118 2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
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
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
experiencela.com
discoverlosangeles.com
visitwesthollywood.com
lovebeverlyhills.com
downtownla.com
visitpasadena.com
visitredondo.com
santamonica.com
POPULATION
10.1 million
C
elebrated Whiplash and La La Land writer/director Damien
Chazelle once remarked, "There is something to be said for
having even unrealistic dreams. 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/screen-
writers/directors. Most come from somewhere else and are looking for
something better with persistent optimism and self-expressiveness
permeating the air.
But 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, endless beaches and bikini-
clad women. But LA is far more complex. It's a mix of the old and new,
from cuisine to culture to ideas. The creativity and diversity of the
region are reflected in the more than 100 museums focused on the odd
to the divine, the vibrant global street art community and the constant
evolution of the food scene.
SEAN
PAVONE/SHUTTERSTOCK
.
OPPOSITE:
ONEINCHPUNCH/SHUTTERSTOCK
LOS
ANGELES
COUNTY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
A place for dreamers
