What began as one couple’s small collection of postwar and contemporary art is now a treasure trove of more than 2,000 pieces, housed in an architectural stunner in downtown Los Angeles.Įli and Edythe Broad (rhymes with “road”) have been involved in the Los Angeles art community since they arrived here in 1963. And Grand Avenue is the city’s cultural hub, thanks to Los Angeles Philharmonic performances at spectacular Walt Disney Concert Hall and the sandstone-clad Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Crowds flock to the sports and entertainment combo of Staples Center and LA LIVE, where you can also see music artefacts (Elvis’s sheet music, Michael’s glove) at the Grammy Museum and catch concerts at the Nokia Theatre. Vintage buildings have also been transformed, including the ornate 1927 United Artists building on Broadway, where the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles offers stylish digs and a restaurant. The reinvented Grand Central Market, originally opened in 1917, now has artisanal food purveyors selling of-the-moment items (Belcampo grass-fed beef burgers, build-your-own ice cream sandwiches at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams) next to long-time vendors, like Wexler’s Deli. Start your exploration with a full stomach. An influx of new residents has helped energise the area, and downtown's re-emergence has also been spurred by such attractions as Grand Park, an urban oasis with views stretching from the Music Center (including Walt Disney Concert Hall) to City Hall. Hip and historic, downtown Los Angeles (or simply DTLA) offers big-city excitement with restaurants, cultural attractions and major league sports. If you’re visiting by car, you can look up car parks in advance there are also over 300 metered spots around the city. Insider tips: Check the Downtown Manhattan Beach events calendar for upcoming farmers markets, live music, and events. Among the many accommodations is Shade Manhattan Beach, a sustainability-minded luxury hotel with a rooftop pool that plants a tree for every guest who forgoes housekeeping during their stay. There are also plenty of low-key spots like the open-air pub Simmzy’s, perfect for a quick bite after spending the day shopping or surfing. The Strand House offers unparalleled ocean views along with its top-rated farm-to-table and specialty cocktail menus. Hermosa Beach is just a couple of miles south and makes for a good scenic route.įurther inland, Downtown Manhattan Beach is the bustling centre of the city, loaded with high-end boutiques, retailers, hotels, bars, and many popular casual and fine-dining restaurants. Fun fact: Roundhouse was the location of the surf shop where Keanu Reeves’ character in Point Break bought his surfboard.Īlong the beach is a nicely paved path known as The Strand, popular with cyclists, runners, and casual walkers taking in the idyllic scenery. Inside, there are viewing pools and touch tanks for close encounters with starfish and other invertebrates. Winners of past Manhattan Beach Opens are commemorated along the 928-foot pier, and the end houses the quaint, free Roundhouse Aquarium. The Manhattan Beach Pier, where Manhattan Beach Boulevard meets the Pacific, offers a relaxing stroll with breathtaking views of L.A.’s most expensive beachside homes and the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south. The International Surf Festival is also a big draw to MB (as the locals call it) every summer. And, of course, it’s a hot spot for surfing. The ultra-smooth sand is perpetually dotted with volleyball nets and is home to the annual Manhattan Beach Open, the pro beach volleyball summer tournament. The sand and surf here are the real deal, and the scene can sometimes look straight out of an updated version of Baywatch. Situated conveniently close to LAX in L.A.’s South Bay region, Manhattan Beach’s biggest draw is, of course, the beach. But for those who want a more laid-back vibe, Manhattan Beach is the perfect coastal enclave. When it comes to hitting the beaches of Los Angeles, many first-timers head straight to Santa Monica or Venice.
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