| Many people pick their vacation spots based on their | | | | great place to take a break from the concrete jungle, |
| ability to experience something different. After all, | | | | and while you're at it, have a cooling drink or a tasty |
| what's the point of going if you're just going to see the | | | | bite to eat. |
| same old things you see every day? If this need for | | | | The Disney Concert Hall is a striking piece of functional |
| variety describes you, if you're one of the people who | | | | architecture designed by Frank Gehry, an architect |
| want new experiences, a vacation in Los Angeles will | | | | acclaimed for his talents throughout the world. The |
| suit you just fine. | | | | home of the equally-renowned Los Angeles |
| Los Angeles is a very large, cosmopolitan American | | | | Philharmonic, Disney's acoustics appropriately are |
| city. It's a great place to visit because it offers its | | | | among the best in the world. Beautiful music, beautiful |
| tourists an incredibly wide array of things to see and | | | | building. Need we say more? |
| do. One of the city's highlights for people who crave | | | | Chronicling 130 years of Japanese-American history |
| something different is its delightful melange of diverse | | | | and culture, the Japanese-American National Museum |
| ethnic groups and cultures. Although their influences | | | | provides a fascinating look into the interplay of Asian |
| can be seen throughout Los Angeles, several of these | | | | and American cultures. Its collections include a variety |
| different cultures are centered or showcased in or | | | | of paintings by Japanese-American artists, but the |
| around the Downtown district. But even if the | | | | museum's perspective on the World War II internment |
| multicultural nature of Los Angeles doesn't really | | | | camps is particularly poignant. |
| appeal, plenty of other Downtown attractions are | | | | Three ethnic districts are located in Downtown Los |
| available, and some of them will most certainly draw | | | | Angeles: a Mexican enclave, including the |
| your attention. Downtown Los Angeles, offering | | | | already-mentioned Olvera Street; Little Tokyo, home of |
| something different in every direction, is definitely worth | | | | the Japanese-American National Museum as well as a |
| a visit. | | | | variety of Japanese shops and restaurants; and |
| No matter where your hotel is located, Downtown Los | | | | Chinatown, primarily centered around North Broadway. |
| Angeles is easy to get to. It's the central hub for | | | | Little Tokyo, located near the Los Angeles Civic |
| transportation throughout the city, and freeways, | | | | Center, is one of only three "official" Japantowns in the |
| commuter trains, subways, light rail and buses can all | | | | United States. The cultural focal point for |
| take you there. Downtown isn't all that large, so | | | | Japanese-Americans in Southern California, this almost |
| whether you drive or take public transportation, once | | | | unique district is well worth a visit. |
| you get there you can take a DASH shuttle or set out | | | | Many American cities have Chinatowns, but the |
| on foot for your ultimate destination. | | | | Chinese community in Los Angeles, with its wide, busy |
| Historic Olvera Street, the Museum of Contemporary | | | | main street, is somewhat different than the usual |
| Art, Grand Central Market, the Disney Concert Hall, the | | | | warren of narrow streets and lanes found in many |
| Japanese-American National Museum, several | | | | cities. Yes, this Chinatown features the typical small |
| different ethnic enclaves and stunning American and | | | | shops and Chinese restaurants, but it is most |
| international architecture are just a few of | | | | interesting for its open-air marketplace where just |
| Downtown's tourist highlights. Olvera Street is in the | | | | about everything for sale is open to haggling. |
| oldest part of Los Angeles and it forms part of the | | | | Variety is the rule of thumb with Downtown Los |
| Downtown area's El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic | | | | Angeles dining opportunities, too. Restaurants in every |
| Monument. it's the perfect place to start if you're | | | | price range, from hot dog stands to fine dining, offer |
| looking for Southern California history or the quaintness | | | | cuisine as varied as the city itself. From early |
| of an old-style Mexican marketplace. A living museum | | | | breakfasts to get you started through tasty late night |
| lined with 27 historic buildings, Olvera Street also hosts | | | | snacks to nosh on, if you're hungry one of |
| a variety of ethnic celebrations that include | | | | Downtown's cafés, pubs or restaurants can |
| Mexican-style music and dancing. | | | | help you. Downtown also offers taverns, lounges and |
| A cultural experience of another type, the permanent | | | | bars galore, and you may want to take advantage, |
| collections and exhibitions at the Museum of | | | | because many of them offer some pretty fine live |
| Contemporary Art (MOCA) provide a remarkably | | | | entertainment. And if you need a place to stay, |
| varied glimpse into post-1940 art in all media. It's an | | | | Downtown hotels range from the hip and trendy to |
| invaluable cultural resource that Downtown is rightfully | | | | those offering more than a touch of classic elegance. |
| proud of. Walk through it and you'll soon see why. | | | | They cater primarily to business travelers, but |
| Grand Central Market is located on Broadway in the | | | | vacationers can also take advantage of their prime |
| heart of Downtown Los Angeles, within easy walking | | | | locations in the city center. |
| distance of several other area attractions. Full of brisk | | | | Downtown, much like the entire city, has a number of |
| and bustling activity, it offers opportunities for | | | | faces. If you're looking for something different, |
| people-watching in addition to fresh and | | | | downtown Los Angeles has it. There's enough variety |
| already-prepared local and international foods. It's a | | | | to satisfy even the most demanding traveler. |