NICOLAE GRIGORESCU NATIONAL COLLEGE

GRADUATION PAPER
FAMOUS AMERICAN
CITIES
LOS ANGELES

STUDENT

COORDINATING TEACHER

COJOCARU ELENA-ALINA

BALTASESCU DANA

MAY 2013

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER1:REGIONS OF L.A

BEACH CITIES4
BEVERLY HILLS4
HOLLYWOOD.5

CHAPTER 2: WHAT TO DO IN L.A

RESTAURANTS..6
NIGHTLIFE..7
SPORTS.7

CHAPTER 3: CLASSICAL TO CUTTING EDGE CULTURE

MUSEUMS ANG GALLERIES..8

MUSIC..9
THEATRE AND DANCE9
ARCHITECTURE AND GARDENS.10
URBAN ART...10
FILM AND TELEVISION..11
FASHION11
LITERARY LA12

CHAPTER 4: ACTIVITIES

RECREATION13
WELLNESS.13
SHOPPING..14

CONCLUSION AND MOTIVATION

BIBLIOGHAPHY

Famous American Cities Los Angeles

Introduction

Los Angeles is a county in the U.S state of California,which is the largest city in California and
the second-largest city in the United States,after New York City.Los Angeles county also
includes two offshore islands:San Clemente Island and Santa Catalina Island.L.A is the most
populous county in the United States,home to over a quarter of all California residents and one of
the most diverse counties in the country.
The reason why I have chosen Los Angeles,also known as the City of Angels is that ever since
I was a little child I have loved to visit different countries and learn about new cultures, why I
think that Los Angeles is one of the the most important city to visit. I hope that one day I will
have the opportunity of visiting this special city.
Los Angeles was the kind of place where everybody was from somewhere else and nobody
really droppped anchor. It was a transient place. People drawn by the dream, people running
from the nightmare.1
Los Angeles is a destination unlike any other: its the entertainment capital of the world, offering
75 miles of sunny coastline, a flourishing Downtown, lifestyle playgrounds for the rich and
famous, acclaimed restaurants, trend-setting art and fashion scenes, and internationally flavored
neighborhoods. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming. The best way to begin
exploring LA is to learn about its vibrant regions each one a destination in itself, filled with
memorable experiences and unique attractions.

1 Michael Connelly, The Brass Verdict

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CHAPTER 1. Regions of L.A

L.A is divided into tn regions: Beach Cities / LAX, Beverly Hills,Downtown / LA
Metro,Hollywood,Neighboring Regions,Pasadena, Santa Monica,The Valley,West Hollywood
and Westside but the most important and interesting are: Beach Cities, Beverly Hills and
Hollywood.

Beach Cities
With coastal attractions and legendary surf spots stretching from Malibu south to San Pedro and
the Port of Los Angeles, LAs beach communities are the epitome of Southern Californias
Endless Summer. Santa Monica delights beachgoers with the iconic Santa Monica Pier and the
endless shopping of Third Street Promenade. Malibu is the home of the Getty Villa, 27 miles of
beaches, and numerous activities in the Santa Monica Mountains. Venice Beach is world famous
for its Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach, outdoor basketball courts and Abbot Kinney Boulevard,
aka the Coolest Block in America.Marina del Rey is one of the worlds largest man-made,
small-boat harbors. South of LAX, San Pedro is home to LAs World Cruise Center, Battleship
IOWA and CRAFTED, a marketplace for hundreds of local artisans.

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury, from world famous Rodeo Drive to five star
restaurants and hotels. From Anne Fontaine to Yves Saint-Laurent, more than 100 retailers are
located on Rodeo Drive, one of the worlds great streets for designer label and haute couture
boutiques and shops. Near Rodeo Drive is another popular tourist attraction, the Paley Center for
Media, where visitors can select, view and listen to titles from a library of 120,000 TV shows
and radio programs. Many of LAs best restaurants are in Beverly Hills, such as Thomas Kellers
Bouchon, The Bazaar by Jos Andrs and Scarpetta at the Montage.

Hollywood

For millions of visitors, Hollywood is an essential part of the Los Angeles experience. Things to
do in Hollywood include must-see shows and attractions, celebrity-frequented restaurants, and
world class hotels. Experience Tinseltown glamour at TCL Chinese Theatre or the Hollywood
Walk of Fame, which has honored celebrities for over 50 years. The state-of-the-art Dolby
Theatre is home to the Academy Awards. Universal Studios Hollywood is a world famous theme
park that includes the mind-blowing Transformers: The Ride 3-D. Other things to do in
Hollywood include the shops and restaurants at Hollywood & Highland Center, or the delicious
multicultural cuisines of nearby Thai Town and Little Armenia.
Every country gets the circus it deserves.Spain gets bullfights.Italy gets the Catholic
Church.America gets Hollywook.2

2 Erica Jong
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CHAPTER 2. What to do in L.A

Los Angeles is a trend-setting global metropolis with a fascinating history and a rich cultural
heritage. LA's cultural attractions are second to none, whether its the Space Shuttle Endeavour,
Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Getty Center or art galleries and urban art. From Cirque du Soleil
and legendary studios, thriving nightlife and renowned theatre productions, LA is truly the
entertainment capital of the world. LA dining is acclaimed for Michelin-starred restaurants and
multicultural neighborhoods alike. Sports fans know that LA is the city of champions, while
active Angelenos can explore 75 miles of coastline and hundreds of miles of bike and hiking
trails. Shop for everything from couture to vintage, or relax in one of LAs world class spas.

Restaurants
Los Angeles has one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country, offering everything from
street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. From California cuisine to organic ingredients, food
trucks, and Restaurant Week (July 2013), LAs culinary influence can be felt across the country.
Foodies can experience the fine dining of Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller and Nobu Matsuhisa,
as well as a new generation of culinary stars like Kogi BBQ Truck, Top Chef champion Michael
Voltaggio, and Ricardo Zarate, named Food & Wines Best New Chef in America. Global
kitchens can be found in culinary neighborhoods across the city, while LAs beach cities offer
some of the best oceanfront dining in Southern California.

Nightlife

Los Angeles nightlife offers endless entertainment options, whether its a quiet drink with that
special someone or dancing the night away with thousands of fellow party people. Downtown
LA's vibrant nightlife includes L.A. LIVE and numerous bars and nightclubs. In Hollywood,
dress to impress at Drais and The Colony. Universal CityWalk Hollywood has everything from
the Hard Rock Cafe to the dueling pianos of Howl at the Moon. LA mixologists create some of
the best cocktails in the country at top bars, restaurants and hotels. Laugh it up at the Hollywood
Improv Comedy Club or the Laugh Factory.

Sports
The rich legacy of Los Angeles sports is filled with world championships, national titles, Hall of
Famers and historic arenas. LA is truly the city of champions: the Lakers have won 16 NBA
championships, the Dodgers have won five World Series titles, the Galaxy has won three MLS
Cups, and in 2012 the Kings went on an historic run and were crowned Stanley Cup champions.
LA sports events take place in landmark arenas like the LA Coliseum, STAPLES Center, Dodger
Stadium, Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl. Los Angeles is the best city for weekend warriors,
whether youre looking for a pickup basketball game in Venice or a hiking trail in the mountains

CHAPTER 3. Classical to cutting edge Culture

One of the best ways to experience Los Angeles is by visiting its incredible cultural attractions.
LA has more museums and theaters than any U.S. city, and a thriving music and gallery scene.
An LA Philharmonic performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall is a must-see, as well as an
outdoor concert at the Hollywood Bowl and shows at other famous music venues. LAs world
class museums include the stunning Getty Center in Brentwood and the Los Angeles County
Museum of Art on Museum Row. Monthly artwalks take place throughout the city, including
popular events in Downtown LA and Venice Beach. And of course, when it comes to film and
television, LA is the entertainment capital of the world.

Museums and Galleries

World class cultural attractions are located throughout Los Angeles, which has more museums
than any other city in America. Downtown LAs Exposition Park includes the California Science
Center, the Natural History Museum and the California African American Museum. Museum
Row features the LA County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits and the Petersen Automotive
Museum. The collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum can be viewed at the Getty Center in
Brentwood and the Getty Villa in Malibu. Pasadena is home to the Norton Simon Museum and
the Pacific Asia Museum, while history buffs can tour the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library &
Museum in Simi Valley. LAs thriving gallery scene can be experienced in Chinatown, Bergamot
Station and the NoHo Arts District, as well as monthly artwalks.

Music

Theres nothing quite like experiencing concerts in Los Angeles, whether its a stadium show
with tens of thousands of screaming fans, or a late night jazz session in an intimate club. LAs
world class venues include the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Nokia Theatre at L.A.
Live in Downtown LA, Hollywoods Dolby Theatre, and the historic Wiltern and the Palladium.
LA's year-round sunny weather is ideal for enjoying outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Bowl,
Greek Theatre and John Anson Ford Theatre. Music festivals and free concerts include the Grand
Performances at California Plaza, the Music Spotlight Series at Universal CityWalk, and the
Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier. Concerts happen every night in smaller clubs
like the Conga Room and the House of Blues Sunset Strip.

Theatre and Dance

There are more theaters in Los Angeles than any other city in the United States, and its 1,500
annual productions are more than any city in the world. Dance productions range from classical
ballet to avant-garde performances. Hollywoods landmark Pantages Theatre presents all-time
Broadway hits like Book of Mormon, Peter Pan and West Side Story. Center Theatre Group is
one is of the largest theatre companies in the nation, with year-round programming at the Mark
Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown LA, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in
Culver City. Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (KDMC) is one of the largest
West Coast presenters of dance. REDCAT is a creative laboratory inside Walt Disney Concert
Hall that nurtures todays cutting-edge artists.

Architecture and Gardens

Many Los Angeles landmarks are renowned as architectural masterpieces, and LAs lush gardens
are equally as famous. Pritzker Prize winning architects designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA, and the
Getty Center. Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several LA landmarks, including
the Hollyhock House and the Ennis House. Gardens are an integral part of LAs cultural
landscape, such as Descanso Gardens and the Huntington Library. Exposition Parks famous
Rose Garden is on the National Register of Historic Places. Renowned artist Robert Irwin
designed the Getty Centers Central Garden. UCLAs Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
maintains one of the country's most important living botanical collections.

Urban Art
Los Angeles has over 1,600 murals throughout the city that touch on a variety of subjects. The
Chandler Outdoor Gallery is a collection of murals in the NoHo Arts District. Hollywoods urban
art is more celebrity-focused, such as Hollywood Jazz 1945-1972 on the iconic Capitol
Records building, You Are the Star on Wilcox, and Dolores del Rio on Hudson. In
Downtown LA, The Pope of Broadway depicts actor Anthony Quinn dancing on the side of the
Victors Clothing Building. Los Angeles Teachers features Edward James Olmos in character
alongside Jaime Escalante in a mural located behind East LAs famous El Mercado marketplace.
For urban art from a different point of view, Metro's Art Department has commissioned more
than 300 artists to incorporate art into transportation projects throughout LA County.

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Film and Television

Los Angeles locations have made countless appearances in films and TV episodes. Downtown
LAs City Hall, Union Station, Millennium Biltmore Hotel and the Bradbury Building have had
starring roles for decades. Historic Hollywood locations include landmarks such as Yamashiro
Restaurant and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. LAs natural landscape provides numerous
locations, whether its Santa Monica beach for Baywatch or Vasquez Rocks, as seen in Star Trek.
For over a century, LA has been the home of legendary studios, where silent movies, the latest
blockbusters and hit TV shows have been shot. Must-sees for fans are tours of Universal Studios,
Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures. And a sure way to get on TV is to
attend a taping of a game show or talk show at a major network studio.

Fashion

When it comes to fashion, Los Angeles has always been a city ahead of the curve. Fashionistas
should head straight to the Fashion District in Downtown LA, one of the best shopping areas in
the world for cutting edge fashion and bargain prices. Visit La Brea Avenue for trendy gear and
vintage clothing, or stroll nearby West Third Street and its many boutiques. The jet set park their
Ferraris on famed Rodeo Drive for the ultimate luxury items, while mere mortals can shop with
the stars on Robertson Blvd. Celebrities have also made Ventura Blvd. in the Valley a hotspot for
vintage and high end fashion alike. Tomorrows fashion superstars are being created today at the
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), where the public can attend the annual
DEBUT Runway Show, and fashion exhibits at the FIDM museum.

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Literary La

Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the country for book fans. Even though LA is blessed with
year round sunny weather, some of its most famous characters were at home in the night, such as
Raymond Chandlers Philip Marlowe. Another famed hardboiled crime author was James M.
Cain, who set his novels Double Indemnity and Mildred Pierce in Los Angeles. The heirs to
Chandler and Cain include Michael Connellys Harry Bosch and Walter Mosleys Easy Rawlins.
John Fantes acclaimed Ask the Dust takes place in Downtown LAs Bunker Hill, and was a
major influence on Charles Bukowski, who lived in East Hollywood and considered LA his
favorite subject. The annual LA Times Festival of Books welcomes thousands of book lovers and
authors to USC for a weekend celebration of the written word.

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CHAPTER 4. Activities
Recreation

The City of Los Angeles spans 468 square miles, and LA County stretches over 4,000 square
miles. With so much land and enviable weather, some of the best recreational activities in the
country can be enjoyed in LA year round. LAs 75 miles of coastline include world famous
beaches from Malibu to Santa Monica, the South Bay and San Pedro, including activities like
skateboarding and surfing. LAs vast network of hiking trails includes miles of footpaths in
Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains, while bicyclists can explore the citys dedicated
paths. You can work on your tan and your short game at one of the countys 19 golf courses.
Skiing and snowboarding are a short drive away, and during the holidays the citys numerous
outdoor ice skating rinks are packed.

Wellness
Los Angeles has long been known for its health-conscious lifestyle, and for that reason some of
the best day spas can be found right here in the City of Angels. Beverly Hills is synonymous with
luxury, especially in world class hotel spas at the Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Hotel,
and the Beverly Wilshire. The Huntington Spa at The Langham in Pasadena is an 11,000 squarefoot haven of wellness, while Bliss is the word at two W Hotel locations, both featuring the
famed brownie buffet: the W Westwood and the W Hollywood. The Spa at Terranea overlooks
the Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes coastline, embracing the beauty and energy of its idyllic
Southern California setting. When its time to slow down and recharge, Los Angeles day spas
and resorts are among the best in the country.

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Shopping

Shopping is one of the best activities in Los Angeles, whether its digging through vintage stores
or window-shopping for extravagant luxury goods. The Los Angeles shopping experience begins
in the sprawling LA Fashion District in Downtown LA, and from there its choosing from top
shopping centers like The Grove, Beverly Center, Hollywood & Highland, The Americana at
Brand, Third Street Promenade or Santa Monica Place. Eclectic shopping neighborhoods can be
found throughout Los Angeles, while the citys numerous museum gift shops offer a variety of
unique cultural gifts. If youve got deep pockets, Rodeo Drive and Robertson Blvd. are mustsees, while bargain hunters will want to check out the outlets in Camarillo, the Citadel, Desert
Hills and Ontario Mills.

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Conclusion and motivation

To sum up, apart from being one of the most visited and populous cities in the United
States, New York City has exponentially grown both economicallyand socially in the past
years. Moreover, it is a vital place in the history of music and film industry, having a
strong influence over the European culture.
I instantly bound to this colorful and vivid city, being stunned not only by theopen-mindedness
of the people, but also the refreshing air of rebelliousness a n d f r e e d o m . I t s t r u c k m e a s a
c i t y o f c h o i c e a n d l u x u r y, b u t e x t r e m e l y permissive at the same time, since all
you need is a sparkle of courage and sharpness in order to build a brilliant future.
In conclusion L.A is a city of superlatives and mind-blowing contrasts that can make anybody
fall in love with it.

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Bibliography/Siteography

Dk Publishing, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide California, 2012,

ISBN: 9781409385769

Banham Reyner1973). Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies.

Pelican Books. ISBN 0140211780.

Rucker, Walter C.; Upton, James N.; Hughey, Matthew W. (2007). "Los
Angeles (California) Riots of 1992".Encyclopedia of American race riots.
Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 37685. ISBN 978-0-313-33301-9

www.wikipedia.com

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/

www.lacity.org

www.lacounty.info

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www.latimes.com

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