Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach and Sunset Boulevard are just some of the main attractions of the Californian city of Los Angeles on the south-west coast of the United States. The place to be for aspiring actors and actresses, the City of Angels also draws in over 26 million visitors every year and for very good reason.
Movie fans will love the studio tours in Tinseltown at the likes of Burbank studios and will revel in the abundance of theme parks, which include Universal Studios, Oscars, Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Stars. There is also the opportunity for tourists to take the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. Shoppers will find their dream retail experience mixed with a sprinkling of star-spotting on Rodeo Drive, which is absolutely the place to be or be seen.
For a touch of culture, art lovers will enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Getty Museum, which houses European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and American and European photographs.
When it comes to performance arts you'll be hard pressed to match the splendour of the LA Philharmonic or the LA Opera, which is celebrating 25 years, much of which has been spent as one of the world's leading opera companies.
Heading away from the bright lights of the city, beautiful Pacific beaches beckon; head inland to the valleys for the wineries. Travelling south to San Diego, visitors can find Sea World and Disney, plus the Knott's Berry Farm, which is a huge theme park. North of the city you can drive along the sublime Carmel Coast to San Francisco, a city like no other with sightseeing opportunities that include Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.
LA is the largest of California's cities and with all the major attractions spread across the sprawling metropolis it is crucial to select hotel accommodation in the right location for the areas you want to visit. This is particularly important if you don't have a hire car as public transport is minimal, although the road network and highways make everywhere accessible.
Los Angeles hotels range from celebrity favourites such as the luxurious 5-star Beverley Hills Wilshire to budget motel chains such as Hampton Inns and Travelodge, plus everything in between to suit all budgets and requirements.
For the best deals it is advisable to book hotels in Los Angeles well in advance of your trip in order to secure the best deals. If you do plan to hire a car and this is by far the best option if you want to cram in as much sight-seeing as possible be sure to check that your accommodation has car parking facilities, as not all do.
Compare the price of hotels in Los Angeles using Travelsupermarket`s price comparison tool and save money by booking in advance, leaving you free to spend like a celebrity in Beverley Hills.
