One of the most travelled to cities in the world and the home of both A-list celebrities and wannabe actors and actresses, Los Angeles holds certain connotations. With the likes of the Walk of Fame, Venice Beach and window shopping on Rodeo Drive featuring highly on most tourist’s itineraries, you might think you have LA all figured out. There is a surprising side to LA however so read on and get taken off the beaten tourist track in Los Angeles…
The Hollywood sign is an iconic symbol of LA so it seems odd to begin this post with mention of it; you’d think it would be swamped with visitors and hardly regarded as off the beaten track. The thing is though, most people only ever get a snapshot of themselves in front of the sign; very few ever actually reach it. 
Don’t believe us? Don your climbing gear, get started on the strenuous hike up the hill and you’ll see why few make it! If you have an active side to you, this climb is highly recommended.The panoramic views over the sprawling urban patchwork beneath you are second to none and the memories will be so much better than any photo with the sign in the background.
A huge appeal of Los Angeles is of course its connections with the film and television industry. Most never venture beyond Universal Studios however. Why not make your visit a bit more individual and head to Burbank instead? Here you will find five major production studios including the likes of NBC Television, Sony and Warner Brothers.Come to one of these and you’ll have a much higher chance of seeing some live filming than if you follow the masses and stick to Universal. 
In terms of watching movies, a unique experience would consist of a visit to the Silent Movie Theatre. There aren’t many around so relish the opportunity whilst you can.
Steer clear of the multitude of fancy shopping malls and instead take a trip to the original Los Angeles Farmers Market. Often overlooked by visitors, the idea of a farmers market in this fast paced city seems almost out of place but it will make for an individual twist to your visit. Head to the Miracle Mile area at the intersection of 3rd Street and Fairfax and you will find the market brimming with the colours of fresh fruit and veg, meat, nuts and sweet and gifts. There are also some great little restaurants to be found.
Spend some time visiting the selection of quirky museums around the city too. Rather than going straight to the Getty Museum or the Hollywood History Museum why not spend a few hours perusing some of the different options. For starters, try the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Venice Beach, regarded as the most unusual of the lot and providing a hands-on experience of life in the Jurassic. 
The Museum of Tolerance on the other hand is a very different type of museum focusing on the problems in society with regards to racism around the world. Another completely different option to consider is a walking tour of the many fantastic murals painted around the city. There are more than 1,000 so you won’t get to see them all but it’s certainly worth some of your time.
Like every big city, Los Angeles is known for particular things however there is a lot more to be discovered. Get off the beaten tourist track, open your eyes during your visit and you might just enjoy a whole different side to Los Angeles.
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