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4 HISTORY/ STATISTICS 6 H O L LY W O O D 10 D O W N T O W N L A / M E T R O 14 B E A C H E S / L A X 20 W E S T S I D E 24 T H E V A L L E Y 30 N E I G H B O R I N G R E G I O N S 34 L A C U L T U R E 36 M A P S
HISTORY Originally inhabited by Native Americans representing some 30 tribes, the region known today as Europeans first explored the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 1769. Early Spanish explorers, led by Gaspar de Portola, recognized the potential of the area, with its fertile soil and water resources, to become the site of a settlement. The Spaniards named the river that flowed through the area El Rio de Nuestra Se¦ora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula (The River of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of Porciuncula). On September 4, 1781, the city founded there was initially given the same name as the river. The city was founded by a group of Mexican settlers known as “Los Pobladores,” who had been sent to the area under the direction of the Spanish governor of California, Felipe de Neve. The city later became known as Ciudad de Los Angeles (“City of Angels”), and eventually Los Angeles. Los Angeles remained under Spanish rule from the time of its founding until Mexico took control of the area in 1822. Twenty-five years later, in 1847, the United States took possession of Los Angeles, and the following year California became a U.S. territory as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe. In 1850, Los Angeles was incorporated as a city. Development was slow in Los Angeles until the arrival of the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads (in 1876 and 1885, respectively), which linked the area with other populated areas of the country. During the late 19th and early 20th century, Los Angeles became a major citrus growing region, and with its ideal location and pleasant climate, the area also developed as a resort area. By 1900 Los Angeles had a population of slightly more than 100,000 residents. The city of Los Angeles began to grow in population as well as area during the early 1900s. As construction projects were completed in outlying areas, many towns were annexed into Los Angeles. One such project was the completion of a harbor in San Pedro on the Pacific coast that was to be used as L.A.’s port. The growth of the oil industry and the birth of the entertainment industry in Hollywood during the 1920s caused Los Angeles’ population to double during that decade. In the 1940s, economic opportunities brought about by wartime industries, such as aircraft manufacturing, led to further population growth in Los Angeles during and immediately after World War II. The mid-1980s also brought a surge in population to the Los Angeles area in the form of immigrants from Asia and Central America (primarily Mexico). Today, half of Los Angeles’ 3.9 million residents are of Hispanic Origin. Los Angeles is the nation’s second most populous city as well as one of the leading commercial, financial, international trade, manufacturing, and transportation centers in the United States. The six-region area includes Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles (LA metro), The Beach Cites (LAX), Westside, The Valley (San Fernado), and the Neighboring Regions (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura) and currently is home to more than 16 million people.
CLAIM TO FAME: California has always been known as an “incubator” of new ideas, new products and entrepreneurial spirit. Southern California has led the way in celebrating and nurturing that spirit. The people, institutions of knowledge, great climate and infrastructure have enabled the Los Angeles region to emerge as a leading business, trade and cultural center—a creative capital for the twenty-first century. The city is the largest manufacturing center in the West, one of the world’s busiest ports, a major financial and banking center, and the largest retail market in the United States.
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STATISTICS Area (land): 469.3 sq mi Park Acres (as % of Land Area): 0.08 Area (water): 29.1 sq mi Elevation: 330 ft Latitude: 34-05-22 N Longitude: 118-24-28 W Time Zone: PST Area Code: 213, 310, 323, 424 sq mi
CLIMATE: Los Angeles has a Mediterranean/semi-tropical climate, with pleasant weather much of the year. Winters are mild, with high temperatures averaging near 70 degrees and lows near 50, and snowfall is rare. Summer days are warm, with average high temperatures in the low 80s, while evenings cool down into the low to mid-60s. Summer is also the dry season in Los Angeles, with no significant rainfall on record for the month July. February is the wettest month of the year in Los Angeles, with an average precipitation total of only 3.7 inches.
POPULATION: 2000 Census (City): 3,694,820 2000 Census (County): 9,519,338 2007 Estimate (City): 3,834,340 2007 (County): 9,878,554 2000-07 % Change (City): 3.8 2000-07 % Change (County): 3.8 2010 Projection (County): 10,605,200 Racial/Ethnic Breakdown White: 0.496 Black or African American: 0.1 Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 0.484 Other: 0.404
AGE BREAKDOWN Under 5 years: 0.072 5 to 19: 0.178 20 to 24: 0.11 25 to 34: 0.155 35 to 44: 0.159 45 to 54: 0.133 55 to 64: 0.09 65 to 74: 0.051 75+ years: 0.051 Median Age (City): 33.9 Median Age (County): 34.1 Gender Breakdown Male: 0.502 Female: 0.498
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H O L LY W O O D
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HOLLYWOOD: THE ULTIMATE LA EXPERIENCE No setting is as dazzling as Hollywood — an unforgettable place to have a true LA experience. Hollywood is inherently exhilarating and glamorous — characteristics that are sure to become part of your event if you take advantage of the phenomenal resources that overflow from the area’s oft-televised venues, celebrity-frequented restaurants, hotels that are stars in their own rights and attractions that capture the world’s attention. Universal Studios Hollywood can host any size meeting or event complete with plenty of on-site entertainment options. And don’t forget what may just be the area’s most unique venues of all: its soundstages and studio lots. Employ the help of Paramount Special Events or Warner Bros. Studios Special Events to gather your group on the site of a famous television series or film and watch the creativity flow. A huge variety of well-respected restaurants in Hollywood will give you plenty of options for banquets, receptions or group dining. The Grill on Hollywood and Hard Rock Café Hollywood capture the spirit of Tinseltown and are sure to please anyone. Some other impressive locations include Sadie Kitchen & Lounge, the two Michelin-starred Providence and Susan Feniger’s streets. Hollywood has several top-notch hotels, including the 1920s-era Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, A Thompson Hotel, once the playground for Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Marilyn Monroe. Two blocks away, the Loews Hollywood Hotel (formerly the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel) provides unparalleled access to premier shopping, dining and entertainment. The W Hotel Hollywood is now open at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Nearby, The Redbury at Hollywood and Vine was named to the Travel + Leisure’s “It List 2011” Best New Hotels Around the Globe. The famed Sheraton Universal Hotel, known as the “Hotel of the Stars,” is located on the back lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Post-meeting, guests
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will have no problem finding some of the world’s best places to unwind. Nightclubs favored by celebs and VIPs — such as Drai’s and Playhouse —will be a just reward for a productive day of meetings. Or, they can catch some live entertainment at Rockwell Table & Stage, the Greek Theatre, House of Blues Sunset Strip and The Wiltern; a Broadway show or musical production at Pantages Theatre; or a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Ford Amphitheatre or the Hollywood Palladium. They can also enjoy the latest films in a classic cinema setting at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Don’t forget to put the neighborhood’s renowned attractions on the itinerary: The Hollywood Walk of Fame’s terrazzo stars and footprints outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre should be at the top of the list. Shopping at Hollywood & Highland right in the heart of town is also a great idea for down time between meetings. Museums and attractions such as Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the Hollywood Museum, and Hollywood Guinness World of Records will provide unforgettable experiences they’ll be talking about until your next meeting.
MUST SEES: U N I V E R S A L S T U D I O S H O L LY W O O D: This is the ultimate Hollywood experience! With thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. Go behind the scenes and explore where Hollywood movies are made on the legendary Studio Tour. Universal Studios Hollywood also offers event space. From intimate events of 100 to receptions for up to 20,000, find classic style and glamour throughout the 45 unique event venues at Universal Studios Hollywood.
H O L LY W O O D WA L K O F FA M E: The stars on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame are located on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
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DOWNTOWN / LA METRO: ECSTATIC CITY LIFE If you’re looking for unique venues for a memorable event, you can’t beat Downtown LA’s offerings. Check out the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles Center Studios, California Plaza, Walt Disney Concert Hall or any of the Music Center’s superb theaters. Cal State LA’s Golden Eagle Hospitality offers combined meeting and event space of more than 30,000 square feet. The AT&T Center includes a 500-seat theater and a penthouse suite with sweeping views of the city. A more recent addition to Downtown, L.A. Live added more than 4 million square feet of exciting new restaurants, luxurious hotel rooms, thriving nightclubs and grand performing arts venues to the heart of LA’s urban core. Across from Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), the Nokia Theatre L.A. With incredible restaurants, stunning rooftop venues, a thriving nightlife scene and walk-able streets, Downtown LA is a great place for your clients to set up shop while they explore the rest of the city. Beyond the Convention Center, the greatest draw in Downtown LA is its incredible selection of top-notch restaurants. With more than 100 different eateries in the area, Downtown thrives as a foodie destination. Your clients will love the amazing Asian fusion at Chaya and the world-class seafood at Water Grill or Le Ka. If they’re interested in spicy flavors, Border Grill — the flagship restaurant of celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger — and M.s Malo on Seventh Street are great choices. Another celebrity chef with successful restaurants in Downtown is Joachim Splichal, whose Patina Dining Group boasts nearly a dozen restaurants in the area, including Patina, Kendall’s Brasserie and Bar and Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse.
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MUST SEES: LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER(LACC): One of the most efficiently designed and technologically advanced convention and exhibition centers in the world. It attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually and is renowned internationally as a prime site for conventions. The trademark glass and steel pavilions, which house the exhibition halls, towers and lobbies are conveniently linked by a meeting room concourse forming a grand unified center. With a total of 720,000 square feet of exhibition and 147,000 square feet of meeting room space, the Los Angeles Convention Center provides a preeminent setting for any event. The Los Angeles Convention Center is convenient to major points throughout the City.
STAPLES CENTER: Home to the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks. It is also available for booking corporate events or shows.
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BEACHES / LAX: FUN IN THE SUN With idyllic coastal destinations stretching south from Malibu all the way to San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles, LA’s Beach Cities region is filled with getaways for group travel, large-scale events and meetings.
MALIBU If your clients want to get away from the action, Malibu is the perfect place. Home to a rugged shoreline, scenic overlooks and luxurious hotels, it’s an ideal destination when you want to provide clients with a unique retreat-style experience. Venues such as Malibu Wines, Rosenthal Winery and David Minkin’s Magic and Wine provide an ideal setting for events.
SANTA MONICA Located south of Malibu where the I-10 freeway and the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) intersect, Santa Monica is a completely self-contained meeting and event destination with numerous hotels, shopping centers and restaurants. Home to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, Downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Museum of Art and the revamped Santa Monica Place, this area offers countless attractions for clients who want to enjoy LA’s beach scene.
VENICE Venice is home to an eclectic mix of artists, urban professionals and beach lovers. Send your clients to the Venice Ocean Front Walk — a classic boardwalk style attraction where street performers, magicians, folk artists and bodybuilders compete or attention. The Abbot Kinney area is home to trendy restaurants and shops and makes a great place for a stroll.
MARINA DEL REY A serene little village centered on one of the largest man-made, small-boat marinas in the country,
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Marina del Rey is all about fun on the water. For special events and group excursions, you can’t beat a sunset cruise or a full-service dining excursion with Hornblower Cruises & Events or Fantasea Yachts. If you need large room blocks and elegant accommodations for your clients, consider the Marina del Rey Marriott or The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey.
MANHATTAN, HERMOSA AND REDONDO BEACHES If you’re looking for the classic beach town vibe, it doesn’t get any better than these three coastal destinations. Hotels in the area, with full-service amenities and resort-like settings, will make any event feel like a relaxing vacation. If you have a large group, consider the Manhattan Beach Marriott and its nearly 400 rooms. The group, leisure and business traveler will undoubtedly find a place to unwind at the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach Hotel, where warm tones create an inviting atmosphere, and the churning sounds of the coast will rock you to sleep. The Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach is a luxury beach hotel with 127 guest rooms, four indoor meeting rooms and an outdoor garden space that’s perfect for special events. in nearby El Segundo has a lovely, airy ambiance.
SAN PEDRO Your clients will have plenty to do in San Pedro as they explore the Angel’s Gate Recreation Center, the Korean Bell of Friendship, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, to name just a few. Ports O’ Call Village are reminiscent of a New England fishing village, complete with art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants and other attractions. Doubletree Hotel San Pedro offers a marina setting and more than 200 rooms while the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor offers 188 rooms and plenty of meeting space.
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LOS ANGELES WATERFRONT With cruise ships departing regularly for Mexico and Hawaii, the chance to extend your clients’ vacation is always an option. Ferry trips to Catalina Island with Catalina Express, as well as harbor cruises and whalewatching tours with Spirit Cruises; make exciting day trips or weekend adventures. The USS Iowa calls the Port of Los Angeles her new home, opened to the public in July 2012 as an interactive naval museum and living memorial. Two World War II-era waterfront warehouses have been transformed into CRAFTED, a large-scale, permanent craft marketplace that features hundreds of local artists and designers.
BEACH CITIES HOTELS Santa Monica welcomed its newest green hotel, the Shore Hotel, in fall 2011. The LEED Silver-certified building boasts a stunning California modern design, views of the Pacific, an outdoor pool, two restaurants, a fitness center and 164 guest rooms stocked with the latest eco-friendly products. The Westin Los Angeles
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Airport Hotel recently completed renovations of its 740 guest rooms as well as an $11 million renovation of 45,000 square feet of meeting space. The Four Points Sheraton LAX recently completed renovations of its meeting space, pool, atrium, fitness center and lounge as well as a number of its guest rooms. Boutique hotel with meeting space that specializes in relaxation.
M E E T I N G A N D E V E N T S PA C E The Los Angeles Airport Marriott features 42 meeting rooms with the largest able to seat 1,300 people. At the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, you’ll find 55,000 square feet of meeting space.
MUST SEES: BATTLESHIP USS IOWA: The Battleship of Presidents, USS IOWA has opened as a floating museum! Tour one of the “Best Cool Exhibits to See Your Kids”, and experience 70 years of IOWA’s armament and service. Battleship IOWA is perfect for families and events. Open daily except Christmas.
A Q U A R I U M O F T H E PA C I F I C : : A world-class aquarium featuring more than 12,500 animals in 50 exhibits. Highlights include: Shark Lagoon with more than 150 sharks you can touch; Lorikeet Forest, where you will feed colorful birds; and Tropical Pacific Gallery, featuring giant sea turtles.
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WESTSIDE: RELAXATION IN WEST LA CENTURY CITY
Nobu Matsuhisa became known as simply Nobu, he opened a tiny eatery here that still bears his last name. Other La Cienega highlights include Brazilian churrascaria at Fogo de Chão, all-American roast beef at Lawry’s The Prime Rib and everything garlic at The Stinking Rose.
For decades this area was little more than a back lot for 20th Century Studios. Today, it has emerged as a significant city within a city, complete with highrise office towers, a luxurious shopping center and popular hotels. The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza features more than 100,000 square feet of flexible function space and one of the largest ballrooms in Los Angeles. The Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City has 21 meeting rooms and on-site meeting planners to help facilitate your event. For a casual dining experience with a multicultural vibe, check out ROCKSUGAR Pan Asian in the Century City Shopping Center.
A West LA favorite, Matteo’s Restaurant is another great dining choice, and its Townhouse space is fantastic for special events. If your clients are looking for a great place to stay in the area, consider the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, whose rooms and suites were refurbished in 2010 to the epitome of modern elegance. The hotel also features a new pool, terrace and whirlpool.
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The center of this area is Museum Row, a strip on Wilshire Boulevard where the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), La Brea Tar Pits at the George C. Page Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Craft and Folk Art Museum are found within blocks of each other. After parking the car, your clients will have access to a day’s worth of museums, all within easy walking distance. Not far away, your clients will find fantastic boutique shopping along West Third Street and Robertson Boulevard where eclectic stores offer the latest fashions from hot new designers. The Grove is one of the most popular retail centers in Southern California, with stores set within a charming European backdrop. And next door is the Original Farmers Market, a 79-year-old institution where they’ll find family-owned shops selling specialty products of all kinds — coffees, ice cream, candles, toys, party supplies — and several great restaurants. Across from the Farmers Market is CBS Television City. The Beverly Center is another popular shopping destination located in the area, home to some of LA’s trendiest stores and designer labels. La Cienega Boulevard is LA’s high-profile restaurant row. Before legendary chef
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), located south of Sunset Boulevard and east of the 405 in the center of Westwood Village, is home to more than 38,000 students. It offers a number of event spaces and venues, including ballrooms, auditoriums, classrooms, computer labs and athletic fields. Visitors won’t want to miss the nearby Hammer Museum, which features one of the world’s best collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork. Next to the university is Westwood Village with a variety of stores and restaurants catering to students. If you’re looking for a unique hotel in the area, check out Hotel Palomar, a sophisticated and vibrant boutique hotel located just a few blocks from the UCLA campus, or the W Westwood, which offers all of the glamor and amazing hospitality.
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ADULT TOUR GETTY CENTER: Extensive collection of antiquities, paintings, drawings, sculpture, 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs.
THE GROVE: The Grove is a world-renowned shopping, dining and entertainment destination with unparalleled stores like Anthropologie, Apple, Michael Kors, Coach and Nordstrom. Guests are enamored with the old-fashioned trolley rides and magnificent dancing fountains that have become a “must see� in Los Angeles. Also, see Extra! With Mario Lopez, filming daily.
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THE VALLEY 24 L O S A N G E L E S : D E F I N E D
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THE VALLEY: LUXORIOUS AESTHETICS The Valley offers a selection of major hotels that’s sure to please meeting and travel professionals. For meetings, you’ll be able to secure large ballrooms and ample room blocks, and the hotels are located near some of LA’s Hotel, with its 29 vibrant meeting rooms and 25,000 square feet of function space. And with more than 450 total rooms, it can host groups of all sizes. Centrally located in Van Nuys, the aviation themed Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is a unique setting for groups with its two ballrooms totaling 21,000 square feet of meeting space, custom menus and easy access to Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center, with 22 meeting rooms and a total of 46,000 square feet, is able to accommodate even the largest groups. It’s located directly across from Bob Hope Airport (BUR) and offers a catering and event-planning team to help you pull off the perfect event. At Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn Universal Studios, you’ll find more than 250 guest rooms and 12,000 square feet of meeting space, including a theater and a ballroom able to accommodate up to 600 guests. A recently completed $2 million renovation also brings new shine to the property.
EVENT VENUES Some of the biggest and best event venues in LA can be found in the Valley. Amusement parks and amphitheaters combine with museums and restaurants to provide the perfect settings for groups. Two new event venues at Universal Studios Hollywood offer meeting professionals even more unique options. The Wild West Arena is a country Western-style outdoor setting, suitable for 500 to 1,200 and ideal for company picnics. The Moulin Rouge, designed in a pan-European style with a Parisian-style courtyard, is an indoor venue suitable for up to 150 people. The Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel and Event Center has a 50-year tradition of hosting A-list celebrities and topnotch events. Beloved for its low-key atmosphere and country charm, the landmark was a favorite of John
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Wayne, Clark Gable and Robert Kennedy, among others. The stunning $125 million Valley Performing Arts Center brings several state-of-the art spaces to the Cal State Northridge campus. The center features a 1,700-seat concert hall as well as a 175-seat black box theater. At Warner Bros. Studios, experts who design productions for television and movies will create a specialized experience for up to 10,000 people on one of many backlots. A world of possibilities opens up when you partner with their in-house Special Events Department, who will create an elaborate set that transports guests to the streets of Paris or a jungle lagoon. In nearby Griffith Park, the Autry National Center is a great place for an event with Old West themes. Your clients can pan for gold or check out an authentic stagecoach while you make use of the museum’s lobbies, lawns and exhibit halls for banquets and receptions to remember.
ATTRACTIONS Whether your clients are in town for business or pleasure, they’ll be interested to know about all the exciting things to see and do in the Valley. Plan an itinerary that’s filled with the best of the Valley, and they’ll leave knowing their visit to LA was all it could be. Universal Studios Hollywood offers an unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour as well as thrilling rides such as the new “Transformers™: The Ride 3D” and a variety of entertainment options. Just outside the gates of the theme park is Universal City Walk Hollywood, an entertainment complex full of restaurants and shops such as Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, CityWalk Cinemas, live entertainment, iFly indoor skydiving and Jillian’s Universal, a bowling alley with a VIP room and stateof-the-art audiovisual services. In nearby Burbank, the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour offers guests the opportunity to roam around the back lot streets on a guided electric-cart tour visiting sound-stages, sets and crafts shops. The deluxe tour includes a more in-depth look at how movies are made and lunch in the studio
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commissary. Once owned by Gene Autry, the facility includes sprawling Western movie sets as well as sound stages that provide a unique special-event setting. With 17 roller coasters and counting, it’s no wonder that Six Flags Magic Mountain is known as the Roller coaster Capital of the World. Located just 30 minutes north of Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Valencia, the theme park recently launched “Lex Luther: Drop of Doom,” which drops riders from a record setting 400-foot tower. The adjacent Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is one of the largest water parks in Southern California. At the western edge of the Valley, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum celebrated the centennial of the president’s birth in 2011 with a renovation and new state-of-the-art memorabilia exhibits from the president’s life. Visitors may walk through a life-size replica of the Oval Office as well as board the actual Air Force One that was used from 1973 to 2001. This is also the president’s burial.
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SHOPPING As one of the most popular activities for LA visitors, shopping is a big part of the Valley experience. With major shopping malls as well as independent boutiques and unique neighborhood shopping destinations, the Valley is sure to provide the shopping experience your clients are looking for. The Glendale Galleria is home to more than 250 different stores, including Macy’s and Nordstrom. Across the street is The Americana at Brand, a trendy shopping destination. The outdoor complex features a two-acre park with fountains and a children’s play area surrounded by 75 upscale stores, specialty restaurants and cafés, a movie theater and sophisticated apartment homes. The Sherman Oaks Galleria is another San Fernando Valley icon where a recent renovation reclaimed.
MUST SEES RONALD REGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM: As a Presidential Library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Reagan Library, under the authority of the Presidential Records Act, is the repository of presidential records for President Reagan’s administration. The Library’s holdings include over 60 million pages of documents, over 1.6 million photographs, a half million feet of motion picture film, tens of thousands of audio and video tape, and over 40,000 artifacts.
LOS ANGELES ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS: Located at the 5 and 134 freeways, the Zoo is home to 1,200 rare and endangered mammals, reptiles and birds. Highlights: Campo Gorilla Reserve, Sea Life Cliffs; Winnick Family Children’s Zoo; Red Ape Rain Forest and Chimps of Mahale Mountains. Picnicking permitted.
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NEIGHBORING REGIONS: THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES Five counties make up Greater LA – Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. From the desert to the sea, and the mountains to the valleys, the diversity of the Greater Los Angeles area is astonishing. High mountain adventure is available at Bear Mountain and its sister resort, Snow Summit, located in the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. Together, they feature a combined 430 acres. Skiers will love Snow Summit’s distinctive wideopen terrain. With interchangeable lift tickets, visitors can hit both resorts in the same day (hop on the free shuttle to get back and forth). If your clients are visiting in the summer, they can water ski on the lake. Just 45 minutes south of Downtown LA and Anaheim is the perfect place for family travel and spousal programs. Send your clients to Disneyland® Resort and Disney’s California Adventure Park. A little farther south, a day of big splashy fun at SeaWorld San Diego awaits. See Shamu and his undersea buddies perform live, marvel at manatees and take a ride up the 265-foot Sky tower for panoramic views of Southern California’s surf and turf. For bargain hunters and shopping fanatics, sprawling outlet malls are the place to be. Several top-notch centers are located just outside LA, including Camarillo Premium Outlets, where your clients will get to shop at 160 designer and brandname stores. Group tours with special discounts are also available. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, head to the Desert Hills Premium Outlets located east of LA. For more bird’s-eye views of majestic California wilderness, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes passengers on an unforgettable ride up the steep cliffs of the Chino Canyon, climbing more than 6,000 feet. At the top, there are opportunities for either outdoor adventures or fine dining. To avoid dramatic changes in elevation, discover more of the Pacific coast by renting an RV from El Monte RV and cruise some of the most amazing landscape in the U.S. If you’re looking for a fast and convenient way to get your clients to LA’s neighboring regions, consider Amtrak train service. The Pacific Surf liner serves nearby San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, with 12 daily roundtrips between San Diego and LA; five from Santa Barbara and two from San Luis Obispo.
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CHILDREN ’S TOUR DISNEYLAND RESORT: From the charm of Main Street, U.S.A to the whimsy of Mickey’s Toontown, explore eight “lands” of nostalgia, color and delight. Let your imagination run free in a Magic Kingdom where life is a fairy tale and dreams really do come true.
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO: Amazing attractions, unforgettable animal interactions and incredible shows, including the Shamu Adventure. World-class marine life exhibits in San Diego.
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LA CULTURE: URBAN ART SCENE Los Angeles has so many murals, you could spend a week searching out the collection of more than 1,500 throughout the city. Luckily, three clusters of murals exist along the Metro Rail Red Line in three separate neighborhoods: NoHo Arts District, Hollywood and Downtown.
NOHO ARTS DISTRICT Begin your tour in the NoHo Arts District, an upand-coming area in North Hollywood known for its eclectic mix of food, art and more than 20 small theaters. Throughout the main district, you can find small community murals, such as the collage of alley paintings next to Pit Fire Pizza Company and Independent Coffee & Tea. Continuing west on Magnolia Ave., hang a right on Bakman Ave., where a few murals can be seen at Lankershim Elementary School and across the street at the church playground. A five-minute walk down Chandler Blvd. from the NoHo Red Line station will take you to the Chandler Outdoor Gallery, a collection of murals along a Class I bike path. This half-mile stretch between Vineland Ave. and Cahuenga Blvd. is home to 19 murals. Along the path, look for an opening to a side street where both sides are surrounded by the 100,000-square-foot furniture store, Arte de Mexico. With an endless supply of highend international furniture, décor, statues and rugs, you could get lost in this maze-like store.
H O L LY W O O D ( LO CAT I O N S ) Take the Red Line from the NoHo Station to the Hollywood/Vine station. Here in the Hollywood Entertainment District, celebrity-themed murals reign. During the day, you will find a few movie star portraits on metal doors of closed shops. At night, more of these are visible as the clubs and bars open up and the day shops close.
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One block north of Hollywood Blvd. at 1750 N. Vine St. is the famed Capitol Records Building, home to the mural Hollywood Jazz 1945–1972. Head west on Hollywood Blvd., and just south on Wilcox Ave. is Thomas Suriya’s You Are the Star, which features dozens of film legends sitting in a darkened movie theater, looking straight at the viewer. “You are the star,” indeed. One block west is Dolores del Rio, located north of Hollywood Blvd. on Hudson Ave. The mural, painted by Alfredo de Batuc in 1990, is a tribute to one of Hollywood’s first Latina film stars. Traditional meals and classic Hollywood environs can be found at Musso & Frank Grill, Micelli’s or Pig ‘n Whistle, while newer and hipper places include Wood & Vine and Lucky Devils. Various cheap and quick pizza joints line the Boulevard along with the popular Skooby’s, a small hot dog stand. Save dessert for the other end of Hollywood Blvd., home to three acclaimed ice cream establishments: Gelato Paradiso, Mashti Malones and the Disney Soda Fountain. Next to Disney, stop by the El Capitan Theatre for the Art Deco interior and trompe l’oeil mural over the concession stand.
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