Los Angeles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Many enjoy visiting some of the popular nearby attractions, such as Universal Studios or Disneyland, which is just a short drive away in Anaheim. However, not everyone may want to spend all of their vacation time at theme parks. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that visitors on a budget can do while visiting Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Sign
Few things scream California as loudly as the Hollywood sign perched high atop a hill overlooking Hollywood. Originally built in 1923, the letters are 50 feet tall and 450 feet across. Something that not everyone knows about the sign is that it once read HOLLYWOODLAND. In the 1940s, the LAND was dropped due to the letters being unstable. The sign was rebuilt in 1978.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center houses artwork from medieval times to the present day. The artwork is showcased amid serene gardens, as well as modern architecture, and with incredible views. Admission to the Getty is completely free, and there is no need to reserve tickets. The only thing you will have to pay for is parking. The museum is located on Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Something that no visitor to Hollywood should forget to do is visit the Walk of Fame. The stars on the Walk recognize the contributions of entertainers from stage, the big screen, television, radio, and recording. The walk is located on Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard and contains the stars of more than three thousand entertainers. There is a lot of stargazing to keep you occupied here for quite a while.
La Brea Tar Pits
Located right in the middle of Los Angeles are these famous pits, from which prehistoric fossils are still being excavated today. The tar pits are actually a part of the Page Museum, but you can see them by standing on the Wilshire Boulevard sidewalk. They are quite a sight to behold.
Window Shopping on Rodeo Drive
While there are a number of very expensive shops along this famed street, there is nothing keeping you from taking a few hours and going window shopping. You might even see a celebrity or two while you are there.
Venice Beach
If you want to take in some of the sand and surf that California has to offer, you should head over to Venice Beach. You will find that it is far more than just a beach. It is full of street vendors, and some of the strangest street entertainers in the world. Muscle Beach is also located here, which is where current governor and former megastar Arnold Schwarzenegger used to pump iron when he first came to California.
Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, and this makes for a very interesting city. There is always something to see and do in and around the city, whether you are looking for theme parks, nightlife, museums, or something else entirely.