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Continental Airlines Flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Continental Airlines, which operates 4 regularly scheduled daily non-stop flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX), departing between 11:00am and 6:50pm, and 5 additional non-stop flights, departing between 9:50am and 9:35pm on select days of the week. The average travel time from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA is 5 hours.*
* Some flights must connect with additional service on this airline.
During your Los Angeles vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Ocean Front Walk at Venice Beach
This has long been one of L.A.'s most colorful areas and a must-visit for any first-time tourist. Founded at the turn of the last century, Venice was a development inspired by its Italian namesake. Authentic gondolas plied miles of inland waterways lined with rococo palaces. In the 1950s, Venice became the stomping grounds of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and other beats. In the 1960s, this was the epicenter of L.A.'s hippie scene.Today, Venice is still one of the world's most engaging bohemian locales. It's not an exaggeration to say that no visit to L.A. would be complete without a stroll along the famous paved beach path, an almost surreal assemblage of every L.A. stereotype -- and then some. Among stalls and stands selling cheap sunglasses, Mexican blankets, and "herbal ecstasy" pills swirls a carnival of humanity that includes bikini-clad in-line skaters, tattooed bikers, tan hunks pumping iron at Muscle Beach, panhandling vets, beautiful wannabes, and plenty of tourists and gawkers. On any given day, you're bound to come across all kinds of performers: mimes, break-dancers, seriously stoned drummers, chain-saw jugglers, talking parrots, and the occasional apocalyptic evangelist.
Tail o' the Pup
At first glance, you might not think twice about this hot dog-shape bit of kitsch just across from the Beverly Center. But locals adored this closet-size wiener dispensary so much that when it was threatened by the developer's bulldozer, they spoke out en masse to save it. One of the last remaining examples of 1950s representational architecture, the "little dog that could" serves up an "only in L.A." experience to go with its great Baseball Special.
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:
Inn at Playa del Rey
A half-hour drive from L.A. proper, my favorite L.A. B&B is less than ideal for sightseers with packed itineraries, but great for those looking for romance, a relaxed small-town vibe, or airport convenience. Only 5 minutes from LAX, the pampering inn is as much a sanctuary from the city as the protected wetlands outside the back door. From the street, the contemporary structure looks like a set of condos; inside, it glows with its true character. Fresh salty breezes and the soft chatter of waterfowl fill a spacious yet cozy fireplace lounge, whose long veranda overlooks peaceful marshland. Hiking trails wind through the wildlife preserve; a wooden observation platform 50 yards out is ideal for contemplation, bird-watching, or spying on sailboats that pass through the channel. A beach suitable for swimming is a short walk away, and bicycles are on hand for cruising a coastal path.The impeccably decorated, amenity-laden guest rooms are outfitted in a classy-yet-casual, sophisticated style that evokes the best of Nantucket or Santa Barbara. Country-chic furnishings, snuggly comforters, and plush bathrobes and towels are on hand. Luxuries include DirecTV hidden in handsome armoires and bathrooms. Most rooms have balconies; other options include whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The ultimate in romance are the spacious View Suites, whose two-sided fireplaces cast a heavenly glow on both the luxuriously made bed and the inviting double Jacuzzi. A garden hot tub is available for those booking simpler accommodations.
Beverly Hilton
If you're a fan of awards shows, you'll probably recognize this hotel, at the crossroads of Wilshire and Santa Monica in the heart of Beverly Hills, as the annual home to the star-studded Golden Globe Awards. This boxlike eight-story hotel has been attracting movie city business travelers, movie stars, U.S. presidents, royalty, and tourists alike since 1955. The guest rooms are similar but not all alike -- only about half have balconies, and some are decidedly larger than others. During the summer, the ground-level poolside rooms are a good choice, thanks to French doors that open directly onto the sun deck. For city views, request one of the tower rooms. Among the Beverly Hilton's best advantages are its food and cocktail outlets: It's hard to beat a pupu platter and a rum-spiked Navy Grog at the supergroovy Polynesian-style Trader Vic's, often favored by celebs looking for a quiet hangout; you can also dine poolside at Griff's on nice days. The lavish buffets offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are a good deal for big eaters. All in all, a pleasant, well-located, and relatively affordable slice of Hollywood glamour.
Wilshire Grand Los Angeles
This former Omni hotel is now independently operated and dedicated to business travelers, but weekend rates can be stellar for bargain-hunting vacationers. The taupe-toned rooms are business hotel average; the best ones have city views or overlook the swimming pool. The executive-level rooms and suites feature extras like a fax machine, plush bathrobes, extra towels, and top-floor views -- plus access to the Executive Lounge, which offers free continental breakfast, all-day beverages, and hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour. The 16-story hotel is centrally located in the heart of Downtown shopping, theater, and dining. Five restaurants and bars on-site include an American grill, an upscale Korean barbecue, an Italian trattoria, a tropical lounge in the Trader Vic's vein, and a coffee bar featuring Starbucks brew. I prefer the Omni, but this is a fine choice if you can snare a good rate.Facilities: 4 restaurants; bar; large outdoor heated pool and hydrotherapy pool; 24-hr. fitness room; concierge; Enterprise car-rental desk; courtesy car; business center w/secretarial services; salon; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; laundry service; dry-cleaning service; executive-level rooms.
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