The city of Los Angeles is essentially the epicentre of cool for all of North America, and the vast landscape features plenty of cool things to do. You can get great and well priced flights to Los Angeles online so check out the link and see what you can get. Here a three of them, in no particular order.

Visit Staples Centre

Actually, the Nokia Theatre, Staples Centre and the ESPN Zone are all within a stone’s throw of one another in downtown Los Angeles just off of South Figureroa Street. Each is a lavish venue that plays host to a number of highly-billed events. On a typical weekend, the area is filled with celebrities and beautiful people, and savoury food and drinks can be found at various locales within walking distance. It is one of the most well-known places to see and be seen in a city that is known for exposure and fame. Ample parking takes a lot of the guess work and price gouging out of going out in the city.

Venice Beach or Bust

One of the coolest places in all of Los Angeles continues to be Santa Monica and nearby Venice Beach. The beach strip is something out of a movie, with constant action going on all around visitors and a vibe that is as diverse as the entire city itself. Nowhere else on Earth will you see a man in a gorilla suit juggling knives for donations only a few feet away from muscle-bound stud lifting gigantic weights that look like something out of Acme cartoon catalogue. Throw in a bevy of shops that offer everything from chocolate covered strawberries to gravity bongs, and you have a place that truly has something for everyone.

Cruise Down Santa Monica Boulevard 

Since the city is so massive, one of the best ways to take in all it has to offer in the shortest amount of time while engaging in something that is widely considered cool is to take a brisk cruise down Santa Monica Boulevard. Immortalized in songs and works of art over the past four decades, the strip that connects the upscale beach region to the heart of the city features a lot of eye candy along the way. From the incredible gardens and front yards of Los Angeles to the densely concentrated areas that glow with streetlights and neon signs once the sun goes down, Santa Monica Boulevard is the place to be if you want to be on the pulse of cool.

Staples Center – If you are either a Lakers or a Clippers fan, or if you just want to want to watch any another team play them, the Staples Center is the place to watch it all go down.  This is one of the most gorgeous sports arenas in Los Angeles, and you are bound to have a good time there.  If you want good seats, make sure to reserve your tickets in advance.  If you decide to go to a game on a whim, there are always scalpers on the street selling tickets, or you can get a seat in the nosebleed section.

Dodger Stadium – If you travel to Los Angeles during baseball season, you will not want to miss Dodger Stadium.  The Dodger Stadium opened in 1962 and is still running strong.  It is one of the oldest and most classic American baseball stadiums, so get some tickets, grab a hot dog, bring your baseball glove and enjoy the show.

Oracle Arena – Another great stadium to visit on your vacation to Los Angeles is the Oracle Arena.  You can watch the Raiders, the Oakland Athletics, or the Golden State Warriors play, depending on the season.  Not only is this arena a great place to get comfortable and cheer for your team of choice, but they also host amazing concerts throughout the season.  Check out their website for a list of events.

Los Angeles Stadium – This stadium is currently under construction, but it promises to be one of the most amazing stadiums, designed for the perfect NFL experience.  Imagine 600 acres reserved just for your viewing pleasure.  Follow their Facebook fan page for updates on the construction.

California is a great place for a vacation, but don’t just spend your time on the beach.  Make sure to check out the local sports scene while you are there.

Author Bio: Ashley R. Cummings is an avid traveler and writer.  She loves meeting new people and sharing her experiences with other travel lovers.  Facebook.  Twitter.

Point Dume State Beach

Point Dume State Beach is situated between sand dunes and the ocean, which shelters it from the wild and elements. This not only creates beautiful conditions year round but also provides nice views from the top of the sand dunes. There are plenty of activities to participate in to keep you entertained including fishing, swimming, and scuba diving. Point Dume is located further out of the Los Angeles downtown than other Malibu beaches but since it is a little out of the way the crowd will be much smaller.

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach provides a fun, lively environment to go surfing, swimming, play beach volleyball or just sit and people watch. The beach is lined with some of the nicest beach houses you will see in the Los Angeles area and is conveniently located in the middle of town, so shopping and some of the best dining in town is just a short walk away. Parking can be hard to find, especially a free parking space.

Abalone Cove

Abalone Cove consisted of two small beaches along the Palos Verdes peninsula. This beach provides amazing ocean views and the water quality is by far the best in Los Angeles. There are beautiful tide pools to explore and plenty of trails to hike. Abalone Cove is located a long way from the freeway and tends to get pretty busy on certain weekends but the amazing ocean views make up for the long drive.

Malibu Lagoon

If you are looking for a day of only sand, sun, and ocean this beach is not for you. The wide variety of actives available makes this a very popular beach. People come from all over to surf, fish, and walk the surrounding wetlands. The ocean views are stunning and you can see glimpses of an exclusive neighborhood that will keep you daydreaming for hours.

Venice Beach

How could we leave out Venice beach from a list of beaches to hit or miss in Los Angeles? This beach is not for everyone. The beachfront walk that lines the beach is entertaining to say the least. With street venders and performers from all walks of life, you receive a one of a kind experience. Parking is rare and even harder to find on a busy weekend, so look early and be patient.

Called the greatest comic opera of all time, Rossini meets Reality TV in director Dylan F. Thomas’ new production of The Barber Of Seville, June 9 at 7:30 pm and June 10 at 3pm, at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park.

Count Almaviva has fallen in love with the young and beautiful Rosina, but she is kept under lock and key by her guardian, Dr Bartolo, who intends to marry her himself. Figaro, the local barber and resident ‘fixer’, signs up to help the rescue mission and has soon invented an outrageously complicated scheme to smuggle Almaviva into Bartolo’s house, and to smuggle Rosina out, right under her guardian’s nose.

Featuring the Center Stage Opera Orchestra, conducted by Brian Onderdonk, and an outstanding cast assembled from across the country. Performed in Italian with English translation projected above the stage. Tickets $40, $35 and $30, with 10% discount for seniors and students. Go to www.centerstageopera.org or call 818-517-4102 for tickets and further information.

As the capital of the US entertainment industry and home of Hollywood, LA is arguable one of the best examples of “bright lights big city” in the Western World, so visitors with a day to kill in the city will be spoiled for choice as to how to spend it.

Discover Los Angeles in 24 Hours

If you only have one day to see LA you will need to plan carefully in order to ensure that you pack the most into your brief visit. One suggested itinerary that comprises as mush essential LA as is possible includes:

• Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Start your day in quintessential LA by heading for Hollywood Boulevard. The street of the stars is a big attraction in the entertainment capital, so getting there early can help avoid the crowds. Seek out your favourite stars’ sidewalk stars and soak up the LA ambience on this street. Hollywood Boulevard is also the home of the world famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre – where you can find the hand and footprints of stars of stage and screen preserved in the sidewalk concrete as part of Hollywood tradition.
• Celebrity Home Tour:  This tour picks up at the Chinese Theatre and offers visitors a chance to gain a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, taking a driving tour of the neighbourhoods that the Hollywood elite call home.
• After taking in the best of show business, you may wish to consider getting behind the wheel yourself in order to make the most of the rest of your day. It is said that everyone drives in LA, and you will see why when you get here. Rental cars are available on daily deals and picking one up at this point will allow you to head through West Hollywood (if your budget permits a stop to shop on Rodeo Drive can be thrilling) onto Pacific Palisades and Malibu on your way to discover yet another face of LA.
• Santa Monica: This seaside suburb is the destination of your drive so park up for free at Santa Monica Place (two hours is allowed with no charge) and explore all that is on offer. Visit the Santa Monica Pier and beachfront promenade, where attractions include a roller coaster and Ferris wheel. A selection of eateries in the area offers something to suit every budget at lunchtime.
• Venice Beach:  Leaving Santa Monica head over to Venice Beach and soak up the atmosphere on the boardwalk. Browse the shops and stall before heading down to Muscle beach to see the world famous outdoor gym in action. Consider a dinner by the beach before heading back into town to sample the local nightlife  – with a wide selection of afterhours venues available on Sunset Strip – don’t forget to drop your car back before you hit the bars though!

The Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park has everything you could possibly ask for to spend an unforgettable day. Start your day at the one of the theme park’s areas, including Ghost Town, the place where it all started, and Camp Snoopy where fans of the famous beagle can get lost in the world of everything Snoopy. Each part of the theme park has its own rides, exhibits and of course, delicious home-style cuisine.

If you’re looking for the best rides, be sure to get on some of the parks most exciting roller coasters like the Boomerang, GhostRider, and the suspended coaster the Silver Bullet. Other thrilling rides include the Rip Tide, La Revolucion and the well-named Supreme Scream. And if you prefer water rides, then try Bigfoot Rapids or the Perilous Plunge.

And of course, Knott’s Berry Farm is a great place to treat yourself to some homemade delicacies that are made from Mrs. Knott’s original recipes. The main attraction as far as food goes is Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which is older than the park itself and serves almost 2 million people each year. There are also restaurants all over the park including the world’s largest Johnny Rockets Diner.

Plus, be sure to visit the Knott’s Marketplace and get some of that yummy boysenberry jam that is the family’s trademark. The Marketplace also has a year-round Christmas store and an exact replica of Independence Hall, where guests can take in a show while enjoying some shopping or looking for the next ride they want to try.

Every show and tour at Universal Studios Hollywood has a movie theme, as is to be expected. Shows like “Backdraft” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon” recreate scenes from these famous films and allow visitors to feel like they’re in the movie themselves. Other attractions like “Shrek 4-D”, where the fourth “D” is every moving and jolting seat, are great fun for visitors of all ages. And at shows such as “Water World”, you will enjoy many amazing jet ski stunts and special fire effects. Remember, if you don’t want to get drenched, avoid the green seats.

And of course, there is a wonderful Studio Tour that takes you to the sets of many classic films, including “Back to the Future”, “King Kong”, “Jaws” and “Psycho”. If you go on a weekend, you might even get to drive on Wisteria Lane at the set of “Desperate Housewives”. Plus, stunt shows starring the beautiful cars used in “The Fast and the Furious” can be seen all along the tour. Your favorite cartoon characters are also to be found wandering around Universal Studios. Just look for their daily schedules to see where you can find them. There’s also a wonderful interactive exhibit that includes memorabilia, costumes and props from many films, called “The Universal Experience”.

Universal Studios Hollywood also has many rides for visitors to enjoy. One of the most popular attractions is the Simpson Ride, a wild ride that takes you through Krustyland and includes a fun motion stimulator. And of course, what would Universal Studios be without the famous Jurassic Park ride? This exciting ride includes and 80-foot waterfall drop that will leave all guests soaking wet. Another exhilarating ride is the Revenge of the Mummy Ride, which is a short but creepy ride that takes you forward and in reverse. For the smaller kids, there is a fun Curious George waterpark.

Los Angeles offers several tours each designed to open up a new facet and introduce travelers to an unseen color of the city. For people who enjoy the quiet solitude of nature, the city has several scenic routes such as the winding road that climbs through the labyrinth of the Santa Monica Mountains to offer stunning view points of the city sprawled underneath.

For people who want to use the city’s magic to rekindle their romance, few things can be as romantic as the illuminated night time vista of Los Angeles that can be enjoyed on the route.

Most tourist head to the city expecting to put in at least a few hours each day shopping; after all, the city does offer a wide array of products and establishments that cater to the requirements of just about everybody. For a taste of the local cuisine and produce, head over to the Farmers Market, a popular hangout for some of the most celebrated chefs in the city who routinely frequent the market to get inspired from the fresh local produce.  While you are in the area, you must pay a visit to the famous Clock Tower landmark and take the Red Car trolley to the ‘one of its kind’ outdoor mall ,”The Groove”

If you are spending time in Los Angeles with your family, it would be almost blasphemous to give Disneyland a miss. For all the grown ups who thought that the Disney theme park is only good enough for children, think again. The park will grow on within 30 minutes of entering its bounds and soon you will be giggling away gleefully as the rides and attractions take entertainment to new levels. As a matter of fact the entire Anaheim area is worth exploring.

The Getty Center is another popular attraction; its location in down town LA seems to belie the isolated serenity that the area is popular for. Visitors frequent the center as much for its impressive art collection as the unhindered view of the city below, stretching right out to the azure, twinkling waters of the Pacific.

The center houses as astonishing collection of European paintings, sculptures, American photographs and several pieces of furniture and decorative items from the French Renaissance period. An upscale restaurant and two cafes on the premises ensure that visitors have a delectable meal to go with the panoramic view that the area offers.

For music lovers, LA offers a chance to enjoy soulful performances by the likes of the LA Philharmonics and also the LA Master Chorale who often play at the Los Angeles Music Center. The steel facade and the iconic stature of the Walt Disney Concert Hall beckon tourists for a guided tour of the building.

Unlike its predecessor, the famous ship Titanic, the Queen Mary is bigger and was faster and more powerful. Plus, it made over a thousand successful voyages across the Atlantic Ocean during its 30 years at sea. It also serviced the military during World War II.

Nowadays, this enchanting reminder of the past is anchored in Los Angeles and has become one of the city’s top attractions. Visitors from all over the world come to Long Beach Harbor to admire the 1020-foot long cruise ship and its elegant features. You can visit the Queen Mary as part of the daily guided tours or on your own self-guided Shipwalk tour. Or you can take the Ghosts and Legends of the Queen Mary tour that tells the tales of paranormal and other historic events that have made the ship famous over the years.

After you are done exploring this magnificent ship from the engine room, to the staterooms to the pool and the wheelhouse, you can also take a quick tour of the Scorpion, a Russian submarine that is moored right under Queen Mary’s bow. It’s quite the contrast between the ship’s lovely staterooms and suites and the submarines’ tiny quarters. Plus, you’ll also get an interesting history lesson regarding the sub’s voyages and crew.

And if you’re looking for an interesting hotel stay, the Queen Mary also functions as a hotel. Guests can choose to stay in all types of rooms, from the simpler rooms to a Deluxe Stateroom. If you’re up for it, treat yourself to a Royalty Suite and get a taste of what past celebrities like Charlie Chaplin enjoyed on board the Queen Mary.