![]() ![]() Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach Meanwhile, the marshy Ballona Wetlands, also in this neighborhood, feature a plethora of plants, plus endangered wildlife species like the least tern and the Belding's savannah sparrow. Sandwiched between Marina del Rey to the north and Los Angeles International Airport to the south, the Playa del Rey area is primarily residential, catering to families and younger, active Californians. The promenade that surrounds the marina is also home to a few restaurants and cafes, as well as luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey and the Marina del Rey Hotel. Stroll along the marina (southeast of Venice Beach's boardwalk) to admire the expensive yachts and sailboats that float in and out of the inlet. Inland, a series of canals and foot bridges wind around the trendy eateries and unique boutiques of Abbot Kinney Boulevard.īuilt in the 1950s, Marina del Rey is the world's largest man-made small boat harbor. The colorful graffiti murals along walls and buildings are also a particularly interesting sight. ![]() This is the place to have your fortune told, enjoy a local musician's tunes, find the perfect vintage souvenir and even star-gaze, as celebrity sightings are not uncommon. Along the shore, Venice Beach's notoriously quirky personality thrives, with scantily clad bathers occupying the boardwalk and tie-dye T-shirt vendors' calls echoing in the air. This formerly run-down neighborhood is now one of LA's most popular areas. To the south of Santa Monica is Venice Beach. Santa Monica is sandwiched between Malibu and Venice Beach just 16 miles west of downtown LA. And if you can feel your wallet burning a hole in your pocket, this neighborhood overflows with primo shopping venues. ![]() The open-air Third Street Promenade is worth a stroll to see its quirky boutiques and quaint cafes. The Santa Monica Pier – complete with games, food and rides – is popular with the young and young-at-heart. When it comes to exploring the coast, most people head to Santa Monica because it offers up sand and surf, and it also features some of the city's favorite sites. Several celebrities call this neighborhood home, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford. Malibu also boasts some of southern California's most sought-after real estate and a posh atmosphere with quaint boutiques and eateries. The " Our Malibu Beaches" app (free to download on Apple App Store and Google Play) is helpful in offering maps, providing directions to beach accessways and identifying fake signs. ![]() Beaches here – such as Los Angeles County's largest beach park, Zuma Beach – are technically public, but many are shielded by private communities and offer limited access for the everyday visitor. Because of the stellar waves that crash on its shores, Malibu is where the die-hard surfers head for the best ride. This exclusive neighborhood can be accessed by driving 33 miles west of downtown LA along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway. LA's coast is arguably the most popular part of the city thanks to fewer bouts of smog and a more laid-back atmosphere than seen downtown or in Beverly Hills. With over 70 miles of shoreline, there's plenty of sun and sand for everyone. If you're not in Los Angeles for Hollywood, you're probably here for the beach. These areas can be seedy at night but some spots are worth a stroll: Chinatown, for example, is filled with dim sum eateries, relaxed dive bars and buildings boasting Chinese-influenced architecture. On the outskirts of downtown are the largely residential neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Westlake, Angelino Heights, Chinatown and Koreatown. Next door, the Los Angeles Convention Center boasts more than 850,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space. Just southwest are the GRAMMY Museum and the STAPLES Center, where NBA, WNBA and NHL teams play and musical acts perform. One of the area's most impressive sites is the Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by architect Frank Gehry and home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic) on South Grand Avenue. Plus, accommodations here are generally more affordable than those found by the ocean. The area has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts with more and more restaurants and nightlife venues opening. Downtown LA, situated in the center of the city, is a business hub home to several banks, department stores, government buildings and financial institutions. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |