Things to do in Los Angeles County

Since 1915, visitors have flocked to experience the thrill of the movies at Universal Studios. Back then, guests were charged 25 cents to watch silent movie scenes being filmed: now, you might not see a film being made – and you are charged a lot more! - but the studios offer a whole day or more's worth of entertainment.

It's a good idea to wear sunglasses when heading to Venice Beach – then you can people-watch in private. Not that much is private here though, as you will soon find out! For once, a sandy beach isn't the main draw: instead it's the people who make a visit here so much fun.

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.

The original municipal pier opened in 1909 and had an unglamorous if vital job of carrying sewer pipes beyond the breakers. These days however, the sewage pipes are long gone and instead, for many generations, families have enjoyed the pier's amusement park with its eateries, shops, rides, historic carousel and fantastic views of the bay and the mountains.

Do famous actors and singers want their names in lights? Most do, but they know they've really made it when their name is embedded on a coral-pink terrazzo five-point star rimmed with brass on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In June, major celebrity Jennifer Lopez was honoured with star no. 2500.