A gift to the City of Los Angeles from Col. Griffith J. Griffith sixteen years after his death, the Griffith Park Observatory has been in use since 1935. Each year two million visit the observatory to see the exhibits, planetarium shows, and to peer through one of the giant telescopes. Millions more go there to get breathtaking views of the city and to watch spectacular sunsets over the Pacific. The Griffith Observatory has recently gone through a six year renovation and expansion which doubled the exhibition space.

The Los Angeles community of Venice is well known throughout the world and Venice beach is the big favorite among bathers and tourists. It is here along famed Ocean Front Walk dubbed "the Boardwalk" where visitors can find Venice Beach regulars such as the guy who juggles three real live running gas powered chain saws or the guy who blows twenty foot long flames from his mouth. Nearby is the famous area dubbed Muscle Beach where guys and gals perform acrobatics and put on weight lifting demonstrations for the crowds. This has been going on here since the early 20's. Other attractions include the Venice Pier, unique wall murals, souvenier and gift shops, along with the many eateries. The best time to visit Venice Beach is from early Spring to early Fall. During the Winter months daytime temperatures range from the low to upper 50's. Many shops are closed during this period.

As Grauman's Chinese Theatre was being built in 1927, actress Norma Talmadge came by to take a look when she accidentally stepped into the wet cement forming the forecourt in front of the theatre (so the story goes). That was the beginning of a tradition and today's tourist attraction (two million visits each year) at the world's most famous and visited theatre which has held more major movie premieres than any other theatre. A half block west of the Hollywood/Highland metro rail subway station.

Disney Concert Hall is a world acclaimed landmark, performing arts center and home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 2,265. There are two amphitheatres. In 1987 Lillian Disney, widow of Walt Disney donated $50 million to begin the process of creating a world class concert hall in tribute to her late husband who enjoyed concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale. World renouned Los Angeles based architect Frank Gehry was chosen to design the concert hall which is based on his Guggenheim museum design in Bilbao Spain. Sixteen years later Disney Concert Hall had a gala grand opening in October 2003. Two blocks west of the Civic Center Metro Rail subway station.