Welcome to La-La Land

Los Angeles is known by many different names: Tinsel Town, the City of Angels -- even La-La Land. A city with a reputation for spoiled movie stars, Los Angeles also boasts several first-rate museums, cultural events and fine foods. Combined with terrific weather year round, Los Angeles is a great place for a vacation with plenty of nightlife, movie stars and the beach. Plus, Disneyland is in nearby Anaheim.

Why go?
Los Angeles has something for everyone. Movie fans will enjoy the star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre where the biggest stars of stage and screen have left impressions in concrete of their hands and feet.  LA also offers the opportunity to sit in on live tapings of your favorite television shows, or visit movie studios like Paramount and Universal. Sports fans can take in the LA Lakers, the Dodgers or the Anaheim Ducks. Those not content with spectating can catch a wave on some of the world’s best surfing beaches.

When to go?
Many visitors don't realize that Los Angeles -- despite its blue ocean, swaying palm trees, green lawns, and forested foothills -- is actually the high desert. But the desert clime is tempered by sea breezes, and the landscape is kept green with water carried by aqueducts from the Western US -- LA might be the most accommodating desert you've ever visited. No matter how hot it gets, low humidity usually keeps things dry and comfortable.

How to get there?
Several airports serve metropolitan Los Angeles. Los Angeles International (LAX) is the area’s largest (and therefore busiest) airport. It is located on the coast, west of Downtown. It's LA’s best-known airport and the only option for international travelers, served direct from the UK by Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United Airlines and British Airways, and by many others with connecting routes. However, size comes at a price, and LAX can be hectic, with huge crowds and long lines.

Must see
Hollywood, Disneyland and the beach are definitely the sights to see when visiting Los Angeles. There's also the Los Angeles Zoo, the La Brea tar pits and Griffith Park-- home to the Griffith Observatory, the Greek Theatre and the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. The Los Angeles County Art Museum has works by Degas, Cezanne, Gauguin and others. For some eye–candy, make sure to visit Surf City USA -- Huntington Beach.