What to see in Los Angeles in 1 day on your own – route, photo, description

Los Angeles is a movie empire. There are so many sights here that it's definitely not possible to see them in one day. Therefore, it is worth talking about the most popular of them, so that every guest of the City of Angels can draw conclusions for themselves and go to those places that they want to see the most. Of course, most of the attractions are related to filming, but besides this, there is something to see in Los Angeles.

Grauman's Egyptian Theater

Historic cinema, one of the first in the city. It was built thanks to the initiative of Sid Grauman. A few years earlier, Grauman opened the Million Dollar Theatre. The Egyptian theater cost the entrepreneur a little less than a million – “only” 800 thousand dollars. It was built in a year and a half. Sid Grauman, along with his father David, opened theater venues in various US cities. The Egyptian theater began to work in 1922, after the death of Grauman Sr.

In the same year, it hosted the premiere of the movie “Robin Hood”. The noble robber was played by Douglas Fairbanks. The Egyptian theater brings to mind the city of Thebes. There is a palm alley in front of the entrance, inside you can see thematic drawings – hieroglyphs, pyramids and the like. After many years of operation, the cinema required restoration, and it was completed. Today it is always crowded here – to visit the Egyptian theater means to touch the history, admire its beautiful interiors.

TCL Chinese Theater

This is an even more famous project by Sid Grauman, for a long time the theater bore his name. The building was built in 1927. Can accommodate more than 1100 people at the same time. It is here that the premieres of Hollywood novelties often take place. In 2007, the cinema was purchased by CIM Group. The building itself has already been featured several times in popular films such as Rush Hour, Iron Man 3, Blackout and others.

Dolby Theater

Another name for that theater is Kodak. This company has always worked closely with Hollywood and has invested $ 75 million in this project. It is at the Dolby Theater that the Oscar nominees are awarded. This led to a huge interest of tourists in the building. The rest of the time, various events will replace each other here – concerts, festivals, shows, you can even rent a Dolby for a luxurious wedding. But if you just want to see the theater from the inside, you need to purchase tickets for the tour.

The theater opened in 2001. and it accommodates over 3330 spectators. It is part of a complex that includes shops, restaurants, clubs and cinemas. During the tour, you can admire the famous red carpet, explore the halls, climb the spiral staircase that links the five levels of the foyer, and see photos of Oscar winners.

Hollywood Museum

The museum is located on Highland Avenue. It will be interesting to visit here for everyone who loves cinema. The building was designed by Simeon Charles Lee, and restoration was completed in the early 2000s. Today the museum can be visited every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. There is a restaurant nearby, which is very convenient, because after a long excursion, many people want to have a bite to eat. What can you see when you go to the museum? Over 10 thousand items related to the history of cinema.

These are props from popular films, thousands of photographs, awards, studios of makeup artist Max Factor. You can admire the costumes of movie stars, including Marilyn Monroe, see advertising posters. The fourth floor makes the greatest impression, where everything related to horror films is presented. There is a prison corridor, scary masks, mummies and much more.

Walk of Fame

The famous Walk of Fame is next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Here you can see the hand and footprints of the greatest movie stars. It all started quite by accident with the fact that the famous actress Norma Talmadge stepped on fresh cement. Now here are the prints of the idols of the public. Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as many, many stars who won the love of the audience, left their marks here.

The actors who played in “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” also noted here. You can even see the paw print of the movie star dog Rin Tin Tin. But the trace of Michael Jackson and the illusion of his palm pressed to the cement were made by the singer's children after he himself passed away. To do this, they used his boot and glove. One of the youngest actors and directors honored to be imprinted on the Walk of Fame is Christopher Nolan.

Griffith Observatory

It is both a museum and a planetarium. You can also sit in an excellent cafe and admire the city. The museum is located on the territory of the park of the same name, and is included in the list of the most popular attractions. Here you can see the statue of Albert Einstein – tourists love to take pictures next to it. The idea to build an observatory here belongs to Griffin Jenkins Griffith. At one time, he was impressed by the view of the starry sky that opened up to him when he looked through a telescope. After that, the entrepreneur allocated a large amount for the construction of the center.

According to his plan, there should have been a telescope, a cinema hall and a “science room” here. The center was built, but Griffith did not wait for its opening. After all, the idea was born in 1912, and construction was completed only in 1935. During the Second World War, military pilots received the necessary knowledge at the observatory, and in 1960 – astronauts. Today there is a modern planetarium. You can also look through a telescope. On the wall hangs a huge picture of the part of the sky where the constellation Virgo is located – it includes about a million galaxies. And here you can get acquainted with the history of the universe.

Warner Brothers Film Studio

You can spend a whole day on this excursion. And keep in mind – it is better to book tickets in advance, on the company's website. It's also best to arrive early. The territory of the film studio is huge, so you will have to inspect it with the help of a mini-bus. First you will see a short film that tells about the really impressive history of the film studio and the films that have been filmed here. Then it will be the turn of the tour itself. You just need to remember that it is forbidden to shoot videos here, you can only take photos. And in some pavilions you can not turn on the flash.

You will travel by bus through the territory, making stops from time to time to see the most interesting objects. See the scenery for films, learn how certain effects are achieved.

You can also admire the costumes of the heroes of popular films, especially many exhibits are related to Harry Potter and his friends. A great impression is made by unusual cars that “lit up” in the cinema. Look at the whole mountain of scenarios. Numerous authors send their imperishable works here, in the hope that films will be made based on them. In fact, only a few will become hits in the film industry.

Universal Studios

Another place where you can spend the whole day. Moreover, the program will include not only a visit to the famous film studio, but also a visit to an amusement park with phenomenal attractions. The park is divided into parts, each of them is dedicated to a popular film. Appropriate decorations are built, the tourists get the impression that they have been transported to other worlds. Electronic scoreboards display the time that you will spend in line for one or another attraction.

You can visit Harry Potter, look into the windows of fairy-tale houses, buy magic wands. It takes about an hour to tour the film studio, where you will see 13 quarters – these are pavilions and outdoor scenery. The guide will tell you what and where you filmed. Also waiting for you is the show “Water World”, the attraction “The Walking Dead”, in the “Jurassic Park” you will sail on a boat along the river and see walking dinosaurs. In a word, most likely the most vivid impressions will be associated with this film studio.

rodeo drive

One of the most popular streets in Hollywood, where a huge number of expensive boutiques are concentrated. You can only hope to make purchases here if you are a very wealthy person and are willing to pay a thousand bucks for some T-shirt. But here you can watch everything for free. You will see luxurious houses with unusual architecture, exotic cars never seen before – from retro to exclusive models for millionaires.

Taking pictures of them is not forbidden, on the contrary, the owners are often pleased that their car was appreciated. There is also a great chance to meet movie stars. True, for shopping they try to dress as modestly as possible, put on dark glasses, but even this sometimes does not save them from fans. In addition, you can book a tour in an open car – you will be taken along a special route so that you can see the houses of Hollywood stars.

Venice Beach

Great place to relax. Here everyone will find something to do. You can walk along the waterfront. The place is prestigious – there are enough salons, boutiques, restaurants. Yes, and just take a walk, look at the public will be interesting. Or you can go straight to the beach. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are sometimes muddy here, waves are not uncommon, but this does not stop those who want to swim and sunbathe.

Fine soft sand, developed infrastructure, open-air sports grounds – all this is Venice Beach. Street artists also work here, you can order your own portrait. Also nearby is the Venice Beach Waldorf Hotel, where Charlie Chaplin stayed. It will be interesting to see such a historical place. And the roof of the hotel is an excellent observation deck.

Wilshire Boulevard

This is one of the main streets. What can be seen here? Wilshire Boulevard runs from Grand Avenue. Do not take a taxi to view this place from the windows of the car. This is where the most impressive traffic jams accumulate, where you can get stuck for a long time. Better to walk. Look at the magnificent skyscrapers that began to be erected here in the middle of the 20th century. It will also be interesting to look into shops, restaurants, museums. In particular, it is worth visiting the Museum of Art and another one – paleontological.

Mile of Wonders

Located in the Wilshire Boulevard area. Once there was only a dirt road that led to the farms located nearby. Then tram tracks were laid. And then the construction of a large shopping center began. It happened in the 20s of the last century. The area turned out to be very promising, and retail outlets began to grow here like mushrooms after rain. However, it was already becoming clear that the number of cars on the streets of the city would only grow.

Therefore, the developers put forward additional requirements. Buildings were supposed to be built in one line, parking spaces were to be equipped, signs were to be read from the windows of a car. The actual length of this part of the boulevard was one and a half miles. And today you can see many popular shops here. And in the western part of the Mile of Wonders are museums. The District Art Museum has more than 100 thousand exhibits, ranging from the works of artists who lived in ancient times.

Another interesting museum is named after George Q. Page. Here you can see about a million remains of ancient fossils. There are plants, insects, birds, mammals, and even the skeleton of a primitive woman. It will be interesting to visit the Museum of Vehicles, to look at vintage cars and models that belonged to movie stars such as Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth. Another museum – applied and folk art – exhibits exhibits made by the hands of craftsmen from around the world.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

In the US, only Los Angeles has hosted the Olympic Games twice, and the Memorial Coliseum is inextricably linked to them. This is one of the largest sports facilities. And he met the participants of the Olympiads twice – in 1932 and 1984. Also, the presidents of the country – Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan – delivered their famous speeches here. The Colosseum was designed by father and son Parkinson. Initially, this place was conceived as a memorial to the veterans of the First World War.

The stadium was opened in 1923, when it accommodated over 75 thousand people. There were competitions in summer sports. Subsequently, the number of seats increased, and now more than 105 thousand people could watch the competitions of athletes at the same time. In 2028, the Summer Olympic Games will be held here again. So, if you are a sports fan, don't miss the chance to see this historical place.

Madame Tussauds museum

It should be noted that this museum, which is a branch of the British, is located next to the largest similar wax museum in the US, Spoony Singh. But there are enough tourists here and there. Children and adults are happy to look at their favorite actors and numerous historical characters. Here you can take a selfie or try on a costume of one or another hero. All characters are made in accordance with the real growth of their prototype. Often this is surprising – for example, when the idol was presented as taller.

In the halls you can see the figures of popular TV presenters, heroes of westerns, thrillers, melodramas made of plastic materials. You can take a picture next to a copy of Marilyn Monroe or Charlie Chaplin. However, children prefer modern movie stars – their figures are also here. Adults say about this place: The stars aligned. All exhibits are strikingly realistic – from the color of the hair to the sparkle of the eyes. Everyone can find their idol. There is also Patrick Swayze, and Audrey Hepburn, and King Kong, and Forrest Gump. And from the windows of the museum you can see the famous inscription “Hollywood” on the side of the mountain.

Downtown

The business center also draws attention. Here you can see one of the oldest squares, broken at the beginning of the last century. Its design has changed more than once and now symbolizes the “new” city. You can always see the homeless here. Also, quite a lot of skyscrapers fit in a small area. For example, 1340 Figueroa Street has 43 floors. Worth a visit Los Angeles Life is a whole entertainment complex. Opened relatively recently. Metropolis also attracts attention – a complex that includes 4 skyscraper towers, and South – 3 towers. In a word, there is a lot of everything – offices, hotels, shops, entertainment centers. Mostly Hispanics, Asians, African Americans and white descendants of Spaniards live in this area of ​​the city.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The initiative for such a hall to appear in the city was made by the widow of Disney in the late 80s of the last century. She also donated $50 million for the project. However, in fact, it took several times more funds. The architect was the famous Frank Gehry, and construction began in 1992, and the new concert hall opened 11 years later – in 2003. Not only are concerts of the Philharmonic Orchestra held here, the audience also gathers for the premieres of new films. Practice has shown that the building requires certain alterations.

The façade was clad in steel panels that reflected the sun. Because of this, the asphalt heated up around, the heat was felt even in the apartments of neighboring houses. The problem was eliminated shortly after the opening of the Concert Hall. More than 2,200 listeners can gather in the Disney Concert Hall at the same time. This place is very popular with residents and visitors of the city.

Фуникулер Angels Flight

This is a kind of railway, the length of which is less than 100 m. The funicular opened back in 1901, and not only the current residents, but also their grandparents remember these two orange-red trailers from childhood. Previously, the funicular was located not where it is now – not far from the Pershing Square metro station – but nearby. Then, in 1969, it was dismantled in order to build buildings on this site, and for a long time fragments of trailers simply lay in a warehouse. Only in 1996, the funicular was assembled again, but it was already launched along a different, shorter route.

However, in 2001, there was an accident with human casualties, and the “Flight of Angels” was closed again. Significant modernization was required to make this mode of transport completely safe. But at the same time, the trailers remained wooden. The ride, which lasts about a minute, costs a few cents. Only in the first half century of work, the funicular was used – it's hard to believe – more than 100 million people. Today it is included in the list of historical monuments of the country. Today, the “Flight of Angels” is equipped with special sensors that ensure traffic safety.

US Bank Tower

One of the most recognizable buildings in the city. and at the same time the tallest skyscraper with a helipad on the roof. The tower was completed in 1989. The height of the building exceeds 300 m, in total there are 73 floors. Another interesting fact. This zone is considered seismically unfavorable, therefore, additional requirements were put forward for the project. The architect was Henry Cobb, and he succeeded in his work. The tower will withstand even an earthquake of 8 points.

The construction cost $350 million. Although there are many skyscrapers around, this tower stands out among them. First, there is no taller building in California. Secondly, the elegant light facade and multi-stage architecture attract attention. There is a large business center inside. Huge windows, colored marble floors, paintings on the walls, many elevators – but all this splendor can only be seen in photographs. The inside of the tower is allowed only with passes. Therefore, the maximum that a tourist can do is admire the building from the street.

Zoo

You won't regret visiting this zoo. It occupies a large area – 54 hectares, about 1000 animals and birds live here. And for everyone, conditions are created that are as close as possible to the habitat. In addition, here you can see many rare plants from around the world. Some of them look so unusual that it's hard to look away.

Moreover, Feng Shui experts placed them so that they not only recreate certain natural areas, but also harmonize with each other. Of particular interest are plants and animals that are endangered in nature. So, Californian condors are bred here. All animals are well-groomed, look great, most of them willingly contact the zoo guests. Children are especially excited about this.

Cemetery “Hollywood Forever”

The name is symbolic – those who found eternal peace here really stayed in Hollywood forever. The cemetery is located on Santa Monica Boulevard. It was laid down a long time ago – in 1899. Many actors, directors, screenwriters, as well as people of other creative professions are buried here. The artist Oleg Vidov, beloved by many generations of Soviet viewers, also lies here, the coffin with his body is immured in a stone wall. There is also a lake nearby where swans swim. Peacocks walk around the territory of the cemetery. Concerts of pop stars are periodically held here, and in the summer there is also a film festival, which attracts thousands of spectators.

Once again, it is worth noting that if you are in Los Angeles for just a day, you will not have time to see even a small part of its sights. In this case, you should rely on your own interests. Would you prefer a zoo, or a beach, or maybe a museum? Or just go shopping? One thing is clear – in any case, your acquaintance with this city will be vivid and memorable. And if you didn’t have time to see something, this is a great reason to return.