Los Angeles: Holidays

Los Angeles is a perfect 10 for vacationers taking a beach holiday. Some of the most famous beaches in the world occupy space on the sandy strip stretching 70 miles from Malibu down to Long Beach. Visitors taking a beach holiday should check their hotel locations if they plan to spend most of their time on one of L.A.’s popular beaches. There are many hotels in these areas so it might be more convenient and a lesser driving/parking expense if you pick a hotel nearby. Some beaches charge for parking but discount it if you eat at one of the nearby restaurants. Some beaches offer bicycle rentals, volleyball and basketball courts. Check posting for lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas, and rules on pets.

Backpacking holidays in Los Angeles seem to contradict the ultra hip and slick persona the city seems to exude. However backpackers in L.A. will be pleasantly surprised by how backpack friendly the city if. Hostels are conveniently located in several areas of town either near the beach or near popular areas not far from nightclubs and shopping. With beds at $20-$20 per person, hostels are within the backpacking holiday budget. The Metro system of public transportation buses and trains run continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week making it easy for the backpacking crowd to travel cheaply as bus fare is $1.23 or $5 for a day pass. With many free sightseeing opportunities, backpackers on holiday can spend a fun-filled and exciting time in Los Angeles.

Although famous for being called a 'Concrete Jungle', if you're willing to travel just a bit outside the city limits, there are several beautiful campsites in the Los Angeles area. Some are quite worthy of the avid camper on their camping holiday. Try these popular campsite spots: Buckhorn and West Fork in Angeles National Forest, Figueroa and Mono in Los Padres National Forest, and Jalama and Jalama Beach Park. Check campsite guidelines online for park entry fees, camping rules, and helpful travel planning trips. Most parks allow pets but it’s best to check to be sure yours does as well.

Los Angeles is a fabulous city break destination where visitors can easily take a weekend getaway. Travellers benefit in taking a city break to L.A. because of the large number of convenient and discounted airline fares and abundance of hotel options. Toss in the endless sightseeing opportunities, great culture and theatres, music venues, restaurants & dining of all kinds, and famous nightclubs - what more could a city break holiday need. The fact that you may be standing next to an Oscar winning actor the next time you go for a burger is just how fabulous a Los Angeles city break can be!

With dozens of Fortune 1000 companies located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, plenty of hotel accommodations in downtown, and convenient and economical air travel access, L.A. is a great choice for a corporate weekend. Busy professionals looking to supplement their corporate weekends in Los Angeles with modest activities such as artistic performances and subdued restaurants, especially if they are looking to impress clients, will be amazed at the host of venues L.A. has to offer. Because Los Angeles is so versatile, even companies trying to control their budgets will find many options for corporate weekend activities. The city is also full of countless networking opportunities for your business.

Not having a long history has made some people point out that there is little culture in Los Angeles. I beg to disagree as the very creation of Los Angeles with its western pioneer days and its link to the mob in the 60's is an entire culture unto itself. The days of Frank Sinatra and Elvis, showgirls with bright feathers, and gambling capers to best any dime store novel are just a few of the things that make Los Angeles full of culture. A burgeoning Downtown Arts District, a yearlong arts festival aptly named "First Friday" held on the first Friday of every month, and beautiful casino resort galleries solidify Vegas on the cultural and artistic city map!

With the American Disabilities Act of 1990 and compliance from government building codes, travellers with disabilities find few problems with accommodations and activities in the United States. Los Angeles is one of the most disabled-accessible cities in the world and an amazing city for a disabled holiday. Here disabled visitors are truly able to manoeuvre within buildings on their own with little to no assistance. L.A. prides itself on planning areas and structures with the disabled visitor in mind: aquariums, theatres and concert halls, attractions like Universal Studios and the Santa Monica Pier, shopping areas like the Grove and Third Street Promenade, and public areas like the Los Angeles Zoo and the historic district.

Families on holiday in Los Angeles are astounded by the amount of fun in a relatively close area. With very little travelling, families can spend their holiday vacation at one of 3 world famous theme parks or at family friendly beaches or Santa Monica Pier Carnival. Although theme parks are fun for all ages, family holidays for younger children tend to be booked at the original Disneyland. Here, parents enjoy watching their young children discover Walt Disney’s magic up close and personal. For families on holiday with older children, Universal Studios will thrill with the Simpsons, Mummy and Jurassic Park rides, and fun and laughter with Shrek. When it’s time for fun in the sun and sand, take the family to Santa Monica Beach where there’s plenty of restaurants, an aquarium, trapeze school, ferris wheel, and carnival games of all kinds.

Los Angeles is home to many hotels and resorts approved by TAG – the Travel Alternative Group which recognizes gay & lesbian friendly hotel properties worldwide. With incredible shopping for the latest in fashion, miles of furniture and interior decor shops on Melrose Avenue, exquisite dining, and a phenomenal nightlife, gay/lesbian visitors to Los Angeles will have an endless amount of activities to enjoy. L.A. also hosts a number of gay events such as the LA Gay Rodeo, the GLAAD Media awards, LA Leather Weekend, Simply diVine Wine Tasting & Auction, and the West Hollywood Carnaval. Check online at www.discoverlosangeles.com for an entire list of gay and lesbian venues, events, and establishments.

Los Angeles is a great city for hen or bachelorette holidays and parties. Because Los Angeles has so many things to offer lady visitors, hen holidays here are easy to plan and even easier to have. Whether you want a spa hen/bachelorette holiday, a shopping party or just good old -fashioned dining and dancing until the morning light, ladies are sure to find Los Angeles as exciting as the movies make it out to be. Best deals for a hen holiday are booked online where package deals for air fare and hotel stays can be purchased at discounts. Check with hotels if you are booking as a group in case they offer special deals.

Stag or bachelor parties in Los Angeles are full of action and excitement. Gentlemen’s clubs and nightclubs are full of revelry where stag/bachelor holidays can celebrate the groom-to-be’s last single’s night. Party planning services are abundant in Los Angeles and happy to help the guys plan a perfect night out including dinner, cocktails, and party games like poker, pool nights, nightlife action, and a host of other popular venues. Best deals for a stag holiday are booked online where package deals for air fare and hotel stays can be purchased at discounts. Check with hotels if you are booking as a group in case they offer special deals.

With gorgeous scenic beaches, lush foliage and landscapes, and sunsets that last forever, Los Angeles is ideal for a honeymoon holiday. Newlyweds will undoubtedly spend an unforgettable honeymoon holiday spending time with L.A. and all of its amazing activities from sightseeing at legendary landmarks, dining at exquisite culinary treasures, walking on the romantic beaches at sunset or playing in the sand and sea. Many resorts and hotels cater to honeymooners on holiday with their own special suite and package deals. Check online for special honeymoon packages. Be wary of advance booking for popular honeymoon months in the spring and summer when the weather is at its best.

The popularity of Los Angeles among young travellers has exploded with the popularity of celebrities, their life, and media outlets like E! The Entertainment Channel. Reality shows glamorize singles life in L.A. where it seems everyone is on one continuous never-ending party holiday. Trying to live up to the challenge, Los Angeles has incredibly created a nightlife and arts scene to impress many singles on a party holiday. With famous clubs like LAX, Mood, Elevate Lounge, the Standard’s Rooftop bar, The Edison, and Whiskey Blue, singles can drink the most outrageous cocktails, dance to the best DJ’s and mix with other hip singles looking for the ideal party holiday.

Los Angeles is a beautiful city for couples to spend a holiday enjoying the sights, activities, and themselves. If you and your partner are attracted to a city with plenty of diverse activities, the L.A. is perfect for your couples holiday. Whether your tastes are more casual and quaint or whether they are outrageously stylish, L.A. has many hotels that cater to couples on a holiday getaway. The city if full of exciting experiences for the both of you to share: from beach and water activities, to theatre shows, comedy acts, museums, theme parks, restaurants, to the bustling nightlife of downtown or the mellow evening bars at the beach. Los Angeles will surely be a couples holiday to remember.

If a golf holiday in Los Angeles is your plan, then you’re in luck. With L.A.’s temperate climate and over 320 days of sunshine a year, golfers have plenty of time for another round of 18 holes. Try one of a dozen courses such as Griffith Park, Rancho Park Golf Course, The Bel-Air Country Club, the Los Angeles Royal Vista Golf Course, or the Links at Victoria Golf Club. Book your tee times as early as possible to ensure you can get a spot. Green fees can range anywhere from $10 - $50. Some courses are extremely exclusive and require membership. Inquire as to hotels that include access to golf courses to increase your chances at playing at an amazing course.

With the largest man-made marina in the world, L.A. is ideal for a sailing holiday. Sailing charters are abundant and convenient at the marina. There are many sailing packages available so shop around for the sailing tour that interests you the most. There are tours for sightseeing, nature watching, romance, personal improvement, and instructional courses on sailing as an activity. Los Angeles sailing holidays provide visitors with a wonderful way to experience the beautiful Pacific Ocean and natural sea habitat surrounding the City of Angels. Charter services vary greatly along with pricing. Inquiries and bookings are best done directly with the charter company.

Even though Los Angeles is often times called a ‘concrete jungle’ where endless traffic-jammed highways come to mind, there are quite a few beautiful parks and hiking trails in and around the city. The best trails for a hiking holiday in LA are the Heart-of-Hollywood Hike at the Runyon Canyon Loop Trail, Topanga State Trek at the Los Liones Train to Parker Mesa Overlook, and the Will Rogers State Park Trek at the Rustic Canyon Loop/Inspiration Point Trail. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water to keep hydrated especially during the summer months. Wear sun block lotion, sunglasses and a hat to minimize sun exposure. And if the park has the designated area, pack a picnic lunch for your hikers holiday.

With near perfect weather year round, cycling holidays are very popular in Los Angeles. There are many trails for all sorts of cyclists on all types of cycling holidays: ocean trails, park trails, mountain bike trails, and river trails. Some popular bike trails for a bicycle holiday in L.A. are Palos Verdes bike trail, Huntington Beach bike trail, the San Gabriel River bike trail, and the San Gabriel River West Fork bike trail. Check local information for the nearest cyclist shop for bicycle rentals for your holiday. Los Angeles is a very large area so try to cycle in a group or tour and plan ahead with supplies and a map.

Los Angeles is a shopaholic’s dream come true. There are numerous fashion malls and boutiques in Los Angeles to occupy even the most dedicated on their shopping holiday. The Beverly Center, The Grove, Fashion Square at Sherman Oaks, and the Sherman Oaks Galleria are just a few of the amazing centers filled with dozens of stores for the avid shopper. Don’t forget to visit the trendy boutiques on Robertson Blvd, West Third St, and Ventura Blvd. A shopping holiday to LA cannot be complete without visiting the Fashion District – 90 blocks of over a 1,000 shops where some of the best bargains on the most cutting edge fashions are found. Shop ‘til you Drop!

Los Angeles is definitely a city that loves a new trend and there’s a new one for well-being and spa holidays. Spa Parties. Many travellers looking for a relaxing well-being & spa holiday are booking retreat in groups. Always on the cutting edge, L.A. is accommodating the spa holiday groups by offering service at either hotel spas or at destination spas. Check packages online for discounted deals involving group stays at a hotel in conjunction with purchasing their spa package. For destination spas, also check for group accommodations and pricing. Some of the best spa holidays in Los Angeles are spent at Bliss Spa at the W Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Hotel Spa, and the Luxe Hotel Spa on Sunset Blvd.

The Pacific Coast Highway is the most famous scenic stretch of highway in the United States. Running along the coastline of Los Angeles, it makes for a perfect driving holiday. Make sure to take turns driving so everyone can take in the amazing coastal views. Los Angeles is also home to some of the most popular tours in the world. Vendors on street corner sell Maps to the Stars where drivers can get a touring map for celebrity homes in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles. If you don’t want to be distracted by actually having to drive on your touring holiday, then hop on one of the many guided tour buses cruising around L.A. for a relaxing drive around your favourite sights. Tours start as low as $30 per person.

The San Antonio Winery is Los Angeles’ only operating winery if you are planning a wine tasting holiday. Since 1917, the historic site has been making wines – most recently by using the grapes from vineyards in nearby Paso Robles and Monterey. The winery offers visitors a tasting room, restaurant, and walls lined with memorabilia of Los Angeles’ past vineyards. It’s a must see on anyone’s wine tasting holiday in Los Angeles. Other notable shops for wine tasters on holiday in the City of Angels: Silver Lake Wine Shop where tasting events are usually held, Vinoteca Farfalla – a Los Angeles wine bar, and Du Vin Wines & Spirits – a great L.A. wine shop.