How Is Los Angeles Abbreviated
There are two main reasons that people choose to live in the LA area. One is because they love the beach, and the other is due to its vibrant culture. When you’re living here, there are so many ways to enjoy both!
If you want to check out some of the best beaches in California, make sure to visit Southern California during spring or fall. The weather may be warm, but it can also cause very strong winds which makes swimming difficult at times.
However, if you like warmer temperatures, then try one of our favorite towns with all types of aquatic activities available to you! You will never run out of things to do in the water!
Another reason people come to the LA area is to experience the city’s thriving cultural community. Many large universities have student populations that constantly grow and expand. This creates an environment where everyone is surrounded by cultures and ideas.
LA is the abbreviated form of Los Angeles
The name “Los Angeles” has stuck through time, even though it sounds like someone is calling another person with no place or people!
The word “Angeles” comes from the Spanish term for “angels.” Since this was a common theme in those days, many believe that referring to the city as Angel City made sense. This isn't too surprising since angels are said to be beautiful and divine - qualities which most describe the California coast!
In 1839, before there were any buildings here, there was only Rancho La Brea Water Company. At that time, there was just an empty area surrounded by brush and grassy land. It wasn't until after the Mexican-American War that Don José Antonio de Beaumont got title to what we know today as Downtown Los Angeles.
At first he named his new home El Pueblito De Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles (the little village of our lady queen saint angel). Then, in honor of one of his sons who died during the war, he changed the spelling to "Anglos" - later shortened to simply "Angel."
Since then, the city has been growing at a steady pace.
L.A. is the most populous city in the United States
The City of Angels has a special place in every American’s heart. Not only does it boast some of the best beaches in the country, but it also has an incredible diversity of cultures and lifestyles all under one roof!
Many people associate the name “Los Angeles” with Hollywood and the beach, but that doesn’t do justice to how beautiful this sprawling metropolis actually is. It can be difficult to take full advantage of everything Angelenos have to offer because there are just so many things going on at any given time!
Luckily for you, we've done the research for you by compiling a list of the top ten things to see and do in LA. From museums and zoos to sports venues and music festivals, these experiences are sure to leave you inspired and entertained.
Start planning your trip today by giving each item on our list a thumbs up or thumbs down depending on if they were worthy additions to your itinerary. Then, choose the best five and make them part of your journey through California.
The Hollywood sign is in L.A.
Located just outside of downtown, the Hollywood sign was designed by artist Arthur Beeman and dedicated in 1923. It features the word “HOLLYWOOD” written across the top in large bold letters and an image of two trees with green leaves framed by the word “SIGN.”
The sign became famous not only for its beauty but also because it represented something important to those who recognize it- the importance of media in society. People use signs as logos or brand names to promote products and services. In this case, the name “Hollywood” and the tree shape helped identify a place and create recognition for it.
In recent years, however, the sign has faced some controversy. Some claim that changing weather conditions have caused parts of the sign to fade and erode away over time. This could be due to water exposure or simply natural deterioration.
Regardless, people come from all around the world to see the Hollywood Sign for what it really means to them.
The Grand Canyon is a huge natural wonder in L.A.
All you have to do to see the beautiful, vast canyon that is the Grand Canyon is get outside! It does not matter if it is spring or summer, winter or fall; you can always visit the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is actually a large gorge in North America’s Rocky Mountains. There are many theories about how the canyon came to be but one of the most popular says that water flowed down an elevated area of land for extended periods of time, slowly carving out the deep basin we know today as the Grand Canyon.
When traveling to the Grand Canyon make sure your schedule includes some time to explore. Take lots of pictures and don’t forget to bring along some snacks so you don’t go hungry while exploring.
Universal Studios is a famous film studio in L.A.
Located just west of downtown, it has many attractions including rides, shows, and restaurants. There are also several shopping areas with boutiques and stores that sell things such as merchandise or food.
The theme park area is very spread out so there’s not really a central gathering spot like you would find at a Disney Park or New York City’s Times Square. However, most visitors agree that even though the parks can be busy during peak seasons (summer for example), overall they feel well-managed and enjoy their experiences here.
There are some issues that guests have complained about but nothing too serious. One major complaint was traffic due to construction on The Great Movie Ride which closed down in May 2017. Another issue is parking. It can be expensive if you don’t know where to go first or what lot to use. But both are within walking distance so no big deal.
Overall, unless you have little ones who love movie making, this isn’t the best place to take them since there aren’t a ton of kid friendly attractions aside from the rides. Also, because it’s close to downtown, it’s not ideal if you work outside of town or need to visit quickly after work.
Beverly Hills is a famous neighborhood in L.A.
Located just west of downtown, this wealthy area has been attracting well-to-do residents for years. It boasts some of the highest real estate prices in the country!
Beverly Hills was named after British earl Beverley who owned much of what we now refer to as “Los Angeles” back then. After his death, his son William inherited the land which he later sold off piece by piece.
The most recognizable landmark in Beverly Hills is Rodeo Drive. This two mile long street is lined with luxury stores and restaurants that are very expensive to visit even if you have a coupon. Many people call it the ‘Burlesque Boulevard’ due to all of the high end lingerie brands.
Another thing about Beverly Hills is its beautiful community spirit. People from outside the area often compliment how friendly the locals are and how they always help each other out. A lot of big events are organized around the city so everyone can enjoy them free of cost.
Overall, Beverly Hills is a rich place full of flashy attractions and great shopping. If you like expensive things and want to feel like a VIP, this is the perfect place to live.
Rodeo Drive is a famous shopping street in L.A.
Located just west of Wilshire Boulevard, Rodeo Drive is actually not one but two separate streets that combine together to make it recognizable as one long avenue.
The longer main drag section goes by the same name, while the shorter adjacent side road has been rebranded The Gallery Avenue. It runs parallel to the more prestigious part of Rodeo Drive, which comes from the Spanish word for horseback rider.
This short segment of Rodeo Drive contains less expensive stores and restaurants than its bigger, more well-known counterpart. There are however, some very high profile brands like Gucci and Burberry along with luxury car dealerships such as Ferrari and Maserati.
Some people consider this area to be an integral part of what makes up “the Hollywood magic” because many movie stars work out at gyms located here or spend time dining at popular eateries.
Venice Beach is a famous beach in L.A.
Located at 6901 Ocean Avenue, Venice Beach is an iconic place to visit in LA. It is known for its boardwalk style atmosphere, creative decorations, and active nightlife.
Venice Beach has always been popular with tourists due to its rich history. In fact, it was one of the first tourist attractions in Southern California!
In 1907, wealthy art collector George Gould opened up his private estate as a public park called “Ocean Park”. He spent money heavily promoting tourism here by putting advertisements in local newspapers.
This really helped draw crowds - so much that people began coming not only from nearby cities but also all over America!
By this time, there were already many hotels near the beach which made visiting more affordable. Tourists would stay in these accommodations and travel down to the beach via taxi or boat.
Since then, the popularity of the beach has remained strong and it continues to grow today. Over 2 million visitors come here every year to enjoy the scenery, chat with locals, and find new things to do!
General tips: You can pick up some great information about the area around Venice Beach (and other parts of the city) by going through our how-to guides or reading our article about where to eat in LA.
How to get to Venice Beach
If you are traveling by bus, train, or plane, making stops along the way will depend on your final destination.