Car Rental Los Angeles - Exploring Los Angeles

Although sprawling in places, the hills above the wealthier canyons in the east provide spectacular views of the city. Due to its size, a car is mandatory in LA.

Two of the city’s biggest attractions are located south of LA. Disneyland is a masterpiece for the whole family, including Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland all based on the legend of Disney. It gets busy in summer but has plenty of room for everyone. An alternative is Universal Studios, one of LA's biggest theme parks, and dating from 1912 (opened to the public since 1964). It features swashbuckling shows, fascinating behind-the-scenes tours of the movie world, and dazzling displays of special effects, musical-comedy revues and animal acting.

Los Angeles' beaches have been over-hyped by the likes of the Beach Boys, Beach Blanket Bingo and Baywatch. Santa Monica, backed by mountains, is one of the city's most appealing beachside neighborhoods and the 3rd St Promenade is a lively pedestrian mall packed with buskers, movie theaters, bars and cafes, along with the famous Santa Monica pier. Venice Beach is truly Californian, formerly LA’s bohemian centre in the 60s.

Further afield is Pasadena, with its oak-lined avenues and superbly maintained turn of the century homes, it’s partly a functioning museum town, reminiscent of the wild west California at the turn of the century.

Palm Springs is a curious place, once famous as a winter retreat for Hollywood stars and now increasingly as a well-scrubbed retirement home for the moderately wealthy