The City of Angels is a social paradox, constantly re-inventing itself to maintain its own standards. Yet such standards consistently set the trends for the rest of the world. The city is an economical hub, the center of America’s film and music industries, one of the most health-conscious metropolises in America, and one of the most aesthetic locations on the west coast. Furthermore, L.A. is more than twice the size of Switzerland, with a population of more than 3.5 million people. It is home to the widest range of ethnic diversity in the country, as evidenced in the city’s eclectic array of neighborhoods.  

Of course, what is L.A. without Hollywood? Those imposing white letters gleaming from that green hill, symbolizing the aspirations not only of every actor, but of every dreamer on earth searching for stardom. From the Mann Chinese Theater and the Walk of Stars, to Universal Studios and a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, to shopping in Melrose and cruising Sunset strip, Hollywood is the very essence of L.A. glamour and glitz.

But L.A. is far more than just Hollywood. The beach communities in L.A. are unmatchable. Here is where the California cliché comes to life. From the surf culture of Malibu to the Old World charm of San Pedro, and everything in between, such neighborhoods offer the finest in surfside entertainment. A trip to L.A. is not complete without a visit to Venice Beach. Venice is the heart and soul of L.A.’s art community (among many other things), not unlike Beverly Hills is the head and shoulders of L.A. fashion.

L.A.’s Westside is another of the city’s more intriguing districts. Here is where you will find L.A.’s bourgeois. Visitors can take tours through the hills of Bel Air, lined with luxurious mansions, or stroll down Rodeo Drive for a shopping spree. Culture buffs can check out Museum Row on Wilshire’s Miracle Mile, featuring institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Carole & Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures, the Petersen Automotive Museum, the new Getty Center and more.

Visitors should not forget districts like the San Fernando Valley, otherwise known as “The Valley,”  where numerous commonalities of Middle American culture where born, including the modern mini-mall, drive-in movies, the double burger, and of course, just about every teen trend that's ever swept across the country. The Valley’s Ventura Boulevard offers a wide assortment of unique shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and more. San Gabriel Valley is home to the Rose Bowl and the incredible Angeles National Forest.

L.A. is a tapestry of amusement parks, museums, record companies, celebrity homes, seedy back streets, ostentatious shopping districts, pulsating nightlife, sunny beaches, health-conscious restaurants, the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the wealthy, the poor, the wise, the smarmy, and much, much more.