kingdom of cinema, Los Angeles

Metropolis of one of the richest US states, Los Angeles is the counterpart to New York on the west coast. Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolitan area that includes more than 18 million inhabitants, of multiple origins and diverse as LA remains an important country of immigration, which explains its highly cosmopolitan. 

Los Angeles is also the largest city and its excesses, lack of nature, traffic jams, smog, neighborhoods ghetoïsés ... But for the tourist, Los Angeles means heat, beaches and rollers, such as Venice Beach or Malibu, the major boulevard (Santa Monia, Sunset Boulevard), uptown as Beverly Hills: an exported worldwide urban culture. The monumental level it suffices of buildings Downtown. Legendary district of Los Angeles, Hollywood, reported by its giant letters, is the place of creation (or production) of the powerful American film industry, and found all the big stars on the pavement of the famous Walk of Fame and Holliwood its many stars. 

LA: urban monster 

Located in Southern California, Los Angeles is bordered to the north by the San Gabriel Mountains to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles is the second city in the United States after New York. 

Rodeo Drive with its many boutiques, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are classified uptown. The city has many museums. One should not miss the Huntington Library and Art Gallery with its finest collection of books in the world. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which contains thousands of works from around the world and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles which is a museum of modern art are also essential. Moreover, the famous streets such as Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway deliver a host of attractions. 

The city of Los Angeles also known as "The City of Angels" or simply LA - is the largest city in California. The metropolitan area is home to nearly 18 million people who come from all parts of the globe. This megalopolis can be divided into eight main areas: 

- Downtown: central business district, which also understand many trendy hotels, bars, shops and restaurants. 

- Eastside: a fairly easy area north of downtown, near Hollywood. 

- The port area : from where trips to Catalina Island. 

-Hollywood: There or the masterpieces of American cinema are made .... 

-San Fernando: Valley, the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, located in a valley northwest of downtown. 

-South Central: hot enough and famous for its settlement of accounts between gangs, but that area is improving. 

- Westside: the richest area of ​​Los Angeles is located near the ocean. 

- Wilshire: metropolitan area also includes smaller cities, such as Santa Monica, Burbank, Pasadena and Long Beach, Beverly Hills. 

Universal Studios Hollywood: the dream factory 

Who says Los Angeles, said necessarily Hollywood. United Film and glitter, with its legendary boulevard, its stars embedded in the sidewalk attributed to celebrities and show business dazzle visitors. 

Among the places worth visiting Universal Studios Hollywood theme park ... it is visited by the world. For a one-day pass that costs fifty dollars, you have free access to almost all attractions. 

The first step of your visit to the park will surely "Studio Tour", this attraction takes you behind the scenes of the biggest Hollywood productions. Explore the techniques of film editing and hidden facets. After the "studio tour", experience the adventure of King Kong 360 3D. This attraction is the largest of its kind in the world. 

The "special effect stage" is an attraction where everyone can discover the secrets of the greatest special effects films. If you are traveling with children, they will love to learn while having fun. 

In the park you have everything you need for a day Restaurants, bars, cafes, outdoor terraces to make the most of a good time. But attention to prices, as they are not given at all! 

The beaches of Los Angeles 

For moments of release and relaxation, along a peaceful beach, visit Santa Monica. This resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches of Los Angeles. It is 25 km from the city center, you can get there by bus for less than 20 dollars. On site, do not hesitate to take a look at Santa Monica Pier, the pier is often used in movies like setting. Also try the Pacific Park amusement ride installed in Santa Monica Pier, the Ferris wheel and roller coaster you breathless. 

Venice Beach, wide and patrolled beach located southwest of the city and home to many small souvenir shops and clothing. Rollerblading and biking are cheerfully performed on the bike paths along the beach. 

Malibu, a few kilometers away, is famous for its luxurious homes by the sea and beautiful waves that are the delight of surfers. 

Useful Information 

How to move to Los Angeles? 

Just look at the map of Los Angeles to quickly understand a car is essential to explore the city ... Urban huge, built entirely around the use of automobiles, LA certainly does not address lovers walking! 

Renting a car in the US is not overpriced, the first models are usually affordable, while the cost of gasoline is much lower than in France. But things get complicated when park: the rules change from one neighborhood to another (or from one sidewalk to the other), and the fines it rained we did not meet! What seriously burdening your budget ... anyway, better provide some money to settle a pay parking like that at least, we are alone! 

No matter where we find an accommodation in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood, etc ... no area is truly '' central ''. The car is a great help to visit the city, provided, of course, not to lose too often! 

For those who can not afford such a budget will cope with the bus in Los Angeles that serve the entire city, but travel times can be very long ... As sprawling city, the distances to get to one point to another of LA are consistent! The subway is poorly developed, but may be useful on occasion. 

Los Angeles: to sleep over 

As for accommodation, there has plethora of options in Los Angeles. More lavish hotels to the most trash inns, through the apartment hotel, there is something for everyone. 

One night at a hotel in Los Angeles is not given and there is unfortunately little alternative offers to find a cheap hotel, hostels are few and they are expensive compared to home, 30 and $ 50 per night in a dormitory. 

If you are looking for something not too expensive, spend some time to compare the offers on the Internet and prefer a hotel in the suburbs, but in this case make sure the accessibility of public transport or rent a car, and find out about the area or you want to stay, some are dangerous. 

Travel arrangements: 

European citizens must guard a valid passport and valid at least six months after the date of return. Minors also must have a passport. 

If you plan to stay less than three months in the United States, you must have a biometric passport or Delphine passport issued after October 26, 2005. Otherwise, you will need a visa (see formalities USA). 

Travel advice: 

Los Angeles is a great city, one can easily get lost, then you better have a plan of public transport on hand and follow it carefully. If you are not fluent in English, a dictionary or a guide can be helpful. 

climate: 

The climate in Los Angeles is Mediterranean. It is hot and dry during the summer, cold and wet winter. The hottest months are June to August, but temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees rarely.