Know Before You Go: About Los Angeles
Los Angeles, one of California’s most sought-after tourist destinations, has been called, sometimes mockingly, an assortment of 72 suburbs in search of a city
Still, there’s a lot of cool stuff to do and see inside these 72 suburbs that are said to consist of L.A., a place that at 2,214 square kilometers (469 square miles) is big enough to fit all of New York City’s five boroughs with enough room left over to nestle in San Francisco. Here are some reasons why:
L.A.'s Smorgasbord of Fun
Fun, food and famous folk, Los Angeles has all this and so much more. Catch the rays on Malibu's famed sands or at Santa Monica Beach with its 3.5 miles of beachfront that includes the original Muscle Beach. Ride a high-tech funicular into the stratosphere to ogle panoramic vistas and explore the impressive Getty Center. Cruise Sunset Boulevard looking for legendary clubs or scream your heart out on thrill rides at family amusement parks like Disneyland. Evenings, you can dance, catch a concert or explore a smorgasbord of ethnic cuisines that reflect the glorious mix of cultures in L.A.
Some Like it Hot
Los Angeles boasts a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and very little rain from April through October. Even in the dead of winter, you'll enjoy mild days with only a few scatterings of rain. If you like hot weather with highs in the 80s, visit in summer; if you prefer it 20 degrees cooler, book in winter. August and September are the hottest months, December the coolest and January the wettest, with nearly 4 inches of rain.
Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Creators And You
The same fantastic climate that lures you to Los Angeles has also attracted entrepreneurs, innovators and creative types that are turning the region into a leading business, trade and cultural center. It's the largest manufacturing center in the country, with steel fabrication and fashion coming in next on the list of important industries. You also help power the economy of this town by visiting here, since entertainment and tourism are part of its traditional economic base.
On the Go in L.A.
The urban sprawl of Los Angeles is so vast that the greater L.A. area supports numerous airports. Many folks fly into the Los Angeles International (LAX), but others in the region, such as Long Beach, Bob Hope/Burbank, John Wayne or Ontario, may be more convenient so check before you book a flight. It's not as easy to get a cab here as you might think, since taxi companies are only authorized to pick up passengers in their particular zones. In short: Los Angeles is best navigated in a rental car.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Los Angeles.
More to Explore
Things to do in Los Angeles
Think of LA as a magical place of varied treasures with endless things to do.
Things to do in Ontario
Few cities have more to boast about than Ontario, located in the Greater LA area.