What to do in Los Angeles County, CA

Surf, sun and sand take a backseat to the loud and lively human carnival on parade along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. There’s never a dull moment for people-watching in this sun-drenched bohemian enclave of artists, musicians, poets, singers, skateboarders and jugglers. From chain-sawing acrobats to fire-breathing cyclists, you’ll find Los Angeles at its most ostentatious, eccentric and unrestrained. Just remember to tip performers if you watch most of their show or take their photograph.

Visit the STAPLES Center and see a major sporting or entertainment event. This arena is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. Take a tour of downtown Los Angeles and view the STAPLES Center or book a ticket for a major event.

Get the iconic southern California sun-and-surf experience at Santa Monica Beach. Discover a sandy stretch of oceanfront delights close to one of the nation’s biggest cities.

To make it big in Hollywood it’s not just a matter of getting your name up in lights. You need your name set in concrete as well. More accurately, it has to be embedded in brass and set inside a coral-pink, terrazzo five-pointed star.

You can get plenty of kicks near the end of Route 66. Santa Monica Pier now marks the official western point of the legendary U.S. highway, one of the country’s first. This world-famous stretch of pavement originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, and was later extended to Santa Monica, where many travelers concluded their cross-country trek with a visit to this pleasure pier of fun and excitement.