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Visiting Los Angeles really is like stepping on to a movie set; with the Hollywood sign in the distance, the grand Hollywood hotels, and the celebrities that call this magnificent city home, it’s easy to see why LA is the city of film.

Of course, most people know Los Angeles and Hollywood for being the capital of the movie industry. Hundreds of famous actors live there and thousands of other hopefuls move to the Californian city in the hope they’ll be discovered too. But as well as this, LA is a great travel destination in its own right; from the famous Hollywood Boulevard and Venice Beach to the glitzy nightlife and great shopping on Rodeo Drive.

Travelling to Los Angeles couldn’t be easier. Most of the major US and UK airlines fly to the city’s main international airport, LAX, daily, and once you get there shared taxis, which drop you off at your Hollywood, is probably the best way to go, unless you want to try and figure out the bus routes.

Of course, like any well-known destination, there are thousands of hotels to choose from, but before you book it’s best to decide on an accommodation within your budget and one which is also centrally located. Two particular Hollywood hotels which are well placed and reasonably priced are the Wilshire Plaza Hotel and the Sofia Hotel.

The Wilshire Plaza Hotel Los Angeles is a good-sized hotel boasting 385 rooms. Located in the Wilshire business district, it is close to attractions such as Paramount Studios, the Staples Center and the Disney concert hall. Rooms are well equipped with modern facilities such as cable TV, telephones and hairdryers. You can also enjoy breakfast and lunch at its Tulips gardens restaurant, which offers a selection of Californian and continental dishes.

However, if you fancy a hotel a little more central you could opt for the Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles, which is located close to many famous tourist attractions, including Kitson and Rodeo Drive. A luxury hotel, it has a French theme to its interiors and state-of-the-art technology in its upmarket bedrooms, including high-definition TV and WiFi Internet. The rooms also include French bathing products and glass-enclosed rainfall showers.

Situated on the corner of Le Cienega and Beverly Boulevard, the hotel also houses a spa, which offers face and body treatments, as well as exclusive use of its gym, outdoor pool and sauna. The restaurant serves French cuisine and offers a buffet breakfast.

However, if you’re looking for a Hollywood hotel near to the attractions but you’re on a budget then a motel may be a better choice for you. Rooms at the Rodeway Inn start from as little as £60. You are also located centrally, just minutes from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and many restaurants.

Once you have your Hollywood hotel sorted you can start to think about sightseeing. First on this list might be the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which celebrates the careers of over 2,000 artists in film, radio, theatre and music. Based on Hollywood Boulevard, the first star was placed in 1960 and to this day, more are added on a regular basis.

One of Hollywood’s most famous streets, the Walk of Fame is popular with tourists as well as street entertainers, who range from funny to wacky. Another notable place to visit along the boulevard is Gruman’s Chinese Theatre, which has the handprints of over 200 stars. The Kodak Theatre also houses many Hollywood premieres, with Hollywood stars being snapped there on an almost daily basis.

The Sunset Strip is another part of Hollywood which really makes you believe you’re in LA. With its huge array of colourful billboards above the buildings and restaurants and nightclubs packed on to the strip, it is the best place to hang out if you want a great evening. The strip is a mile-and-a-half long, stretching from Sierra Drive in Beverly Hills to Harper Avenue in West Hollywood. Many famous film stars and musicians hang out on the Sunset Strip, particularly in famous clubs such as the Viper Room.

The weather in LA is usually nice all year round, with the summer months from May to September being the sunniest, peaking in July; with the maximum temperature ever recorded going up to 43 degrees C. Roughly a 40 minute drive from the main part of Los Angeles you will find a long stretch of coast; Venice Beach is the most well known, and with its golden sand and a Baywatch look you’ll probably want to spend hours sunbathing there.

If it’s entertainment you want, too, Venice Beach has it in abundance. Popular with skaters, performers and artists it’s not unusual to encounter magicians, singers and dance acts. The beach sidewalk also consists of souvenir shops, fortune tellers and buskers. The beach is particularly popular with fitness enthusiasts; Muscle Beach is where all the body builders go, and runners and skaters are regulars. Skate and bike hire is available if you fancy working out with them too.

If you’re still feeling energetic after that and would love to see some great views of Hollywood then why not sign up to a hike in one of its parks? Runyon Canyon Park is probably one of its most popular; a 130-acre park two blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, just west of the 101 Hollywood Freeway extending north to Mulholland Drive. Stepping inside it, you may not think that you are in Hollywood anymore!

Some hotels offer guided tours of the Canyon, while others will give you maps to help you explore it for yourself. Entrances are on Fuller Avenue, Vista Street and off Mulholland drive. It’s also a popular place for dog walkers, runners and celebrities, so try to spot one while you’re hiking up it. And once you get to the top it gives you views of all the luxury Hollywood homes, the Hollywood sign and the city below you.

After a busy day of sightseeing, your Hollywood hotel gives you the chance to relax before an even more exciting 24 hours the next day!