Some Canadians call LA the “5th largest city in Canada.” But you probably already know that. After all, 600,000 Canadians live in Los Angeles - and 600,000 Canadians can’t be wrong.
LA loves Canadians -- ex-pats and visitors alike. From the very first “out.” In addition to the ex-pats, there were more than 450,000 Canadian visitors to LA in 2006 making Canada LA’s second largest international visitor market. Way to go, Canada!
LA has quite a few well-known Canadian ex-pats. Both LA and Canada have a claim on Frank Gehry, one of the world’s most famous architects. Born in Toronto, raised in LA, Gehry is the genius behind LA’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall - sure to be on your must-see list.
Moshe Safdie is another great architect who has Canadian ties. Safdie designed the Skirball Cultural Center, where the recently opened permanent exhibit, Noah’s Ark, is amazing visitors.
When it comes to entertainment, where would Hollywood be without Canadians? Jim Carrey, Matthew Perry, Howie Mandell, Pamela Anderson, Dan Ackroyd, Alex Trebek and Keanu Reeves have their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And Toronto-born Mary Pickford, one of Hollywood’s earliest movie stars, has her unbelievably tiny footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Other early Hollywood figures on both sides of the camera include Walter Huston, Louis B. Mayer, Norma Shearer and the original King Kong crush, Fay Wray.
A few musts when you visit. Universal Studios Hollywood has more movie and television studios on its tour than ever. Two of the newest attractions are “The Fast and The Furious: Extreme Close-up” and “Universal’s House of Horrors.” Kids will love having their photo taken with Spiderman, Dora the Explorer, and Shrek and Fiona.
You’ll want to make time for other studio tours at either Warner Bros. Studios or Sony Pictures Studios. No scary rides at these studios, but they more than make up for that with their one-of-a-kind sets and the feeling of glamorous Golden Age Hollywood. Sony Pictures Studios was once MGM Studios and a tour guide takes visitors on soundstages and studios, including Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
West Hollywood is one of LA’s liveliest areas. Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard are lined with celeb hotspot restaurants, boutique shops and clubs.
LA is a surprisingly easy city to get around in -- honest. Metro has an extensive network of subway, light rail and bus lines. From Downtown’s Union Station you can get to Universal Studios as well as Hollywood and LAX on the subway. Or grab a bus. The Metro Rapids are the quickest - these red buses only stop at major intersections. A great route is from Downtown to the Pacific Ocean. If you feel like traversing LA’s freeways, Basic Car Rental (with locations in West LA and Hollywood) has excellent rates, personalized service and LAX pickups and drop-offs. A bonus: they rent to students 18 and older.
When it comes time to find a place to stay, LA hotels have it all. The Sheraton Universal is ideal if you’re visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. The hotel offers great accommodations and complimentary tram rides to the theme park. Holiday Inn Express Hotel Century City is located in the center of the Westside and the outdoor Westfield Century City shopping, movie and dining complex is within walking distance. The Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor is in picturesque San Pedro at the south end of LA. The recently renovated hotel features spectacular views of the harbor. In the heart of West Hollywood, the Beverly Inn welcomes many return guests to its small boutique motel property.
No doubt about it, LA’s happy to see you.
