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.

US Bank Tower (aka Library Tower)
Designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei, L.A.'s most distinctive skyscraper (it's the round one) is the tallest building between Chicago and Singapore. Built in 1989 at a cost of $450 million, the 76-story monolith is both square and rectangular, rising from its Fifth Street base in a series of overlapping spirals and cubes. The Bunker Hill Steps wrapping around the west side of the building were inspired by Rome's Spanish Steps. Gee whiz fact: The glass crown at the top -- illuminated at night -- is the highest helipad in the world.

Petersen Automotive Museum
When the Petersen opened in 1994, many locals were surprised that it had taken this long for the city of freeways to salute its most important shaper. Indeed, this museum says more about the city than probably any other in L.A. Named for Robert Petersen, the publisher responsible for Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, the four-story museum displays more than 200 cars and motorcycles, from the historic to the futuristic. Cars on the first floor are exhibited chronologically in period settings. Other floors are devoted to frequently changing shows of race cars, early motorcycles, famous movie vehicles, and celebrity wheels such as Jack Benny's old Chrysler Imperial. On the third floor is the Discovery Center, a 6,500-square-foot interactive "hands-on" learning center that teaches kids and women the basic scientific principles of how a car works. Past shows have included a comprehensive exhibit of "woodies" and surf culture, Hollywood "star cars," and the world's fastest and most valuable cars.

Hollywood Downtowner Hotel
Hollywood Downtowner Inn is truly Chev Vous at the Walkway of the Stars. It will not take too many footsteps down Hollywood Boulevard to the Walkway of the Stars where you can take pictures with your favorite stars. The Pantages, Graumann's Chinese, Kodak Theatre and Egyptian Theatre are all just footsteps away. It welcomes any visitor to the Hollywood/Los Angeles area to stay and enjoy a cozy, comfortable, peaceful and fun stay. This hotel is located at the heart of Hollywood, walking ...

Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Century City Beverly Hills
Please note the swimming pool and whirlpool at the Courtyard Los Angeles Century City Beverly Hills are closed through April 16th 2007. * The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard surrounds you with all the conveniences that make business and pleasure travel easy. The Courtyard Los Angeles Century City Beverly Hills is located in the heart of Century City adjacent to Beverly Hills. The hotel is three miles from the Westwood campus of UCLA, seven miles from Venice Beach and ...

Best Western Suites Hotel
'From: The south. Take Interstate 405 freeway, exit to Century Boulevard east, and take a left on La Cienega. Go 1 block to Century ...