California Destinations - The Monterey Peninsula

Known for its iconic beaches, movie stars, and theme parks, the "City of Angels" isn't actually a singular city in the sense that most people consider a city. Rather, it is a collection of several cities and neighborhoods sprawled out over a gigantic area spanning 500 square miles (this number can be much higher, depending on your own personal definition of "Los Angeles").

WHAT'S TO SEE ?

Highlights

The West Side: Venice Beach, Santa Monica and the Marina

Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains: Where Locals Go to Escape

Where the Stars Are: Hollywood, Burbank, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air

Theme Parks: Disneyland is the most famous, of course. Other popular theme parks in the greater L.A. area include Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm and Legoland. You'll want to dedicate at least a full day if you plan to visit any of these parks.

Getty Center and Villa

Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium

Hollywood

Beverly Hills/Bel Air

UCLA:

La Brea Tar Pits: This is a popular place where natural seeping asphalt has preserved the fossilized remains of thousands of prehistoric animals dating back as far as 38,000 years.

Queen Mary: The Queen Mary is a giant passenger liner that has been docked in Long Beach harbor for decades, serving as a tourist attraction.

Santa Monica Mountains State Park

Olivera Street

Other Cool Things to See

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WHAT'S TO DO?

Highlights

	Bicycle or
	Gardens Fishing Whale Watching Sailing

Other Cool Things to Do

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Nearby Destinations

Santa Barbara

Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead

The O.C.

Catalina Island: The small town of Avalon (the island's only real population center) is quiet in winter, but still a nice place to visit if the weather's nice.

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