car hire los angeles

guide to los angeles

location
Los Angeles is the located in California. The areas surrounding LA offer a stunning array of road trip possibilities such as the famous Atlantic costal drive from San Francisco to San Diego. The picturesque Highway 1 (or Pacific Coast Highway) winds slowly along the coast – if you stay on it long enough, you’ll wind up in San Francisco. There are direct flights from the UK.

history
Los Angeles, the “City of Angels,” owes its name to the farming settlement established there in 1781, which at the time was dubbed “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Porciuncula River.” Until the mid-1800s, the majority of its residents were immigrants from Mexico who’d come in search of private land. To most Americans in the east, the area was of little consequence. But in 1848, miners struck gold along the American River in northern California, and the westward rush to California was on. Five years later, the Gold Rush was all but over, and the entire state plunged into a depression. Los Angeles scuffled along until the late 1800s, when its orange-growing industry developed and proved incredibly lucrative. The 20th century saw the movie studios spring up, setting in motion the development of the city’s contemporary image as “Tinseltown,” land of Hollywood glamour.

shopping
Shoppers on holiday will have no problem getting their fix in LA. Malls are abundant, and chain stores like Banana Republic and Gap are ubiquitous. The major shopping street is known as Rodeo Drive. Famous films set in Los Angeles include Pretty Woman, The Italian Job and Lethal Weapon. For hip and glamourous digs, head to West Hollywood, where stores like Curve, Fred Segal, and Kitson lure travellers with expensive, trend-setting clothes. As an added bonus, you never know when you’ll spot a celebrity browsing the racks next to you. (Paparazzi are known to lurk outside Kitson regularly.)

things to see
It’s year round warm climate makes it particularly attractive to holidaymakers of all ages. Popular out of town attractions to drive to include the theme parks Disneyland and Sea World. Highlights include Pirates of the Caribbean and The Shamu Experience. Malibu beach is also only a short drive from central LA and is handily located off a main highway.

Los Angeles if famous as the home of Hollywood and of American Movie Studios and the Oscars. The famous Hollywood sign is just a short drive from the centre of Los Angeles. It also possible to see current films being shot at Universal Studios. Other movie sites to see include the stars on the Hollywood walk of fame, Manns Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars) and Sunset Boulevard. Many film stars in live in Bel Air, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills.

travel
Los Angeles is infamous for its tangle of congested highways, but its public transportation is generally not considered much of an option. The city is also rather sprawling, so getting around pretty much requires a car. You can pick up your car hire at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Many people also can’t resist a side trip to Las Vegas, which lies about 450 kilometres from LA, and San Diego is a manageable distance south.