80 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
B Y J A C Q U E L I N E Y A U
TOP CITIES
Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Burbank, Santa
Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Venice,
Redondo Beach, Marina del Rey, Lancaster
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX),
19 miles (31 km) from downtown LA
DOMESTIC GATEWAYS
Long Beach Airport (LGB), 24 miles (38 km)
from downtown LA; Hollywood Burbank Airport
(BUR), 16 miles (26 km) from downtown LA
TOURISM WEBSITES
discoverlosangeles.com
visitwesthollywood.com
lovebeverlyhills.com
downtownla.com
visitpasadena.com
redondochamber.org
visitmdr.com
santamonica.com
destinationlancasterca.org
POPULATION
10,070,000
"Т
here is something to be said for having even unrealistic
dreams," says celebrated Whiplash and La La Land
writer/director Damien Chazelle. "Even if the dreams don't
come true—that to me is what's beautiful about Los Angeles. It's full
of these people who have moved there to chase these dreams. A lot of
those people are told by people around them that they're crazy, or that
they're living in la la land."
The City of Angels is the land of reinvention. Los Angeles County
attracts seekers, dreamers, hustlers and wannabe actors/screenwriters/
directors. Most come from somewhere else and are looking for a better
life. Persistent optimism and self-expressiveness permeate the air.
Thanks to the Beach Boys harmonizing about California girls, beach
party movies of the '60s and TV shows like Baywatch, many people
think of Los Angeles as palm trees swaying in warm breezes, endless
beaches and bikini-clad women. But LA is far more complex. It's a mix
of old and new, from cuisine to culture to ideas. The creativity and
diversity of the region are reflected in some 100 museums focused on
the odd to the divine, the vibrant global street art and the constant evo-
lution of the food scene.
The Nation's Largest County
As the most populous county in the nation, with more than 10 million
residents, Los Angeles County comprises 88 cities with around 200
languages spoken within its 4,751 square miles. Geographically, the
county is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
ONEINCHPUNCH/SHUTTERSTOCK
.
OPPOSITE:MAKS
ERSHOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
LOS
ANGELES
COUNTY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
A place for big dreams, art and reinvention
