The most populous county in the U.S. covers 4,751 square miles and offers visitors an embarrassment of riches. In fact, there's so many options it can be a little overwhelming from a planning perspective. Here are a few Los Angeles vacation thoughtstarters, broken down into five distinct regions.
Beverly Hills
Think of the lifestyles of the rich and famous and chances are that Beverly Hills will come to mind. But you don't need to be a movie star to live like one in this fabled celebrity haunt. Just splurge a little and try these five ways to experience Beverly Hills at its most fabulous.
Venice Beach
This unique Los Angeles County beach town has sand, surf, and a lot of local color. No doubt, many consider Venice Beach to be the nerve center of Los Angeles’ quirky, out-there personality.
Santa Monica
Over the years, Santa Monica has never lost its beach town soul, even as it has become more glamorous with luxury beachfront hotels, fine dining, and high-end boutiques. Today you can experience the best of both worlds: broad California beaches with surfing and volleyball, plus a sophisticated, city-within-a-city scene. On your next visit, try some of Santa Monica’s ultimate experiences.
Hollywood
As the capital of the global entertainment industry, Hollywood is both a state of mind and a very real place. Spend some time here to see reminders of past and present movie legends on the Walk of Fame, while also discovering a vibrant, contemporary urban district that has undergone a dramatic revival in recent years.
Griffith Park
Griffith Park spans more than 4,300 scenic acres, making it the largest municipal park in the country. The range of available activities is sizable too, including everything from ogling elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo to pondering infinity at the Griffith Observatory.