Things to Do

•  Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
  
  Few U.S. cathedrals can rival European cathedrals, but Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jose Raphael Moneo's masterpiece is truly a gem worth visiting. Nearly devoid of right angles, the interior inspires on a multitude of levels as soaring ceilings and alabaster windows play with light to create a sacred atmosphere.
  
  555 West Temple Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90012  Map
  Phone: 213-680-5200
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•  Pantages Theatre
  
  The Pantages has become one of the greatest landmarks of Hollywood, signifying both the glorious past and adventuresome future of the world's entertainment capital. The Pantages has a history as grand and diverse as the state and screen fare which audiences have flocked to enjoy there for half a century. These days it's one of Los Angeles' homes of legitimate theatre and a favorite "location" for tv shows, movies and music videos. In the past, it has been a movie house, with live vaudeville acts between features, as well as the site of many gala premieres and "spectaculars". Also, the Pantages Theatre was the home of the glittering Academy Awards Presentations for ten years.
  
  6233 Hollywood Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 323-468-1770
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•  Chinatown Los Angeles
  
  Embark on a cultural adventure by visiting LA's Chinatown, home to Buddhist temples, herbal shops, antique stores and, of course, some of LA's best Chinese dim sum. Chung King Road is the hotspot for funky art galleries, and the picturesque Chinatown Gateway is always a perfect photo-op.
  
  Between Ord Street, Yale Street, Bernard Street and Almeda Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90012  Map
  Phone: 213-680-0243
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•  The Grove at Farmers Market
  
  Beyond all the stores, coffee shops, movie theaters and restaurants, what makes this pedestrian center special is its unapologetic SoCal attitude - beautiful and laid-back. This spirit is embodied by the bustling Farmers Market, where food stalls range from Korean barbecue to caramel apples, all in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
  
  189 The Grove Drive
  Los Angeles, CA 90036  Map
  Phone: 323-900-8080
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•  Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM)
  
  Opened in early 2008, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum has shaken up the art world with one of the most impressive modern art collections in the country. Boasting works from masters such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Richard Serra, the museum itself is a work of art designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano.
  
  5905 Wilshire Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90036  Map
  Phone: 323-857-6000
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•  Walt Disney Concert Hall
  
  Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world, providing both visual and aural intimacy for an unparalleled musical experience. The 2,265-seat auditorium with natural lighting in which the audience surrounds the orchestra was designed to look and feel like a ship's hull. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is wheelchair accessible and Phonic Ear sound system headsets for the hard of hearing. The Walt Disney Concert Hall encompasses two outdoor amphitheaters, including the William M. Keck Children's Amphitheatre, seating 300, and a second performing space that accommodates an audience of 120, as well as a space for pre-concert events. Part of the Walt Disney Hall complex, the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), is a 250-seat multi-use theater and a 3,000-square-foot art gallery operated and programmed by California Institute of the Arts. Located at the southwest corner of the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex at Second and Hope Streets, REDCAT is accessible through a separate main entrance at Second Street, retaining its own distinct identity.
  
  135 North Grand Avenue
  Los Angeles, CA 90012  Map
  Phone: 213-972-7211
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•  The Getty Villa
  
  The serenity of the Getty Villa, which recently underwent a $275 million renovation, debunks claims that LA is all traffic and glitz. Oil tycoon J. Paul Getty had his estate modeled after a Roman villa in Herculaneum, resulting in breathtaking landscapes, a Roman pool, an amphitheater and collections of rare art.
  
  17985 Pacific Coast Highway
  Pacific Palisades, CA 90272  Map
  Phone: 310-440-7300
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•  Third Street Promenade
  
  You'll find a wide range of sights at this Santa Monica pedestrian strip, but there's something for everyone. Musicians and street artists jockey for attention in front of shops ranging from Banana Republic to vintage T-shirt stores. Add cool ocean breezes and you have one of LA's most iconic experiences.
  
  Third Street Promenade between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway
  Santa Monica, CA 90401  Map
  Phone: 310-393-8355
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•  Venice Ocean Front Walk
  
  Out of all the beaches Los Angeles has to offer, Venice Beach undoubtedly takes top honors for the most character. Take a stroll on the Venice Ocean Front Walk and experience circus-like culture and a wonderful mix of people, complete with caricature artists, jugglers, sword swallowers and bodybuilders.
  
  3100 to 2700 Ocean Front Walk
  Venice, CA 90291  Map
  Phone: 213-624-7300
  
  

Dining

•  Musso and Frank Grill
  
  This Hollywood institution was once a frequent stop for literary powerhouse, including Hemingway and Faulkner. Today, bone-dry martinis and a sophisticated steak and chop menu keep Los Angelenos coming back.
  
  6667 Hollywood Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 323-467-7788
  
  

•  Diddy Riese Cookies
  
  Expect a line out the door at this Westwood favorite, where warm, scrumptious cookies pair with Dreyer's ice cream for unforgettable ice cream sandwiches.
  
  926 Broxton Avenue
  Los Angeles, CA 90024  Map
  Phone: 310-208-0448
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•  Langer's Delicatessen
  
  Since 1947, this Jewish deli has continually received rave reviews for its no-nonsense sandwiches, particularly its hot pastrami creations, making it a legendary haunt in Los Angeles.
  
  704 South Alvarado
  Los Angeles, CA 90057  Map
  Phone: 213-483-8050
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•  In-N-Out Burger
  
  Yes, it's fast food, but just try to resist one of LA's staples, the Double-Double. It's the burger that made In-N-Out a Los Angeles culinary institution.
  
  7009 Sunset Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 800-786-1000
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•  Spago
  
  Spago Beverly Hills is the foundation of Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff's fine dining group. The brilliant culinary creations of James Beard Award-winning Chef Lee Hefter as well as the superlative service are constantly recognized as the ultimate in fine dining. The open-air garden is the jewel of the restaurant, featuring two imported one hundred-year-old olive trees and a sculpted granite fountain. As popular for lunch as it is dinner, Spago is famous for table-hopping, people watching and the grandest of parties. Spago is the recipient of two stars in the 2008 Los Angeles edition of The Michelin Guide - one of only three restaurants in the city to win this distinction.
  
  176 North Canon Drive
  Beverly Hills, CA 90210  Map
  Phone: 310-385-0880
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Family

•  La Brea Tar Pits
  
  Watch paleontologists excavate fossils at Pit 91 during the summer and fall, or walk among saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths at the Page Museum.
  
  5801 Wilshire Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90036  Map
  Phone: 323-934-7243
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•  Griffith Observatory
  
  Open your child's mind to the vastness of space by showing him or her this civic icon, which features a planetarium, a star projector, captivating exhibits and gigantic telescopes.
  
  2800 East Observatory Road
  Los Angeles, CA 90027  Map
  Phone: 213-473-0800
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•  Skirball Cultural Center
  
  Kids of all backgrounds learn by experience at this dynamic Jewish cultural institution featuring Noah's Ark, a completely interactive exhibit about the flood story.
  
  2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90049  Map
  Phone: 310-440-4500
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•  Santa Monica Pier
  
  At the Santa Monica Pier you can enjoy the Pacific Ocean and fun with the family. Ride the carousel, play games at the arcade, or visit the pier's celebrated amusement park.
  
  200 Santa Monica Pier
  Santa Monica, CA 90405  Map
  Phone: 213-624-7300
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Nightlife

•  The Edison
  
  Practically ingrained into the history of downtown LA, this bar/lounge retains old-school charm and spices up its retro atmosphere with a modern food and cocktail menu.
  
  108 West Second Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90012  Map
  Phone: 213-613-0000
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•  Mood
  
  Nightclubs in LA come and go, but Mood is there to stay. Its sensual Balinese-inspired interior sets the stage for a crowd that isn't afraid to dance.
  
  6623 Hollywood Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 323-464-6663
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•  Jazz Bakery
  
  Talented jazz musicians keep pushing the boundaries at this nonprofit venue, whose intimate atmosphere and innovative jazz continually produce top-notch sets.
  
  3233 Helms Avenue
  Los Angeles, CA 90034  Map
  Phone: 310-271-9039
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•  Rooftop Bar at the Standard
  
  Sit amidst skyscrapers and stunning views of downtown LA at the Rooftop Bar. Try to snag a spot at a vibrating waterbed pod for the ultimate chic experience.
  
  550 South Flower Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90071  Map
  Phone: 213-892-8080
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•  The Hotel Cafe
  
  This Hollywood sleeper is all about intimacy. The tiny stage and snug tables create the perfect setting to hear up-and-coming singer/songwriter types before they hit the Billboard charts.
  
  1623 1/2 North Cahuenga Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 323-461-2040
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Shopping

•  Hollywood and Highland Center
  
  This tourist mainstay may be crowded, but who's complaining with Louis Vuitton and Polo Ralph Lauren right next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  
  6801 Hollywood Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90028  Map
  Phone: 323-467-6412
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•  Fashion District
  
  Designer knock-offs on Santee Alley might make the Fashion District a hit, but the real treasure is finding styles that nobody else has heard about...yet.
  
  Between East Olympic Boulevard, South Main Street, East Seventh Street and South San Pedro Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90079  Map
  Phone: 213-488-1153
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•  Abbot Kinney Boulevard
  
  This bohemian-style shopping area in Venice features a mix of vintage surf apparel and upscale boutiques, but the common denominator here is the cutting-edge trends.
  
  Between Pacific Avenue and Washington Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90071  Map
  Phone: 213-624-7300
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•  West Third Street
  
  Always hip and trendy (but certainly not snobby), cult favorite boutiques such as Polkadots and Moonbeams, Zipper and Milk keep shoppers busy for days.
  
  West Third Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90071  Map
  Phone: 213-624-7300
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•  Robertson Boulevard
  
  Kitson, Lisa Kline, Les Habitudes. This strip is the celebrity shopping preference, which means you'll find that dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Oscars here.
  
  Robertson Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA 90071  Map
  Phone: 213-624-7300
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