fresh
sushi? After all, the California Roll was invented
right here! Half a mile to the west is the Walt Disney
Music Hall. Looking like pieces of sheet music thrown
to the wind, this stainless steel wonder is home to L.A.'s Philharmonic Orchestra. Hail a taxi for the short ride west to the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The one-hundred-thousand-piece collection
at LACMA houses works that span the ages, from the classical periods through the edgiest
street art. Right next door is a very different kind of
gallery. At the La Brea Tar Pits and George C. Page
Museum, remains of incredibly preserved mammals, insects
and plants are continually excavated and brought once
more into the Californian sunshine. Heading further west, along Wilshire Boulevard, the aroma changes from the smell of tar pits,
to $ mon-neeey $ Welcome to Rodeo Drive, in the heart of Beverly
Hills. This is the world's most expensive and exclusive
three blocks of shopping. But you don't have to be a star to enjoy Rodeo
Drive; most folks are content to window shop. But there's more to Beverly Hills than just
bling! Only a street or two away awaits a world of
leafy boulevards and incredible homes and gardens. Head north to Hollywood, the epicenter of
the world's entertainment industry. Track down your favorite star on the historic
Hollywood Walk of Fame, and catch a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theater, the most famous first-run movie theater in
the world. Take a walk on the wilder side of L.A., to West Hollywood. WeHo is a haven for artists
and designers. As evening falls, boogie on down to Sunset
Strip, home to iconic clubs such as The Viper Room
and the Whiskey a Go Go. ♪ Boogie On Down ♪ Griffith Park is the largest and wildest urban
park in America. Here, perched high on the slopes of Mount
Hollywood, and offering superb views of L.A., you'll
find the Griffith Observatory. Built on land donated by mining magnate Griffith
J. Griffith, admission to the main building and grounds
is still free of charge, according to his wishes. Universal Studios is the oldest continually
running movie studio in America. It features a theme park based around its
blockbuster movies and popular TV shows, however the star attraction is the studio
tour, which winds its way through acres of sound
stages and back lots. And if you have that sense of déjà vu again,
it's no wonder - some of the sets have been featured in dozens
of movies and are still in use today. 20 miles southeast of downtown is Knott's
Berry Farm. Originally a berry farm in the 1930's, this
theme park has grown into a family favorite with child-friendly rides, short queues and
offers a real taste of America’s pioneering heritage. Just down the road, in Anaheim, is Disneyland
Park. Since its opening in 1955 over 600 million
guests have delighted in seeing Disney’s much-loved characters
brought to life. The Port of Los Angeles, the biggest container
port in the USA, sits on San Pedro Bay. Climb aboard the USS Iowa, a World War II
battleship which saw service in some of the most dramatic
episodes in world history. Nearby at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 500
marine species sway, swirl and dive through the various marine systems of the
vast Pacific, from the sun-drenched coast of Baja to the
frigid waters of the Arctic. Long Beach was once the birthplace of California's
surfing scene, but a breakwater has now tamed the wild waves, making the beach an ideal destination for
families. From Long Beach, hop aboard a ferry, and take
a one-hour trip to Catalina Island. Once the home of otter hunters, smugglers
and gold prospectors, these days day-trippers and weekenders are
far more interested in working on their golden tans and escaping
the frantic pace of the mainland. Heading west from L.A., Santa Monica is one
of the most popular resort towns in the US. Santa Monica epitomizes the California lifestyle
of sun, sand and the body beautiful! And right at
her heart is her iconic pier. Things get a little funkier just down the
coast at Venice Beach. Long the center of L.A.'s counterculture, Venice is more than just a beach, however. The main attraction here is the promenade. So pull on your in-line skates and join the
colorful and sometimes bizarre human parade. After the craziness of Venice Beach, head
5 miles north to the tranquility of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Getty Center houses the extraordinary
art collection of billionaire John Paul Getty. Water features prominently throughout the
complex, encouraging quiet reflection. Hire a convertible and follow the scenic Pacific
Coast Highway to Malibu; 21 miles of prime Californian coastline scented
with salt and coastal sage. Many of L.A.'s stars live in homes that cling to these dramatic hillsides by
the Pacific, which is the perfect metaphor for L.A.. A city built on an unshakable optimism and
a devotion to creation - both human and natural. Welcome to the City of Angels�
