The La Brea Tar Pits just off Wilshire Blvd. in Hancock Park is the world's largest repository for prehistoric fossils millions of years old. This is where museums from all over the world get their fossil specimens. Active excavation pits dot the 23 acre park and there are several observation pits where one can watch the actual work of extracting prehistoric bones from the thick gooey tar. During the summer season be careful where you step as hot weather causes tar to ooze up to the surface all over the park. You will also get good whiffs of the tar from most anywhere in the park. The George C. Page museum inside the park is where bones taken from the tar pits are cleaned, assembled, and put on display. You will be able to watch this process through large plate glass windows.
Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) station, completed in 1939 in order to consolidate the train depots that were scattered all over the city was built by the three major railroads of the time, the Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe as the "last of the great train stations". Today LAUPT is a busy rail transportation hub for the 172 daily scheduled passenger trains of Amtrak and Metrolink (commuter rail). Two MTA heavy rail subway lines and a light rail line also provide service to Union Passenger Terminal. For a view of the main waiting area please CLICK HERE Website Union Station
Olvera Street was nothing more than an alley and the humble beginnings over two hundred years ago of what eventually became the City of Los Angeles. This is where the oldest building in all of Los Angeles is located, the 1818 Avila Adobe house. This is also where you will find some of the best authentic Mexican food anywhere. At the southern end of Olvera Street is the turn of the century old Plaza Fire House museum and next door is the restored Pico House, the first hotel in Los Angeles and at three stories the tallest building when it opened in 1870. Olvera Street is across Alameda Street from Union Passenger Terminal. Website Olvera Street
The Watercourt is located in California Plaza where the Angels Flight Cable Railway ends on Bunker Hill. This five acre area has become popular with tourists, residents, and workers who come here to dine and watch the continuing water shows. There are waterfalls, and fountains that shoot water high up into the air in different patterns. The climax to each 20 minute show is when five thousand gallons of water is released at once down from the fountains and into the pool, causing a huge spectacular wave. At night everything is bathed in colored floodlights. Summer day and evening concerts are popular events here. So are weddings and private parties. For another Watercourt photo please CLICK HERE
The Los Angeles Jewelry District is one of two biggest in the nation and among the biggest in the world with 3,500 reputable wholesale and retail jewelry businesses and nearly sixty thousand working in the jewelry trade. Unlike jewelers in shopping malls and elsewhere, many licensed Jewelry District jewelers have been in business here for nearly a century and hold membership to one or more of these organizations and associations: Better Business Bureau, Gemological Institute of America, European Gemological Laboratories, Diamond Club West Coast, Consumersafe, National Jeweler's Association, Professional Jeweler's Association. Also the Los Angeles Jewelry District doesn't depend on advertising to bring in customers like mall jewelers and the heavily advertised Jewelry Exchange in Tustin which should be avoided at all costs. Word of mouth from generations of satisfied customers and a fine reputation is all the advertising the Jewelry District needs. Easy to get to since dozens of bus lines and two subway stations serve the Jewelry District, the Pershing Square station and the 7th & Flower Metro Center station. To see another picture of the Jewelry District please CLICK HERE
A gift to the City of Los Angeles from Col. Griffith J. Griffith sixteen years after his death, the Griffith Park Observatory has been in use since 1935. Each year more than two million visit the observatory to see the exhibits, planetarium shows, and to peer through one of the giant telescopes. Millions more go there just to get breathtaking views of the city and to watch spectacular sunsets over the Pacific. The Griffith Observatory has recently gone through a six year renovation and expansion which doubled the exhibition space. CLICK HERE for a view of the city from the observatory.
Website Griffith Park Observatory
When the landmark Capitol Records Building opened in 1957, it became the world's first circular shaped high rise office building. This is the historical site where the famed British singing group the Beatles signed their first and only major U.S. recording contract. Over the years it's been falsely suggested that the building resembled a stack of records with a symbolic needle at the top. It's all just a wonderful coincidence. The building was designed as circular just to look different from the other near by high rises and the needle is actually a stylish aircraft night beacon tower which flashes out in morse code H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D. Capitol Records is on N. Vine St. a block north of the Hollywood/Vine Metro Rail subway station.
Los Angeles's Fashion District encompasses 90 city blocks of clothing manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers as well as related businesses such as shoes, handbags, backpacks, hats, sewing supplies, material, zippers etc. Not surprisingly the Fashion District which employees 177,000 is the largest in the nation, generating eight billion dollars in sales each year. Buyers for the world's clothing retailers and the general public come here to find extraordinary bargains direct from manufacturers. Nearby are several fashion industry showplaces that includes the California Mart and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. The Fashion District is a fun and exciting place to shop and it sure beats shopping in a cookie cutter mall. Website Los Angeles Fashion District
The Bunker Hill Steps (1991) is an pleasant and elegant way to get to and from the top of the hill. Along the center of the steps and running the entire length is cascading water flowing over rocks for a soothing sound escape from the noise of the city. A McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurant is located near the top of the Bunker Hill Steps in the Library Tower. Mid block on W 5th St  between Grand Ave and Flower St and directly across from the Central Public Library.
The Paramount Studio Gate (1926) was the original studio entrance at the 'T' intersection of Marathon St and Bronson Ave. Today that area is within studio property as part of a major expansion in 1991. The gate has been seen in many feature films over the years including Sunset Boulevard (1950) starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden. One scene had Swanson as faded silent film star Norma Desmond returning to the studio via Paramount Gate. You can see the gate about a half block away on Melrose Avenue. Don't confuse this gate with the newer 1981 Melrose Gate a block west on Melrose. Easy to get to via subway. Exit at the Hollywood/Vine station then board any bus going south on Vine. Get off at Melrose Ave. then walk two blocks east to studio.
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As Grauman's Chinese Theatre was being built in 1927, actress Norma Talmadge came by to take a look when she accidentally stepped into the wet cement forming the forecourt in front of the theatre (so the story goes). That was the beginning of a tradition and today's tourist attraction (two million visits each year) at the world's most famous and visited theatre which has held more major movie premieres than any other theatre. A half block west of the Hollywood/Highland metro rail subway station.
The landmark Los Angeles Coliseum opened in 1923. With a seating capacity of 92,516, the stadium has hosted two summer olympics, major league baseball's 1959 World Series and several superbowls including the first one in 1967. Other historic events include the 1960 acceptance speech by John F. Kennedy after winning the Democratic party nomination for U.S. President and a papal mass by Pope John Paul II in 1987. The Coliseum has been given historical status on both State and Federal historical landmark registries. Just south of the City Center next to the Harbor (110) Freeway. Exit at Exposition Blvd. Near the University of Southern California campus.
The Westin Bonaventure on Flower Street at West Fifth Street has been greeting guests from presidents and celebrities to tourists since 1976. Every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter has been a hotel guest. The Bonaventure rises 35 floors above the Financial District and has 1354 larger than average size rooms. An indoor lake covers one acre in a five story atrium. There are 42 eateries along with assorted gift shops and personal services. Twelve glass elevators whisk passengers from the atrium level up through the skylight and outside, giving everyone awesome views of the city. On the 35th floor is a revolving bar and restaurant that makes a complete revolution every hour. Many popular and classic films have been shot here including Rainman, Blade Runner, Total Recall, In the Line of Fire and Blue Thunder. The Bonaventure is located near many of the City Center attractions including the Central Public Library, Los Angeles Music Center, Disney Concert Hall, Wells Fargo Western Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Website Westin Bonaventure
The Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning Los Angeles Harbor was dedicated on November 15, 1963. Attending the ceremony were Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty, members of the city council, Governor Pat Brown and the public. President John F. Kennedy sent a telegram that was read to the crowd and media. Assemblyman Vincent Thomas who championed construction of the bridge cut the ribbon. World architects consider the bridge to be one of the most perfect and beautiful bridges ever built. The main span runs 6050 ft. in length (1.1 miles) and each support tower is 365 ft. in height. It's a drop of 185 ft. from midspan to the water below. The bridge is designed to withstand winds as high as 90 mph. At the end of the Harbor Freeway in the Port of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles community of Venice is well known throughout the world and Venice beach is the big favorite among bathers and tourists. It is here along famed Ocean Front Walk dubbed "the Boardwalk" where visitors can find Venice Beach regulars such as the guy who juggles three real live running gas powered chain saws or the guy who blows twenty foot long flames from his mouth. Nearby is the famous area dubbed Muscle Beach where guys and gals perform acrobatics and put on weight lifting demonstrations for the crowds. This has been going on here since the early 20's. Other attractions include the Venice Pier, unique wall murals, souvenier and gift shops, along with the many eateries. The best time to visit Venice Beach is from early Spring to early Fall. During the Winter months daytime temperatures range from the low to upper 50's. Many shops are closed during this period.
LOS ANGELES
ATTRACTIONS 2
FROM LANDMARKS AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO CULTURE AND THE ARTS
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