Los Angeles Travel Guide Destination Guides > North America > USA > California > Los Angeles Top Rated Attractions · J. Paul Getty Center · Melting Pot Tours · Griffith Observatory · Venice Beach Boardwalk · Japanese American National Museum · Ultrazone Laser Tag · Page Museum At The La Brea Tar Pits · Westwood Memorial Park · Getty Villa · San Antonio Winery Top Rated Restaurants · Providence · Sushi Katsu-ya · Osteria Mozza · A.o.c. · Madeo · Angelini Osteria · Sushi Nozawa · Pizzeria Mozza · Vito's Pizza · Hamasaku   •  Traveler Photos •  Hotels in Los Angeles   Travel Options Flights Hotels Vacation Rentals Cars Los Angeles Overview Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States.[1] Often abbreviated as L.A. and nicknamed The City of Angels, Los Angeles has an estimated population of 3.8 million[2] and spans over 498.3 square miles (1,290.6 km2) in Southern California. Additionally, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area is home to nearly 12.9 million residents.[3] Los Angeles is the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated and one of the most diverse counties[4] in the United States. Its inhabitants are known as "Angelenos". In 2008, Los Angeles was named the world's eighth most economically powerful city by Forbes.com, ahead of Shanghai and Toronto but behind Chicago and Paris.[5] Los Angeles was founded September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula (The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of the river of Porziuncola).[6] It became a part of Mexico in 1821, following its independence from Spain. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War, Los Angeles and California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, thereby becoming part of the United States; Mexico retained the territory of Baja California. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood. Los Angeles is one of the world's centers of business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology, and education. It is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields, and is one of the most substantial economic engines within the United States. As the home base of Hollywood, it is known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World", leading the world in the creation of motion pictures, television production and recorded music. The importance of the entertainment business to the city has led many celebrities to call Los Angeles and its surrounding suburbs home. Click here to see the hotels in Los Angeles Travel Deals and Offers 4-star hotels at 2 star prices! Up to 60% off Coupon Codes for lowest air fare tickets Find rental cars from $13.95 a day Top 25 Flight Deals cheap ticket fares Save up to 50% on Last Minute Fares Top 25 Weekly Flight Deals Top Flight Deals Under $199

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Valentine's Day Travel Gift Guide
(Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip Together)
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip Together


Oscar-Nominated Destinations
(Oyster.com’s Hotel Picks to Live Like a Star)
View Oyster.com's hotel picks for how you can live like the characters or stars in Oscar-nominated films, including The Descendants and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.


Early Check-In: Free National Parks Days
(Roam the Range for Free)
More than 100 of America’s best national parks offer free entrance days. Mark your calendars for some of nature-loving fun -- free of charge.


Girl Getaways for Foodies and Wine Lovers
(The Lost Girls' Picks for Culinary-Focused Travel)
Check out The Lost Girls' picks for the best culinary-focused tours around the world.


April 2011 Travel Planner
(April 2011 Travel Planner)
Travel Channel's top picks for April 2011 vacations.


Romantic Bed and Breakfasts
(Recharge Your Romance at an Elegant Inn)
Recharge your romance at these bed and breakfasts where doting innkeepers pamper lovebirds.


Best Beaches in South Carolina
(Visit South Carolina's Beaches)
With miles of seashore, sprawling resorts and offshore fun, South Carolina is the perfect destination for beach lovers.


Charleston Weekend Guide
(Soak in the Southern Hospitality)
Charleston is home to charming bed and breakfasts, boutique shopping and world-class restaurants; it's a perfect stateside getaway for a long weekend.


Best Bachelorette Party Spots
(Girls Just Wanna Have Fun)
With so many destinations to paint red, we have a few ideas for where to gather the girls.


Women's Travel Groups and Tours
(Female Bonding at Its Best)
Women-only tour operators organize cool adventures from surfing in Bali to trekking through the Himalayas.


Offbeat Shopping Streets
(Eclectic Boutiques Abound)
Here are four offbeat shopping streets, where you can set your sights on retail therapy of the non-chain genre.


London Myths
(5 London Myths Debunked)
England has the reputation for getting rainy weather, but is it true? Travel Channel debunks that myth and more.


Australia 2012 Events Calendar
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Check out some of the events happening in Australia this year.


Travel Trend: Medical Tourism
(Top Spots to Go Under the Knife)
Low labor costs and quality medical schools are transforming many parts of the world into medical tourism hotspots.


Best Places to Propose on Valentine’s Day
(Oyster.com's Recommendations for Romantic Spots)
Spring Creek Ranch and Travaasa Hana are just a couple of Oyster.com's recommendations for romantic spots to propose on Valentine's Day.


Best “Unplugged” Vacations
(7 Getaway Spots for a Digital Detox)
Find yourself texting while on a sunset cruise or sneaking away from the beach to check your emails? Plan a “digital detox” at one of these 6 getaway spots.


5 Best Workout Spots for Celebrity Sightings
(Oyster.com's Hotel Picks: Stay Fit and See Celebs)
Stargazers can stay at these Oyster.com-recommended hotels to catch celebrities working out in public places, including Central Park and Runyon Canyon Park.


Hong Kong: Top 5 Attractions
(Savor These Top Spots on Your Next Business Trip)
Get Travel Channel's top picks for Hong Kong attractions to see during your business trip.


Weight-Loss Resorts
(Best Body-Slimming Getaways)
If you want to use your vacation as an opportunity to lose weight or learn healthy lifestyle choices, there are clinics, resorts, and spas to cater to your wellness goals.


Hotel Guide to the Sundance Film Festival
(Oyster.com's Top Hotel Picks in Park City, Utah)
Oyster.com has hotel recommendations and hotel reviews to help you plan your stay in Park City, UT, for the annual Sundance Film Festival.