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The Best Websites
Keep in mind that this is a press-time snapshot of leading websites -- some may have crashed, evolved, changed, or moved by the time you read this. My favorite? The losangeles.citysearch.com website -- it has the best written, unbiased reviews and candid reader opinions of just about every hotel, restaurant, and club. LA.com is also excellent for planning a trip and seeing what's going on while you're in town.
losangeles.citysearch.com: The local City Search site features movie/sports/entertainment listings, specialty guides like "Destination: Disney" and "Weekend Planner," online drawings for tickets and prizes, and an interactive match engine for singles.
la.com: If it's open to the public in L.A., it's listed somewhere on this huge website that hosts everything from an entire "Shopping & Spas" section to a LA.COMfidential blog page filled with juicy gossip. Browsing this website alone with make you want to visit L.A.
calendarlive.com: Hosted by the L.A. Times, Calendar Live is loaded with entertainment and nightlife reviews and listings in greater Los Angeles. Use the pull-down menu for categories ranging from "Theater & Dance" to "Family & Festivals." Other topics include restaurants, art and museums, and Southern California side trips. Use the search box to zoom in on whatever you're seeking. Online ticket purchasing via Ticketmaster is available as well.
www.at-la.com: This is the home page of @LA, whose exceptional search engine provides links to close to 60,000 sites in thousands of categories relating to all of Southern California.
Lamag.com: This online edition of Los Angeles magazine offers "The Guide," an oft-updated listing of L.A.'s theater, music scene, museums, and more, as well as an excellent "Dining Out" guide listing hundreds of restaurants organized geographically.
www.visitLAnow.com: The L.A. Convention & Visitors Bureau (aka L.A. INC.) lets you browse its site by region or category; view sample itineraries keyed to selected neighborhoods, activities, ethnic themes, or type of visitor; and use the "Plan Your Vacation" section to assemble a hotel/rental car/activity itinerary based on your interests.
www.santamonica.com: Everything you could possibly want to know about travel and tourist information in Santa Monica is covered in this vibrant website hosted by the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Also available is an online reservation system with comprehensive information on hotels and motels.
www.beverlyhillscvb.com: This official site of the Beverly Hills Visitors Bureau is as perfectly manicured as Beverly Hills itself, offering tons of practical information (including an indispensable map of parking lots, complete with rates), plus extras like a short historical walking tour, and a list of spas and salons as long as Cher's wigs.
www.TheatreLA.org: Theatre L.A. is an association of live theaters and producers in Los Angeles (and the organization that puts on the yearly Ovation Awards, L.A.'s answer to Broadway's Tonys). The website is a great place to look for small and midsize productions, plus information on what's currently on sale at the half-price ticket booth (Times Tix) in West Hollywood.
www.visitwesthollywood.com: The West Hollywood Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts this frequently updated guide to everything to see/do/eat/buy in WeHo, as it's come to be known. Learn about the Avenues of Art & Design (a district of L.A.'s best galleries and showrooms), plus browse extensive activity and service guides for WeHo's prominent gay and lesbian community.
www.tvtickets.com: This is your online source for free tickets to dozens of sitcoms and talk shows. The site, hosted by Audiences Unlimited, Inc., includes a taping schedule, studio information, news about shows, updates on specials, and just about everything else you need to help you figure out what show you'd like to catch.
www.disneyland.com: Check out the resorts, dining facilities, travel package options, and activities and rides in the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland's official website. Get specific hours and ride closures in advance by selecting the day of your visit; this site is guaranteed to rev up your enthusiasm level. Also visit Disneyland: Inside & Out (www.intercotwest.com), an independent guide to Disneyland with updates on activities, rides, entertainment, and the ever-expanding Disneyland resort; consult tips on what to bring, best times of year to visit, and more.
www.universalstudioshollywood.com: Take a virtual tour of the Universal Studios Hollywood attractions, view current show schedules, check out special ticket offers (and purchase tickets online), or play games based on Universal's most popular rides.
www.laweekly.com: Straight from the pages of the alternative L.A. Weekly paper, this site combines listings with social commentary. It has an events calendar, arts listings and critiques, and restaurant reviews.
www.losangeles.com: This is the L.A. feature of Boulevards New Media, whose national alternative websites emphasize travel, arts, entertainment, contemporary culture, and politics.
www.musictoday.com: This is a great source of information for local music, including venues and artists (click "login," then type "Los Angeles" in the Search For Tour Dates box, and search by City). You can also purchase tickets here.
www.festivalfinder.com or www.festivalusa.com: These sites can locate music festivals in and around Los Angeles.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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