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The Nation's Largest County As the most populous county in the nation, with more than 10 million resi- dents, Los Angeles County comprises 88 cities with more than 100 languages spoken within its 4,084 square miles. The county is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware—combined. The entertainment industry is an integral part of the local economy, annually con- tributing $47 billion to the region. For decades, the name Hollywood has been syn- onymous with the movie business, but today most studios have moved into neighboring suburbs such as Burbank and Culver City. Some of the better-known areas in LA County aren't even cities but rather dis- tricts or neighborhoods within Los Angeles, such as Hollywood, Silver Lake and Venice. In contrast, Beverly Hills, home to the most expensive residences in the world, and West Hollywood, a diverse melange of gays, Russians and musicians, are cities but completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. Seventy miles of beaches run along Los Angeles County's southwest border. Malibu, an exclusive seaside community, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. To the north, hikers and moun- tain climbers can explore trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. To the east, the San Gabriel Mountains rise up to more than 10,000 feet above sea level. City and Town Los Angeles, the second most populous city in the nation, dominates the county. Writer Dorothy Parker once quipped, "Los Angeles is 72 suburbs in search of a city." Now, well over 100 neighborhoods in LA form a rich cultural stew. Meander around Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Art and Fashion Districts, the Latino enclaves around Echo Park, Hollywood's Laurel Canyon, Little Armenia, Thai Town or Melrose District where hipsters shop. When in LA, do as the celebs do and start the day by stretching at Bryan Kest's Power Yoga studio in Santa Monica. Go shopping at cool indie shops featuring local labels and fashionable imports along Venice's Abbot Kinney. Need an outfit for an awards show? Head over to Decades on Melrose Avenue, a couture vintage store where many stylists choose red-carpet gowns for their star clients. Hungry? Eat at The Griddle Cafe, a Sunset Boulevard institution known for its gigantic pancakes and the steady flow of celebrities lunching there. Or chow down on a chili dog at Pink's famous corner stand at Melrose and La Brea avenues. Watch a Lakers basketball game at the Staples Center and see stars on the court and in the stands. End the day sip- ping a cocktail at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where celebrities meet their agents and studio execs. Hollywood Conceived originally as an outdoor bill- board promoting a housing development called Hollywoodland in 1923, the Holly- wood sign sits on the south side of Mount Lee and Griffith Park—long a symbol that this is a place where dreams can come true. The first movie studio, the Nestor Motion Picture Company, opened in the fall of 1911 in Hollywood on the north- west corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. It was absorbed by the Uni- 120 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 LITTLENY/SHUTTERSTOCK ; OPPOSITE: ONEINCHPUNCH/SHUTTERSTOCK ; MATT MARRIOTT/DISCOVER LA INSIDER'S TIP » Near the GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY is a local favorite. Mingle with celebrities, moms, seniors, dog walkers and more as you hike up Mount Hollywood to take in the gorgeous 360-degree views of the entire LA Basin, from the Pacific to the SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS, including the Hollywood sign on MOUNT LEE. Start on FERN DELL DRIVE off LOS FELIZ in GRIFFITH PARK and walk away from Los Feliz up the hill to the Observatory and continue up the path, or for a shorter walk, park at the Observatory and start there on the CHARLIE TURNER TRAIL. yelp.com/biz/ griffith-observatory- hike-los-angeles yelp.com/biz/charlie-turners-trail-los-angeles