By Veronica Maria Garbutt

Los Angeles has been described as “one hundred suburbs in search of a city” a fitting description as it is home to immigrants from all over the world. The giant metropolis is known to be the home to Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice and Beverly Hills; the Hollywood scene’s most popular areas.
Exploring the city of angels might get a little overwhelming due to the endless list of places, beaches, restaurants and areas it offers. In an attempt to help guide the newcomer, here is our own breakdown of where and what to do.
Let’s start the journey with a simple beginning, Malibu. If you are interested in getting a feel of what kind of lifestyles huge film actors lead then Malibu is the place to go as it is known to be the home to film stars since the 1920s. It is also painted with ocean views that can be seen from the Pacific Coast Highway. Make sure to take some time and watch the sunset, a guaranteed life-changer.
Your next stop should be Santa Monica. Described as “ the Zenith city by the Sunset Sea” by an 1800s estate agent, Santa Monica has a relaxed atmosphere of a beach town with the attractions of a main city. Dedicate a day at the Santa Monica Pier. The family friendly Pier was built in 1909 and features attractions such as the mini amusement Pacific Park and its famous solar-powered LED-lit Ferris Wheel.
While in the area, especially if you are an art enthusiast, make sure you don’t miss Bergamot Station. Home to 30 galleries and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.
What’s a visit to Los Angeles without checking out its famous Venice Beach also used to be known as the “Venice of America”? Just South of Santa Monica, the circus-like Ocean Front Walk is famous for being the meeting hub of street performers, fortune tellers, and artists.
Next stop, the home of the United States’ most famous postcode- 90210: Westside.
East of Santa Monica, the first stop in Westside is Rodeo Drive, the very heart of Beverly Hills. However Beverly Hills is not just exclusive to the lavish Hollywood glamour. If you are looking into getting a more organic feel of the area, head over to the Farmer’s Market, just up from the Beverly Center, where you’ll get lost between 100 stands of crafts, books, and exotic foods. Art enthusiasts can also get the chance to look at the works of art giants such as Monet, Gauguin, and Van Gogh at the Hammer Museum.
Then comes Hollywood, the world’s most prominent district in the entertainment business. Paved with top sites such as the Hollywood Museum, the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood and Highland complex the Hollywood district is one of LA’s most visited places. Film fanatics get to check out the Kodak Theatre, home to the annual Academy Awards ceremony and retrace their favorite actor’s footsteps on its famous Walk of Fame boulevard.
The capital of the entertainment industry is home to the Hollywood hills and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. These parks are curated to take their visitors into a journey behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most famous motion pictures. Tourists get a sneak peek into the world of film-making and gain a better understanding of how things get done, they also get to ride movie-themed rollercoasters.
If you’re looking to have an outside of the box experience in Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory guarantees you an out of this world experience…literally.
The last stop of this trip has to be Downtown, the heart of LA’s performing arts. The opening of the Walt Disney Concert Hall helped revitalize the area. The revival of Downtown included a number of new hotels, the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is highly recommended for its strategic location- just a few steps away from the Lakers’ Staple Center and the Nokia Theatre.
The city of Angels’ celebrity isn’t just gained through entertainment business but it is also a city that has welcomed people from all over the world. LA is home to the most diverse and fastest growing Muslim community in the United States. The giant metropolis offers a long list of halal restaurants as well as Islamic centers and at least 10 mosques which include King Fahad Mosque.
“One hundred suburbs in search of city”, but it is in fact one hundred countries confined in one city; the city of Los Angeles.