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American Airlines Flights from Dallas (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on American Airlines, which operates 15 regularly scheduled daily non-stop flights from Dallas (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX), departing between 6:45am and 10:40pm, and one additional non-stop flight regularly scheduled to depart at 9:10pm and arrive at 10:30pm, everyday except Saturday. The average travel time from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA is 3 hours and 19 minutes.
During your Los Angeles vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
The Southwest Museum
This is the city's oldest museum, considered by some a "best-kept secret" that suffers from lack of recognition and space for its superlative collection. Originally opened in 1907 by amateur historian and Native American expert Charles F. Lummis (who also designed Downtown's landmark "castle," El Alisal), this privately funded anthropological museum contains the finest examples of Native American art and artifacts found anywhere, including rare paintings, weapons, and a Cheyenne summer tepee. The largest exhibition chronicles 10,000 years of history of the people of the American Southwest. The California Hall focuses on the lifestyles of the first Californians; a separate two-level hall is dedicated to the culture of cold-climate tribes. The museum has a particularly active events calendar that includes a Native American Film Festival, regular lectures, and special children's programs (log onto the website for more info). In the shop, you'll find authentic Native American drums, kachina dolls, pottery, and sterling-silver jewelry by Native American artist Vernon Begaye. Tours are available by request. Tip: You can purchase a $12 two-site ticket that also includes entry into the excellent Museum of the American West; it's valid for 3 months.
Mission San Fernando
In the late 18th century, Franciscan missionaries established 21 missions up the California coast, from San Diego to Sonoma. Each uniquely beautiful mission was built 1 day's trek from the next, along a path known as El Camino Real ("the Royal Road"), remnants of which still exist. The missions' construction marked the beginning of European settlement of California and the displacement of the Native American population. The two L.A.-area missions are located in the valleys that took their names: the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. A third mission, San Juan Capistrano, is located in Orange County (see chapter 11).Established in 1797, Mission San Fernando once controlled more than 1 1/2 million acres, employed 1,500 Native Americans, and boasted more than 22,000 head of cattle and extensive orchards. The fragile adobe mission complex was destroyed several times but was always faithfully rebuilt with low buildings surrounding grassy courtyards. The aging church was replaced in the 1940s and again in the 1970s after an earthquake. The Convento, a 250-foot-long colonnaded structure dating from 1810, is the compound's oldest remaining building. Some of the mission's rooms, including the old library and the private salon of the first bishop of California, have been restored to their late-18th-century appearance. A half-dozen padres and many hundreds of Shoshone Indians are buried in the adjacent cemetery.
Los Angeles Zoo
The L.A. Zoo, which shares its parking lot with the Museum of the American West, has been welcoming visitors and busloads of school kids since 1966. In 1982, the zoo inaugurated a display of cuddly koalas, still one of its biggest attractions. Although it's smaller than the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the L.A. Zoo is surprisingly enjoyable and easy to fully explore. As much an arboretum as a zoo, the grounds are thick with mature shade trees from around the world that help cool the once-barren grounds, and new habitats are light-years ahead of the cruel concrete roundhouses originally used to exhibit animals (though you can't help feeling that, despite the fancy digs, all the creatures would rather be in their natural habitat). Highlights include the Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains habitat, where visitors can see plenty of primate activity; the Red Ape Rain Forest, a natural orangutan habitat; the entertaining World of Birds show; the Pachyderm Forest (climate-controlled digs for the elephants and hippos, complete with an underwater viewing area); the new mandrills exhibit (the world's largest and most colorful baboons); and the silverback gorilla exhibit. The gargantuan Andean condor had me enthralled as well (the facility is renowned in zoological circles for the successful breeding and releasing of California condors, and occasionally it has some of these majestic and endangered birds on exhibit).The zoo's latest attraction (and one they're rightfully proud of) is the Winnick Family Children's Zoo, a fantastic and forward-thinking children's zoo that contains a petting area, exhibition animal care center, Adventure Theater storytelling and puppet show, and other kid-hip exhibits and activities. Tip: To avoid the busloads of rambunctious school kids, arrive after noon.
Make your reservations for discount hotel rooms in the
Los Angeles area, including:
Century Wilshire Hotel
This amiable and pretty hotel, located just south of UCLA, is a good choice for discerning travelers without a lot of money to spend. The older building boasts a European flair and an English country-style lobby that leads to a pleasant courtyard, around which 99 guest rooms sit garden style. The individually decorated rooms are simple yet attractively furnished. Units are large, with good closet space; the double/doubles are spacious enough to house four who don't mind sharing to save a few dollars. Junior-, one-, and two-bedroom suites offer fully equipped kitchens. Rooms open either onto the courtyard, with pretty wrought-iron cafe tables, or onto a very nice pool. A complimentary continental breakfast (served alfresco on nice days) and parking add to the wallet-friendliness, and discounts on longer stays make a good value even better.
Le Parc Suite Hotel
Situated on a quiet, tree-lined residential street, Le Parc is a sophisticated and stylish all-suite hotel that attracts an interesting mix of clientele: Designers stay here because it's a few minutes' walk to the Pacific Design Center, celebrities in the music industry stay because of its low-key neighborhood location, patients and medical consultants check in because it's close to Cedars-Sinai, and tourists enjoy being near the Farmers Market, the Beverly Center, and Museum Row. The nicely furnished apartment-like units are extra large -- studios are 650 square feet, one-bedrooms 875 square feet -- and each has a well-outfitted kitchenette, a dining area, a living room with a fireplace, and a balcony. What the hotel lacks in views it makes up for in value and elbow room. The hotel's Café Le Parc is a hidden gem, offering very good food and romantic alfresco seating at the rooftop dining area (the $39.95 prix fixe menu is a great deal). Tip: The suites on the first and second floors have just been renovated with new bedding and kitchenettes. Also see what special rates the nearby Le Montrose hotel is offering; perhaps you can do a little bargaining for the best deal.Facilities: Cafe Le Parc w/full bar; outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi; rooftop night-lit tennis court; well-equipped exercise room w/sauna; access to nearby health club; business center; concierge; courtesy car; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; laundry service; dry-cleaning service. In room: A/C, TV/VCR w/pay movies, video games, and on-screen Internet access, CD, high-speed Internet access, dataport, kitchenette, minibar, microwave, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
There are three reasons to stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey: 1) You're a watercraft cognoscenti and you desire a serene view of 10,000 beautiful sailboats and yachts from your private balcony; 2) You want to take advantage of this business hotel's excellent weekend rates; or 3) You want to stay in style near the airport (a traffic-free 10-min. ride). Otherwise, if you just want to be pampered at a luxury resort hotel, a better choice is one of the other two Ritz-Carlton properties in Pasadena or Dana Point. In typical Ritz-Carlton fashion, the Marina del Rey is swathed in elegant European decor -- Italian marble bathrooms, French doors leading to private balconies, English countryside oil paintings, and the most comfortable goose-down feather bed I've ever slept in. The two top floors consist of the Club Lounge, with a dedicated concierge, on-the-house cocktails, and complimentary gourmet spreads all day (including breakfast). Tip: Request one of the "27 series" rooms, which are larger and have the best views. Thanks to its marina location, the hotel offers yacht and sailing charters, and reserves several slips for boat-bound customers. Venice Beach is about a 15-minute walk, but it's easier to rent a bicycle from the hotel.The hotel's superb restaurant, Jer-ne[li] (pronounced "journey"), serves New World cuisine in a stylishly modern setting, but I prefer a table on the deck overlooking the harbor. Be sure to sample chef Troy Thompson's unique Bento Box: five contrasting delicacies artfully arranged in a traditional Japanese box (a full meal for one).Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 lounges (bar, lobby lounge for high tea); heated outdoor pool and whirlpool; 2 lighted tennis courts; fitness center; sauna; bicycle rentals; basketball court; concierge; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry-cleaning service.
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