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Flea markets full of surprises

Every weekend there are large flea markets all over Los Angeles. Hundreds of vendors from California and other states display antiques, collectors’ items or anything else of value and interest. In addition to the hundreds of stands with merchandise, you will find many booths selling food and drinks as well as stages with live music – a visit to an 'all American flea market' is a fabulous journey of discovery.

Family Fun

Melrose: always something interesting

Charming Sunday market

The Melrose Trading Post is a small charming Sunday market on the grounds of Fairfax High School. Around 200 vendors sell their goods, there is food and drinks available, and around 1:00 pm The Paul Diblasi Trio performs. The market is open every Sunday, come rain or shine. Part of the entrance fee ($2 per person) goes to support an art project in public schools. So far, the proceeds have funded the construction of a small theatre near the school where new talent can rehearse and perform.

Second-hand shoes

New classic market: Downtown Flea

In July 2013, Los Angeles gained another new ultra trendy flea market: Downtown Flea in the Historic Core, an old revitalized downtown area. Founder Philip Dane has been an active flea market organiser since the 1990s. Dane sees flea markets as a place to meet new people, have fun and make affordable purchases. Downtown Flea attracts locals as well as the hip youth looking for 1950s clothing, second-hand designer furniture and vintage skateboards. There is a separate food court. The market is on every last Sunday of the month. Entrance fee: $5.

Rose Bowl Flea Market

The Rose Bowl Flea Market

The Rose Bowl Flea Market is the oldest flea market in LA and one of the largest. For the last 40 years, 2500 vendors have been gathering here every second Sunday of the month. In addition to second-hand furnishings, the market also offers quality antiques. Young and hip LA residents flock to the vintage clothing and jewellery section. The food court stands sell a variety of food and drinks, from pretzels to frozen lemonade, from tasty pastries to cocktails. Entrance fee: $8 per person.

All

Shopping

Nightlife

Family fun

Beach

Arts & Culture

Shopping

Most people in the US do their shopping in malls or outlet centres. This is very convenient as these huge covered shopping centres are home to every major brand and label you could wish for. However, they often lack personality and originality. Fortunately, Los Angeles also boasts many fun streets packed with small boutiques, hip vintage shops and beautiful designer stores. Stylish shopaholics will surely leave with full shopping bags.

Shopping

Everybody knows that Americans love to shop, but you won’t know what American shopping is really about until you have visited the enormous shopping malls in and around Los Angeles. These shopping temples have been specially designed for the most amazing shopping experience ever. Nobody leaves with empty bags.

Nightlife

Los Angeles is the home base of many celebrities – film stars, models, ‘socialites’, sports heroes and musicians. You cannot leave LA without an evening of celebrity spotting. Fortunately, celebrities love to go out, just like everyone else. In fact, nightlife is an essential component of the LA celebrity culture. The city’s trendy clubs are your best bet for bumping into celebrities.

Family fun

Los Angeles is right on the coast and proud of it! The city treasures its wide sandy beaches. Year-round sunny weather is perfect for taking the family to spend a day at the beach. The beautiful coastline is dotted with restaurants and seaside shopping streets. Visit some of LA’s famous beach destinations: from Malibu in the north to Newport Beach in the south.

Nightlife

Los Angeles is America's unofficial capital of stand-up comedy. Every night, famous actors take to the stage of renowned comedy clubs on and around Sunset Boulevard. A visit to LA is not complete without a night of great laughs with some of the best comedians – often in combination with a meal and some drinks, as many comedy clubs also house a restaurant.

Nightlife

A simple pub or neighbourhood café may be hard to find in Los Angeles. This city is all about seeing and being seen, so going out is a stylish affair which centres mostly around the city's fancy hotel bars. After all, the places where famous people mingle is definitely the place to be.

Beach

Although there is a 5-kilometre-long sandy beach here, it is rarely the reason why people come to Venice Beach. This sandy stretch and boardwalk is mostly famous for its eclectic mix of eye-catching people, street performers and California beach boys. Venice Beach is all about people watching.

Arts & Culture

Using stone, glass and metal (and a billion dollar budget), architect Richard Meier created the Getty Center. The museum sits on top of a hill and visitors flock here not only for its extensive art collection but also for the magnificent architecture.

Family fun

Los Angeles is especially famous for its beautiful beaches, the glamour of Beverly Hills and of course the huge homes in the Hollywood Hills. Visitors therefore often skip downtown LA, which is a shame as there is plenty to do here.

Family fun

The Walk of Fame is the best known and most visited stretch of the Hollywood Boulevard. For more than 2 kilometres, both sides of the street are dotted with iconic pink stars with a golden lining. Thousands of celebrities have already been immortalized this way and new stars are added every month.

Shopping

Beverly Hills is an institution. The glamour that Hollywood Boulevard lacks is more than compensated by the many Ferraris, huge mansions and swaying palm trees. This is the spot where the rich and famous live and shop, and where flashy Rolex watches and chauffeur driven limousines are the norm.