Топик: California Los-Angeles. Places of interest
Los Angeles teems with excitement both sunup and sundown. Los Angeles is a youthful, vibrant city, proud of her well extablished roots.
Claimed for Spain by Portuguese conquistador Juan Cabrillo in 1542, the sleepy Indian village of 4000 was named ElPueblo Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles – “The city of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.”
Today the “City Of Angels” hosts an assortment of lifestyles and a population of nearly three million, with over seven million in Los Angeles Country.
The boundaries econompass over 463 square miles of urban ,desert, mountain and coastl landscapes. This area is large enough to hold the combined cities of St. Louis, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Boston, Pittsburgh, Manhattan and San Francisco.
Los angeles basks in a mediterranean climate and 350 days of golden sun yearly. The dry summers and comfortable winters make L.A. the envy of the nation.
Beverly Hills is the world-famous meeting place for the elite and the curious visitor. Rolls Royces, Mercedes and Jaguars line the streets, and the famous and not-so-famous stroll these chic boulevards in search of recognition and fashion trends. Gucci, Pucci, Giorgio’s, Tiffany’s and a host of other prestigious stores add glamour and excitement to the shoping scene.
Just around the corner, nestled under the landmark H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D sign, Hollywood thrives on the creative energies of film directors, actor, dancers and music makers. Universal Studios, once a combination movie studio and chicken ranch, is now the world’s largest motion picture studio. Universal’s back lot stretches over more then 420 acres. Soundstages, western sets, Mexican villages, and New York city streets come to life in a make-believe world.
Just over the hill-thrills, spills and excitement await at Southern California’s exciting theme parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain offers more than 100 rides and atractions to entertain the entire family. Visit the nation’s oldest theme park – Knott’s Berry Farm, where the “old west” in intertwined with an abundance of heart-skipping rides. And, of course, the world famous internationsl playground – Disneyland, offers fun and fantasy for all ages.
Dozens of additional atttractions surround Los Angeles, from Magic Mountain to the majestic Queen Mary complex, reigning over Long Beach Harbor. Beautiful Catalina Island is a secluded playground where sunning, surfing, sailing and relaxing are just “twenty-six miles across the sea.” The mangnificent beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo all give thousands of fisherman, surfers, swimmers, cyclists, joggers and sun orshipers a haven year ‘round.
One of the newest attraction in the “City of Angels” is Downtown. Beautifully decorated hotels, bold and attractive condominiums, and modern high rise office complexes are just a few reasons for its soaring popularity. The crown jewel of downton Los Angeles is the exquisiti Los Angeles Music Center for the Perfoeming Arts. This complez is one of the finest music and dramatic arts centre inthe United States today. The Center, knowing worldwide as the home of the Annual Academy Awards, is a complex of three thetres :the malestic Dorothy chandler Pavilion; the Mark Taper Forum; and the Ahmanson Thetre. All three provide year-round entertaiment with symphonies, operas, musical comedies and dramatic presentation. Tickets for most productions are easily obtainable at very reasonable prices.
Los Angeles’ Spanish heritage is forever enshrined and enjoyed it the rustic xharm of Olvera Street. The original block-long El Pueblo retains a latin flavor with traditional Spanish costumes, the aroma of Mexican food and the display of Mexican products. This colorful and festive street recalls the days when Los Angeles was but a dusty, sleepy pueblo.
Downtown is also home for the largest Japanese community in the US. Little Tokyo, like its neighbors, Chinatown and Olivera Street, provides a unique and shopping opportunity. Fine Cantonese, Mandarin, Chinese, Japanese and Mexican restaurants abound in these three ethnic communities.
Few businesses express the tumultuous excitement as does the garment industry (bordered by Maple and Olive Streets and 7th and 36th Streets). Here vociferous buyers and sellers shout and cajole about the newest fashions and fabrics. Sidewalks overflow with racks of clothes being dalivered to display rooms. Visitors discover excellent buys ib the retail out ouylets lining the streets.
Another exciting Downtown experience is the beautiful Atlantic Richfield Plaza, which is the world’s largest subterranean shopping centre. Two floofs with over fifty shops are located beneath the world headquarters for Atlantic Richfield company and the Los angeles base for Bank of America (the location is easily identified be the massive 520story twin black towers). The Plaza is a delightful blend of international charm with streets depicting the charmps Elysee, Avenida del Mercado, Via Portofino and Picadilly Circus. An exciting array of clothing stores, speciality gift shops, restaurants, and even a Post office and Catholic Ahapel are available to the visitor.
2.2. Disneyland.
“ What I want Disneyland to be the most of all is a happy place – a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonders of life. Of adventure, and feel better because of it. ”
Walt Disney
Disneyland is a thousand different impressions – from a space flight to a castle – a carrousel calliope to a jazz band. It’s flovers and fireworks, popcorn and ice cream. And it’s the sounds of laughter and the sight of smiling faces – sights and sounds which you’ll remember long after your day in the land of the young and happy at heart is over.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Walk past the famous floral Mickey at the Main Entrance and into a small town way of life from America’s past. On Main Street, U.S.A., you’ll see sights and sounds from a time when life was as leisurely as a ride on Horse-drawn Street Car and as innocent as the antics of a silent movie ster. Browse in the turn-of-the-centuy Emporium or ride the shiny Disneyland Railroad. From the color and music of a hometown parade to the nostalgic flavor of an old-fashioned treat, you'’l experience the joy of recalling fond memories while you create new ones on Main Street, where both sides of the street are always sunny.
Whether your visions of sugarplums include lollipops or luscious chocolates, your sweet toot is right at home on Main street where treats come flavored with favorite childhood memories.
A fruit vendor’s cart displays fresh,crisp wares while flovers bloom eveywhere. The saxophone band entertains on street corners and a marching band makes you tap your toes. Every sight and sound on Main Street is guaranteed to make you fell “red, white, and blue ” all over!
Entertainment on Main Street comes in lots of shapes, sizes, styles, and smiles. Disney cartoons at the Main Stret Cinema serve up hearty helpings of laughter, while shops like the Crystal Arcade offer keepsakes to treasure. Or learn a magic trick or two at the Main Street Magic Shop. Just remember – on Main Street fun comes the old-fashioned way – you make it yourself!
Adventureland.
Don your pith helmets and enter the land where adventure reigns, but beware the eyes of Mara! The Indiana Jones Adventure takes you deep into the jungle to explore the hidden Temple of the Fobidden Eye. You’ll encounter shrieking mummies, an avalanche of creepy crawlies, a rickety bridge, and experience a terrifying confrontation with the ancient diety Mara. Remember…many have come, but few have retuened!
No visit to Adventureland could be complete without taking the famous Jungle Cruise, which has been a highlight of the Disneyland experience since the Park opened. But are you daring enough to brave charging hippos, hungry alligators, splashing elephants – and your guide’s outrageously funny puns?
Exotic color and patterns catch the eye. Spicy scents tempt the tastebuds. Whether you unearth gifts at the Adventureland South Sea Traders and Adventureland Bazaar or track down new tastes at The Bengal Barbecue and Aladdin’s Oasis, great discoveries await you at this “outpost of civilization.”
The ultimate treehouse fantasy, the swiss Family Treehouse was inspired by the living quartes of the famous family of film and furnished from airy rooms to an ingenious waterwhel. The Treehouse is a fanciful tribute to the kind of lifestyle you dreamt of as a child – and possibly even yearn for as an adult.