Los Angeles, the city of Angels, eagerly awaits your arrival. Within a short drive from downtown, you will find an infinite number of ways to explore the city. And unless you have some local insight, you may find your wallet reflecting the lifestyles of the rich and famous, even if your budget doesn't.
Free tours are available for the asking. Here's where to go:
If publishing is in your blood, a tour of the Los Angeles Times is a must. More than one million newspapers are distributed daily. Two tours, highlighting the editorial process and the actual newspaper production, are given by reservation. (Guided tour; www.latimes.com; 213-237-5000)
Honoring the birthplace of Los Angeles, El Pueblo de Los Angeles is a must-see. This 44-acre tribute is a State Historic Park offering guided tours that highlight the settlement and development of the area. Don't forget to visit the Avila Adobe, in the middle of the park. Built by the Avila family in 1818, the house reflects the lifestyle of the 1840's Southern California rancher. Costumed guides run tours hourly. (Guided tour; 213-628-1274)
The last place you would expect to find a winemaker would be in downtown Los Angeles, but that is just one of the many surprises found at San Antonio Winery. In the early 1900s, there were more than 100 active wineries in the Los Angeles Basin. Today, this winery, recognized as an important part of Los Angeles history, is the only one remaining in the L.A. Basin. (Guided tour; www.sanantoniowinery.com; 323-223-1401)
The Historic Core District of downtown Los Angeles includes an important building that should be included on every tour of the city. Once the offices of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Grand Central Market is now an open-air market extraordinaire. Walk up and down the aisles on the main floor, where vendors provide a variety of fresh food and products. Smells waft from the grills along the walls, foreshadowing the feast to come. Open since 1917, the market is a local landmark not to be missed. (Self-guided tour; www.grandcentralsquare.com; 213-624-2378)
A well-preserved stagecoach that once carried mail and passengers across the West is right inside the doors of the Wells Fargo Museum. Unrestored, the coach shows its wear and tear, reflecting how hard life was without modern conveniences. (Self-guided tour; www.wellsfargo.com; 213-253-7166)
Just blocks from the La Brea Tar Pits, where dinosaur bones are still being excavated, is the Los Angeles Farmers Market. A fixture in Los Angeles for more than 67 years and a popular gathering spot for locals, the market provides vivid international flavor. Don't miss the ice cream store that reveals how the cool treat is made. The market is located next to CBS studios, so it's not unlikely that you'll see a famous face or two stopping by for lunch. (Self-guided tour; www.farmersmarketla.com; 323-933-9211)
The Getty Center, known for one of the best art collections in the West, shouldn't be missed. The permanent collection includes work by Monet, Tiepolo, Rembrandt and Michelangelo. The dramatic architecture and gardens complement the beauty found within the gallery. Guides give tours daily, covering all the aspects of the Center. On a clear day, views from the balconies reflect the beauty of the ocean and city. (Self-guided and guided tours; www.getty.edu, 310-440-7300)
Take it all off and leave it at the Frederick's of Hollywood Lingerie Museum. This venue is filled with undergarments that have been snugly nestled next to warm, famous bodies. While you can't touch (not that you would want to), you can see Madonna's underwear, as well as Tom Hanks's boxers from the film Forrest Gump. Much of the lingerie is tastefully placed on mannequins to demonstrate how they were worn. (Self-guided tours; 323-466-8506)
The movie business is tough business and The Road to Hollywood gives you a feeling of the struggle. Located in the courtyard of the Hollywood and Highland Mall, quotes from famous directors, movie stars and Hollywood wannabes lay bare the business of show business. Guests end up on a picture-perfect couch with the Hollywood sign in clear view—perfect for a souvenir snapshot. (Self-guided tours; www.hollywoodandhighland.com; 323-960-2331)
Long before movies were packed with digital sights and sounds, actors and actresses had few tools other than acting skills. The free tour of the William S. Hart Museum will take you into the mansion and life of Two Guns Bill. A successful silent film star, with over 69 westerns, visitors can view his entire western art collection. (Guided tours; www.hartmuseum.org; 661-254-4584)
The only memorial west of the Mississippi River honoring Abraham Lincoln is the Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Outside the building, the Bedford Indiana limestone pieces are inscribed with excerpts from Lincoln's speeches. Inside, the collection contains presidential papers, personal documents and Civil War relics. (Self-guided tours; 909-798-7632)
