Things to do in Los Angeles, CA

More About Los Angeles

Celebrities, movie cameras, and persistent paparazzi — these may be the hallmarks of present-day Los Angeles, but the second largest city in the United States has a rich and varied history that extends far beyond the glitter of the silver screen. The city's abundant sunshine and a temperate climate, which attract so many folks to the area today, were first enjoyed by the native Tongva peoples. This group inhabited the area for hundreds of years prior to the first European contact in 1542 with Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo. Expeditions along the southern California coast firmly established a Spanish presence in the 1760s and '70s. A mix of Hispanic, Filipino, and native settlers founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula, which became known simply as "Los Angeles" in the early 1800s. The region passed through Spanish, Mexican, and finally into US hands in 1848. Meanwhile, nearby gold and oil, as well as the valuable resource of the Los Angeles River, resulted in the city's steadily growing population. With a water supply secured by engineer William Mulholland's aqueduct in 1913, Los Angeles began to attract the industries that would become so essential to its emergence as a cultural and technological leader in America. Hollywood's studio system, fostered by now-legendary names like the four Warner brothers, Samuel Goldwyn, and Louis Mayer, produced classics like Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and Gone With the Wind. Favorite tourist sites such as Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are testaments to the movies' enduring effect on LA. Motion pictures helped make the city, but today the long list of companies headquartered in the City of Angels tells of a diverse business scene. Hilton Hotels, Guess?, DirecTV, Mattel, and Cunard Line are just a sampling of the corporations found in the LA metro area. Manufacturing, finance, aviation, and telecommunications have played major roles in the city's economic development. However, it's the University of Southern California — the Trojans — that's LA's largest private sector employer. Cuisine and fine dining are two more of the city's strengths. The plethora of restaurants, providing everything from a quick bite to elaborate tasting menus, reflects the international make-up of the city's population. Angelenos love to chow on sushi, and several top-notch spots offer the finest maki, nigiri, and sashimi around. Mexican and Latin American eateries are also gaining popularity. Traditional tacos to haute Nuevo Latino fare and every spicy, tangy, heat-inducing dish in between can be found quite easily. A growing number of Middle Eastern, Spanish, Thai, and Mediterranean restaurants add even more choice to an already-rich global dining scene. Having played host to two Olympic Games — 1932 and 1984 — the city is well-versed in sports. NBA stars the Los Angeles Lakers have scored big in recent years thanks to a string of young phenoms. Another NBA franchise, the Clippers, play in the same division. Baseball fans root for the always interesting Dodgers, who generally finish well in their league. Other much-loved teams include the Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA), and Galaxy and Club Deportivo Chivas USA (Major League Soccer). With so many starlets and socialites on the prowl, it's no wonder LA has such fantastic nightlife. Ultra-trendy bars and dance clubs are packed most nights. Whether you're in the market for a relaxed after-work drink or a marathon evening of clubbing, this city has it all. Naturally, there's a more cultured side to Los Angeles as well. The Getty Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibit exquisite antiquities alongside cutting-edge contemporary art. A surprising amount of green space enlivens the city, providing everyday urban havens for those inclined to the outdoors. Stroll through Griffith Park, the largest municipal park in the country, or Coldwater Canyon Park, a 45-acre park in the middle of the city. The electrifying city of Los Angeles as we know it today and the modest Spanish settlement of the 1700s seem worlds apart. Nevertheless, it was the original Angelenos' determination to carve out a life in the arid soil and desert climate of the region that resulted in a modern-day metropolis, rich in art, music, theater, sport, and natural beauty. Los Angeles rewards visitors with a heaping helping of history as well as the nonstop energy and excitement of one of the biggest cities in the world.