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5 Freeway at Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
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Just east of Hollywood, the famous Griffith Park Observatory looks over 4000 acres of terrain. As the county’s largest municipal park, Griffith Park is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. On the south side of the Park, the open-air Greek Theatre offers first class entertainment from music’s hottest acts throughout the summer months. On the north side, the nostalgic Travel Town will take you back to the days of steam locomotives, and let you get an up close look at the authentic trains and other vintage vehicles on display. On the east end of the park, a statue of Cowboy star Gene Autry welcomes you to the Autry National Center, a museum that brings the history of the old west to life, both real… and imagined. In addition its collection of historical artifacts and art, the Autry traces the history of the film Western, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly, Just across the parking lot from the Autry Center is the Los Angeles Zoo, a treat for both young and old. Having recently completed a major facelift, this zoo has taken its place among the top animal parks in the country.
LA Memorial Coliseum
3911 Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Phone: 213-747-7111
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Behind Exposition Park is USC’s football home, the LA Memorial Coliseum, which was host to two Olympic Games, and the first ever World Series on the West Coast, when the newly arrived Dodgers beat the Chicago White Sox Four games to two in 1959. Now, of course, the Dodgers have moved up the 110 Freeway a bit and make their home at Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. Although the Dodgers are not immune to the skyrocketing ticket prices of the last few years, there are still a number of sections that are very affordable, and make baseball the best sports value in town.
South of LA
Orange County, CA 92660
Phone: 800-94-COAST
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From the manicured inland golf courses to the pristine beaches near the pier, Newport Beach has a definite reputation as one of California’s premier playgrounds of the idle rich. The coastline here is unique. Yacht-filled Newport Harbor is protected by a man-made jetty, built in the 1930s by the New Deal Works Progress Administration. Almost overnight, sleepy Newport Beach was transformed into a surfer’s paradise. In Newport the best body surfing is in a place known as The Wedge, but because of its strong riptides, it’s not for beginners. For experienced surfers, however, it’s just the place to catch a wave and sit on top of the world. For those among us who won’t be hanging ten anytime soon, Newport Beach has numerous other diversions. The Newport Harbor shelters nearly 10,000 boats, and there are many boat tours and excursions sailing out of the marina on a daily basis. Overlooking the harbor is some of the most expensive beachfront property in the world and not far from shore is some of the best shopping in Orange County. On summer evenings, after strolling through town, catch a live show in an open-air theater. And, for the young at heart, hit the fun zone on Balboa Peninsula.
Staples Center
1111 South Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 213-742-7340
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The Staples Center is home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers and hockey’s LA Kings. In addition, it hosts LA's biggest arena concerts. Its location next door to the LA Convention Center makes catching a game easy for convention goers, if you can get tickets that is.
Venice Beach
Ocean Front Walk (south of Santa Monica
Los Angeles, CA 90291
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This canal-filled beachfront community used to be known as the Coney Island of the Pacific for the many amusements that once lined the boardwalk. These days, the people watching is more amusing than any contraption you could come ever up with. On this five-block stretch of shoreline, you can see a lot of things you don’t exactly see every day, and a few things you shouldn’t have to see ever: performers and artists, crackpots and geniuses, salesmen and surfers. And they’re all practicing good old American capitalism in its rawest form. It all adds up to the unique color of Venice Beach, like no place else on earth.