Los Angeles - Things to do

From skimpy bikinis and fast-food picnics to sanctuaries in the northern end of Santa Monica Bay, Bay watch to Disneyland rides to coastal hikes, tide-pool gazing, swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, sunbathing, LA has it all.
If you like adventure, coastal hikes, and rock climbing to the cliffs at Point Dume can be interesting. Apart from these, you can watch the whale at the nearby Westward Beach and take a nature trail that leads to Zuma Beach County Park, a couple of miles to the north.
This section provides you with helpful information.

Travel Document
The US Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the USA for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. A return ticket must be held. You cannot study or work on the Visa Waiver Program, nor extend your stay beyond 90 days.
The United States Government has announced a major change to access to the Visa Waiver Program. From 26 October 2004, citizens of eligible countries will require a valid, machine-readable passport.

Around the Corners
L.A.'s extensive system of toll-free, high-speed freeways connects the city's patchwork of communities. The system works well to get you where you need to be, although rush hour (roughly 7-9am and 4-6pm) traffic can be bumper-to-bumper.

Information centers.
The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is the city's main source for information. Tel No is 800/366-6116 or 213/689-8822. In addition, the bureau provides a walk-in visitor center at 685 S. Figueroa St., downtown (open Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm, and Sat 8:30am-5pm). Many Los Angeles-area communities also have their own information centers, and often maintain detailed and colorful websites that are loaded with timely information:

Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, LA people assure every bit of entertainment from Cinemas, multiplexes including Cineplex Odeon, Mann, United Artists, Edwards, General Cinema, Pacific Theaters, and AMC to Yelling nightlife at the Bar and restaurants catering to everyone's tastes and expectations, from pale-faced college-age ravers to designer-chic yuppies and ex-hippie baby boomers.

Eating
Posing as a health nation, California lifestyle often pays attention to healthy food. Pioneers like Berkeley-based Alice Waters and LAs own star chef Wolfgang Puck created gourmet concoctions revolving around fresh seasonal ingredients, unusual flavor fusions, and artistic presentations. A typical dish would be a serving of grilled mahi mahi with a side of sautéed spinach greens and wild rice pilaf.
A good place to try classic California cuisine is Puck's own Spago Beverly Hills.
For the budget travelers, It's cheap, delicious and filling.

Shopping
There are several 21st-century funk and cutting-edge shopping arcades. Melrose Ave between La Brea and Fairfax Aves has a great concentration of quirky and hip boutiques. Silver Lake and Los Feliz have a flurry of funky club-wear stores as well as thrift and vintage clothing shops. Check out Los Feliz Village along Vermont Ave as well as the 3000 and 4000 blocks of Sunset Blvd.
While cheap and junk goodies can be found along the Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach. During weekend afternoons, ambulatory vendors display their wares on the ocean side of this beachfront promenade; permanent shops and cafes line the city side. Whatever it is, this is where you will find it.