| Los Angeles, California is the USA's second | | | | to the rest of Los Angeles. Using the Santa |
| most populous city. It is a huge urban sprawl | | | | Monica Freeway as your starting point, you |
| stretching 44 miles from north to south, 29 | | | | can get to most of Southern California's |
| miles from east to west and covers an area of | | | | attractions within an hour. The region is |
| almost 500 square miles. Numbering 18 million | | | | home to the world's motion picture industry |
| residents, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area | | | | with Universal Studios, Hollywood, Burbank |
| is home to a number of locations that have | | | | and Century City all within easy reach. |
| been made famous by the silver screen, | | | | |
| including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice | | | | Night-owls may want to visit notable spots |
| Beach and a veritable roll-call of other | | | | such as Downtown LA, Silver Lake and West |
| well-known towns and locations. Due to its | | | | Hollywood, home to the infamous Sunset Strip. |
| sheer size LA offers enough attractions and | | | | All are easy to get to from Santa Monica, as |
| sight-seeing opportunities to keep visitors | | | | are notable shopping districts such as |
| busy for years, let alone a two-week break! | | | | Hollywood and Highland - next to Mann's |
| | | | Chinese Theatre, and the Beverley Centre. |
| But, where is the best place to stay if you | | | | |
| want to switch your holiday focus between | | | | Like most of Southern California, Santa |
| sight-seeing and spending time on the beach | | | | Monica benefits from a Mediterranean-type |
| developing a healthy Californian tan? The | | | | climate, having hot summers and warm winters; |
| answer is obvious: Santa Monica. Only eight | | | | although cool Pacific winds can bring more |
| miles (or approximately half-an-hour by car) | | | | rain in winter than you'd normally expect in |
| from Los Angeles International Airport, this | | | | a true Mediterranean climate. Water sports |
| superb beach resort puts you within easy | | | | are popular in Santa Monica, so be prepared |
| reach of everything that Los Angeles has to | | | | to try something new or brush up on your |
| offer. | | | | surfing, water-skiing or snorkelling skills. |
| | | | |
| Located on the coast to the west of Beverley | | | | Alternatively, if you are a fan of spectator |
| Hills, Santa Monica prides itself on being a | | | | sports then Los Angeles has a lot to offer, |
| city with a healthy outlook. Essentially, | | | | including basketball, baseball and even ice |
| it's a pedestrian-friendly city with an | | | | hockey! In addition, soccer fans will soon be |
| excellent public transportation system. | | | | able to see England's David Beckham playing |
| Boasting several beautiful beaches, the city | | | | for LA Galaxy, the city's Major Soccer League |
| is also home to a host of first class | | | | franchise. |
| restaurants and the staple activity of any | | | | |
| American holiday - great shopping! It offers | | | | Whatever you want to do during your stay in |
| the visitor a view of the gentler side of LA, | | | | LA, you could do little better than to base |
| and is certainly less brash than the Downtown | | | | yourself in one of the beautiful beachside |
| melee. | | | | hotels in Santa Monica. From here you'll be |
| | | | in easy driving distance of the best that Los |
| Santa Monica benefits from great road access | | | | Angeles has to offer. |