Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Best In L.A.: A One-Day Excursion

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By Marquerite Velasquez


Los Angeles and its surrounding environs are a vast and colorful landscape filled with a myriad of attractions. If you are in town, but just for a single day, you certainly can't expect to see all that the area has to offer. However, you can plan out a day of adventure. Here are some suggestions for those who can spend just one day in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County, which houses both the vast City of Los Angeles, as well as dozens of other cities, is the most populous county in the United States. The county encompasses a vast array of geography and climate types, from the cool, coastal areas to the edge of the Mojave desert as well as mountains and huge valleys. For many travelers, a visit to Los Angeles wouldn't be complete without a trip to the ocean.

Santa Monica, with its famous pier and boardwalk, is an excellent choice. Not only can you play in the surf and on the beach, there is a roller coaster, historic carousel and Ferris wheel powered by solar energy. There are carnival games, an arcade and plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. Start off with a quick breakfast at a local bistro and then head to the pier or the beach for a few hours of fun.

When you think of history, Los Angeles doesn't immediately spring to mind. However, there are many historic sites in the area and some are older than the United States. In the 18th Century, Spaniards sent Franciscan priests to California to establish a series of missions from San Diego up to Northern California. Two of these missions are located in Los Angeles County and both offer tours. The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is the older of the two, built in 1771. Mission San Fernando Rey is the other option, and this mission dates back to 1797.

New York might have Central Park, but here in L.A., we have Griffith Park which is just as big and impressive. In fact, it's actually bigger and the second largest park in the United States with more than 4,300 acres. In addition to a planetarium complete with the Griffith Observatory, there is the Los Angeles Zoo to enjoy and Travel Town, a railroad museum. You can also grab a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

After your walk in the park, a quick drive will take you to Culver City and the wondrous world of YoKuMon. This shop is a great place for an afternoon treat. YoKuMon offers a variety of treats, from a dozen varieties of ice cream to shaved ice, but the signature treat is the $2 ice cream sandwich which is created by pressing a huge scoop of the shop's gourmet ice cream between two freshly baked cookies.

If possible, the perfect way to end the evening is a trip to the Hollywood Bowl. Not only can you enjoy a great concert at the Hollywood Bowl, the scenery is totally L.A. The Hollywood Hills, complete with the "Hollywood" sign, serve as the backdrop at this hillside amphitheatre. The Los Angeles Philharmonic holds many events throughout the years, as well as popular artists. The Beatles and The Doors both played at the Hollywood Bowl, and few modern artists that have recently held concerts at the bowl include Pearl Jam, Jason Mraz and Barbra Streisand.




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