Pretty self explanatory really, runs along the beach. Best walked on the weekends when all manner of strange and fabulous people emerge, reminiscent of Glastonbury at times, but, you know, with fewer annoying middle class students. Watch out for various street entertainers including a guy who walks literally 6 inches behind you, imitating everything you do, to the amusement of everyone sitting in the cafes. Rollerblading or rollerskating along the sidewalk is best if you can manage it, or rent a cycle. Parking can be found at one of several large lots right next to the beach for around $10/day, park at Marina del Rey and walk up to Venice past Muscle Beach and the basketball courts for a longer stroll, stop at the Sidewalk cafe for a margarita before heading back or further north to Santa Monica.

Venice Beach

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A great place to see the cool and relaxed side of the busy city. It’s best at weekends, if you have never seen a mum pushing her child in a buggy while rollerblading, this is the place to go. Street markets and entertainers abound and the whole atmosphere is friendly.

Head north-west up the coast and you can't miss it.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Try going on a Saturday night for Karaoke night, really over-the-top OAPs getting down to some of the worst singing you've ever heard. Go REALLY early to get a seat (5.30pm)

Great food, dozens of different open-air restaurants. Argentinian, Middle Eastern, incredible Mexican, Creole, Chinese, French, diners, bars, everything.

You can also buy truly hideous souvenirs here, snow globes with palm trees, bare-breasted salt and pepper shakers, kittens made of rabbit fur (eeek!) deeply un-chic, and perfect gifts for your boss.

It's next to the newer open-air shopping mall called "The Grove", as in Coconut, I expect, not Notting Hill. There you can find a big department store and tons of Gap, Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie type shops.

Great inexpensive day and or evening out.

On the corner of Fairfax and Third

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Getty, positioned atop a sheer hillside looking down on Santa Monica and the ocean. From the winding monorail taking visitors from the car park to architect Richard Meier's modern monument to art, the Getty is an adventure, a trip to a world apart stuffed with some of the finest art that money (and the Getty has a lot of it) can buy. Touring exhibitions complement a comprehensive permanent collection (although the Getty does not generally collect contemporary art) but the Getty is an event in itself.

Admission: free; www.getty.edu/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Go to West Hollywood at around midnight - where the packed clubs and bars make it seem like gay pride every weekend.

Corner of Roberston and Santa Monica Boulevard (or the Abbey, Here, the Mother Lode, Mickeys, Rage, FuBar, Eye Candy...)

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A little bit of sweet lyricism in the vastness, the Watts Towers are Italian immigrant Simon Rodia's outsider contribution to LA architecture.
Go. They might make you cry.

Read all about it at the urls below.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A Mexican market. It's bustling, fun, great atmosphere. And while there, you can visit the oldest house in LA (on the same street) and walk around the grounds of the beautiful church nearby. When I was there, there were also street performers in the square at the end of the street. You really feel like you've not only left LA, but left the country! It's great - by far the best LA experience I had.

www.olvera-street.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you're going to The Huntingdon, have a drive around the neighbourhood in which it's located: San Marino. It's easily as flash as Beverly Hills, with spectacular mansions to gawk at. See how many you recognise from tv shows.

San Marino, Ca.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Huntington institution is a massive estate at San Marino featuring botanical gardens, a library, art galleries and more. They even have Gainsborough's Blue Boy! Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month.

www.huntington.org/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Scour the weekend property sections of the LA Times for open houses, when potential buyers are welcome to wander around snooping in other people's closets. A popular mass participation sport in LA, all it takes is a bit of chutzpah, the right clothing and a willingness to discuss interior design (a Eurotrash accent can also help). The rewards are a chance to see around the houses of the rich and, very possibly, famous. And no matter how much you look, you will never properly answer the question of why rich Angelenos need more bathrooms than bedrooms.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The one thing that has succeeded in halting the sprawl of LA: the Pacific Ocean. The beaches in LA - or more correctly in the Westside cities - offer an uninterrupted 7-mile stretch packed with all the cliches: rolling surf, golden sand, guaranteed sunshine (avoid June and July). Take the cycle path from Venice broadwalk, with its body builders and hawkers, to the fringes of Malibu and you'll believe you are Harry O.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends