Miles of beaches and beautiful weather year round, the glamour of the entertainment and movie industries, impressive art museums, and world-class dining contribute to making Los Angeles an alluring destination.

And then there are the congested freeways, the social upheaval, the smog, and the people who gave the world Ishtar. The land of opportunity can seem like a troubled, shallow paradise. But Los Angeles is a uniquely American city with great cultural impact on our image-obsessed culture.

Known for its ethnic diversity, Greater Los Angeles offers a potpourri of fascinating communities for the visitor to explore, including West Hollywood's artsy district, Pasadena's historical Old Town, and Santa Monica's energetic Third Street Promenade. There is also Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, oceanfront Long Beach, and elegant Beverly Hills. The downtown area, which houses the main commercial district, continues to grow, encroaching on what were once residential areas.

But above all, Los Angeles is about Hollywood, home to the glitz of the entertainment business. The movie studios here attract eccentric artists, hedonists intent on living the Hollywood lifestyle, and tourists hoping to rub elbows with the stars. Through its excess and indulgence, Los Angeles scurries to live up to the hype created by films, magazines, and music.

The epitome of cultural growth in the City of Angels is the newly renovated, world-class Getty Museum and the recent and much-publicized expansion of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. A variety of cultural venues present classical and popular music concerts, dance, opera, and current Broadway hits. At the top of the attractions list, Universal Studios Hollywood offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world's busiest film and television studio. Another favorite spot is the new Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, which offers face-to-face encounters with sea creatures.

This international city constantly reinvents itself and never ceases as a trendsetter in fashion and food. The growth of the movie and television industry continually adds to the spice and excitement of the city, with celebrity-owned establishments popping up regularly.