As America’s second-most populated city and the most impactful money powerhouse of the West, the area dates back to 8000 BC, when the Chumash people settled the basin of modern-day L.A. Fast-forward to 1781, when a group of 11 families made of 44 Mexicans settled by the river. Felipe de Neve, Governor of Spanish California, named the settlement "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula,” meaning "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciúncula." A century later, the Southern Pacific Railroad linked Los Angeles directly with eastern United States, and also that year, the Los Angeles Times debuted as the Los Angeles Daily Times. It wasn’t until 1911 that the first Hollywood production firm, Nestor Film Company, opened in an abandoned tavern. Soon, neighbors put up signs that said, “No dogs, no actors.” But nothing could stop the magic of movie-making; within two years, Cecil B. de Mille shot the first Hollywood movie, “Squaw Man,” and Carl Laemmle opened Universal Film Manufacturing Company, then the world’s largest motion picture production facility, near the Cahuenga Pass. He charged the public 25 cents to watch films being made. The entry fee included a boxed lunch. In 1926, a 2,400-plus mile stretch of road connecting Los Angeles and Chicago was designated as the famous U.S. Highway 66, and ever since, things haven’t been the same. And, perfectly fitting to the burgeoning LA culture, it was when Walt Disney moved to the upscale Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles that he named his new Disneyland Park nearby as the "Happiest Place on Earth."

The City Of Stars is wrapped in a mythology of epic proportions, with endless activities that attract 50 million-plus tourists each year.

Perched on a hilltop above the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, the Getty Center has killer views of the entire Los Angeles Basin. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier with travertine marble, the Getty is a marvel of art, architecture, and gardens. In addition, the Getty Museum in Pacific Palisades reopened as the Getty Villa, housing the foundation’s incredible collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities.

The Griffith Observatory, a public observatory owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles for the benefit of all, includes the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, named for the actor who played Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series. Located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Observatory offers a planetarium, exhibits, public telescopes, cafe, bookstore, and the best views of the Los Angeles basin.

Ever since Dodger Stadium was built in Chavez Ravine, many aficionados still call it the most beautiful stadium in baseball. Since opening its gates in 1962, the storied ballpark has hosted ten World Series and the Dodgers have won four World Championships.

For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. Rated Trip Advisor’s #1 Thing To Do in Hollywood, this is the only place in Los Angeles where you can rub shoulders with over 125 stars without any of the velvet ropes – or at least, with their uncanny wax likenesses.

The GRAMMY Museum opened to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards, and it serves to educate visitors about the history and cultural significance of American music through excellent exhibitions, programming, and fun interactives.


Notable Landmarks
With so much to fill a day in Los Angeles, it can become a little overwhelming. Here is a small sampling of landmarks to choose from.

In 1927, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, now TCL Chinese Theater, opened. Over the years, Hollywood theatrical producer and impresario Sid Grauman and, after his passing, his successors, invited dozens of top stars to leave their handprints and footprints in freshly poured cement out front.

As shown previously in this article, Hollywood became the center of America’s film scene by 1915, with hopeful actors and actresses descending on the desert basin town. Known worldwide thanks to its pop culture references, the Hollywood Sign, formerly known as the Hollywoodland Sign, has been an LA landmark since 1923. Locals and tourists often hike there; combine it with a fun and educational visit to the nearby Griffith Observatory, mentioned above.

The Santa Monica Pier dates back to 1909 and became the first pier in the United States to be built from concrete instead of wood. Visitors can download the Secret Story Tour app, which will take them through some of the key historical elements of the Pier.


Parks
It’s impossible to imagine Los Angeles without the beauty and positive environmental impact of its varied park system. With more than 40,000 acres of city parkland, and 184 parks throughout Los Angeles, Angelenos and their furry friends can take advantage of the great outdoors any time of year. These include natural spaces and facilities like dog parks, golf courses, Echo Park Lake, Griffith Park, hundreds of playgrounds and picnic areas, beaches, gardens, trails, and amenities.