Los Angeles—more than just Hollywood films

April 4, 12:20 PMLA Entertainment ExaminerJames Hamilton

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People flock to Los Angeles for any number of reasons, and not all of them involve looking at the stars on the Walk of Fame or taking bus tours that pass by homes of Hollywood stars. Some people come to be in the TV studio audiences of shows like the Jay Leno Show or to be contestants on shows like The Family Feud. Whatever reason draws a person to Los Angeles, there are dozens of added attractions that keep people returning again and again.

The Hollywood Theme Parks
Disneyland, the brainchild of the late Walt Disney and the grand godmother of all theme parks, continues to be a top attraction in the Los Angeles area. The magic of Disney still captivates thousands of visitors with such attractions as Indiana Jones™ Adventure, "it's a small world", and Tinker Bell & Her Fairy Friends.

Universal Studios Hollywood has scored a big hit with its new The Simpsons Ride as well as theme attractions featuring The Revenge of the Mummy, Shrek, and Jurassic Park. Universal also provides a Studio Tour that displays sets from favorite movies and television shows in the world’s most famous back lot.

The West Coast Coney Island
Pacific Park in Santa Monica is the only west coast amusement park located on a pier. There is fun for everyone and just a step down to the Pacific Ocean beach. The rides are mostly traditional amusement park rides with a high tech twist like the Sig-Alert electronic vehicles that move grandpa’s bumper cars into the 21st Century. And there is the child friendly Pier Patrol ride through a virtual beach location.

Other Amusement Parks
Knott’s Berry Farm advertises itself as America’s first theme park and boasts not just one, but nine roller coaster rides. Located in Buena Park, CA, Knott’s Berry Farm also includes such attractions as Old West Ghost Town, Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, Boardwalk, and Indian Trails. It is a great place for the entire family.

Six Flags Magic Mountain boasts the largest number of rides which are rated from mild, to moderate, to max in terms of their thrill factor. A big attraction of Magic Mountain is Bugs Bunny World where visitors can be photographed with Loony Tunes characters. There are five exciting shows to attend as well.

Wet and Wonderful
Raging Water is California’s largest water theme park, coving a 50-acer area with water slides, speed slides, rides, lagoons, children’s activity pools, and beaches for sunbathers. Raging Water is open during the summer months in sunny Southern California.

These are just a few of the attractions besides movies and TV that bring visitors to Los Angeles for vacation fun. Add to these the museums, live theaters, incredible world cuisine, the Zoo, the Hollywood Bowl, and the sports—Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers, Ducks, and Kings—and you have a smorgasbord of entertainment venues.