Los Angeles
Where Hollywood glamour meets California sunshine
Los Angeles is a city of contrasts — glamorous Hollywood, laid-back beach communities, creative neighbourhoods and some of California’s most recognisable landmarks all come together in one sprawling destination.
From the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre to the famous Hollywood Sign, there is plenty to discover for film and entertainment fans. Head west and the atmosphere changes completely, with Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Malibu offering beaches, ocean views and that unmistakable Southern California lifestyle.
LA is also a fantastic base for exploring further afield. You can combine the city with Disneyland, Universal Studios, California’s coast, Palm Springs or a wider California road trip, creating a holiday that suits your interests and the time you have available.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, Los Angeles is a city that rewards curiosity — and there is always another neighbourhood, attraction or hidden corner waiting to be discovered.
Discover Los Angeles
🎬 Hollywood & Entertainment — iconic film locations, studios, theatres and the legendary Hollywood Sign.
🌴 Beaches & Coastal California — Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu and the Pacific coastline.
🌆 Neighbourhoods & Culture — discover the different personalities of LA, from Beverly Hills and West Hollywood to Downtown LA and beyond.
🚗 Road Trips & Beyond — make LA the starting point for a California adventure, from the Pacific Coast Highway to the desert and national parks.
My Los Angeles Memories
My visits to Los Angeles were part of two Elvis holidays, in 1994 and 1997, and both gave me the chance to see very different sides of Southern California.
⭐ Hollywood & the Walk of Fame — 1994
On my first visit, I headed into Hollywood, where the famous Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard, celebrating performers from the worlds of film, television, music and theatre.
It was one of those places that felt instantly familiar — even if you’d never been to Los Angeles before. Seeing the names beneath your feet and standing among the famous theatres, neon signs and landmarks of Hollywood was a real “I’m actually here!” moment.
And, of course, for an Elvis fan, Hollywood has an extra layer of fascination, with the city’s long connection to the film and music industries.
🇲🇽 Tijuana, Mexico — 1994
The 1994 trip also included a visit across the border to Tijuana, Mexico.
Just a short journey south of San Diego, Tijuana offered a completely different atmosphere from Los Angeles and was a memorable addition to the trip. Colourful streets, shops, restaurants and the buzz of a border city made it feel like we’d suddenly stepped into another world.
It was also a reminder of how much you can pack into a Southern California holiday — Los Angeles, Mexico and the Pacific coast can all be combined in one trip.
🏰 Disneyland — 1997
When I returned to California in 1997, Disneyland was on the itinerary.
Located in Anaheim, around 30 miles southeast of central Los Angeles, Disneyland is the original Disney theme park and opened in 1955. Walking through the gates and seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle for the first time is pretty special — even if you’re not travelling with children!
For me, it was another completely different side to California and a lovely contrast to the music and Elvis-focused parts of the trip.
🎬 Universal Studios — 1997
The 1997 trip also included Universal Studios Hollywood, combining a working film studio with a theme park.
The studio-tour concept is a particularly fun way to experience Hollywood because you’re not just seeing attractions inspired by movies — you’re getting a glimpse behind the scenes of how films and television are made.
And that’s something I think fits perfectly into your LA page: Hollywood isn’t just somewhere to visit; it’s somewhere to experience.
