Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

"The Grand Old Lady" is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and still continues to be the home of one of Los Angeles' premiere sporting events - USC Trojans Football. In addition to being the home of the University of Southern California since it opened in 1923, the Coliseum has been host to:

-- 2 Olympics
-- 2 Superbowls
-- 1 World Series
-- Inumerable other sports teams
-- Pope John Paull II

The stadium is a Los Angeles landmark for its architectural beauty and engineering splendor. However, if you really want to experience this place, the only way is to come to Los Angeles during the fall on a Saturday to catch a USC football game, especially against a rival team like Notre Dame or UCLA. Spend a morning partying with thousands of rabid fans at USC, then walk to Exposition Park across the street to experience one of the best sporting experiences in America at the 95,000 capacity Coliseum.

Fight On!

Venice Beach is one of those few places in Los Angeles that I actually feel embarrassed about. The beach itself and the people there only irritate me a little. What really drives me nuts is the fact that it continues to exist as a huge tourist draw. I really don't get it. There are a so many places to spend a pleasant time in Los Angeles that Venice should really be the last place to go see. I feel sorry for many of the tourists that come here because if the only time at the beach that they experience is at Venice, they seriously got shafted. Venice is an anomaly, a freak of nature, and a tourist trap. AVOID.

The most obvious draw at the Getty is the impressive art. The Getty's collection is world-class and includes one of my very favorite pieces, Van Gogh's Irises. Along with the LACMA, Norton Simon, and Huntington Garden, the Getty proudly displays the wealth of fine art that can be found in Southern California.

Others come to the Getty to admire the architecture. The billion dollar sprawling campus includes several white marble buildings and surrounds a beautifully landscaped group of gardens. It's so massive that the museum can be easily viewed from many miles away. To say that the Getty Center is impressive is an understatement.

Finally, my favorite part is the view. Los Angeles geography includes rolling hills, alpine mountains, and pristine coastline. From the Getty's perch, one can view much of the LA Basin and appreciate both the natural beauty of the region as well as the sheer size of the city. London has it's Eye, Toronto has its CN Tower, we have our Santa Monica Mountains - so enjoy the view!

In my opinion, the La Brea Tar Pits is one of the most under-rated and least appreciated places in all of Los Angeles. It is the richest collection of Ice Age fossils on Earth as well as one of the world's most famous paleontological dig sites. Alone, that's pretty cool. But what makes this place especially unique is the fact that it lies on L.A.'s most important street, right in the middle of the city. The opportunity to see live digs, naturally bubbling tar, and one the world's best fossil collections while being surrounded by posh West LA is awesome.

One of my favorites as a child and nothing's ever changed.

This is the place that one goes to if you're looking to pig-out on some of the greasiest yet most fulfilling food you've ever had. A Hollywood landmark since 1939, this tiny little establishment built its reputation by being a favorite eatery of the actors that worked at the nearby movie studios. Today, the walls are still covered by autographed pictures of pretty much every actor that has ever set foot in Los Angeles.

That's because they make some of the greatest hot dogs on Earth - these things are huge, delicious, and made of only the strongest artery-clogging ingredients around. Chili, cheese, onion rings, sour cream, bacon, guacamole, you name it. This place is so popular among locals that the wait in line is rarely ever less than 30 minutes long . . . an excrutiatingly painful 30 minutes spent smelling these magical gifts from the Junk Food Gods. I've managed to get there when there wasn't a line at all, but that's because I've been there when they've opened and when they've closed. They also sell burritos, pastrami sandwiches, and burgers, but you're seriously wasting your time if you don't get their hot dogs.

As you can see, I'm a huge fan. I proudly wear one of their hats often and my record remains at 3 Huell Dogs (two long hot dogs, two slices of cheese, and what seems like a pint of chili all in a bun) and 1 order of seasoned fries (Total = $14.25). And that didn't even include a drink. Free beer for anyone who can beat that.

I once read Griffith Observatory described as "L.A.'s Hood Ornament" and I could never think of a better way to describe it. Although the newly expanded museum, renovations, history of the place, and new planetarium show are all quite beautiful and well worth a visit on their own merit, none of them make your jaw drop in amazement.

However, the building's magestic perch above Los Angeles and the VIEW that it provides makes this place one of my favorite places in Southern California. Like the Getty, the views from the Observatory are stunning and allow you to see a large part of the L.A. Basin. And of course, the Hollywood Sign is right there next to you.

In many ways, Griffith Observatory is a lot like the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro: a) very simple yet beautiful, b) 1930's Art Deco, and c) commanding a view over a beautiful city. Well, at least that's how I see it!

I agree with much of what is being said above (great shops, good for an afternoon, fun things to eat/see/do, etc.). However, I do have a couple of objections to The Grove.

First off, it isn't very inviting from the outside. For such a huge development with so much potential, it doesn't really add any aesthetic value to the neighborhood. Although its very nice once you're inside, you'd barely even notice that exists if you were just driving by because it just looks like a big mall from the outside. Does nothing to help beautify L.A. The same problem exists at Hollywood & Highland, although to a lesser extent.

In addition, The Grove feels entirely artificial. Once again, its a beautiful design on the inside, but the quasi-European/South Carolina design style simply doesn't fit. Luckily most Angelenos don't care about silly things like authenticity so I guess it doesn't matter much. The Grove is a wild success so it seems like I might be the only one who has a problem with some of its design.

So, only 3 stars from me : )

1) Disneyland and California Adventure
2) Universal Studios and CityWalk
3) Dodgers or Angels game
4) Concert at Disney Hall or Hollywood Bowl
5) Chinatown/El Pueblo/Downtown
6) Newport Beach and Huntington Beach
7) Long Beach and Queen Mary
8) LACMA and La Brea Tar Pits
9) Getty Center and Santa Monica
10) Hollywood and Griffith Observatory
11) Beverly Hills
12) Old Town Pasadena/Huntington Library/Norton Simon Museum
13) Sunset Strip
14) Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano

Good luck.