The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street with more than 2,700 brass stars honouring stars of film, television, music, radio and theatre. Nearby are the TCL Chinese Theatre with celebrity handprints and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.

The Hollywood Sign stands on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. Originally erected in 1923 as "Hollywoodland" to advertise a housing development, it was shortened in 1949. Each letter is about 14 metres tall. Good viewpoints include Griffith Observatory and Lake Hollywood Park.

Griffith Observatory opened in 1935 on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Its Art Deco building offers free public telescopes, astronomy exhibits and a planetarium. The terraces provide panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign, especially at sunset.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park opened to tourists in 1964. The famous Studio Tour takes visitors through working backlots and film sets. Themed areas include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, along with thrill rides based on blockbuster films.

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is one of the world's most famous luxury shopping streets. Its three blocks are lined with designer boutiques and palm trees. The cobblestone Via Rodeo and the historic Beverly Wilshire Hotel at its southern end appear in many films.

The Getty Center, opened in 1997, is a hilltop museum and research complex in Los Angeles designed by architect Richard Meier. Its travertine buildings house European paintings, sculpture, manuscripts and photographs. Admission is free, and its gardens and terraces offer views over the city to the Pacific.

Venice Beach in Los Angeles is famous for its lively oceanfront boardwalk filled with street performers, artists and vendors. Muscle Beach outdoor gym, the skate park and basketball courts draw crowds. Nearby, the Venice Canals offer a quieter side with charming bridges and homes.

Santa Monica Pier dates from 1909 and is a classic Southern California landmark. It features Pacific Park amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, an aquarium, arcades and restaurants. The pier marks the symbolic western end of historic Route 66.