Whale watching near the city offers some great sites.
Los Angeles is a city filled with sites for both the spectator and the vacationer. You may travel here to see the most famous sites associated with Hollywood and its glitz and glamor. But when you make your list of what you want to see in addition to the larger tourist attractions, include some sites that many tourists overlook.
Whale Watching
Along the shoreline, just minutes from downtown Los Angeles, you will find Newport Beach, where you can see whales surfacing at the top of the water. Contact one of the local charters to take a whale-watching tour, or head to the north of the beach to Channel Islands National Park, which has a visitor center featuring a tower with telescopes for viewing. During the winter and spring, you can get views of gray whales as they migrate from Alaska to Mexico. In the summer and fall, you can see blue whales and finback whales.
Tours
You may choose to take a walking tour of the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard or shop along Rodeo Drive. Many reputable tour companies are located in Los Angeles and offer tours of the city. The hop-on, hop-off double-decker buses are convenient, making it possible to stop where you want, and get back on the bus when you choose. Tours to Universal Studios, Warner Brothers Studios, theme parks and the Hollywood Wax Museum are available.
Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market is an outdoor market where you will find stands offering a large variety of foods and gifts. You are protected from the sun while strolling through the market by canvas tarps. Close to the Farmer's Market is the Grove, an outdoor shopping district. The Grove features high-end stores, restaurants, a theater and live performances.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center is set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Here you will find the J. Paul Getty Museum, offering art collections, with a concentration on western and southwest art from the middle ages to the present. Admission to the museum is free. There is a $15 charge for private parking at the center, where gardens, restaurants and shopping surround the museum.
Beaches and Parks
Along the beachfront in Los Angeles, you will find Venice Beach and Muscle Beach. The boardwalk runs parallel to the beaches leading to handball courts, paddle tennis courts, a skate dancing plaza and numerous beach volleyball courts. Griffith Park, located nearby, is a large recreational area that is also child-friendly. Bicycle rentals are available for transportation to the Greek Theatre, the Equestrian Center and other sites on the park's 4,000 acres. Griffith Observatory is also located here. No reservations are required and admission to the observatory is free.
