Exploring the City of Angels

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/02/2023 (1127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles – ‘The Angels’ in Spanish – is the second largest city in the United States. It was founded in 1781 under Spanish rule, and was part of Mexico until 1848 when it was transferred to the U.S. and became incorporated as a municipality in 1850. Los Angeles County lies on the ancestral lands of many Indigenous tribes, including the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples.

The City of Angels has several other monikers, too, such as La-La Land, The Big Orange (a play on The Big Apple) and Tinseltown. The latter refers to the bright lights of Hollywood, home to the world’s largest film industry. One of L.A.’s top attractions is taking a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard with its iconic theatres and museums, and the Walk of Fame sidewalk stars that honour 2,746 (and counting) of the biggest names in entertainment.

In the early days of Hollywood, grand hotels sprang up in the area. They attracted celebrities, royalty, world leaders, and the who’s-who of global elite. The grandest of them all is the 100-year-old Millennium Biltmore, which is listed as an official Los Angeles historic-cultural monument.

Built in 1923, the Biltmore spans nearly an entire downtown city block and combines golden-age glamour with Mediterranean charm. It hosted eight Academy Award ceremonies in the 1930s and ’40s, as well as the presidential acceptance speech of John F. Kennedy in 1960. A stroll through the meandering maze of hallways features photos from the more than 50 movies shot there.

The world-famous Hollywood sign is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Initially erected as a ‘Hollywoodland’ billboard for an upscale real estate development project, it was meant to be in place for only 18 months. However, it quickly became a giant marquee for the movie-making city, and a permanent fixture of the landscape.

The 45-foot tall letters have had a few facelifts over the years, a complete restoration in 1978, and a fresh new paint job in 2022 in anticipation of its centennial. A visitor centre is presently in the works that will offer fans the opportunity to get up close, and learn more about its history.

A visit to Los Angeles would not be complete without a visit to the Pacific coast. With the city located about 25 kilometres inland, a day-trip is definitely in order. Santa Monica is a classic beach town along the Pacific, with cool places to dine, shop, and hang. The Santa Monica Pier juts out into the ocean, and is a staple of this seaside community.

Constructed in 1909, it was the first concrete pier on the west coast, earning a reputation as one of the best fishing spots around. Today it’s a family-friendly, ocean-front amusement park, and one of the most-photographed locations in California.

The present-day carousel was added in 1939, and became known in pop culture as the spot where Paul Newman worked in 1973 film, The Sting. The picturesque Ferris wheel opened in 1996, giving a panoramic view of the coastline from nearly 40 metres above the pier. It’s the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, and the focal point for many tourist pictures.

Including mine