City guide · Los Angeles
Los Angeles
City of the Queen of the Angels: Hollywood, beaches and endless freeways
Los Angeles is a city you need to drive: the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the sign in the hills, the beaches of Santa Monica and the mansions of Beverly Hills are all tens of minutes' drive apart.
History
Los orígenes de la ciudad
This land was originally home to the Tongva; in 1542 the explorer Cabrillo claimed it for Spain. On 4 September 1781, 44 settlers known as 'pobladores', organised by the Spanish governor Felipe de Neve, founded a town on the site of the Tongva village of Yaanga and named it 'the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels' — the origin of the name Los Angeles ('the angels'). Los Angeles was incorporated as a city on 4 April 1850, five months before California became a state. In 1923 a 'HOLLYWOODLAND' real-estate sign went up in the hills, later becoming the symbol of Hollywood.
- 1542Cabrillo claimed the land for Spain
- 178144 settlers founded the town
- 1850Incorporated as a city; California became a state five months later
- 1923The 'HOLLYWOODLAND' sign went up
- 1949The sign dropped 'LAND' and became 'HOLLYWOOD'
Stories
Historias de la ciudad
Historia · Hollywood Sign
A billboard meant to stand for just a year and a half
In 1923 the developers Woodruff and Shoults advertised their new hillside housing development, 'Hollywoodland', by having the Crescent Sign Company erect 13 giant south-facing letters reading 'HOLLYWOODLAND' on the slope; completed on 13 July, it was meant to stay up for only a year and a half. As Hollywood film entered its golden age, the sign became famous and was never taken down. In 1949 the last letters, 'LAND', were removed, and from then on it stood only for Hollywood itself.
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Before you go
Normas que debe conocer en Los Angeles
Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over
- Signal right and pull over safely to the right
- Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
- At night, turn on the interior light
- Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
- Getting out and walking towards the police car
- Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat
Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.
Sin verificarFuente: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook
USA: tipping is almost always expected
- Restaurants with table service: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill
- Bartenders: US$1–2 a drink, or 15–20% of the bill
- Taxis: 15–20% of the fare, at least US$1
- Hotel housekeeping: US$2–5 a day
- Not tipping at restaurants with table service
Not illegal, but seen as very rude.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: Emily Post Institute: tipping guide