1. Los Angeles, California
“City of Angels”
Los Angeles has a stunning and recognizable
skyline and is a great spot to see Hollywood's
A-listers, but is also known for sprawl and
smog. L.A. is home to nearly 10 million
people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Venice Beach has the boardwalk, Muscle
Beach, volleyball courts, a bike trail and
many other attractions that have been luring
people for decades. "Venice has always been
known as a hangout for the creative and the
artistic," boasts venicebeach.com.
Two women walk past businesses that cater
to high-end luxury item consumers along
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. "The famed
shopping street is known throughout the
world as the epicenter of luxury fashion,"
claims Rodeo Drive's official Web site.

2. The $1.5 million solar-powered ferris wheel
runs at Pacific Park amusement park on the
Santa Monic Pier. Even with its 160,000
lights, the ride is 75 percent more energy
efficient than the Pacific Wheel -- the ride it
replaced -- which was auctioned off on eBay
for $132,400.
The Hollywood Sign was refurbished in 2005.
The sign is one of the better-known
landmarks in America, and sits atop Mount
Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Although the Sign's appearance and
purpose have evolved over the years, its
basic aspirational message remains the
same: This is a place where magic is
possible, where dreams can come true.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences is best known for the Oscars, an
annual telecast set to run for the 82nd time.
"More than 6,000 of the most accomplished
men and women working in cinema" make
up the Academy's membership, according to
oscars.org.

3. The Galleria Studio Hollywood sells
merchandise along the Walk of Fame, where
Hollywood's icons are immortalized.
The the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce continues to administer the
Walk as the representative of the City of
Los Angeles. An average of two stars are
added to the Walk on a monthly basis.
The Walk is a tribute to all of those who
worked so hard to develop the concept
and to maintain this world-class tourist
attraction.
Stars have left their hand and foot prints in
concrete for more than eight decades at the
original Graumans Chinese Theatre forecourt.
Grauman's Chinese has traditionally been
the site of more Hollywood premieres
than any other theater.

4. Visitors to Olvera Street can stroll around the
marketplace and shop for Mexican-inspired
souvenirs. On weekends, revelers can enjoy
entertainment by roaming musicans, Mariachi
bands and performances by Aztec Indians.

5. The Farmers Market started in July of 1934
when some farmers pulled their trucks onto
some empty land known as Gilmore Island.
The farmers displayed their wares, and
customers came, parked, strolled around and
purchased fruit, vegetables and other goods.
"The atmosphere was casual, the open air
commerce enticing, the goods fresh, and the
result remarkable," farmersmarketla.com
claims. "Farmers Market became an instant
institution."