Los Angeles, more commonly known as LA, has a wealth of attractions to keep visitors and residents happy. Its strategic location on the Pacific coast makes it a haven for beach lovers, while its urban centres are magnets for shopping aficionados, party-goers and star-spotters.

Spanning 88 cities and their sprawling suburbs, LA is nothing short of an urban jungle; however, its beautiful coastline and popular beach hangouts such as Santa Monica, Venice, Muscle and Malibu ensure there is always a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. West LA provides an altogether different experience with the exclusive neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills and Bel Air being home to some of the film industry’s top Oscar-grabbing celebrities.

With the city so spread out, getting to all the top attractions can take some planning, but it is well worth it. You can admire the stunning architecture of downtown and its impressive skyscrapers, stroll along Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard, hit Santa Monica’s lively beach, or indulge in some exclusive shopping on Rodeo Drive; Los Angeles is unlikely to disappoint.

Culture seekers needn’t worry, as the city has a selection of top-notch art galleries and museums, while educational experiences can also be sought out at film-making studios such as Universal Studios. For relaxation, LA has some excellent parks, rose gardens and landscaped greenery.

Accommodation can be found across the city, with each major district having a wide selection of hotels. The coast provides much of the choice, with all of the primary beaches attracting many tourists, and a good choice of low to mid-priced rooms available.

More luxurious accommodations can be sought out in Hollywood, Bel Air and Beverly Hills, with the latter being home to The Beverly Hills Hotel and the Beverly Wilshire (where Pretty Woman was filmed), although you will have to pay handsomely if you wish to stay in these star-studded neighbourhoods.

Inhabited by tribal groups prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1542, the west coast of California was named after an imaginary island in a Spanish novel. A few of the famous explorers who landed in this region includes; Sir Francis Drake in 1579, Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602 and Junipero Serra in 1770.

With the discovery of gold in the nearby Sierra Nevada in 1847, prospectors flocked to the west coast. In 1850, California became part of the US, as the 31st state. Despite the fact that most of the gold was gone just 15 years later, the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 kept the economy on a roll. With the journey from New York dramatically shortened from four months by wagon to just five days by railroad, hordes or immigrants flooded to Los Angeles, helping to make it the huge and sprawling city that it is today.

Along with migration came the arrival of the film industry, forever changing the face of LA. Movie greats like Clark Gable and Betty Davis called LA home. Hollywood is still synonymous with glamour having a who’s-who list of movie industry giants as residents of this enchanting city.

Today, LA thrives with a positive outlook and it continues to provide a new home for the many migrants that flock here, particularly the huge Hispanic population that plays a big part in the city’s economic growth and development.

Sun and smog is what you can expect from any visit to LA, which benefits from a warm climate and cool Pacific breezes that flow in from the coast. The seasons here are not as distinct as in more northern reaches of the country, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot year-round.

Characterised by palm trees and beaches, Los Angeles weather is perfect for all outdoor activities, with temperatures rarely falling below 18°C and snow being almost unheard of. The summer months can get swelteringly hot, reaching in the mid 30s (°C), but westerly winds keep the humidity low.

The summer months of June, July and August see virtually no rain, with the most rainfall being experienced from December to March. Even when the city is hit by a rainstorm, these are short-lived, with there never being more than a few days of rain in any given month, making Los Angeles a perfect, year-round destination. However, the heat mixed with the pollution combines to form a thick layer over the city’s skyline, often seemingly blocking the sun. This smog is one of the negative sides of LA.