Travel Guide

Look at this travel guide for tourists visiting Los Angeles and do the exercises to improve your English reading skills.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary words with their definitions.

pier/rollercoaster/gym/amusement park/museum

1. a fairground attraction that consists of a light railway track which has many tight turns and steep slopes on which people ride in small, fast open carriages
2. a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited
3. a platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the sea, typically incorporating entertainment arcades and places to eat
4. a room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and other physical exercise
5. a large outdoor area with fairground rides, shows, and other entertainments

Reading

Discover Los Angeles

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is the ultimate Hollywood experience. This place is a mix of amusement park, movie studio, restaurants, and stores. It is a great place for the entire family to spend the day together. Rides include a variety of rollercoasters with virtual reality elements. In addition, you can explore the Universal Studios blacklot where some of the most famous movies such as Jaws, Mission Impossible III, and Pirates of the Caribbean were shot! You can end your day on Universal CityWalk which is filled with additional entertainment, dining, and shopping.^[1]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d104417-Reviews-Universal_Studios_Hollywood-Los_Angeles_California.html

The Getty Center

The Getty Center is one of the most popular museums to visit in Los Angeles. It features an impressive collection of art work from artists such as Cezanne, Monet, and Van Gogh. In addition, its buildings and gardens are great examples of beautiful architecture. To top it all off, it sits perched on the Santa Monica hills, where you can get a great look of the rest of Los Angeles.^[2]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d147966-Reviews-The_Getty_Center-Los_Angeles_California.html

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is one of the most iconic beach locations to visit in Los Angeles. One of the most famous parts of the piers is Pacific Park, a family amusement park famous for its Ferris Wheel, roller coaster, and other small rides. In addition, there are many other things to do on the pier such as go to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, shop, eat, fish, and look at the beautiful Pacific Ocean sunset.^[3]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33052-d104238-Reviews-Santa_Monica_Pier-Santa_Monica_California.html

Venice Beach

Venice Beach, not to be confused with Venice, Italy, is an area of Los Angeles that is very unique, bohemian, and artistic. It is famous for its canals, Ocean Front Walk, and multitude of performers and personalities. One of the most famous locations on Venice Beach is Muscle Beach where you can see perform great acrobatic and bodybuilding feats outdoors on the beach.^[4]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d104591-Reviews-Venice_Beach-Los_Angeles_California.html

The Grove

If shopping is more your style, then look no further than the iconic Grove! Shop at famous stores such as Nordstrom, DvF, and even take a look at Tesla cars! In addition, the place is stylish with great restaurants to eat at as well as the popular water fountain that places a choreographed water show to music every hour. This place is also a great place to go people watching. There is even a great chance that you will get to see some famous stars walking around and shopping! ^[5]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d547175-Reviews-The_Grove-Los_Angeles_California.html

Hollywood Walk of Fame

While locals may avoid it, as a tourist, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a must on any Los Angeles bucket list. With more than 2,600 stars commemorating directors, musicians, and actors, it is one of the greatest memorials to Hollywood history in the world. One of the best things to do is walk around and try to find your favorite stars on the walk.^[6]https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-los-angeles/

El Matador State Beach

If you are looking to “get out” of Los Angeles and experience a little bit of that famous California nature and weather, look no further than El matador State Beach located in Malibu, California! Due the magnificent rocks and caves along the beach, this spot is popular for photographers to take photos of models. If you would like to walk along the beach, the best time is at low tide.^[7]https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/el-matador-state-beach/

Dodger Stadium

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without visiting a shrine to America’s pastime, baseball. Dodger Stadium is the 3^rd oldest baseball stadium in the US as well as the largest one with a capacity of 56,000 people! While seeing a game eat some popular baseball game foods such as hot dogs and nachos while you root for the home team! If you would like to learn more about the stadium, there are even tours offered that let you get in the dugout and walk on the field.((https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-los-angeles/))

True or False

Select true or false for each statement about this travel guide.

1. Dodger Stadium is the 2^nd biggest baseball stadium in the USA. True/False
2. El Matador State Beach is located in Santa Monica, CA. True/False
3. The Grove is a great place to see movie stars. True/False
4. There are rollercoasters at Universal Studios. True/False
5. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is popular with locals. True/False
6. Venice Beach is famous for its canals. True/False

Matching

The following are several people who want to visit Los Angeles, but don’t know what to do or see. Match each person with the place that they would like most based on what they say using the information from the travel guide.

1. “I don’t really like the big city, but I love nature and the ocean.”
2. “Movies are my passion. Some of my favorite actors are Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt.”
3. “I love sports, especially baseball.”
4. “I’m not really into sports. I consider myself more of an artistic, alternative type.”
5. “Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. I love shopping!”
6. “Rollercoasters are my jam, I especially like it when they incorporate virtual reality elements!”

Discussion

Which of these places for this travel guide in Los Angeles is the most interesting to you? Why?

If this is too difficult to understand, check out the B1 grammar points to help out!