Lifestyle in Los Angeles

Home to Hollywood and a massive contingent of the world’s celebrities, the cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles is certainly an exciting place to relocate to.

With its emphasis on an energetic, healthy, and clean-living lifestyle, LA is becoming a more and more attractive city, but if you're looking to make the move, best be prepared to splash out, as LA’s high-profile sun and fun come at a price.

Boasting many attractions, Los Angeles is renowned for its shopping, nightlife, and restaurants and features an impressive variety of entertainment venues, world-class sports facilities, and spas.

Shopping in Los Angeles

If you're looking for all the big designer labels, such as Versace and Louis Vuitton, hit the iconic Rodeo Drive, where you may even brush shoulders with a celebrity or two. On the other hand, the Venice Boardwalk is an excellent place to pick up arty items and anything unusual.

For great bargains, head to Ontario Mills; for big-name brands at substantial discounts, have a look at Desert Hills Premium Outlets; or mingle, browse, and pick through an eclectic selection at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Eating out in Los Angeles

Catering to every taste and budget under the sun, the vast variety of restaurants in Los Angeles is second to none. With everything from delicious Mexican food at street-side vendors to haute cuisine in the city’s finest eateries, there’s something to suit every palate, and you will find Los Angeles places a tremendous emphasis on fusion foods.

West Hollywood is where the swish and celebrity-owned LA restaurants can be found, but these tend to be outrageously priced. Pasadena offers some great eateries, as does Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, and downtown LA.

Nightlife in Los Angeles

LA’s nightlife is world-renowned, and with global hot spots such as Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard, you'll have some of the world’s best clubs, pubs, and lounges right on your doorstep.

You'll be pleased to know that something is happening somewhere on any given night, and a dazzling party, often star-studded, can be found in almost every corner of town.

Sports and outdoor activities in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has several world-famous sports teams, including the LA Dodgers and the LA Lakers. College sports are also prominent on the city’s sporting calendar, with teams such as the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans commanding a large support base. Don’t miss out on catching a football or baseball game at one of LA’s major sporting venues, such as the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the Staples Center.

Gyms

As befitting a dense urban jungle with variable air quality, indoor exercise is hugely popular. There are numerous gym chains, such as the world-famous Gold’s Gym, which prides itself on its wide reach, skilled instructors and good value for money.

Gym instructors and private trainers are an industry of their own in LA. Drawing on a qualified instructor’s motivational energy and technical advice can significantly help your journey to fitness and good health. However, word-of-mouth recommendations are essential when choosing a guru from the thousands available online.

Outdoor exercise

Los Angeles has plenty of natural, open spaces. If you are willing to drive a little way out of town, there are mountain bike paths and jogging trails in the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Closer to town, Santa Monica Boulevard has a bike trail and popular jogging paths. These lead past Venice Beach, where you can enjoy the outdoor weightlifting complex known as Muscle Beach Venice if you're looking for both a tan and a workout.

Activities for kids in Los Angeles

Regarding theme and amusement parks, LA indeed has one of the most enviable selections of any city on the planet. Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Castle Park are all here – and indeed, parents might want to consider buying a season pass for one or two of them, as they could save you a lot of money in the long run.

In a more creative vein, the Peach Tree Pottery facilitates lessons in a fun and friendly atmosphere, offering an excellent environment for children to make friends while engaging in educational and artistic pursuits.

The quintessentially American phenomenon of shopping malls is perhaps nowhere more celebrated than in LA, and ‘mall ratting’ remains a popular pastime for kids of all ages.

Best things to see and do in Los Angeles

If you're moving to Los Angeles, you will most likely be familiar with the city’s storied fame and starlit attractions. The immense scope of the city will soon become apparent to potential sightseers, and it follows that touristic endeavours are best tackled over a long period rather than in a single stretch.

The metropolis was initially separated into several towns, so attractions are spread far and wide without a true focal point. The traffic flow in LA is notorious for being among the most congested and troublesome in the country, so getting around can take quite some time.

Take the tour slowly, enjoy the ride, and spend some time on the city’s gorgeous beaches, under the spotlight in one of the famous movie production houses, or among the beautiful people in West LA.

Hollywood

Hollywood is the epicentre of the world’s entertainment and film industry. The looming white letters of the Hollywood hillside sign are a constant encouragement to explore some of the city’s landmark attractions, most of which are centred on the famous Hollywood Boulevard. Check out Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the mile-long and literally star-studded Walk of Fame in front. The Hollywood Wax Museum and the Dolby Theatre are also worth visiting.

Universal Studios Hollywood

For film-transfixed fans, Universal Studios is an unforgettable experience. Visitors young and old will be transported through the dressing rooms of the stars and iconic backlot sets, as well as through staged shark attacks and monkey madness in homage to films like Jaws and King Kong. Alongside this breathtaking tram experience, the theme park portion of the site marries special effects and adrenaline-inspired adventures to keep you on the edge of your seat.

LA beaches

As famous as LA may be for the glitz and glamour of its film industry residents, it’s nearly as celebrated for the miles of sandy beach stretching up and down the Californian Pacific coastline. Numerous communities line the oceanfront, each with its own reputation and allure. Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice all claim their own unique sway, some more stately and others more indicative of the city’s underbelly, but all are worth a visit.

Grammy Museum

This is a must for all music lovers. Visitors to the museum can get lost in the interactive exhibits, which include everything from recording booths and behind-the-scenes tours to special items belonging to Grammy winners, including handwritten lyrics, outfits and instruments.

Annual events in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to a blend of cultures and traditions, many of which are tied to its status as the home of Hollywood. There are numerous annual events for everyone to enjoy, ranging from star-spotting activities to the culturally eclectic.

Below are some annual events that put Los Angeles on the map.

Academy Awards (February)

There’s no bigger event in Tinsel Town than the annual Academy Awards, and you should definitely head down to the Dolby Theatre, camera in hand, to catch a glimpse of your favourite movie stars dressed to the nines.

The Los Angeles Marathon (March)

More than 25,000 runners from across the country and beyond come together each year to experience traffic-free streets in normally congested Los Angeles. The route of this well-loved race passes LA’s most famous landmarks and winds through the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. The marathon is a great way to explore the city while taking in some entertainment en route.

LA Pride Festival and Parade (June)

LA Pride is held across West Hollywood every summer to celebrate love and tolerance. The event consists of parades, parties and concerts, and anyone regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation is welcome as part of the community at this unique event.

Doo Dah Parade (November)

This parade began as a parody of the Rose Parade, where strict rules and regulations bound the event. Today, the Doo Dah Parade boasts a free-for-all attitude with no themes, no judges and no commercials. Thousands of marching groups and acts parade the streets each year, doing and wearing anything they please in this humorous event.