Grauman's Chinese Theatre
This is one of the world's great movie palaces and one of Hollywood's finest landmarks. The theater was opened in 1927 by impresario Sid Grauman, a brilliant promoter who's credited with originating the idea of the paparazzi-packed movie "premiere." Outrageously conceived, with both authentic and simulated Chinese embellishments, Grauman's theater was designed to impress. Original Chinese heavenly doves top the facade, and two of the theater's columns once propped up a Ming dynasty temple.Visitors by the millions flock to the theater for its famous entry court, where stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and about 160 others set their signatures and hand-/footprints in concrete (a tradition started when actress Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in wet cement during the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings). It's not always hands and feet: Betty Grable's shapely leg; the hoofprints of Gene Autry's horse, Champion; Jimmy Durante's and Bob Hope's trademark noses; Whoopi Goldberg's dreadlocks, George Burns's cigar, and even R2D2's wheels.

City Hall
Built in 1928, the 27-story triangular Los Angeles City Hall was the tallest building in the city for more than 30 years. The structure's distinctive ziggurat roof was featured in the film War of the Worlds, but it is probably best known as the headquarters of the Daily Planet in the Superman TV series. When it was built, City Hall was the sole exception to an ordinance outlawing buildings taller than 150 feet. On a clear day (yeah, right), the top-floor observation deck offers views to Mount Wilson, 15 miles away.

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.

Crowne Plaza Hotel BEVERLY HILLS
The elegant Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills Hotel is ideally located within walking distance to Rodeo Drive. Hotels in this area look to us as the standard of elegance, convenience and service. Rodeo Drive shopping and dining is just four blocks from the hotel. Hollywood landmarks like Walk of Fame, Universal Studios and downtown Los Angeles are just steps away. Both the Getty Center and Sunset Blvd are near the hotel. Los Angeles attractions like Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu beaches are also ...

Hotel Angeleno, a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel
With ideal hotel location at the crossroads of Brentwood and Bel-Air, Hotel Angeleno is nestled amidst the best of the West Side. The landmark circular design of this dramatic Modern era icon sets the tone for the cool yet classic look of a new interior by Jofusion Inc. Hotel Angeleno seamlessly blends an understated and handsome design with a relaxed ambiance, to create a new kind of casual luxury. Our Brentwood grounds, pool, and spectacular penthouse-level restaurant and lounge continue the ...

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The new destination in Los Angeles is Downtown, and in the center of it all is the Holiday Inn Los Angeles City Center. Across the street from the Staples Center (home of the Lakers, Clippers and Kings) and the Convention Center, within walking distance to the financial and cultural districts. Well appointed guestrooms, casual dining restaurant, relaxing lounge, outdoor pool and patio and exceptional service-all designed to make a difference in your stay. This hotel is committed ...