Los Angeles: City of Angels

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Disneyland Where it all began! This park encompasses more than 60 major attractions, 50 shops, and 30 restaurants divided among eight themed lands. Entering Disneyland through a 19th century railroad station, guests can board one of four trains of the Disney Railroad and then circle the park, passing the 1890’s style Main Street, USA and seven other themed areas: Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Critter Country, Mickey’s Toontown and New Orleans Square.

Main Street U.S.A. is a composite of the nation’s small towns as they appeared at the turn of the 20th century. It is the thoroughfare leading to all Disneyland attractions and is flanked by a theatre showing “The Walt Disney Story”, a tribute to the park’s founder. It is also lined with specialty shops, a penny arcade, a silent cinema, Candy Palace and City Hall.

Symbol of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle is the gateway to Fantasyland. Rides based on the adventures of such storybook characters as Snow White, Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” can be found here.

Tomorrowland, Tomorrowland was originally designed to portray Disney's view of the future. The only trouble with futuristic views is that they need frequent updating. In 1994, Disney began renovations to update Tomorrowland to resemble a look at the future as it was seen by the sci-fi writers of the 1920's and 1930's. The newly renovated Tomorrowland opened in 1995 and was billed as the "Future that Never Was". The new Tomorrowland is like its own futuristic city unto itself where the Avenue of the Planets leads to the Rockettower Plaza, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority provides transportation, you'll find the Tomorrowland Interplanetary Convention Center and the Tomorrowland Metro-Retro Society sponsors the Carousel of Progress. And what view of the future would be complete without neon lit, metal palm trees. Many of the old Tomorrowland favorites were updated as well, including Astro Orbiter and Carousel of Progress. The new Tomorrowland is full of gleaming metal, glass, neon lights and futuristic icons.

Farmer’s Market consists of more than 100 merchants selling food, clothing and gift items. The market’s outdoor cafes also are popular.

Griffith Observatory is a popular spot for viewing both city lights and stars. The planetarium reproduces the night sky indoors, and special effects replicate celestial phenomena visible to the naked eye.

Knott’s Berry Farm recreates the atmosphere of the Old West and encompasses six theme areas: Ghost Town, an 1800’s boom town with cowboys, gun fights, stagecoaches, and panning for gold; Indian Trails; Fiesta Village; Roaring ‘20’s, a coastal amusement park of the 1920s’ Wild Water Wilderness; and Camp Snoopy, especially for the younger crowd.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (formerly Mann’s Chinese Theatre) When visiting the newly constructed Chinese Theatre in 1927, silent screen star Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped into a sidewalk of wet cement, thus beginning the tradition of imprinting the footprints of legendary Hollywood stars in the concrete of the theatre’s forecourt. The footprints of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. were added to celebrate the theatre’s opening. Over the years, the footprints of close to 200 Hollywood movie stars have been immortalized here. While many legends leave hand and footprints, others have imprinted their, “trademarks” – Betty Grable’s leg, Jimmy Durante’s nose, John Barrymore’s profile and John Wayne’s fist. Others have left personal messages. In keeping with the legends, the “Walk of Fame” extends for about a mile along Hollywood Boulevard. Large metal stars embedded in the sidewalk honor past and present stars of the entertainment industry.

Universal Studios Hollywood Love movies? Now live them with rides, shows and attractions that bring your favorite movies to life. Now everything that happens in the movies happens to you! Then, go deep behind the scenes where today’s hottest movies are being made, to see the sets and secrets revealed. (And keep your eyes peeled for stars!) It can only happen in Hollywood – Universal Studios Hollywood™.