Los Angeles Vacations

Lined with kilometres of beaches, Los Angeles is a real sun destination. There’s the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier with its much-photographed sunsets, but for the ultimate beach day, check out Dockweiler Beach with its orangey sand, El Matador Beach and its spectacular rock formations, or even Surfrider Beach in Malibu for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Here, the world's biggest celebrities rub shoulders with tourists, whether they're sitting at a trendy vegan spot in Echo Park or sunbathing by the pool of a posh Beverly Hills hotel. By day, head to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Runyon Canyon trails and West Hollywood neighbourhoods dotted with luxurious mansions. By night, Chateau Marmont and Silver Lake’s happening restaurants are where the stars like to hang out before a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles with the family is, of course, synonymous with theme parks: Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios promise thrills for all ages. On the Santa Monica Pier, the iconic yet smaller scale Pacific Park with its waterfront Ferris wheel is also not to be missed. And anyone who likes stargazing (at real stars, not movie stars!) will be in heaven at the Griffith Observatory and its world-class planetarium.

No trip to California is complete without exploring the beauty surrounding Los Angeles. Venture to Santa Barbara for its impeccable colonial architecture and botanical gardens, Palm Springs for its festive feels and mid-century charm, Joshua Tree National Park for hiking and its Mojave heritage, Ojai for the vineyards and farm-to table cuisine, and Santa Catalina Island for a most memorable day offshore.