Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours – California, USA

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For a touch of showbiz glitz, and a penchant for pampering, Los Angeles is the place to be!

Marvel at the names along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then see them in the flesh in local restaurants and bars – a truly surreal experience!

Spend like your idols in the extravagant Hollywood and Highland complex or the famous Rodeo Drive shopping district, before relaxing in a local bar to the blissful sound of the blues. When you have charged your batteries, why not take a trip to the Universal Studios theme park and set the pulse racing on one of their exhilarating movie-theme rides, then calm everything down with a sunbathing session at Venice Beach.

Whatever you choose to do, Los Angeles will leave you (literally) with stars in your eyes!

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Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Where Is Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is peacefully situated in the State of California, USA. Around 3.5 million inhabitants live across 467 square miles of diverse land – the terrain can vary enormously, from desert basin to high mountain canyons, to sublime coastal beaches. Culturally, also, Los Angeles is extremely mixed; people from over 140 counties speaking close to 100 languages have made Los Angeles their home. Indeed, Los Angeles is home to the world's 3 rd largest Hispanic population.

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Local History

The history of Los Angeles can be traced back to the Spanish occupation of California in 1769, when an exploratory expedition led by Gaspar de Portola brought his followers to the northern area now known as Los Angeles. Father Juan Crespi, whom accompanied the expedition, was impressed by the fertile land, nearby river and prospect for future development, and consequently, named the river El Rio de Nuestra Senora la Reyna de Los Angeles de Porciuncula, which means "The River of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula. "

On September 4, 1781, the Pobladores expedition group established a community in the area of Portola naming it El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reyna de Los Angeles de Porciuncula. Over the years, the area became known as the Ciudad de Los Angeles, "City of Angels”. On April 4, 1850 the city was officially given the name Los Angeles.

Spain ruled over California until 1822, when Mexico took control. However, after a 2-year period of warring starting in 1846, the US seized control in 1848, and, at the same time California was made a United States territory. On February 18, 1850, the County of Los Angeles was created as one of the 27 original counties, several months before California was admitted to the Union.

In 1913 the citizens of Los Angeles County approved a charter recommended by a board of freeholders which gave the County greater freedom to govern itself within the framework of state law.

Modern day Los Angeles is now synonymous with the world of film, fashion and glitz; the 20 th century has seen Los Angeles become the home of Hollywood, the Mecca of the film industry, many film studios and production houses and trendy fashion boutiques and labels.

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Attractions & Sightseeing

If film is your thing, then Los Angeles is your heaven!

Where to start? Well, year on year, one of the most consistently thrilling venues to visit and a must for any movie fan is Universal Studios – a unique park that gives a behind the scenes peak at the film making process, and actually allows you to experience rides that recreate famous dramatic scenes from blockbusting films! Face the rage of the Revenge of the Mummy ä – The Ride, Jump at the Jurassic Park â trip or be taken through the Terminator ä tour – the choice is yours!

For a real feeling of power and the grandiose, take a stroll to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – see if you can located the star with the name of your favourite personality amongst the thousands on display, then gaze at Grauman's Chinese Theatre – home to Hollywood's famous red carpet, as well as many hand prints of famous actors, actresses and assorted stars.

After a hard day's sight seeing, you will no doubt want to relax; believe us when we say that Venice Beach allows exactly that, plus much more for those of you with boundless energy. As well as it's golden sun drenched beaches, Venice Beach presents along its shore an array of night clubs, shopping and dining establishments – an ideal centre to partake in that most famous of Venice Beach customs – people watching! No where else will you find such a variety of people of all different shapes and sizes from all over the globe; Venice Beach really is a microcosm of multicultural Los Angeles society.

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Shopping

Admittedly, it wasn't that long ago that the though of a shopping excursion to Los Angeles conjured up thoughts of seedy sidewalks and tacky souvenir shops, but thankfully, Hollywood Boulevard has recently had a major facelift!

A prime example of this radical change can be seen in the Hollywood and Highland complex (6801 Hollywood Boulevard), an indoor centre that is home to a plethora of shops, clubs, restaurants, and the world famous Kodak Theatre (home to the Oscars), as well as an eye-catching Hollywood costume museum.

Another fabulous new addition to the Los Angeles shopping experience is the Grove (189 the Grove Drive). This outdoor mall is heaven for the label conscious; practically any famous brand you can think of can be purchased here in some capacity or another.

However, for truly elitist haute couture clothing, Beverley Hills infamous Rodeo Drive is your port of call. Expect nothing less than bend-over-backwards shop assistants, Champers for serious spenders and a thoroughly superior shopping experience in all shapes and forms.

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Restaurants

Dining out is a discerning affair in L.A. – menus vary as radically as establishment interiors and the encompassing crowds and subsequent atmospheres. As a footnote, budgets of all sizes can be accommodated, and spending less does not mean a lack of quality in your dining experience.

Take the House of Blues for example - this famous hot spot in LA is the original house of the Blues! Sit back and enjoy your meal soothed by the sounds of live Blues performances, very often performed by household names, such is the attraction of this venue – meals are relatively cheap, too.

However, as many of you will no doubt wish, there are plenty of opportunities to rub shoulders with Hollywood stars around L.A.!

Dive into the Ivy and keep a look out for such regular stars as Jennifer Anniston and Keanu Reeves, and as a side thought, try something from the menu(!) – a surprisingly wide range of tempting dishes is available, although admittedly on the expensive side.

Another great hideout for celeb spotting is the Pantina restaurant, where the stars come and go daily. No wonder, as the menu is exceptional and the wine list exclusive and extensive, with daily changing specials, ensuring that whenever you go, your experience will be unique!

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Cuisine

Have you ever watched a 50's movie and wondered what it was like being served by car-hop waiters, bringing you fries and burgers by the handful? Well, Bob's Big Boy (4211 Riverside Drive, L.A.) recreates the era perfectly; expect to see car enthusiasts on a Friday evening showing off their hotrods (which to them, is far more important than the meal itself!), and authentic car-hop service on the weekends – the Fonz would have been proud!

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Bars & Clubs

For a swanky, upmarket evening out experience, visit the breathtaking Spanish-Italian Renaissance-styled Gallery Bar at the Regal Biltmore Hotel (506 S. Grand Avenue), which entices its patrons with a broad range of wines and cocktails available to sup gently.

If, however, you are still on the look out for famous faces, head over to the Sunset Strip to the art - deco Argyle Hotel Bar – you may well recognise it as it has been used in many films, as have many of the assembled customers!

Clubbing in L.A. is in the same vein; the sophisticated SkyBar at the Mondrian Hotel (8440 Sunset Boulevard) has a high celeb quotient, and when you have finished glaring at them there's always the beautiful poolside view.

Other celeb favourites include 40 Deuce (5574 Melrose Avenue) and, over at the Westside of L.A., Mojo at the W Hotel, (930 Hilgard Avenue), which is always packed with the toned and tanned.

Los Angeles Holidays & Coach Tours - Weather

Temperatures vary wildly in Los Angeles, although it must be said that there are not many cold days to speak of. Average lows are of 9 ° c/49 ° F in January, with highs of 29 ° c/84 ° F in August.

Rainfall is pretty much non-existent in the summer months, raising to a mere 8.3cm in February.

November to February is seen to the locals as being the rainy season, whilst July to August is warm, with occasional morning fog, which can last until noon.

Archers Direct Holidays in Los Angeles & California, USA

For a world of holidays that won't cost you the earth, you've come to the right place. From escorted coach tours and train tours to resort-based beach holidays to cruises and short breaks. From Europe to the USA & USA to Australia, we have getaways to suit everyone – all featuring the amazing value that only direct booking can offer. Year round holidays (summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays) include January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December. We fly from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport & Newcastle airport.

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