From its world famous boardwalk and beautiful beach to the shopper’s paradise of Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice offers a unique and vibrant mix of activities and attractions. Originally called “Venice of America,” Venice was founded in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as a beachfront resort town.

Points of InterestItineraryBeachesHotels

Home to nearly 3,000 professional arts organizations and institutions, Los Angeles is a world-class arts capital that ranks first in the western U.S. in the volume for domestic as well as overseas cultural visitors, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. From March 18 to April 26, 2013, more than 40 of Los Angeles cultural attractions are participating in Discover the Arts: History, Culture, Science and More.

CultureMuseums

Though it’s not a legal holiday anywhere in the U.S., St. Patrick’s Day is a festive celebration of Irish and Irish American culture that’s been observed in North America since before the American Revolution. This year, St. Patrick’s Day is being celebrated on Sunday, March 17th as well as throughout the days that lead up to the big event. Expect to see the traditional color of green splashed across greater Los Angeles as bars and restaurants offer Irish music, food, and of course copious amounts of Guinness and Irish whiskey.

NightlifeHolidays

NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called the Space Transportation System (STS), was the U.S. government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011. The Space Shuttle is the only winged manned spacecraft to have achieved orbit and land, and the only reusable space vehicle that has ever made multiple flights into orbit. Officially designated as Orbiter Vehicle-105, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was the fifth and final orbiter to be built.

MuseumsScience

 

By Harry Medved and Bruce Akiyama, co-authors of Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Southern California's Great Outdoors

Points of InterestFilmOutdoors

The famed Hollywood Sign, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is not only the remains of a past development project, but is now a symbol of Los Angeles that has reached iconic status. People from all over the globe envision the 45-foot-tall, 350-foot-long sign when they think of the city. The Hollywood Sign Trust, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the preservation of the sign, and in celebration of its recent anniversary, has restored the sign to immaculate condition.

Points of InterestItineraryOutdoors

High profile actors, athletes, singers, models, and media personalities are often drawn to the spotlight. That means seeking out the trendiest new spots, or sticking with tried and true places like The Ivy, Mr. Chow and Matsuhisa, which are likely to land them in tabloids. Of course, some celebrities prefer low-key, low-lit venues with more privacy, and LA’s got those too.

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